EXAM 1 – PSYCHIATRIC / MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING 2026 COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
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,The patient says, "My marriage is just great. My spouse ANS: B
and I always agree." The nurse observes the patient's foot Mixed messages involve the transmission of conflicting or incongruent messages
moving continuously as the patient twirls a shirt button. by the speaker. The patient's verbal message that all was well in the relationship
The conclusion the nurse can draw is that the patient's was modified by the nonverbal behaviors denoting anxiety. Data are not present
communication is: to support the choice of the verbal message being clear, explicit, or inadequate.
a. clear.
b. mixed.
c. precise.
d. inadequate.
A nurse interacts with a newly hospitalized patient. Select ANS: D
the nurse's comment that applies the communication "Offering self" is a technique that should be used in the orientation phase of the
technique of "offering self." nurse-patient relationship. Sitting with the patient, an example of "offering self,"
a. "I've also had traumatic life experiences. Maybe it helps to build trust and convey that the nurse cares about the patient. Two
would help if I told you about them." incorrect responses are ineffective and non-therapeutic. The other incorrect
b. "Why do you think you had so much difficulty adjusting response is therapeutic but is an example of "offering hope."
to this change in your life?"
c. "I hope you will feel better after getting accustomed to
how this unit operates."
d. "I'd like to sit with you for a while to help you get
comfortable talking to me."
Which technique will best communicate to a patient that ANS: A
the nurse is interested in listening? Restating allows the patient to validate the nurse's understanding of what has
a. Restating a feeling or thought the patient has been communicated. Restating is an active listening technique. Judgments should
expressed. be suspended in a nurse-patient relationship. Close-ended questions such as "Did
b. Asking a direct question, such as "Did you feel angry?" you feel angry?" ask for specific information rather than showing understanding.
c. Making a judgment about the patient's problem. When the nurse simply states that he or she understands the patient's words, the
d. Saying, "I understand what you're saying." patient has no way of measuring the understanding.
A patient discloses several concerns and associated ANS: C
feelings. If the nurse wants to seek clarification, which Asking, "Am I correct in understanding that..." permits clarification to ensure that
comment would be appropriate? both the nurse and patient share mutual understanding of the communication.
a. "What are the common elements here?" Asking about common elements encourages comparison rather than clarification.
b. "Tell me again about your experiences." The remaining responses are implied questions that suggest the nurse was not
c. "Am I correct in understanding that . . ." listening.
d. "Tell me everything from the beginning."
,A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I'll ever get out of ANS: C
here." Select the nurse's most therapeutic response. By asking if the patient does not believe that progress has been made, the nurse is
a. "Don't talk that way. Of course you will leave here!" reflecting by putting into words what the patient is hinting. By making
b. "Keep up the good work, and you certainly will." communication more explicit, issues are easier to identify and resolve. The
c. "You don't think you're making progress?" remaining options are non-therapeutic techniques. Telling the patient not to "talk
d. "Everyone feels that way sometimes." that way" is disapproving. Saying that everyone feels that way at times minimizes
feelings. Telling the patient that good work will always result in success is falsely
reassuring.
Documentation in a patient's chart shows, "Throughout a ANS: C
5-minute interaction, patient fidgeted and tapped left When a verbal message is not reinforced with nonverbal behavior, the message is
foot, periodically covered face with hands, and looked confusing and incongruent. Some clinicians call it a "mixed message." It is
under chair while stating, 'I enjoy spending time with inaccurate to say that the patient is giving positive feedback about the nurse's
you.'" Which analysis is most accurate? communication techniques. The concept of a cultural filter is not relevant to the
a. The patient is giving positive feedback about the situation because a cultural filter determines what we will pay attention to and
nurse's communication techniques. what we will ignore. Data are insufficient to draw the conclusion that the patient is
b. The nurse is viewing the patient's behavior through a demonstrating psychotic behaviors.
cultural filter.
c. The patient's verbal and nonverbal messages are
incongruent.
d. The patient is demonstrating psychotic behaviors.
While talking with a patient diagnosed with major ANS: A
depression, a nurse notices the patient is unable to Eye contact and body movements are considered nonverbal communication.
maintain eye contact. The patient's chin lowers to the There are insufficient data to determine the level of the patient's social skills or
chest, while the patient looks at the floor. Which aspect whether a cultural barrier exists.
of communication has the nurse assessed?
a. Nonverbal communication
b. A message filter
c. A cultural barrier
d. Social skills
During the first interview with a parent whose child died ANS: B
in a car accident, the nurse feels empathic and reaches Touch has various cultural and individual interpretations. Nurses should refrain
out to take the patient's hand. Select the correct analysis from using touch until an assessment can be made regarding the way in which the
of the nurse's behavior. patient will perceive touch. The other options present prematurely drawn
a. It shows empathy and compassion. It will encourage conclusions.
the patient to continue to express feelings.
b. The gesture is premature. The patient's cultural and
individual interpretation of touch is unknown.
c. The patient will perceive the gesture as intrusive and
overstepping boundaries.
d. The action is inappropriate. Psychiatric patients should
not be touched.
, During a one-on-one interaction with the nurse, a patient ANS: A
frequently looks nervously at the door. Select the best Making observations and encouraging the patient to describe perceptions are
comment by the nurse regarding this nonverbal useful therapeutic communication techniques for this situation. The other
communication. responses are assumptions made by the nurse.
a. "I notice you keep looking toward the door."
b. "This is our time together. No one is going to interrupt
us."
c. "It looks as if you are eager to end our discussion for
today."
d. "If you are uncomfortable in this room, we can move
someplace else."
A black patient says to a white nurse, "There's no sense ANS: B
talking. You wouldn't understand because you live in a Having the patient speak in specifics rather than globally will help the nurse
white world." The nurse's best action would be to: understand the patient's perspective. This approach will help the nurse engage
a. explain, "Yes, I do understand. Everyone goes through the patient. Reassurance and changing the subject are not therapeutic techniques.
the same experiences."
b. say, "Please give an example of something you think I
wouldn't understand."
c. reassure the patient that nurses interact with people
from all cultures.
d. change the subject to one that is less emotionally
disturbing.
A Filipino American patient had a nursing diagnosis of ANS: D
situational low self-esteem related to poor social skills as The amount of eye contact a person engages in is often culturally determined. In
evidenced by lack of eye contact. Interventions were some cultures, eye contact is considered insolent, whereas in others eye contact
used to raise the patient's self-esteem, but after 3 weeks, is expected. Asian Americans, including persons from the Philippines, often prefer
the patient's eye contact did not improve. What is the not to engage in direct eye contact.
most accurate analysis of this scenario?
a. The patient's eye contact should have been directly
addressed by role-playing to increase comfort with eye
contact.
b. The nurse should not have independently embarked
on assessment, diagnosis, and planning for this patient.
c. The patient's poor eye contact is indicative of anger
and hostility that were unaddressed.
d. The nurse should have assessed the patient's culture
before making this diagnosis and plan.
NURSING 2026 COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales Included
,The patient says, "My marriage is just great. My spouse ANS: B
and I always agree." The nurse observes the patient's foot Mixed messages involve the transmission of conflicting or incongruent messages
moving continuously as the patient twirls a shirt button. by the speaker. The patient's verbal message that all was well in the relationship
The conclusion the nurse can draw is that the patient's was modified by the nonverbal behaviors denoting anxiety. Data are not present
communication is: to support the choice of the verbal message being clear, explicit, or inadequate.
a. clear.
b. mixed.
c. precise.
d. inadequate.
A nurse interacts with a newly hospitalized patient. Select ANS: D
the nurse's comment that applies the communication "Offering self" is a technique that should be used in the orientation phase of the
technique of "offering self." nurse-patient relationship. Sitting with the patient, an example of "offering self,"
a. "I've also had traumatic life experiences. Maybe it helps to build trust and convey that the nurse cares about the patient. Two
would help if I told you about them." incorrect responses are ineffective and non-therapeutic. The other incorrect
b. "Why do you think you had so much difficulty adjusting response is therapeutic but is an example of "offering hope."
to this change in your life?"
c. "I hope you will feel better after getting accustomed to
how this unit operates."
d. "I'd like to sit with you for a while to help you get
comfortable talking to me."
Which technique will best communicate to a patient that ANS: A
the nurse is interested in listening? Restating allows the patient to validate the nurse's understanding of what has
a. Restating a feeling or thought the patient has been communicated. Restating is an active listening technique. Judgments should
expressed. be suspended in a nurse-patient relationship. Close-ended questions such as "Did
b. Asking a direct question, such as "Did you feel angry?" you feel angry?" ask for specific information rather than showing understanding.
c. Making a judgment about the patient's problem. When the nurse simply states that he or she understands the patient's words, the
d. Saying, "I understand what you're saying." patient has no way of measuring the understanding.
A patient discloses several concerns and associated ANS: C
feelings. If the nurse wants to seek clarification, which Asking, "Am I correct in understanding that..." permits clarification to ensure that
comment would be appropriate? both the nurse and patient share mutual understanding of the communication.
a. "What are the common elements here?" Asking about common elements encourages comparison rather than clarification.
b. "Tell me again about your experiences." The remaining responses are implied questions that suggest the nurse was not
c. "Am I correct in understanding that . . ." listening.
d. "Tell me everything from the beginning."
,A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I'll ever get out of ANS: C
here." Select the nurse's most therapeutic response. By asking if the patient does not believe that progress has been made, the nurse is
a. "Don't talk that way. Of course you will leave here!" reflecting by putting into words what the patient is hinting. By making
b. "Keep up the good work, and you certainly will." communication more explicit, issues are easier to identify and resolve. The
c. "You don't think you're making progress?" remaining options are non-therapeutic techniques. Telling the patient not to "talk
d. "Everyone feels that way sometimes." that way" is disapproving. Saying that everyone feels that way at times minimizes
feelings. Telling the patient that good work will always result in success is falsely
reassuring.
Documentation in a patient's chart shows, "Throughout a ANS: C
5-minute interaction, patient fidgeted and tapped left When a verbal message is not reinforced with nonverbal behavior, the message is
foot, periodically covered face with hands, and looked confusing and incongruent. Some clinicians call it a "mixed message." It is
under chair while stating, 'I enjoy spending time with inaccurate to say that the patient is giving positive feedback about the nurse's
you.'" Which analysis is most accurate? communication techniques. The concept of a cultural filter is not relevant to the
a. The patient is giving positive feedback about the situation because a cultural filter determines what we will pay attention to and
nurse's communication techniques. what we will ignore. Data are insufficient to draw the conclusion that the patient is
b. The nurse is viewing the patient's behavior through a demonstrating psychotic behaviors.
cultural filter.
c. The patient's verbal and nonverbal messages are
incongruent.
d. The patient is demonstrating psychotic behaviors.
While talking with a patient diagnosed with major ANS: A
depression, a nurse notices the patient is unable to Eye contact and body movements are considered nonverbal communication.
maintain eye contact. The patient's chin lowers to the There are insufficient data to determine the level of the patient's social skills or
chest, while the patient looks at the floor. Which aspect whether a cultural barrier exists.
of communication has the nurse assessed?
a. Nonverbal communication
b. A message filter
c. A cultural barrier
d. Social skills
During the first interview with a parent whose child died ANS: B
in a car accident, the nurse feels empathic and reaches Touch has various cultural and individual interpretations. Nurses should refrain
out to take the patient's hand. Select the correct analysis from using touch until an assessment can be made regarding the way in which the
of the nurse's behavior. patient will perceive touch. The other options present prematurely drawn
a. It shows empathy and compassion. It will encourage conclusions.
the patient to continue to express feelings.
b. The gesture is premature. The patient's cultural and
individual interpretation of touch is unknown.
c. The patient will perceive the gesture as intrusive and
overstepping boundaries.
d. The action is inappropriate. Psychiatric patients should
not be touched.
, During a one-on-one interaction with the nurse, a patient ANS: A
frequently looks nervously at the door. Select the best Making observations and encouraging the patient to describe perceptions are
comment by the nurse regarding this nonverbal useful therapeutic communication techniques for this situation. The other
communication. responses are assumptions made by the nurse.
a. "I notice you keep looking toward the door."
b. "This is our time together. No one is going to interrupt
us."
c. "It looks as if you are eager to end our discussion for
today."
d. "If you are uncomfortable in this room, we can move
someplace else."
A black patient says to a white nurse, "There's no sense ANS: B
talking. You wouldn't understand because you live in a Having the patient speak in specifics rather than globally will help the nurse
white world." The nurse's best action would be to: understand the patient's perspective. This approach will help the nurse engage
a. explain, "Yes, I do understand. Everyone goes through the patient. Reassurance and changing the subject are not therapeutic techniques.
the same experiences."
b. say, "Please give an example of something you think I
wouldn't understand."
c. reassure the patient that nurses interact with people
from all cultures.
d. change the subject to one that is less emotionally
disturbing.
A Filipino American patient had a nursing diagnosis of ANS: D
situational low self-esteem related to poor social skills as The amount of eye contact a person engages in is often culturally determined. In
evidenced by lack of eye contact. Interventions were some cultures, eye contact is considered insolent, whereas in others eye contact
used to raise the patient's self-esteem, but after 3 weeks, is expected. Asian Americans, including persons from the Philippines, often prefer
the patient's eye contact did not improve. What is the not to engage in direct eye contact.
most accurate analysis of this scenario?
a. The patient's eye contact should have been directly
addressed by role-playing to increase comfort with eye
contact.
b. The nurse should not have independently embarked
on assessment, diagnosis, and planning for this patient.
c. The patient's poor eye contact is indicative of anger
and hostility that were unaddressed.
d. The nurse should have assessed the patient's culture
before making this diagnosis and plan.
