NUR3535C MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2 PRACTICE QUESTIONS 2026/2027
| NURSING STUDY GUIDE, ANSWERS & EXAM REVIEW
Which individual may need involuntary hospitalization?
A.A person with alcoholism who has been sober for 6 months but begins drinking again
B.An individual with schizophrenia who stops taking prescribed antipsychotic drugs
C.An individual with bipolar disorder, manic phase, who has not eaten in 4 days
D.Someone who repeatedly phones a national TV broadcasting service with news tips - ANS ✔✔C. An
individual with bipolar disorder, manic phase, who has not eaten in 4 days
has mental illness and neglecting self by not eating
JS continues to argue with staff. He is not aggressive, but refuses all treatment. Legal and clients' rights
are suspended when a client is hospitalized involuntarily.
A.True
B.False
C.Depends on the state
d. Depends on the physician assessment - ANS ✔✔B. False - involuntary admission restricts freedom of
movement, but still has bodily autonomy and informed consent (until court order says otherwise)
The family asks if you can "force" him to take his medications. How do you respond? - ANS ✔✔patients
who have been committed retain their right to refuse treatment. However, in an emergency, to prevent a
person from causing serious and immediate harm to themself or others... may be medicated without a
court hearing for that single incident.
Following a court hearing, patient can be medicated if meets all of the following criteria:
a) has a serious mental illness
b) ability to function is deteriorating; suffering or exhibiting threatening behavior
c) benefits of treatment outweigh the harm
d) lacks capacity to make a reasoned decision about the treatment
e) less restrictive services have been found ineffective
Eventually JS agrees to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which member of the team is responsible for
obtaining the client's informed consent?
A. Physician
B. Psychologist
C. Case manager
D. Registered nurse - ANS ✔✔A. Physician - for almost any procedure or treatment (patient informed of
nature of their condition/problem, nature/purpose of treatment, risk and benefits of treatment, and
alternative treatment options available)
,What is the legal significant of a nurse's action when a patient verbally refused medication and the nurse
gives the medication over the patient's objection without a court order? The nurse:
A. Has been negligent
B. Committed malpractice
C. Fulfilled the standard of care
D. Can be charge with battery - ANS ✔✔D. Can be charge with battery (nurse has gone beyond mistake
of breach of care)
Which of the following identifies the titles that registered nurses will use and what they are legally
allowed to do?
A. State Boards of Nursing
B. Professional Organizations
C. Custom as a Standard of Care
D. Institutional Policies and Procedures - ANS ✔✔A. State Boards of Nursing - protect the public and
liscence nurses
A nurse was the case manager for a client with serious mental illness for 6 years. The client died by
suicide 1 week ago. Today, the client's spouse asks, "I always wondered if my spouse was a victim of
sexual abuse in childhood. What can you tell me about that?" Can the nurse disclose information to the
surviving spouse?
A. Yes
B. No
C. It depends on state law
D. It depends on how damaging the physician feels this would be to all concerned. - ANS ✔✔B. No -
reputation can still be effected after death, so cannot share info after death that would not be shared
before death
While conducting the initial interview with a client in crisis, the nurse should implement what
intervention?
Speak in short, concise sentences
Convey a sense of urgency to the client
Be forthright about time limits of the interview
Let the client know the nurse controls the interview - ANS ✔✔Speak in short, concise sentences
Severe anxiety narrows perceptions and concentration. By speaking in short concise sentences, the nurse
enables the client to grasp what is being said. Conveying urgency will increase the client's anxiety. Letting
the client know who controls the interview or stating that time is limited is nontherapeutic.
A client comes to the crisis clinic after an unexpected job termination. The client paces, sobs, cringes
when approached, and responds to questions with only shrugs or monosyllables. What is the nurse's
best initial comment to this client?
A. "Everything is going to be all right. You are here at the clinic and the staff will keep you safe
B. "I see you are feeling upset. I'm going to stay and talk with you to help you feel better."
,C. "You need to try to stop crying and pacing so we can talk about your problems."
D. "Let's set some guidelines and goals for your visit here." - ANS ✔✔B. "I see you are feeling upset. I'm
going to stay and talk with you to help you feel better."
A crisis exists for this client. The two primary thrusts of crisis intervention are to provide for the safety of
the individual and use anxiety-reduction techniques to facilitate use of inner resources. The nurse offers
therapeutic presence, which provides caring, ongoing observation relative to the client's safety, and
interpersonal reassurance. None of the other options address these thrusts.
A single parent has just lost her job and calls a warm line in her community. This is an example of:
A. Tertiary prevention
B. Primary prevention
C. Secondary prevention
D. Critical incident stress debriefing - ANS ✔✔C. Secondary prevention
Secondary prevention establishes intervention during an acute crisis to prevent prolonged anxiety from
diminishing personal effectiveness and personality organization. After safety issues have been addressed
with, the nurse works with the patient to assess the patient's problem, support systems, and coping
styles. Desired goals are explored and interventions planned. Primary prevention promotes mental
health and reduces mental illness to decrease the incidence of crisis. This single parent has already
experienced a crisis. Tertiary prevention programs and services provide long-term support for those who
have experienced a crisis. Social and community facilities that offer tertiary prevention include
rehabilitation centers, sheltered workshops, day hospitals, and outpatient clinics. And finally, critical
incident stress debriefing (CISD) is an example of tertiary prevention directed toward a group that has
experienced a crisis.
The nursing stunt is developing a plan of care for a client experiencing a crisis situation. Number the
following in priority order for implementation of this plan
1. Assess for suicidal and homicidal ideation
2. Discuss coping skills used in the past, and note if they were effective
3. Establish a working relationship by active listening
4. Develop a plan of action for dealing with future stressors
5. Evaluate the developed plans effectiveness - ANS ✔✔1, 3, 2, 4, 5
A client is seen in the clinic for superficial cuts on both wrists. Initially the client paces and sobs but after
a few minutes, the client is calmer. The nurse attempts to determine the client's perception of the
precipitating event by asking which question?
a. "Tell me why you were crying."
b. "How did your wrists get injured?"
c. "How can I help you feel more comfortable?"
d. "What was happening when you started feeling this way?" - ANS ✔✔d. "What was happening when
you started feeling this way?"
A clear definition of the immediate problem provides the best opportunity to find a solution. Asking
about recent upsetting events facilitates assessment of the precipitating event. The client is unlikely to
, be able to articulate what interventions will increase feelings of comfort. "Why" questions are
nontherapeutic.
A client comes to the crisis center saying, "I'm in a terrible situation. I don't know what to do." The triage
nurse can initially assume that the client is experiencing what response?
a. Suicidal ideations.
b. Anxiety and fear.
c. Misperceived reality.
d. Potential homicidal thoughts. - ANS ✔✔b. Anxiety and fear.
Individuals in crisis are universally anxious. They are often frightened and may be mildly confused.
Perceptions are often narrowed with anxiety. There is no assessment data to support the other options
Which communication technique will the nurse use more in crisis intervention than traditional
counseling?
a. Role modeling
b. Giving direction
c. Information giving
d. Empathic listening - ANS ✔✔b. Giving direction
The nurse working in crisis intervention must be creative and flexible in looking at the client's situation
and suggesting possible solutions to the client. Giving direction is part of the active role a crisis
intervention therapist takes. The other options are used equally in crisis intervention and traditional
counseling roles.
Note: It is understood that nurses do not "give advice" and are taught to help the client make their own
decisions; however, in a time of crisis, giving direction is needed as well as using therapeutic
communication techniques that 'guide' a client to making their own decisions (reinforcing the concept of
self-empowerment).
Which scenario is an example of a situational crisis?
a.The death of a child from sudden infant death syndrome
b. Development of a heroin addiction
c. Retirement of a 55-year-old person
d. A riot at a rock concert - ANS ✔✔d. A riot at a rock concert
The rock concert riot is unplanned, accidental, violent, and not a part of everyday life. The incorrect
options are examples of maturational crises.
Which agency provides coordination in the event of a terrorist attack?
a. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
b. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
c. National Incident Management System (NIMS)
d. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - ANS ✔✔c. National Incident Management System
(NIMS)
| NURSING STUDY GUIDE, ANSWERS & EXAM REVIEW
Which individual may need involuntary hospitalization?
A.A person with alcoholism who has been sober for 6 months but begins drinking again
B.An individual with schizophrenia who stops taking prescribed antipsychotic drugs
C.An individual with bipolar disorder, manic phase, who has not eaten in 4 days
D.Someone who repeatedly phones a national TV broadcasting service with news tips - ANS ✔✔C. An
individual with bipolar disorder, manic phase, who has not eaten in 4 days
has mental illness and neglecting self by not eating
JS continues to argue with staff. He is not aggressive, but refuses all treatment. Legal and clients' rights
are suspended when a client is hospitalized involuntarily.
A.True
B.False
C.Depends on the state
d. Depends on the physician assessment - ANS ✔✔B. False - involuntary admission restricts freedom of
movement, but still has bodily autonomy and informed consent (until court order says otherwise)
The family asks if you can "force" him to take his medications. How do you respond? - ANS ✔✔patients
who have been committed retain their right to refuse treatment. However, in an emergency, to prevent a
person from causing serious and immediate harm to themself or others... may be medicated without a
court hearing for that single incident.
Following a court hearing, patient can be medicated if meets all of the following criteria:
a) has a serious mental illness
b) ability to function is deteriorating; suffering or exhibiting threatening behavior
c) benefits of treatment outweigh the harm
d) lacks capacity to make a reasoned decision about the treatment
e) less restrictive services have been found ineffective
Eventually JS agrees to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which member of the team is responsible for
obtaining the client's informed consent?
A. Physician
B. Psychologist
C. Case manager
D. Registered nurse - ANS ✔✔A. Physician - for almost any procedure or treatment (patient informed of
nature of their condition/problem, nature/purpose of treatment, risk and benefits of treatment, and
alternative treatment options available)
,What is the legal significant of a nurse's action when a patient verbally refused medication and the nurse
gives the medication over the patient's objection without a court order? The nurse:
A. Has been negligent
B. Committed malpractice
C. Fulfilled the standard of care
D. Can be charge with battery - ANS ✔✔D. Can be charge with battery (nurse has gone beyond mistake
of breach of care)
Which of the following identifies the titles that registered nurses will use and what they are legally
allowed to do?
A. State Boards of Nursing
B. Professional Organizations
C. Custom as a Standard of Care
D. Institutional Policies and Procedures - ANS ✔✔A. State Boards of Nursing - protect the public and
liscence nurses
A nurse was the case manager for a client with serious mental illness for 6 years. The client died by
suicide 1 week ago. Today, the client's spouse asks, "I always wondered if my spouse was a victim of
sexual abuse in childhood. What can you tell me about that?" Can the nurse disclose information to the
surviving spouse?
A. Yes
B. No
C. It depends on state law
D. It depends on how damaging the physician feels this would be to all concerned. - ANS ✔✔B. No -
reputation can still be effected after death, so cannot share info after death that would not be shared
before death
While conducting the initial interview with a client in crisis, the nurse should implement what
intervention?
Speak in short, concise sentences
Convey a sense of urgency to the client
Be forthright about time limits of the interview
Let the client know the nurse controls the interview - ANS ✔✔Speak in short, concise sentences
Severe anxiety narrows perceptions and concentration. By speaking in short concise sentences, the nurse
enables the client to grasp what is being said. Conveying urgency will increase the client's anxiety. Letting
the client know who controls the interview or stating that time is limited is nontherapeutic.
A client comes to the crisis clinic after an unexpected job termination. The client paces, sobs, cringes
when approached, and responds to questions with only shrugs or monosyllables. What is the nurse's
best initial comment to this client?
A. "Everything is going to be all right. You are here at the clinic and the staff will keep you safe
B. "I see you are feeling upset. I'm going to stay and talk with you to help you feel better."
,C. "You need to try to stop crying and pacing so we can talk about your problems."
D. "Let's set some guidelines and goals for your visit here." - ANS ✔✔B. "I see you are feeling upset. I'm
going to stay and talk with you to help you feel better."
A crisis exists for this client. The two primary thrusts of crisis intervention are to provide for the safety of
the individual and use anxiety-reduction techniques to facilitate use of inner resources. The nurse offers
therapeutic presence, which provides caring, ongoing observation relative to the client's safety, and
interpersonal reassurance. None of the other options address these thrusts.
A single parent has just lost her job and calls a warm line in her community. This is an example of:
A. Tertiary prevention
B. Primary prevention
C. Secondary prevention
D. Critical incident stress debriefing - ANS ✔✔C. Secondary prevention
Secondary prevention establishes intervention during an acute crisis to prevent prolonged anxiety from
diminishing personal effectiveness and personality organization. After safety issues have been addressed
with, the nurse works with the patient to assess the patient's problem, support systems, and coping
styles. Desired goals are explored and interventions planned. Primary prevention promotes mental
health and reduces mental illness to decrease the incidence of crisis. This single parent has already
experienced a crisis. Tertiary prevention programs and services provide long-term support for those who
have experienced a crisis. Social and community facilities that offer tertiary prevention include
rehabilitation centers, sheltered workshops, day hospitals, and outpatient clinics. And finally, critical
incident stress debriefing (CISD) is an example of tertiary prevention directed toward a group that has
experienced a crisis.
The nursing stunt is developing a plan of care for a client experiencing a crisis situation. Number the
following in priority order for implementation of this plan
1. Assess for suicidal and homicidal ideation
2. Discuss coping skills used in the past, and note if they were effective
3. Establish a working relationship by active listening
4. Develop a plan of action for dealing with future stressors
5. Evaluate the developed plans effectiveness - ANS ✔✔1, 3, 2, 4, 5
A client is seen in the clinic for superficial cuts on both wrists. Initially the client paces and sobs but after
a few minutes, the client is calmer. The nurse attempts to determine the client's perception of the
precipitating event by asking which question?
a. "Tell me why you were crying."
b. "How did your wrists get injured?"
c. "How can I help you feel more comfortable?"
d. "What was happening when you started feeling this way?" - ANS ✔✔d. "What was happening when
you started feeling this way?"
A clear definition of the immediate problem provides the best opportunity to find a solution. Asking
about recent upsetting events facilitates assessment of the precipitating event. The client is unlikely to
, be able to articulate what interventions will increase feelings of comfort. "Why" questions are
nontherapeutic.
A client comes to the crisis center saying, "I'm in a terrible situation. I don't know what to do." The triage
nurse can initially assume that the client is experiencing what response?
a. Suicidal ideations.
b. Anxiety and fear.
c. Misperceived reality.
d. Potential homicidal thoughts. - ANS ✔✔b. Anxiety and fear.
Individuals in crisis are universally anxious. They are often frightened and may be mildly confused.
Perceptions are often narrowed with anxiety. There is no assessment data to support the other options
Which communication technique will the nurse use more in crisis intervention than traditional
counseling?
a. Role modeling
b. Giving direction
c. Information giving
d. Empathic listening - ANS ✔✔b. Giving direction
The nurse working in crisis intervention must be creative and flexible in looking at the client's situation
and suggesting possible solutions to the client. Giving direction is part of the active role a crisis
intervention therapist takes. The other options are used equally in crisis intervention and traditional
counseling roles.
Note: It is understood that nurses do not "give advice" and are taught to help the client make their own
decisions; however, in a time of crisis, giving direction is needed as well as using therapeutic
communication techniques that 'guide' a client to making their own decisions (reinforcing the concept of
self-empowerment).
Which scenario is an example of a situational crisis?
a.The death of a child from sudden infant death syndrome
b. Development of a heroin addiction
c. Retirement of a 55-year-old person
d. A riot at a rock concert - ANS ✔✔d. A riot at a rock concert
The rock concert riot is unplanned, accidental, violent, and not a part of everyday life. The incorrect
options are examples of maturational crises.
Which agency provides coordination in the event of a terrorist attack?
a. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
b. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
c. National Incident Management System (NIMS)
d. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - ANS ✔✔c. National Incident Management System
(NIMS)
