NSG 526 Exam 2 – Advanced
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing –
(2026) Actual Questions & Answers
(Wilkes University),,
1. A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is establishing a
therapeutic alliance with a new client. Which statement best reflects the core
condition of "unconditional positive regard"?
A) "I will always agree with your decisions."
B) "I accept you as a person, regardless of your thoughts or behaviors."
C) "I will share my personal experiences to help you feel understood."
D) "I will tell you what you need to do to get better."
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Unconditional positive regard, a concept from Carl Rogers, involves
accepting and respecting the client without judgment. It means valuing the client as
a human being, separate from their actions or thoughts. This creates a safe
environment for change.
2. A PMHNP is working with a client who is consistently late to sessions. Which
response best demonstrates the therapeutic technique of "immediacy"?
A) "It seems like you're having trouble getting here on time."
B) "Is there a reason you are late for our sessions?"
C) "I notice you are 15 minutes late today. I'm wondering how this impacts your
,feelings about our work together."
D) "Next time, if you are late, we will have to reschedule."
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: Immediacy is a technique where the therapist focuses on the "here and
now" of the therapeutic relationship. It involves addressing what is happening
between the therapist and client in the moment, which can uncover important
dynamics.
3. A client tells their PMHNP, "I'm worthless. I can't do anything right." What is
the best initial response from the PMHNP?
A) "You shouldn't say that about yourself."
B) "Why do you feel that way?"
C) "It sounds like you're feeling very down on yourself right now. Tell me more about
what's making you feel this way."
D) "Everyone makes mistakes; you just need to be kinder to yourself."
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: This response uses reflection and open-ended questioning to validate
the client's feelings and explore the basis of their belief. This is a core skill in
building a therapeutic alliance and understanding the client's perspective.
4. A PMHNP is using active listening with a client. Which of the following is a
key component of this skill?
,A) Interrupting the client to clarify a point
B) Planning the next question while the client is speaking
C) Paying close attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues
D) Offering immediate solutions to the client's problems
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: Active listening involves fully concentrating on what the client is saying,
understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully. This includes attending
to both the words and the body language.
5. Which of the following is a primary goal of the initial phase of
psychotherapy?
A) To completely resolve all of the client's symptoms
B) To establish a therapeutic alliance and develop a treatment plan
C) To analyze the client's childhood experiences in detail
D) To prescribe medication to alleviate acute symptoms
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: The initial phase of therapy (engagement) focuses on building trust,
rapport, and a collaborative working relationship. It also involves gathering
information to formulate a diagnosis and develop a shared treatment plan.
6. A client expresses ambivalence about starting a new medication. Which
therapeutic technique is most appropriate?
, A) Providing a detailed lecture on the importance of medication adherence
B) Arguing with the client to convince them to take the medication
C) Exploring the pros and cons of taking the medication using motivational
interviewing
D) Ignoring the client's concerns and moving on to the next topic
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: Motivational interviewing is an effective technique for addressing
ambivalence. By exploring the client's own reasons for and against a change, the
PMHNP can help the client resolve their uncertainty and move toward making a
decision.
7. A PMHNP uses the technique of "reframing" with a client. What is the
purpose of this technique?
A) To disagree with the client's perspective
B) To offer a new, more positive or constructive way of looking at a situation
C) To analyze the client's dreams
D) To encourage the client to forget about past events
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Reframing is a cognitive technique that helps clients see a situation
from a different perspective, often leading to new insights and more adaptive
emotional responses.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing –
(2026) Actual Questions & Answers
(Wilkes University),,
1. A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is establishing a
therapeutic alliance with a new client. Which statement best reflects the core
condition of "unconditional positive regard"?
A) "I will always agree with your decisions."
B) "I accept you as a person, regardless of your thoughts or behaviors."
C) "I will share my personal experiences to help you feel understood."
D) "I will tell you what you need to do to get better."
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Unconditional positive regard, a concept from Carl Rogers, involves
accepting and respecting the client without judgment. It means valuing the client as
a human being, separate from their actions or thoughts. This creates a safe
environment for change.
2. A PMHNP is working with a client who is consistently late to sessions. Which
response best demonstrates the therapeutic technique of "immediacy"?
A) "It seems like you're having trouble getting here on time."
B) "Is there a reason you are late for our sessions?"
C) "I notice you are 15 minutes late today. I'm wondering how this impacts your
,feelings about our work together."
D) "Next time, if you are late, we will have to reschedule."
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: Immediacy is a technique where the therapist focuses on the "here and
now" of the therapeutic relationship. It involves addressing what is happening
between the therapist and client in the moment, which can uncover important
dynamics.
3. A client tells their PMHNP, "I'm worthless. I can't do anything right." What is
the best initial response from the PMHNP?
A) "You shouldn't say that about yourself."
B) "Why do you feel that way?"
C) "It sounds like you're feeling very down on yourself right now. Tell me more about
what's making you feel this way."
D) "Everyone makes mistakes; you just need to be kinder to yourself."
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: This response uses reflection and open-ended questioning to validate
the client's feelings and explore the basis of their belief. This is a core skill in
building a therapeutic alliance and understanding the client's perspective.
4. A PMHNP is using active listening with a client. Which of the following is a
key component of this skill?
,A) Interrupting the client to clarify a point
B) Planning the next question while the client is speaking
C) Paying close attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues
D) Offering immediate solutions to the client's problems
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: Active listening involves fully concentrating on what the client is saying,
understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully. This includes attending
to both the words and the body language.
5. Which of the following is a primary goal of the initial phase of
psychotherapy?
A) To completely resolve all of the client's symptoms
B) To establish a therapeutic alliance and develop a treatment plan
C) To analyze the client's childhood experiences in detail
D) To prescribe medication to alleviate acute symptoms
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: The initial phase of therapy (engagement) focuses on building trust,
rapport, and a collaborative working relationship. It also involves gathering
information to formulate a diagnosis and develop a shared treatment plan.
6. A client expresses ambivalence about starting a new medication. Which
therapeutic technique is most appropriate?
, A) Providing a detailed lecture on the importance of medication adherence
B) Arguing with the client to convince them to take the medication
C) Exploring the pros and cons of taking the medication using motivational
interviewing
D) Ignoring the client's concerns and moving on to the next topic
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: Motivational interviewing is an effective technique for addressing
ambivalence. By exploring the client's own reasons for and against a change, the
PMHNP can help the client resolve their uncertainty and move toward making a
decision.
7. A PMHNP uses the technique of "reframing" with a client. What is the
purpose of this technique?
A) To disagree with the client's perspective
B) To offer a new, more positive or constructive way of looking at a situation
C) To analyze the client's dreams
D) To encourage the client to forget about past events
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Reframing is a cognitive technique that helps clients see a situation
from a different perspective, often leading to new insights and more adaptive
emotional responses.
