Chamberlain University NR 326 Exam 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Mental
Health Q&A | Mental Health Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic-level anxiety
attack. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Encourage the client to discuss the underlying cause of their anxiety
B) Provide a quiet environment with minimal stimulation and stay with the
client
C) Teach the client a variety of relaxation techniques to use independently
D) Encourage the client to take a walk to burn off excess nervous energy
Correct Answer: Provide a quiet environment with minimal stimulation and
stay with the client
Rationale: During panic-level anxiety, the client is unable to process
environmental stimuli and may lose touch with reality. The priority is to
ensure safety by providing a quiet, low-stimulation environment and
remaining with the client to provide a calming presence. Teaching relaxation
techniques or encouraging physical activity is not appropriate until the
anxiety has decreased to a more manageable level.
2. A client on a psychiatric unit is using the defense mechanism of
displacement. Which of the following behaviors is consistent with this
defense mechanism?
A) A client who lost their job blames their spouse for the financial difficulties
B) A client who is angry with their therapist yells at their roommate instead
C) A client who is anxious about a procedure states that they are not afraid
at all
D) A client who fails a test claims that the questions were poorly written
Correct Answer: A client who is angry with their therapist yells at their
roommate instead
,Rationale: Displacement is the transfer of feelings from one target to
another, less threatening target. When a client is angry with their therapist
but yells at their roommate, they are displacing their anger onto a safer
target. Blaming a spouse is rationalization, denying fear is denial, and
blaming test questions is also rationalization.
3. Which of the following statements by a nurse demonstrates an
understanding of the ethical principle of beneficence in mental health
nursing?
A) "I will respect the client's right to refuse their medication."
B) "I will ensure the client receives fair and equal treatment regardless of
their insurance status."
C) "I will always act in the best interest of my client, even when it is difficult."
D) "I will be completely honest with the client about their diagnosis and
prognosis."
Correct Answer: "I will always act in the best interest of my client, even when
it is difficult."
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical principle of acting in the best interest of
the client and promoting their well-being. Autonomy involves respecting the
client's right to make decisions, justice involves fair treatment, and veracity
involves truthfulness.
4. A client who has been diagnosed with a mental illness is exhibiting
maladaptive behaviors. According to the course definition, which of the
following best describes mental illness?
A) The successful adaptation to stressors from the internal or external
environment
B) Maladaptive responses to stressors evidenced by thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors incongruent with local and cultural norms
,C) A temporary state of anxiety that resolves with support from family and
friends
D) The inability to achieve self-actualization as described by Maslow
Correct Answer: Maladaptive responses to stressors evidenced by thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors incongruent with local and cultural norms
Rationale: Mental illness is defined as maladaptive (inappropriate) responses
to stressors from the internal or external environment, evidenced by
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are incongruent with local and cultural
norms and interfere with the individual's functioning. Mental health is the
successful adaptation to stressors.
5. A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who is
expressing feelings of hopelessness. Which of the following responses is
most therapeutic?
A) "You have so much to live for. You should focus on the positive things."
B) "It sounds like you are feeling really hopeless right now. Tell me more
about that."
C) "Don't worry, things will get better soon."
D) "You shouldn't feel that way. There are people who have it much worse
than you."
Correct Answer: "It sounds like you are feeling really hopeless right now. Tell
me more about that."
Rationale: Therapeutic communication involves validating the client's
feelings and encouraging them to explore their thoughts and emotions
further. Offering false reassurance, dismissing feelings, or comparing the
client to others are non-therapeutic responses.
, 6. According to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, which stage is
associated with the developmental task of "intimacy vs. isolation"?
A) Infancy
B) Adolescence
C) Young adulthood
D) Middle adulthood
Correct Answer: Young adulthood
Rationale: Erikson's stages of psychosocial development pair "intimacy vs.
isolation" with young adulthood. This stage focuses on forming intimate,
loving relationships with others. Failure to achieve intimacy can lead to social
isolation.
7. A nurse is reviewing Maslow's hierarchy of needs with a client. According
to this theory, which of the following must be addressed before a client can
focus on self-esteem needs?
A) Love and belonging needs
B) Safety and security needs
C) Physiological needs
D) Self-actualization needs
Correct Answer: Physiological needs
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy of needs places physiological needs (food,
water, shelter, sleep) at the most basic level. These needs must be met
before higher-level needs such as safety, love and belonging, self-esteem,
and self-actualization can be addressed.
Health Q&A | Mental Health Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic-level anxiety
attack. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Encourage the client to discuss the underlying cause of their anxiety
B) Provide a quiet environment with minimal stimulation and stay with the
client
C) Teach the client a variety of relaxation techniques to use independently
D) Encourage the client to take a walk to burn off excess nervous energy
Correct Answer: Provide a quiet environment with minimal stimulation and
stay with the client
Rationale: During panic-level anxiety, the client is unable to process
environmental stimuli and may lose touch with reality. The priority is to
ensure safety by providing a quiet, low-stimulation environment and
remaining with the client to provide a calming presence. Teaching relaxation
techniques or encouraging physical activity is not appropriate until the
anxiety has decreased to a more manageable level.
2. A client on a psychiatric unit is using the defense mechanism of
displacement. Which of the following behaviors is consistent with this
defense mechanism?
A) A client who lost their job blames their spouse for the financial difficulties
B) A client who is angry with their therapist yells at their roommate instead
C) A client who is anxious about a procedure states that they are not afraid
at all
D) A client who fails a test claims that the questions were poorly written
Correct Answer: A client who is angry with their therapist yells at their
roommate instead
,Rationale: Displacement is the transfer of feelings from one target to
another, less threatening target. When a client is angry with their therapist
but yells at their roommate, they are displacing their anger onto a safer
target. Blaming a spouse is rationalization, denying fear is denial, and
blaming test questions is also rationalization.
3. Which of the following statements by a nurse demonstrates an
understanding of the ethical principle of beneficence in mental health
nursing?
A) "I will respect the client's right to refuse their medication."
B) "I will ensure the client receives fair and equal treatment regardless of
their insurance status."
C) "I will always act in the best interest of my client, even when it is difficult."
D) "I will be completely honest with the client about their diagnosis and
prognosis."
Correct Answer: "I will always act in the best interest of my client, even when
it is difficult."
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical principle of acting in the best interest of
the client and promoting their well-being. Autonomy involves respecting the
client's right to make decisions, justice involves fair treatment, and veracity
involves truthfulness.
4. A client who has been diagnosed with a mental illness is exhibiting
maladaptive behaviors. According to the course definition, which of the
following best describes mental illness?
A) The successful adaptation to stressors from the internal or external
environment
B) Maladaptive responses to stressors evidenced by thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors incongruent with local and cultural norms
,C) A temporary state of anxiety that resolves with support from family and
friends
D) The inability to achieve self-actualization as described by Maslow
Correct Answer: Maladaptive responses to stressors evidenced by thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors incongruent with local and cultural norms
Rationale: Mental illness is defined as maladaptive (inappropriate) responses
to stressors from the internal or external environment, evidenced by
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are incongruent with local and cultural
norms and interfere with the individual's functioning. Mental health is the
successful adaptation to stressors.
5. A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who is
expressing feelings of hopelessness. Which of the following responses is
most therapeutic?
A) "You have so much to live for. You should focus on the positive things."
B) "It sounds like you are feeling really hopeless right now. Tell me more
about that."
C) "Don't worry, things will get better soon."
D) "You shouldn't feel that way. There are people who have it much worse
than you."
Correct Answer: "It sounds like you are feeling really hopeless right now. Tell
me more about that."
Rationale: Therapeutic communication involves validating the client's
feelings and encouraging them to explore their thoughts and emotions
further. Offering false reassurance, dismissing feelings, or comparing the
client to others are non-therapeutic responses.
, 6. According to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, which stage is
associated with the developmental task of "intimacy vs. isolation"?
A) Infancy
B) Adolescence
C) Young adulthood
D) Middle adulthood
Correct Answer: Young adulthood
Rationale: Erikson's stages of psychosocial development pair "intimacy vs.
isolation" with young adulthood. This stage focuses on forming intimate,
loving relationships with others. Failure to achieve intimacy can lead to social
isolation.
7. A nurse is reviewing Maslow's hierarchy of needs with a client. According
to this theory, which of the following must be addressed before a client can
focus on self-esteem needs?
A) Love and belonging needs
B) Safety and security needs
C) Physiological needs
D) Self-actualization needs
Correct Answer: Physiological needs
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy of needs places physiological needs (food,
water, shelter, sleep) at the most basic level. These needs must be met
before higher-level needs such as safety, love and belonging, self-esteem,
and self-actualization can be addressed.
