WGU Mental Health Nursing Assessment
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Unit 1: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing
1. Which statement best defines mental health?
,A) The absence of mental illness
B) A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being
C) The ability to control all emotions
D) Never experiencing stress or anxiety
Answer: B
Rationale: Mental health is defined by the WHO as a state of well-being in which an individual realizes their own abilities,
can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively, and can contribute to their community. It is not merely the
absence of illness.
2. A nurse is using the DSM-5 to diagnose a client. What is the primary purpose of the DSM-5?
A) To prescribe medication
B) To provide a standardized classification of mental disorders
C) To determine nursing interventions
D) To evaluate nursing outcomes
Answer: B
,Rationale: The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition) is used by healthcare providers
to diagnose and classify mental disorders using standardized criteria. It does not prescribe medication or determine
nursing interventions.
3. Which is an example of a voluntary admission to a psychiatric facility?
A) A client is admitted by court order
B) A client signs themselves in for treatment
C) A client is admitted by a police officer
D) A client is admitted by a family member against their will
Answer: B
Rationale: Voluntary admission occurs when a client willingly seeks and signs for admission. Involuntary admission occurs
when a client is admitted against their will by court order, police, or family.
4. A nurse is assessing a client for risk of suicide. Which factor places the client at highest risk?
A) Having a pet
, B) A specific plan and access to means
C) Attending therapy weekly
D) Living with family
Answer: B
Rationale: The highest risk for suicide exists when a client has a specific plan and access to the means to carry it out. This
indicates imminent risk and requires immediate intervention.
5. Which therapeutic communication technique involves restating the client's message in the nurse's own words?
A) Reflection
B) Paraphrasing
C) Clarification
D) Confrontation
Answer: B
Rationale: Paraphrasing is restating the client's message in the nurse's own words to confirm understanding. Reflection
involves echoing the client's feelings or thoughts back to them.
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Unit 1: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing
1. Which statement best defines mental health?
,A) The absence of mental illness
B) A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being
C) The ability to control all emotions
D) Never experiencing stress or anxiety
Answer: B
Rationale: Mental health is defined by the WHO as a state of well-being in which an individual realizes their own abilities,
can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively, and can contribute to their community. It is not merely the
absence of illness.
2. A nurse is using the DSM-5 to diagnose a client. What is the primary purpose of the DSM-5?
A) To prescribe medication
B) To provide a standardized classification of mental disorders
C) To determine nursing interventions
D) To evaluate nursing outcomes
Answer: B
,Rationale: The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition) is used by healthcare providers
to diagnose and classify mental disorders using standardized criteria. It does not prescribe medication or determine
nursing interventions.
3. Which is an example of a voluntary admission to a psychiatric facility?
A) A client is admitted by court order
B) A client signs themselves in for treatment
C) A client is admitted by a police officer
D) A client is admitted by a family member against their will
Answer: B
Rationale: Voluntary admission occurs when a client willingly seeks and signs for admission. Involuntary admission occurs
when a client is admitted against their will by court order, police, or family.
4. A nurse is assessing a client for risk of suicide. Which factor places the client at highest risk?
A) Having a pet
, B) A specific plan and access to means
C) Attending therapy weekly
D) Living with family
Answer: B
Rationale: The highest risk for suicide exists when a client has a specific plan and access to the means to carry it out. This
indicates imminent risk and requires immediate intervention.
5. Which therapeutic communication technique involves restating the client's message in the nurse's own words?
A) Reflection
B) Paraphrasing
C) Clarification
D) Confrontation
Answer: B
Rationale: Paraphrasing is restating the client's message in the nurse's own words to confirm understanding. Reflection
involves echoing the client's feelings or thoughts back to them.
