NURS 222 MENTAL HEALTH FINAL EXAM –
2026 EDITION
West Coast University | Latest Update |
Questions & Answers | Graded A+
DOMAIN 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL
HEALTH NURSING (Questions 1–25)
1. A nursing student asks the instructor, “What
is the primary purpose of the DSM-5-TR in
psychiatric nursing?” The best response is:
A) To provide a legal definition of mental illness
B) To standardize diagnostic criteria for mental
disorders
C) To list approved medications for each
disorder
D) To replace the nursing care plan
,Answer: B
Rationale: The DSM-5-TR provides
standardized criteria for diagnosing mental
disorders. It does not dictate treatment or legal
definitions.
2. A patient tells the nurse, “I stopped taking my
antipsychotic because I gained 40 pounds.” The
nurse recognizes this as which barrier to
treatment adherence?
A) Lack of insight
B) Medication side effect burden
C) Financial barrier
D) Therapeutic relationship issue
Answer: B
Rationale: Weight gain (metabolic syndrome) is
a common side effect of atypical antipsychotics.
The nurse should validate the concern and
discuss alternative medications or lifestyle
interventions.
,3. Thenurseisprovidingcareonalocked
psychiatricunit.Whichpatientrightismost
frequentlylimited?
A)Righttorefusetreatment
B)Righttofreedomofmovement(liberty)
C)Righttoconfidentiality
D)Righttolegalcounsel
Answer:B
Rationale:Involuntarypatientsaredetained
(libertyrestricted),buttheyretaintherightto
refusetreatment(unlessemergent),
confidentiality,andlegalcounsel.
4. Apatientwithschizophreniaisadmitted
involuntarily.Thepatientrefusesallmedication
andisnotimminentlydangerous.Thenurse
should:
A)AdministermedicationviaIMinjection
B)Respectrefusal,document,andnotifyprovider
C)Dischargethepatient
D)Placeinseclusionuntiltheyagree
, Answer:B
Rationale:Patientswithcapacityhavetherightto
refusenon-emergenttreatment.Thenursecannot
forcemedicationwithoutacourtorderor
emergency(dangertoself/others).
5. ThenurseisreviewingtheDSM-5-TRcriteriafor
majordepressivedisorder.Whichsymptom
durationisrequiredfordiagnosis?
A) 1week
B)2weeks
C)1month
D)6months
Answer:B
Rationale:MDDrequires≥5symptoms(including
depressedmoodoranhedonia)foratleast2weeks.
6. ApatientwithbipolarIdisorderisstabilizedon
lithium.Thepatientasks,“WhydoIneedblood
tests?”Thenurseexplainsthatlithiumlevels:
A)Checkforliverdamage
B)Ensuretherapeuticefficacyandpreventtoxicity
2026 EDITION
West Coast University | Latest Update |
Questions & Answers | Graded A+
DOMAIN 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL
HEALTH NURSING (Questions 1–25)
1. A nursing student asks the instructor, “What
is the primary purpose of the DSM-5-TR in
psychiatric nursing?” The best response is:
A) To provide a legal definition of mental illness
B) To standardize diagnostic criteria for mental
disorders
C) To list approved medications for each
disorder
D) To replace the nursing care plan
,Answer: B
Rationale: The DSM-5-TR provides
standardized criteria for diagnosing mental
disorders. It does not dictate treatment or legal
definitions.
2. A patient tells the nurse, “I stopped taking my
antipsychotic because I gained 40 pounds.” The
nurse recognizes this as which barrier to
treatment adherence?
A) Lack of insight
B) Medication side effect burden
C) Financial barrier
D) Therapeutic relationship issue
Answer: B
Rationale: Weight gain (metabolic syndrome) is
a common side effect of atypical antipsychotics.
The nurse should validate the concern and
discuss alternative medications or lifestyle
interventions.
,3. Thenurseisprovidingcareonalocked
psychiatricunit.Whichpatientrightismost
frequentlylimited?
A)Righttorefusetreatment
B)Righttofreedomofmovement(liberty)
C)Righttoconfidentiality
D)Righttolegalcounsel
Answer:B
Rationale:Involuntarypatientsaredetained
(libertyrestricted),buttheyretaintherightto
refusetreatment(unlessemergent),
confidentiality,andlegalcounsel.
4. Apatientwithschizophreniaisadmitted
involuntarily.Thepatientrefusesallmedication
andisnotimminentlydangerous.Thenurse
should:
A)AdministermedicationviaIMinjection
B)Respectrefusal,document,andnotifyprovider
C)Dischargethepatient
D)Placeinseclusionuntiltheyagree
, Answer:B
Rationale:Patientswithcapacityhavetherightto
refusenon-emergenttreatment.Thenursecannot
forcemedicationwithoutacourtorderor
emergency(dangertoself/others).
5. ThenurseisreviewingtheDSM-5-TRcriteriafor
majordepressivedisorder.Whichsymptom
durationisrequiredfordiagnosis?
A) 1week
B)2weeks
C)1month
D)6months
Answer:B
Rationale:MDDrequires≥5symptoms(including
depressedmoodoranhedonia)foratleast2weeks.
6. ApatientwithbipolarIdisorderisstabilizedon
lithium.Thepatientasks,“WhydoIneedblood
tests?”Thenurseexplainsthatlithiumlevels:
A)Checkforliverdamage
B)Ensuretherapeuticefficacyandpreventtoxicity
