,NUR 227 Midterm Exam Psychiatric Nursing Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Jersey College
Q1. What is the primary goal of crisis intervention?
A) Restore the person to at least the level of functioning present before the
crisis
B) Resolve every long-term psychological conflict
C) Eliminate all future stress
D) Establish lifelong dependence on professional support
Correct Answer: A) Restore the person to at least the level of functioning
present before the crisis
Rationale: Crisis intervention focuses on immediate stabilization, adaptive
coping, safety, and restoration of functioning rather than extensive long-term
personality change.
Q2. A patient says, “Everything fell apart when I lost my job
yesterday. I don't know what to do.” Which assessment should occur
first?
A) Childhood developmental history
B) Immediate safety, current coping ability, supports, and perception of the
crisis
C) Long-term retirement goals
D) Detailed family genealogy
Correct Answer: B) Immediate safety, current coping ability, supports, and
perception of the crisis
Rationale: Crisis assessment begins with immediate safety and the
individual's current response, resources, supports, and ability to cope.
Q3. Which factor most strongly influences whether an event
becomes a psychological crisis?
A) The event's financial cost alone
B) The number of people involved
C) The individual's perception of the event and available coping resources
D) Whether the event occurred during adulthood
Correct Answer: C) The individual's perception of the event and available
coping resources
,Rationale: A crisis develops when a stressful event is perceived as
overwhelming and usual coping mechanisms are insufficient.
Q4. A patient in acute crisis is crying, pacing, and unable to consider
several alternatives. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Provide a complex list of possible solutions
B) Ask the patient to make several major decisions immediately
C) Leave the patient alone to improve independence
D) Use calm, direct communication and focus on one immediate problem at a
time
Correct Answer: D) Use calm, direct communication and focus on one
immediate problem at a time
Rationale: Acute anxiety can reduce concentration and problem-solving
ability, so simple structure and immediate priorities are most useful.
Q5. Which situation is an example of a maturational crisis?
A) Difficulty adapting to retirement and the associated role changes
B) Surviving a major earthquake
C) Being unexpectedly assaulted
D) Losing a home in a fire
Correct Answer: A) Difficulty adapting to retirement and the associated role
changes
Rationale: Maturational crises are associated with normal developmental
transitions and role changes across the lifespan.
Q6. Which event is most consistent with an adventitious crisis?
A) Beginning college
B) Experiencing a terrorist attack or major natural disaster
C) Becoming a parent
D) Retiring from employment
Correct Answer: B) Experiencing a terrorist attack or major natural disaster
Rationale: Adventitious crises arise from uncommon, unplanned events
such as disasters, violence, or large-scale traumatic events.
Q7. A patient who survived a building collapse is shaking and
repeatedly asks where family members are. Which intervention has
priority?
, A) Encourage immediate detailed trauma processing
B) Ask the patient to complete a lengthy psychiatric questionnaire
C) Establish physical safety and address basic immediate needs
D) Explain future psychotherapy options in detail
Correct Answer: C) Establish physical safety and address basic immediate
needs
Rationale: Early disaster response prioritizes safety, basic necessities,
stabilization, and connection with supports.
Q8. Which action best reflects psychological first aid after a
disaster?
A) Require every survivor to describe the traumatic event
B) Diagnose PTSD immediately
C) Encourage emotional confrontation regardless of readiness
D) Provide practical assistance, safety, calm support, and connection with
resources
Correct Answer: D) Provide practical assistance, safety, calm support, and
connection with resources
Rationale: Psychological first aid supports stabilization and practical needs
without forcing trauma disclosure.
Q9. Which statement by a patient in crisis indicates adaptive
coping?
A) “I called my sister and counselor because I realized I needed support.”
B) “I have stopped taking all my medications.”
C) “I drink until I fall asleep every night.”
D) “I haven't eaten or slept in three days.”
Correct Answer: A) “I called my sister and counselor because I realized I
needed support.”
Rationale: Seeking appropriate social and professional support is an
adaptive response to overwhelming stress.
Q10. Which outcome best indicates successful short-term crisis
intervention?
A) The patient has resolved every lifelong conflict
B) The patient identifies supports and demonstrates a workable immediate
coping plan
2026/2027 Jersey College
Q1. What is the primary goal of crisis intervention?
A) Restore the person to at least the level of functioning present before the
crisis
B) Resolve every long-term psychological conflict
C) Eliminate all future stress
D) Establish lifelong dependence on professional support
Correct Answer: A) Restore the person to at least the level of functioning
present before the crisis
Rationale: Crisis intervention focuses on immediate stabilization, adaptive
coping, safety, and restoration of functioning rather than extensive long-term
personality change.
Q2. A patient says, “Everything fell apart when I lost my job
yesterday. I don't know what to do.” Which assessment should occur
first?
A) Childhood developmental history
B) Immediate safety, current coping ability, supports, and perception of the
crisis
C) Long-term retirement goals
D) Detailed family genealogy
Correct Answer: B) Immediate safety, current coping ability, supports, and
perception of the crisis
Rationale: Crisis assessment begins with immediate safety and the
individual's current response, resources, supports, and ability to cope.
Q3. Which factor most strongly influences whether an event
becomes a psychological crisis?
A) The event's financial cost alone
B) The number of people involved
C) The individual's perception of the event and available coping resources
D) Whether the event occurred during adulthood
Correct Answer: C) The individual's perception of the event and available
coping resources
,Rationale: A crisis develops when a stressful event is perceived as
overwhelming and usual coping mechanisms are insufficient.
Q4. A patient in acute crisis is crying, pacing, and unable to consider
several alternatives. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Provide a complex list of possible solutions
B) Ask the patient to make several major decisions immediately
C) Leave the patient alone to improve independence
D) Use calm, direct communication and focus on one immediate problem at a
time
Correct Answer: D) Use calm, direct communication and focus on one
immediate problem at a time
Rationale: Acute anxiety can reduce concentration and problem-solving
ability, so simple structure and immediate priorities are most useful.
Q5. Which situation is an example of a maturational crisis?
A) Difficulty adapting to retirement and the associated role changes
B) Surviving a major earthquake
C) Being unexpectedly assaulted
D) Losing a home in a fire
Correct Answer: A) Difficulty adapting to retirement and the associated role
changes
Rationale: Maturational crises are associated with normal developmental
transitions and role changes across the lifespan.
Q6. Which event is most consistent with an adventitious crisis?
A) Beginning college
B) Experiencing a terrorist attack or major natural disaster
C) Becoming a parent
D) Retiring from employment
Correct Answer: B) Experiencing a terrorist attack or major natural disaster
Rationale: Adventitious crises arise from uncommon, unplanned events
such as disasters, violence, or large-scale traumatic events.
Q7. A patient who survived a building collapse is shaking and
repeatedly asks where family members are. Which intervention has
priority?
, A) Encourage immediate detailed trauma processing
B) Ask the patient to complete a lengthy psychiatric questionnaire
C) Establish physical safety and address basic immediate needs
D) Explain future psychotherapy options in detail
Correct Answer: C) Establish physical safety and address basic immediate
needs
Rationale: Early disaster response prioritizes safety, basic necessities,
stabilization, and connection with supports.
Q8. Which action best reflects psychological first aid after a
disaster?
A) Require every survivor to describe the traumatic event
B) Diagnose PTSD immediately
C) Encourage emotional confrontation regardless of readiness
D) Provide practical assistance, safety, calm support, and connection with
resources
Correct Answer: D) Provide practical assistance, safety, calm support, and
connection with resources
Rationale: Psychological first aid supports stabilization and practical needs
without forcing trauma disclosure.
Q9. Which statement by a patient in crisis indicates adaptive
coping?
A) “I called my sister and counselor because I realized I needed support.”
B) “I have stopped taking all my medications.”
C) “I drink until I fall asleep every night.”
D) “I haven't eaten or slept in three days.”
Correct Answer: A) “I called my sister and counselor because I realized I
needed support.”
Rationale: Seeking appropriate social and professional support is an
adaptive response to overwhelming stress.
Q10. Which outcome best indicates successful short-term crisis
intervention?
A) The patient has resolved every lifelong conflict
B) The patient identifies supports and demonstrates a workable immediate
coping plan
