Mental Health Exam 1 – Varcarolis | Complete Practice Questions &
Answers | Psychiatric Nursing Exam Prep | Detailed Rationales |
Updated 2026–2027
A Patient Says To The Nurse, "I Dreamed I Was Stoned. When I Woke Up, I Felt Emotionally
Drained, As Though I Hadn't Rested Well." Which Response Should The Nurse Use To Clarify The
Patient's Comment?
A. "It Sounds As Though You Were Uncomfortable With The Content Of Your Dream."
B. "I Understand What You're Saying. Bad Dreams Leave Me Feeling Tired, Too."
C. "So You Feel As Though You Did Not Get Enough Quality Sleep Last Night?"
D. "Can You Give Me An Example Of What You Mean By 'Stoned'?"
Answer: D
The Technique Of Clarification Is Therapeutic And Helps The Nurse Examine The Meaning Of The
Patient's Statement. Asking For A Definition Of "Stoned" Directly Asks For Clarification. Restating
That The Patient Is Uncomfortable With The Dream's Content Is Parroting, A Non-Therapeutic
Technique. The Other Responses Fail To Clarify The Meaning Of The Patient's Comment.
A Patient Diagnosed With Schizophrenia Tells The Nurse, "The Cia Is Monitoring Us Through The
Fluorescent Lights In This Room. Be Careful What You Say." Which Response By The Nurse
Would Be Most Therapeutic?
A. "Let's Talk About Something Other Than The Cia."
B. "It Sounds Like You're Concerned About Your Privacy."
C. "The Cia Is Prohibited From Operating In Health Care Facilities."
D. "You Have Lost Touch With Reality, Which Is A Symptom Of Your Illness."
Answer: B
, It Is Important Not To Challenge The Patient's Beliefs, Even If They Are Unrealistic. Challenging
Undermines The Patient's Trust In The Nurse. The Nurse Should Try To Understand The
Underlying Feelings Or Thoughts The Patient's Message Conveys. The Correct Response Uses
The Therapeutic Technique Of Reflection. The Other Comments Are Non-Therapeutic. Asking To
Talk About Something Other Than The Concern At Hand Is Changing The Subject. Saying That
The Cia Is Prohibited From Operating In Health Care Facilities Gives False Reassurance. Stating
That The Patient Has Lost Touch With Reality Is Truthful, But Uncompassionate.
The Patient Says, "My Marriage Is Just Great. My Spouse And I Always Agree." The Nurse
Observes The Patient's Foot Moving Continuously As The Patient Twirls A Shirt Button. The
Conclusion The Nurse Can Draw Is That The Patient's Communication Is:
A. Clear.
B. Mixed.
C. Precise.
D. Inadequate.
Answer: B
Mixed Messages Involve The Transmission Of Conflicting Or Incongruent Messages By The
Speaker. The Patient's Verbal Message That All Was Well In The Relationship Was Modified By
The Nonverbal Behaviors Denoting Anxiety. Data Are Not Present To Support The Choice Of The
Verbal Message Being Clear, Explicit, Or Inadequate.
A Nurse Interacts With A Newly Hospitalized Patient. Select The Nurse's Comment That Applies
The Communication Technique Of "Offering Self."
Answers | Psychiatric Nursing Exam Prep | Detailed Rationales |
Updated 2026–2027
A Patient Says To The Nurse, "I Dreamed I Was Stoned. When I Woke Up, I Felt Emotionally
Drained, As Though I Hadn't Rested Well." Which Response Should The Nurse Use To Clarify The
Patient's Comment?
A. "It Sounds As Though You Were Uncomfortable With The Content Of Your Dream."
B. "I Understand What You're Saying. Bad Dreams Leave Me Feeling Tired, Too."
C. "So You Feel As Though You Did Not Get Enough Quality Sleep Last Night?"
D. "Can You Give Me An Example Of What You Mean By 'Stoned'?"
Answer: D
The Technique Of Clarification Is Therapeutic And Helps The Nurse Examine The Meaning Of The
Patient's Statement. Asking For A Definition Of "Stoned" Directly Asks For Clarification. Restating
That The Patient Is Uncomfortable With The Dream's Content Is Parroting, A Non-Therapeutic
Technique. The Other Responses Fail To Clarify The Meaning Of The Patient's Comment.
A Patient Diagnosed With Schizophrenia Tells The Nurse, "The Cia Is Monitoring Us Through The
Fluorescent Lights In This Room. Be Careful What You Say." Which Response By The Nurse
Would Be Most Therapeutic?
A. "Let's Talk About Something Other Than The Cia."
B. "It Sounds Like You're Concerned About Your Privacy."
C. "The Cia Is Prohibited From Operating In Health Care Facilities."
D. "You Have Lost Touch With Reality, Which Is A Symptom Of Your Illness."
Answer: B
, It Is Important Not To Challenge The Patient's Beliefs, Even If They Are Unrealistic. Challenging
Undermines The Patient's Trust In The Nurse. The Nurse Should Try To Understand The
Underlying Feelings Or Thoughts The Patient's Message Conveys. The Correct Response Uses
The Therapeutic Technique Of Reflection. The Other Comments Are Non-Therapeutic. Asking To
Talk About Something Other Than The Concern At Hand Is Changing The Subject. Saying That
The Cia Is Prohibited From Operating In Health Care Facilities Gives False Reassurance. Stating
That The Patient Has Lost Touch With Reality Is Truthful, But Uncompassionate.
The Patient Says, "My Marriage Is Just Great. My Spouse And I Always Agree." The Nurse
Observes The Patient's Foot Moving Continuously As The Patient Twirls A Shirt Button. The
Conclusion The Nurse Can Draw Is That The Patient's Communication Is:
A. Clear.
B. Mixed.
C. Precise.
D. Inadequate.
Answer: B
Mixed Messages Involve The Transmission Of Conflicting Or Incongruent Messages By The
Speaker. The Patient's Verbal Message That All Was Well In The Relationship Was Modified By
The Nonverbal Behaviors Denoting Anxiety. Data Are Not Present To Support The Choice Of The
Verbal Message Being Clear, Explicit, Or Inadequate.
A Nurse Interacts With A Newly Hospitalized Patient. Select The Nurse's Comment That Applies
The Communication Technique Of "Offering Self."
