Nur 253 Mental Health Exam 1 Practice Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationale | Newest Update | Galen
College of Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is voluntarily admitted to a psychiatric unit.
The client asks to leave against medical advice (AMA). Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Immediately discharge the client.
B. Initiate an involuntary commitment process.
C. Administer a sedative to keep the client on the unit.
D. Notify the provider and assess the client for safety.
Answer: D
Rationale: While voluntary clients have the right to leave, the nurse must first assess the
client’s safety (risk to self/others) and notify the provider to determine if the status needs
to be changed to involuntary.
2. A nurse is helping a client explore the root causes of their anxiety. This occurs
during which phase of the nurse-patient relationship?
A. Pre-orientation phase
B. Orientation phase
C. Working phase
,D. Termination phase
Answer: C
Rationale: The working phase involves problem-solving, exploring stressors, and
promoting behavioral change.
3. Which ethical principle is demonstrated when a nurse follows through with a
promise to return to a client’s room in 15 minutes?
A. Autonomy
B. Veracity
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Answer: D
Rationale: Fidelity refers to faithfulness and keeping promises made to the client.
4. A client is angry after losing their job and comes home to yell at their spouse.
This is an example of which defense mechanism?
A. Reaction Formation
B. Projection
C. Rationalization
D. Displacement
Answer: D
, Rationale: Displacement involves shifting feelings from a threatening target (the boss/job)
to a less threatening target (the spouse).
5. In the Mental Status Examination (MSE), how does a nurse assess a client’s
abstract thinking?
A. Ask the client to interpret a common proverb.
B. Ask the client to count backward from 100 by 7s.
C. Ask the client what they ate for breakfast.
D. Observe the client’s grooming and hygiene.
Answer: A
Rationale: Interpreting proverbs allows the nurse to determine if the client’s thinking is
concrete or abstract.
6. A client states, ‘I don’t think I can handle this anymore.’ The nurse responds,
‘You feel like things are becoming overwhelming?’ Which technique is the nurse
using?
A. Restating
B. Exploring
C. Reflecting
D. Focusing
Answer: C
Correct Answers with Rationale | Newest Update | Galen
College of Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is voluntarily admitted to a psychiatric unit.
The client asks to leave against medical advice (AMA). Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Immediately discharge the client.
B. Initiate an involuntary commitment process.
C. Administer a sedative to keep the client on the unit.
D. Notify the provider and assess the client for safety.
Answer: D
Rationale: While voluntary clients have the right to leave, the nurse must first assess the
client’s safety (risk to self/others) and notify the provider to determine if the status needs
to be changed to involuntary.
2. A nurse is helping a client explore the root causes of their anxiety. This occurs
during which phase of the nurse-patient relationship?
A. Pre-orientation phase
B. Orientation phase
C. Working phase
,D. Termination phase
Answer: C
Rationale: The working phase involves problem-solving, exploring stressors, and
promoting behavioral change.
3. Which ethical principle is demonstrated when a nurse follows through with a
promise to return to a client’s room in 15 minutes?
A. Autonomy
B. Veracity
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Answer: D
Rationale: Fidelity refers to faithfulness and keeping promises made to the client.
4. A client is angry after losing their job and comes home to yell at their spouse.
This is an example of which defense mechanism?
A. Reaction Formation
B. Projection
C. Rationalization
D. Displacement
Answer: D
, Rationale: Displacement involves shifting feelings from a threatening target (the boss/job)
to a less threatening target (the spouse).
5. In the Mental Status Examination (MSE), how does a nurse assess a client’s
abstract thinking?
A. Ask the client to interpret a common proverb.
B. Ask the client to count backward from 100 by 7s.
C. Ask the client what they ate for breakfast.
D. Observe the client’s grooming and hygiene.
Answer: A
Rationale: Interpreting proverbs allows the nurse to determine if the client’s thinking is
concrete or abstract.
6. A client states, ‘I don’t think I can handle this anymore.’ The nurse responds,
‘You feel like things are becoming overwhelming?’ Which technique is the nurse
using?
A. Restating
B. Exploring
C. Reflecting
D. Focusing
Answer: C
