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KAPLAN PSYCHIATRIC/MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
REVIEW EXAM 2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
PSYCHIATRIC
Prepare for the Kaplan Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Review Exam with a focused
study resource covering essential concepts in psychiatric and mental health nursing.
It supports review of common mental health disorders, therapeutic communication,
patient assessment, safety, nursing interventions, and clinical prioritization. Use the
material to reinforce knowledge, strengthen clinical judgment, and identify areas that
may require additional review. This resource is best suited for nursing students and
NCLEX candidates preparing for psychiatric and mental health nursing assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSING (Questions 1-10)
1. A client is diagnosed with a mental health disorder. The nurse
understands that the DSM-5-TR is primarily used for which purpose?
a) To determine the appropriate medication for a disorder
b) To provide a standardized classification system for mental disorders
c) To outline nursing interventions for mental health conditions
d) To determine the prognosis of a mental health disorder
Answer: b) To provide a standardized classification system for mental
disorders
Rationale: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th
Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) is a standardized classification system used
by healthcare professionals to diagnose mental disorders based on specific
criteria. It is not a treatment guide, nursing intervention guide, or prognostic
tool.
2. The nurse is caring for a client who is being involuntarily admitted to a
psychiatric unit. Which statement regarding involuntary admission is
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correct?
a) Clients on involuntary admission have no right to refuse treatment
b) Clients on involuntary admission must meet criteria of being a danger to
self or others or gravely disabled
c) Involuntary admission requires a court order before any treatment can be
initiated
d) Involuntary admission is only used for clients with a diagnosis of
schizophrenia
Answer: b) Clients on involuntary admission must meet criteria of being a
danger to self or others or gravely disabled
Rationale: Involuntary admission requires that the client meets legal criteria
of being a danger to self (suicidal), danger to others (homicidal/violent), or
gravely disabled (unable to provide basic needs). Clients on involuntary
admission retain many rights, including the right to refuse treatment in some
circumstances.
3. A nurse is providing care to a client with a mental health disorder.
Which statement by the nurse best demonstrates the ethical principle of
beneficence?
a) "I will respect your decision to refuse the medication."
b) "I will keep your information confidential unless you pose a risk to yourself
or others."
c) "I will advocate for the treatment that is in your best interest."
d) "I will treat all clients fairly regardless of their diagnosis."
Answer: c) "I will advocate for the treatment that is in your best interest."
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good and acting in the
client's best interest. Option a describes autonomy, option b describes
confidentiality with limits, and option d describes justice.
4. A client is being discharged from the psychiatric unit. The nurse should
include which component in the discharge plan to promote continuity of
care?
a) A prescription for a benzodiazepine for daily use
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b) A list of community resources and scheduled follow-up appointments
c) A recommendation to avoid all social contact
d) A promise that the client will not return to the hospital
Answer: b) A list of community resources and scheduled follow-up
appointments
Rationale: Discharge planning must include concrete resources and follow-
up to support continuity of care and prevent relapse. Avoiding social contact
is unhealthy, benzodiazepines are not appropriate for daily use, and promising
not to return is unrealistic.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has been sexually assaulted. Which
statement by the nurse is most therapeutic?
a) "What were you wearing when it happened?"
b) "You must have been very frightened."
c) "It could have been worse; at least you're alive."
d) "Why didn't you fight back?"
Answer: b) "You must have been very frightened."
Rationale: This response validates the client's emotional experience and
demonstrates empathy. The other options imply blame (a and d) or offer false
reassurance (c), which are non-therapeutic.
6. A client asks the nurse, "Are you going to tell my family everything I tell
you?" The nurse's best response is:
a) "Everything you tell me is completely confidential."
b) "I will keep everything you say a secret unless it involves harm to yourself or
others."
c) "Yes, I am required to share everything with your family."
d) "I can't discuss that with you right now."
Answer: b) "I will keep everything you say a secret unless it involves harm
to yourself or others."
Rationale: This response is honest and accurate, explaining the limits of
confidentiality (danger to self/others). Absolute confidentiality is not possible
in psychiatric settings due to safety obligations.
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7. A client with a mental health disorder is being discharged. The nurse
understands that the most important factor in predicting treatment
adherence is:
a) The client's socioeconomic status
b) The client's understanding of the illness and treatment plan
c) The client's age
d) The client's gender
Answer: b) The client's understanding of the illness and treatment plan
Rationale: Client understanding of their illness and the rationale for
treatment is the most significant predictor of adherence. Education and
therapeutic alliance are essential for promoting adherence.
8. A nurse is providing care to a client from a different cultural
background. Which action by the nurse demonstrates cultural
competence?
a) Assuming the client's beliefs are the same as the nurse's own
b) Asking the client about their cultural beliefs and preferences regarding care
c) Avoiding discussion of cultural differences to prevent offense
d) Applying the nurse's own cultural values to the client's care
Answer: b) Asking the client about their cultural beliefs and preferences
regarding care
Rationale: Cultural competence involves actively seeking to understand the
client's cultural beliefs, values, and preferences and incorporating them into
care. Assuming or avoiding cultural differences does not promote culturally
competent care.
9. A client with a history of multiple suicide attempts is being discharged.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding of the discharge
plan?
a) "I will call my family if I feel like hurting myself."
b) "I have a list of crisis hotline numbers and will call if I need help."
c) "I will be fine now that I am going home."
KAPLAN PSYCHIATRIC/MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
REVIEW EXAM 2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
PSYCHIATRIC
Prepare for the Kaplan Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Review Exam with a focused
study resource covering essential concepts in psychiatric and mental health nursing.
It supports review of common mental health disorders, therapeutic communication,
patient assessment, safety, nursing interventions, and clinical prioritization. Use the
material to reinforce knowledge, strengthen clinical judgment, and identify areas that
may require additional review. This resource is best suited for nursing students and
NCLEX candidates preparing for psychiatric and mental health nursing assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSING (Questions 1-10)
1. A client is diagnosed with a mental health disorder. The nurse
understands that the DSM-5-TR is primarily used for which purpose?
a) To determine the appropriate medication for a disorder
b) To provide a standardized classification system for mental disorders
c) To outline nursing interventions for mental health conditions
d) To determine the prognosis of a mental health disorder
Answer: b) To provide a standardized classification system for mental
disorders
Rationale: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th
Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) is a standardized classification system used
by healthcare professionals to diagnose mental disorders based on specific
criteria. It is not a treatment guide, nursing intervention guide, or prognostic
tool.
2. The nurse is caring for a client who is being involuntarily admitted to a
psychiatric unit. Which statement regarding involuntary admission is
, Page 2 of 37
correct?
a) Clients on involuntary admission have no right to refuse treatment
b) Clients on involuntary admission must meet criteria of being a danger to
self or others or gravely disabled
c) Involuntary admission requires a court order before any treatment can be
initiated
d) Involuntary admission is only used for clients with a diagnosis of
schizophrenia
Answer: b) Clients on involuntary admission must meet criteria of being a
danger to self or others or gravely disabled
Rationale: Involuntary admission requires that the client meets legal criteria
of being a danger to self (suicidal), danger to others (homicidal/violent), or
gravely disabled (unable to provide basic needs). Clients on involuntary
admission retain many rights, including the right to refuse treatment in some
circumstances.
3. A nurse is providing care to a client with a mental health disorder.
Which statement by the nurse best demonstrates the ethical principle of
beneficence?
a) "I will respect your decision to refuse the medication."
b) "I will keep your information confidential unless you pose a risk to yourself
or others."
c) "I will advocate for the treatment that is in your best interest."
d) "I will treat all clients fairly regardless of their diagnosis."
Answer: c) "I will advocate for the treatment that is in your best interest."
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good and acting in the
client's best interest. Option a describes autonomy, option b describes
confidentiality with limits, and option d describes justice.
4. A client is being discharged from the psychiatric unit. The nurse should
include which component in the discharge plan to promote continuity of
care?
a) A prescription for a benzodiazepine for daily use
, Page 3 of 37
b) A list of community resources and scheduled follow-up appointments
c) A recommendation to avoid all social contact
d) A promise that the client will not return to the hospital
Answer: b) A list of community resources and scheduled follow-up
appointments
Rationale: Discharge planning must include concrete resources and follow-
up to support continuity of care and prevent relapse. Avoiding social contact
is unhealthy, benzodiazepines are not appropriate for daily use, and promising
not to return is unrealistic.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has been sexually assaulted. Which
statement by the nurse is most therapeutic?
a) "What were you wearing when it happened?"
b) "You must have been very frightened."
c) "It could have been worse; at least you're alive."
d) "Why didn't you fight back?"
Answer: b) "You must have been very frightened."
Rationale: This response validates the client's emotional experience and
demonstrates empathy. The other options imply blame (a and d) or offer false
reassurance (c), which are non-therapeutic.
6. A client asks the nurse, "Are you going to tell my family everything I tell
you?" The nurse's best response is:
a) "Everything you tell me is completely confidential."
b) "I will keep everything you say a secret unless it involves harm to yourself or
others."
c) "Yes, I am required to share everything with your family."
d) "I can't discuss that with you right now."
Answer: b) "I will keep everything you say a secret unless it involves harm
to yourself or others."
Rationale: This response is honest and accurate, explaining the limits of
confidentiality (danger to self/others). Absolute confidentiality is not possible
in psychiatric settings due to safety obligations.
, Page 4 of 37
7. A client with a mental health disorder is being discharged. The nurse
understands that the most important factor in predicting treatment
adherence is:
a) The client's socioeconomic status
b) The client's understanding of the illness and treatment plan
c) The client's age
d) The client's gender
Answer: b) The client's understanding of the illness and treatment plan
Rationale: Client understanding of their illness and the rationale for
treatment is the most significant predictor of adherence. Education and
therapeutic alliance are essential for promoting adherence.
8. A nurse is providing care to a client from a different cultural
background. Which action by the nurse demonstrates cultural
competence?
a) Assuming the client's beliefs are the same as the nurse's own
b) Asking the client about their cultural beliefs and preferences regarding care
c) Avoiding discussion of cultural differences to prevent offense
d) Applying the nurse's own cultural values to the client's care
Answer: b) Asking the client about their cultural beliefs and preferences
regarding care
Rationale: Cultural competence involves actively seeking to understand the
client's cultural beliefs, values, and preferences and incorporating them into
care. Assuming or avoiding cultural differences does not promote culturally
competent care.
9. A client with a history of multiple suicide attempts is being discharged.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding of the discharge
plan?
a) "I will call my family if I feel like hurting myself."
b) "I have a list of crisis hotline numbers and will call if I need help."
c) "I will be fine now that I am going home."
