NURS 222: Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing - Module 1 Exam 2026
|WCU
1. A nurse is during the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship.
Which of the following activities should the nurse prioritize?
A. Promoting the patient’s problem-solving skills
B. Evaluating the progress of the interventions
C. Overcoming resistance behaviors
D. Establishing the parameters of the relationship
Answer: D
Rationale: The orientation phase is focused on establishing rapport, defining parameters,
and identifying the patient’s needs. Problem-solving and resistance occur in the working
phase, while evaluation occurs in the termination phase.
2. A patient expresses feelings of hopelessness and states, ‘I do not think I can
go on like this.’ Which response by the nurse is the most therapeutic?
A. ‘It sounds like you are feeling very overwhelmed right now.’
B. ‘I am sure things will get better once your meds kick in.’
C. ‘Why do you feel that way today?’
D. ‘Have you thought about how your family would feel?’
Answer: A
Rationale: This response uses the therapeutic technique of reflection and empathy,
acknowledging the patient’s feelings without being judgmental or offering false
reassurance.
,3. The nurse is caring for a patient who has been involuntarily committed. The
patient refuses an scheduled dose of an antipsychotic medication. What action
should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication anyway since the patient is involuntary.
B. Inform the patient that refusing medication will extend their stay.
C. Place the patient in seclusion for non-compliance.
D. Honor the patient’s refusal and document the reason.
Answer: D
Rationale: Even involuntarily committed patients retain the right to refuse
treatment/medications in most states, unless they are an immediate danger to self or
others or a court has ruled otherwise.
4. A nurse identifies that a patient is projecting their own feelings of anger onto
the nurse. This is an example of which of the following?
A. Countertransference
B. Transference
C. Reaction Formation
D. Sublimation
Answer: B
Rationale: Transference occurs when a patient displaces feelings onto the nurse that were
originally felt for another person in the patient’s life.
5. Which ethical principle is violated when a nurse promises a patient a walk
outside but then fails to follow through?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Beneficence
D. Autonomy
Answer: B
, Rationale: Fidelity refers to faithfulness and keeping promises made to patients.
6. During a Mental Status Exam (MSE), the nurse asks the patient to explain the
meaning of ‘Don’t cry over spilled milk.’ What is the nurse assessing?
A. Insight
B. Abstract thinking
C. Judgment
D. Orientation
Answer: B
Rationale: Interpreting proverbs is a standard method used to assess whether a patient’s
thinking is concrete or abstract.
7. A patient states, ‘I am the King of England, and everyone must bow to me.’
How should the nurse respond?
A. ‘I don’t see a crown, so you can’t be the King.’
B. ‘That is interesting. How long have you been the King?’
C. ‘It must be stressful to have so much responsibility as a King.’
D. ‘You are at a hospital, and I am your nurse, not your subject.’
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should present reality without arguing or ‘playing into’ the delusion.
This focuses the patient on the here and now.
8. Which level of prevention is a nurse practicing when conducting a depression
screening at a local community center?
A. Primary Prevention
B. Quaternary Prevention
C. Tertiary Prevention
D. Secondary Prevention
Answer: D
|WCU
1. A nurse is during the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship.
Which of the following activities should the nurse prioritize?
A. Promoting the patient’s problem-solving skills
B. Evaluating the progress of the interventions
C. Overcoming resistance behaviors
D. Establishing the parameters of the relationship
Answer: D
Rationale: The orientation phase is focused on establishing rapport, defining parameters,
and identifying the patient’s needs. Problem-solving and resistance occur in the working
phase, while evaluation occurs in the termination phase.
2. A patient expresses feelings of hopelessness and states, ‘I do not think I can
go on like this.’ Which response by the nurse is the most therapeutic?
A. ‘It sounds like you are feeling very overwhelmed right now.’
B. ‘I am sure things will get better once your meds kick in.’
C. ‘Why do you feel that way today?’
D. ‘Have you thought about how your family would feel?’
Answer: A
Rationale: This response uses the therapeutic technique of reflection and empathy,
acknowledging the patient’s feelings without being judgmental or offering false
reassurance.
,3. The nurse is caring for a patient who has been involuntarily committed. The
patient refuses an scheduled dose of an antipsychotic medication. What action
should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication anyway since the patient is involuntary.
B. Inform the patient that refusing medication will extend their stay.
C. Place the patient in seclusion for non-compliance.
D. Honor the patient’s refusal and document the reason.
Answer: D
Rationale: Even involuntarily committed patients retain the right to refuse
treatment/medications in most states, unless they are an immediate danger to self or
others or a court has ruled otherwise.
4. A nurse identifies that a patient is projecting their own feelings of anger onto
the nurse. This is an example of which of the following?
A. Countertransference
B. Transference
C. Reaction Formation
D. Sublimation
Answer: B
Rationale: Transference occurs when a patient displaces feelings onto the nurse that were
originally felt for another person in the patient’s life.
5. Which ethical principle is violated when a nurse promises a patient a walk
outside but then fails to follow through?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Beneficence
D. Autonomy
Answer: B
, Rationale: Fidelity refers to faithfulness and keeping promises made to patients.
6. During a Mental Status Exam (MSE), the nurse asks the patient to explain the
meaning of ‘Don’t cry over spilled milk.’ What is the nurse assessing?
A. Insight
B. Abstract thinking
C. Judgment
D. Orientation
Answer: B
Rationale: Interpreting proverbs is a standard method used to assess whether a patient’s
thinking is concrete or abstract.
7. A patient states, ‘I am the King of England, and everyone must bow to me.’
How should the nurse respond?
A. ‘I don’t see a crown, so you can’t be the King.’
B. ‘That is interesting. How long have you been the King?’
C. ‘It must be stressful to have so much responsibility as a King.’
D. ‘You are at a hospital, and I am your nurse, not your subject.’
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should present reality without arguing or ‘playing into’ the delusion.
This focuses the patient on the here and now.
8. Which level of prevention is a nurse practicing when conducting a depression
screening at a local community center?
A. Primary Prevention
B. Quaternary Prevention
C. Tertiary Prevention
D. Secondary Prevention
Answer: D
