NURS 201 MENTAL HEALTH AND
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING EXAM 1 QUIZ
2026 | WCU
1. A client hospitalized for a third time for depression states, ‘I don’t see the point in trying
anymore.’ Which response by the nurse is the most therapeutic?
A. ‘You should focus on your progress from last time.’
B. ‘Why do you feel like giving up now?’
C. ‘You are feeling very discouraged right now.’
D. ‘Everything will get better once your medication kicks in.’
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Reflecting the client’s feelings is a therapeutic technique that
validates their emotions without judgment or false reassurance.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been involuntarily committed. The patient refuses
to take an ordered antipsychotic medication. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication IM against the patient’s will.
B. Mix the medication in the patient’s food.
C. Inform the patient that they will be discharged if they refuse.
,D. Respect the patient’s right to refuse the medication.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Involuntary commitment does not automatically mean a patient
loses the right to refuse medication, unless they are a danger to themselves or others in an
emergency.
3. During a therapy session, a client who was recently fired from his job states, ‘It’s not my
fault. My boss was just jealous of my talent.’ The nurse identifies this as which defense
mechanism?
A. Rationalization
B. Displacement
C. Projection
D. Denial
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Rationalization involves justifying illogical or unreasonable
ideas or feelings by developing acceptable explanations.
4. A nurse is conducting a mental status examination (MSE). To assess a client’s abstract
thinking, which question should the nurse ask?
A. ‘What did you have for breakfast this morning?’
B. ‘What does the phrase ’don’t cry over spilled milk’ mean to you?’’
, C. ‘Can you count backwards from 100 by 7s?’
D. ‘Where are you right now and what is today’s date?’
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Abstract thinking is assessed by asking the client to interpret a
common proverb or identifying similarities between two objects.
5. A client is pacing the hallway, breathing rapidly, and reporting feelings of ‘impending
doom.’ The nurse recognizes these as symptoms of which level of anxiety?
A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
D. Panic
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Severe anxiety is characterized by a greatly reduced perceptual
field and physical symptoms like hyperventilation and a sense of dread.
6. According to Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relations, in which phase of the nurse-client
relationship do the nurse and client work together to solve problems and accomplish goals?
A. Orientation phase
B. Identification phase
C. Working phase
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING EXAM 1 QUIZ
2026 | WCU
1. A client hospitalized for a third time for depression states, ‘I don’t see the point in trying
anymore.’ Which response by the nurse is the most therapeutic?
A. ‘You should focus on your progress from last time.’
B. ‘Why do you feel like giving up now?’
C. ‘You are feeling very discouraged right now.’
D. ‘Everything will get better once your medication kicks in.’
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Reflecting the client’s feelings is a therapeutic technique that
validates their emotions without judgment or false reassurance.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been involuntarily committed. The patient refuses
to take an ordered antipsychotic medication. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication IM against the patient’s will.
B. Mix the medication in the patient’s food.
C. Inform the patient that they will be discharged if they refuse.
,D. Respect the patient’s right to refuse the medication.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Involuntary commitment does not automatically mean a patient
loses the right to refuse medication, unless they are a danger to themselves or others in an
emergency.
3. During a therapy session, a client who was recently fired from his job states, ‘It’s not my
fault. My boss was just jealous of my talent.’ The nurse identifies this as which defense
mechanism?
A. Rationalization
B. Displacement
C. Projection
D. Denial
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Rationalization involves justifying illogical or unreasonable
ideas or feelings by developing acceptable explanations.
4. A nurse is conducting a mental status examination (MSE). To assess a client’s abstract
thinking, which question should the nurse ask?
A. ‘What did you have for breakfast this morning?’
B. ‘What does the phrase ’don’t cry over spilled milk’ mean to you?’’
, C. ‘Can you count backwards from 100 by 7s?’
D. ‘Where are you right now and what is today’s date?’
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Abstract thinking is assessed by asking the client to interpret a
common proverb or identifying similarities between two objects.
5. A client is pacing the hallway, breathing rapidly, and reporting feelings of ‘impending
doom.’ The nurse recognizes these as symptoms of which level of anxiety?
A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
D. Panic
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Severe anxiety is characterized by a greatly reduced perceptual
field and physical symptoms like hyperventilation and a sense of dread.
6. According to Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relations, in which phase of the nurse-client
relationship do the nurse and client work together to solve problems and accomplish goals?
A. Orientation phase
B. Identification phase
C. Working phase
