West Coast University NURS 222 Final Exam | Mental
Health/Psychiatric Nursing (2026) Q&A
1. Which statement best defines mental health according to the NURS 222 curriculum?
A) The absence of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder
B) A dynamic state in which individuals adapt to internal and external environments to achieve
well-being
C) The ability to function without any emotional distress
D) A fixed state determined solely by genetic factors
Correct Answer: A dynamic state in which individuals adapt to internal and external
environments to achieve well-being
Rationale: Mental health is dynamic and includes emotional, psychological, social, and
functional well-being. A person can experience stress or symptoms without necessarily having a
mental disorder. The absence of illness alone does not define mental health.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who reports feeling sad and hopeless after losing a job. Which
statement best describes a mental disorder?
A) Any temporary feeling of sadness
B) A clinically significant disturbance in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior associated
with distress or impairment
C) Any disagreement with family members
D) Any behavior that differs from the nurse's personal expectations
Correct Answer: A clinically significant disturbance in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior
associated with distress or impairment
,Rationale: Mental disorders involve clinically significant disturbances that affect functioning or
cause substantial distress. They are not simply ordinary variations in behavior or emotion, nor
are they defined by disagreement with others.
3. Which factor can influence mental health?
A) Genetics only
B) Environment only
C) Social relationships only
D) Genetics, environment, and social relationships
Correct Answer: Genetics, environment, and social relationships
Rationale: Mental health is influenced by a combination of biological, environmental, and social
factors. Genetics, environment, and social relationships all interact to shape mental well-being.
No single factor alone determines mental health status.
4. A nurse is planning care for a client. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which client
need should be addressed first?
A) The need for self-esteem
B) The need for love and belonging
C) Physiological needs
D) The need for self-actualization
Correct Answer: Physiological needs
,Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy places physiological needs (breathing, food, water, shelter) at the
most basic level. These must be met before higher-level needs such as safety, love, self-esteem,
and self-actualization can be addressed.
5. Which of the following is the single most important procedure for preventing the spread of
infection in healthcare settings?
A) Wearing gloves for all patient interactions
B) Performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C) Using personal protective equipment for all patients
D) Cleaning equipment between each patient use
Correct Answer: Performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most effective measure for preventing infection spread. While
gloves, PPE, and equipment cleaning are important, they do not replace the need for proper
hand hygiene, which remains the cornerstone of infection prevention.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing a panic attack. Which physiological response
is expected?
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Constricted pupils
C) Hyperventilation
D) Decreased blood pressure
Correct Answer: Hyperventilation
, Rationale: During a panic attack, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to
hyperventilation, tachycardia, dilated pupils, and increased blood pressure. Decreased heart
rate, constricted pupils, and decreased blood pressure are not typical.
7. A client asks the nurse, "What are neurotransmitters? The doctor said mine are imbalanced."
Which response by the nurse is best?
A) "How do you feel about having imbalanced neurotransmitters?"
B) "Neurotransmitters protect us from the harmful effects of free radicals."
C) "Neurotransmitters are substances we consume that influence memory and mood."
D) "Neurotransmitters are natural chemicals that pass messages between brain cells."
Correct Answer: "Neurotransmitters are natural chemicals that pass messages between brain
cells."
Rationale: Neurotransmitters are natural chemicals that facilitate communication between
neurons in the brain. This explanation is accurate and appropriately addresses the client's
question without deflecting or providing inaccurate information.
8. A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client. Which statement is an example of
the nurse using therapeutic use of self?
A) "I think you should talk to your doctor about that."
B) Offering yourself as an open ear for the client
C) "Everything will be fine."
D) "Why do you feel that way?"
Correct Answer: Offering yourself as an open ear for the client
Health/Psychiatric Nursing (2026) Q&A
1. Which statement best defines mental health according to the NURS 222 curriculum?
A) The absence of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder
B) A dynamic state in which individuals adapt to internal and external environments to achieve
well-being
C) The ability to function without any emotional distress
D) A fixed state determined solely by genetic factors
Correct Answer: A dynamic state in which individuals adapt to internal and external
environments to achieve well-being
Rationale: Mental health is dynamic and includes emotional, psychological, social, and
functional well-being. A person can experience stress or symptoms without necessarily having a
mental disorder. The absence of illness alone does not define mental health.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who reports feeling sad and hopeless after losing a job. Which
statement best describes a mental disorder?
A) Any temporary feeling of sadness
B) A clinically significant disturbance in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior associated
with distress or impairment
C) Any disagreement with family members
D) Any behavior that differs from the nurse's personal expectations
Correct Answer: A clinically significant disturbance in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior
associated with distress or impairment
,Rationale: Mental disorders involve clinically significant disturbances that affect functioning or
cause substantial distress. They are not simply ordinary variations in behavior or emotion, nor
are they defined by disagreement with others.
3. Which factor can influence mental health?
A) Genetics only
B) Environment only
C) Social relationships only
D) Genetics, environment, and social relationships
Correct Answer: Genetics, environment, and social relationships
Rationale: Mental health is influenced by a combination of biological, environmental, and social
factors. Genetics, environment, and social relationships all interact to shape mental well-being.
No single factor alone determines mental health status.
4. A nurse is planning care for a client. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which client
need should be addressed first?
A) The need for self-esteem
B) The need for love and belonging
C) Physiological needs
D) The need for self-actualization
Correct Answer: Physiological needs
,Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy places physiological needs (breathing, food, water, shelter) at the
most basic level. These must be met before higher-level needs such as safety, love, self-esteem,
and self-actualization can be addressed.
5. Which of the following is the single most important procedure for preventing the spread of
infection in healthcare settings?
A) Wearing gloves for all patient interactions
B) Performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C) Using personal protective equipment for all patients
D) Cleaning equipment between each patient use
Correct Answer: Performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most effective measure for preventing infection spread. While
gloves, PPE, and equipment cleaning are important, they do not replace the need for proper
hand hygiene, which remains the cornerstone of infection prevention.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing a panic attack. Which physiological response
is expected?
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Constricted pupils
C) Hyperventilation
D) Decreased blood pressure
Correct Answer: Hyperventilation
, Rationale: During a panic attack, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to
hyperventilation, tachycardia, dilated pupils, and increased blood pressure. Decreased heart
rate, constricted pupils, and decreased blood pressure are not typical.
7. A client asks the nurse, "What are neurotransmitters? The doctor said mine are imbalanced."
Which response by the nurse is best?
A) "How do you feel about having imbalanced neurotransmitters?"
B) "Neurotransmitters protect us from the harmful effects of free radicals."
C) "Neurotransmitters are substances we consume that influence memory and mood."
D) "Neurotransmitters are natural chemicals that pass messages between brain cells."
Correct Answer: "Neurotransmitters are natural chemicals that pass messages between brain
cells."
Rationale: Neurotransmitters are natural chemicals that facilitate communication between
neurons in the brain. This explanation is accurate and appropriately addresses the client's
question without deflecting or providing inaccurate information.
8. A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client. Which statement is an example of
the nurse using therapeutic use of self?
A) "I think you should talk to your doctor about that."
B) Offering yourself as an open ear for the client
C) "Everything will be fine."
D) "Why do you feel that way?"
Correct Answer: Offering yourself as an open ear for the client
