SAUNDERS MENTAL HEALTH EXAM PREP STUDY
GUIDE 2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ 1074. The nurse uses which approach when caring for a client
with a diagnosis of acute undifferentiated schizophrenia?
1. Repeatedly points out inconsistencies in the client's
communication .
2. Allows the client to set his or her own treatment goals for the plan
of care.
3. Lets the client act out initially and uses the quiet room and
restraints as needed.
4. Provides assistance with grooming and nutrition until the client's
thinking is cleared. Answer: 4. Provides assistance with grooming
and nutrition until the client's thinking is cleared
◉ 1075. A client is admitted to the mental health unit after a suicide
attempt by hanging. The nurse's most important aspect of care is to
maintain client safety. The is best accomplished by which action?
1. Requesting that a peer remain with the client at all times.
2. Removing the client's clothing and placing the client in a hospital
gown.
3. Assigning a staff member to the client who will remain with the
client at all times.
,4. Admitting the client to a seclusion room where all potentially
dangerous articles are removed. Answer: 3. Assigning a staff
member to the client who will remain with the client at all times
◉ 1076. The nurse providing end-of-life care to a Muslim client
understands that which practice is accurate regarding end-of-life
care?
1. The client's head should be positioned below the body.
2. Discussions about death are usually welcomed and open.
3. A same-gendered Muslim should handle the body if possible.
4. Stopping medical treatment is allowed if permitted by the family.
Answer: 3. A same-gendered Muslim should handle the body if
possible.
◉ 1077. On admission assessment, the nurse is obtaining subjective
data about a client's sexual and reproductive status. The client
states, "I don't want to discuss this; it's private and personal." Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
1. "I'd hate being asked these sorts of questions too, but it's a
necessary part of providing you with the best care."
2. "This is difficult for you to speak about, but I need this
information from you in order to perform a complete assessment."
3. "I am a professional registered nurse, and , as such, I'll have you
know that all your information is certainly kept confidential."
,4. " I know that some of these questions are difficult for you, but, as a
professional nurse, I am obligated to respect your confidentiality."
Answer: 4. " I know that some of these questions are difficult for you,
but, as a professional nurse, I am obligated to respect your
confidentiality."
◉ 1078. The nurse should include which information in the nursing
plan of care for a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
Select all that apply.
1. The medical diagnosis of the client.
2. Individualized goals and objectives.
3. Attendance at group therapy sessions.
4. Self-care measures to improve hygiene.
5. Interruption of all compulsive behaviors. Answer: 2.
Individualized goals and objectives.
3. Attendance at group therapy sessions.
4. Self-care measures to improve hygiene.
◉ 1079. A client asks the nurse to explain what milieu therapy is.
The nurse responds, knowing that the primary focus of milieu
therapy can be best described by which statement?
1. Changing behavior through crisis intervention.
2. A cognitive approach to changing client behavior.
3. Providing a safe, therapeutic environment for clients.
, 4. A behavioral approach to changing behavior appropriately.
Answer: 3. Providing a safe, therapeutic environment for clients.
◉ 1080. An older adult client states to the nurse, "Lately I'm getting
forgetful about things. Do you think I'm getting Alzheimer's
disease?" Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
1. "Oh, I'm certain it's not Alzheimer's disease because everyone
forgets things sometimes."
2. " No, I don't think we really need to discuss this because I' sure it
is just normal aging."
3. " Although it's not unusual to experience some lapses of memory,
let's discuss your concerns."
4. " I am so forgetful, too. I never needed lists of things that I had to
do, but that changed as I got older." Answer: 3. " Although it's not
unusual to experience some lapses of memory, let's discuss your
concerns."
◉ 1081. A client in the mental health unit believes that the food is
being poisoned. Which intervention(s) would be helpful when
attempting to encourage the client to eat? Select all that apply.
1. Use open-ended questions to encourage client dialogue.
2. Offer opinions about the necessity for adequate nutrition.
3. Focus on the client's self-disclosure about food preferences.
4. Identify the reasons that the client had for not wanting to eat.
GUIDE 2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ 1074. The nurse uses which approach when caring for a client
with a diagnosis of acute undifferentiated schizophrenia?
1. Repeatedly points out inconsistencies in the client's
communication .
2. Allows the client to set his or her own treatment goals for the plan
of care.
3. Lets the client act out initially and uses the quiet room and
restraints as needed.
4. Provides assistance with grooming and nutrition until the client's
thinking is cleared. Answer: 4. Provides assistance with grooming
and nutrition until the client's thinking is cleared
◉ 1075. A client is admitted to the mental health unit after a suicide
attempt by hanging. The nurse's most important aspect of care is to
maintain client safety. The is best accomplished by which action?
1. Requesting that a peer remain with the client at all times.
2. Removing the client's clothing and placing the client in a hospital
gown.
3. Assigning a staff member to the client who will remain with the
client at all times.
,4. Admitting the client to a seclusion room where all potentially
dangerous articles are removed. Answer: 3. Assigning a staff
member to the client who will remain with the client at all times
◉ 1076. The nurse providing end-of-life care to a Muslim client
understands that which practice is accurate regarding end-of-life
care?
1. The client's head should be positioned below the body.
2. Discussions about death are usually welcomed and open.
3. A same-gendered Muslim should handle the body if possible.
4. Stopping medical treatment is allowed if permitted by the family.
Answer: 3. A same-gendered Muslim should handle the body if
possible.
◉ 1077. On admission assessment, the nurse is obtaining subjective
data about a client's sexual and reproductive status. The client
states, "I don't want to discuss this; it's private and personal." Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
1. "I'd hate being asked these sorts of questions too, but it's a
necessary part of providing you with the best care."
2. "This is difficult for you to speak about, but I need this
information from you in order to perform a complete assessment."
3. "I am a professional registered nurse, and , as such, I'll have you
know that all your information is certainly kept confidential."
,4. " I know that some of these questions are difficult for you, but, as a
professional nurse, I am obligated to respect your confidentiality."
Answer: 4. " I know that some of these questions are difficult for you,
but, as a professional nurse, I am obligated to respect your
confidentiality."
◉ 1078. The nurse should include which information in the nursing
plan of care for a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
Select all that apply.
1. The medical diagnosis of the client.
2. Individualized goals and objectives.
3. Attendance at group therapy sessions.
4. Self-care measures to improve hygiene.
5. Interruption of all compulsive behaviors. Answer: 2.
Individualized goals and objectives.
3. Attendance at group therapy sessions.
4. Self-care measures to improve hygiene.
◉ 1079. A client asks the nurse to explain what milieu therapy is.
The nurse responds, knowing that the primary focus of milieu
therapy can be best described by which statement?
1. Changing behavior through crisis intervention.
2. A cognitive approach to changing client behavior.
3. Providing a safe, therapeutic environment for clients.
, 4. A behavioral approach to changing behavior appropriately.
Answer: 3. Providing a safe, therapeutic environment for clients.
◉ 1080. An older adult client states to the nurse, "Lately I'm getting
forgetful about things. Do you think I'm getting Alzheimer's
disease?" Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
1. "Oh, I'm certain it's not Alzheimer's disease because everyone
forgets things sometimes."
2. " No, I don't think we really need to discuss this because I' sure it
is just normal aging."
3. " Although it's not unusual to experience some lapses of memory,
let's discuss your concerns."
4. " I am so forgetful, too. I never needed lists of things that I had to
do, but that changed as I got older." Answer: 3. " Although it's not
unusual to experience some lapses of memory, let's discuss your
concerns."
◉ 1081. A client in the mental health unit believes that the food is
being poisoned. Which intervention(s) would be helpful when
attempting to encourage the client to eat? Select all that apply.
1. Use open-ended questions to encourage client dialogue.
2. Offer opinions about the necessity for adequate nutrition.
3. Focus on the client's self-disclosure about food preferences.
4. Identify the reasons that the client had for not wanting to eat.
