GCU NSG-322 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
NURSING EXAM 1, EXAM 2 & FINAL
BUNDLE 2026/2027 | 300 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS |
RATIONALES INCLUDED | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD
NSG-322 Exam 1
1. Which statement best defines mental health?
A. The absence of all psychiatric diagnoses
B. A state of well-being in which a person can cope with normal life stressors and
function productively
C. A permanent condition determined only by genetics
D. The ability to avoid all emotional distress
Answer: B. Mental health involves emotional, psychological, and social well-being,
including the ability to cope with stress, maintain relationships, and function effectively.
2. Which nursing action best establishes trust during the initial psychiatric
interview?
A. Promising confidentiality in every situation
B. Explaining the purpose of the assessment and the limits of confidentiality
C. Asking personal questions without explanation
D. Avoiding discussion of sensitive topics
Answer: B. Trust is built through honesty and transparency. Explaining the purpose and
limits of confidentiality shows respect and sets clear boundaries.
3. A nurse on an inpatient psychiatric unit observes a patient staring at the
corner and talking to someone who is not there. Which response demonstrates
the therapeutic technique of presenting reality?
A. "Why are you talking to the corner? There is no one there."
B. "I understand that you are talking to someone, but I do not see anyone in the
corner."
C. "You are hallucinating again. I will get your PRN medication."
D. "If you stop talking to the corner, you can go to the dining room."
,Answer: B. Presenting reality involves gently acknowledging the patient's experience
while stating the nurse's factual observation without arguing or dismissing the patient.
4. A patient with major depressive disorder states, "I'm so worthless, nobody
would care if I just disappeared." Which response by the nurse is an example of
clarification?
A. "You shouldn't say things like that; you have a wonderful family."
B. "Are you thinking about ending your life?"
C. "When you say 'disappeared,' are you having thoughts of harming yourself?"
D. "Everyone feels worthless sometimes, it will get better."
Answer: C. Clarification is used when the patient's statement is ambiguous or vague,
allowing the nurse to understand the exact meaning and assess for safety.
5. A patient with a history of trauma is quiet and avoids eye contact during the
initial assessment. The nurse sits calmly at eye level and remains silent for a
brief period. What is the primary rationale for using silence?
A. It allows the nurse time to document the patient's nonverbal cues.
B. It gives the patient time to organize thoughts and feel safe enough to initiate
communication.
C. It demonstrates that the nurse is in control of the therapeutic interaction.
D. It prevents the nurse from saying something that might trigger the patient.
Answer: B. Silence is a powerful therapeutic tool that allows the patient to process
information, gather courage to speak, or set the pace of the interaction.
6. A nursing student is reviewing the phases of the therapeutic nurse-patient
relationship. The student correctly identifies that the pre-interaction phase
involves which activity?
A. Establishing trust and formulating a contract for care
B. Gathering data, reviewing the patient's history, and self-reflection
C. Exploring underlying issues and implementing nursing interventions
D. Evaluating goal achievement and summarizing the relationship
Answer: B. The pre-interaction phase occurs before the first face-to-face meeting and
involves preparation, such as reviewing the patient's medical record, gathering data,
and examining one's own biases.
7. During a group therapy session, a patient with borderline personality
disorder cries and criticizes the nurse for "not caring about anyone." The nurse
responds, "I can see you are very upset, but it hurts me when you say I don't
care because I truly want to help you." Which non-therapeutic technique did
the nurse use?
A. Defending
B. Validating
,C. Reflecting
D. Focusing
Answer: A. Defending occurs when the nurse protects themselves or others from
negative comments, which makes the patient feel unheard and invalidates their
feelings.
8. A psychiatric nurse is conducting a medication education group. A patient
interrupts and says, "This is a waste of time, these pills poison your body." The
nurse responds, "It sounds like you have strong concerns about the
medication." Which therapeutic technique is the nurse using?
A. Restating
B. Paraphrasing
C. Interpreting
D. Confronting
Answer: B. Paraphrasing involves restating the patient's message in the nurse's own
words to convey understanding and validate feelings.
9. An inpatient psychiatric unit utilizes a therapeutic community (milieu
therapy) approach. Which nursing action best exemplifies the principles of
milieu therapy?
A. Assigning a dedicated security guard to watch high-risk patients at all times
B. Having patients participate in unit governance and shared decision-making
C. Restricting all patients to their rooms after 8:00 PM to ensure adequate sleep
D. Allowing patients to eat meals in their rooms to reduce social anxiety
Answer: B. Milieu therapy involves structuring the environment to promote democratic
decision-making, shared responsibility, and social learning.
10. A nurse is terminating a therapeutic relationship with a patient who has
made significant progress. The patient says, "I don't want you to leave, you are
the only one who understands me." What is the most appropriate nursing
response?
A. "I can request to be your primary nurse again next time you are admitted."
B. "You have learned the skills to understand yourself, and I am confident you can
use them."
C. "I will miss you too, but I have too many other patients to care for right now."
D. "You shouldn't depend on me; you need to find a friend to talk to."
Answer: B. During the termination phase, the nurse should reinforce the patient's
strengths, progress, and autonomy to prevent regression and dependency.
11. A nurse is leading a group for patients with anxiety disorders. One patient
dominates the conversation, preventing others from speaking. Which
, intervention by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Ask the dominating patient to leave the group temporarily.
B. Say to the group, "Let's take a pause and hear from someone who hasn't spoken
yet."
C. Ignore the dominating patient until they realize they are being excluded.
D. Directly address the patient: "You are talking too much, please be quiet."
Answer: B. This gently redirects the group without shaming the patient, promoting
balanced participation.
12. A nurse is conducting a mental status examination. The patient reports
feeling "on top of the world." The nurse observes the patient laughing and
smiling frequently. How should the nurse document the patient's affect?
A. Incongruent
B. Congruent
C. Flat
D. Blunted
Answer: B. Congruent affect occurs when the patient's outward emotional expression
matches their subjective report of mood.
13. A patient tells the nurse, "I am not sure if I should take this medication. My
mother said it might be dangerous." The nurse responds, "You are concerned
about what your mother thinks regarding the safety of the medication?" Which
therapeutic technique is the nurse using?
A. Clarifying
B. Reflecting
C. Summarizing
D. Restating
Answer: D. Restating involves repeating the main idea of what the patient has said to
ensure the nurse understands correctly.
14. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the "fight or flight"
response and is often elevated in patients with anxiety disorders?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Serotonin
D. GABA
Answer: B. Norepinephrine is a catecholamine that plays a key role in the body's stress
response and is associated with hyperarousal and anxiety.
15. A nurse is caring for a patient being treated for depression. The patient
states, "I just can't see things getting better. I've always been a failure."
NURSING EXAM 1, EXAM 2 & FINAL
BUNDLE 2026/2027 | 300 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS |
RATIONALES INCLUDED | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD
NSG-322 Exam 1
1. Which statement best defines mental health?
A. The absence of all psychiatric diagnoses
B. A state of well-being in which a person can cope with normal life stressors and
function productively
C. A permanent condition determined only by genetics
D. The ability to avoid all emotional distress
Answer: B. Mental health involves emotional, psychological, and social well-being,
including the ability to cope with stress, maintain relationships, and function effectively.
2. Which nursing action best establishes trust during the initial psychiatric
interview?
A. Promising confidentiality in every situation
B. Explaining the purpose of the assessment and the limits of confidentiality
C. Asking personal questions without explanation
D. Avoiding discussion of sensitive topics
Answer: B. Trust is built through honesty and transparency. Explaining the purpose and
limits of confidentiality shows respect and sets clear boundaries.
3. A nurse on an inpatient psychiatric unit observes a patient staring at the
corner and talking to someone who is not there. Which response demonstrates
the therapeutic technique of presenting reality?
A. "Why are you talking to the corner? There is no one there."
B. "I understand that you are talking to someone, but I do not see anyone in the
corner."
C. "You are hallucinating again. I will get your PRN medication."
D. "If you stop talking to the corner, you can go to the dining room."
,Answer: B. Presenting reality involves gently acknowledging the patient's experience
while stating the nurse's factual observation without arguing or dismissing the patient.
4. A patient with major depressive disorder states, "I'm so worthless, nobody
would care if I just disappeared." Which response by the nurse is an example of
clarification?
A. "You shouldn't say things like that; you have a wonderful family."
B. "Are you thinking about ending your life?"
C. "When you say 'disappeared,' are you having thoughts of harming yourself?"
D. "Everyone feels worthless sometimes, it will get better."
Answer: C. Clarification is used when the patient's statement is ambiguous or vague,
allowing the nurse to understand the exact meaning and assess for safety.
5. A patient with a history of trauma is quiet and avoids eye contact during the
initial assessment. The nurse sits calmly at eye level and remains silent for a
brief period. What is the primary rationale for using silence?
A. It allows the nurse time to document the patient's nonverbal cues.
B. It gives the patient time to organize thoughts and feel safe enough to initiate
communication.
C. It demonstrates that the nurse is in control of the therapeutic interaction.
D. It prevents the nurse from saying something that might trigger the patient.
Answer: B. Silence is a powerful therapeutic tool that allows the patient to process
information, gather courage to speak, or set the pace of the interaction.
6. A nursing student is reviewing the phases of the therapeutic nurse-patient
relationship. The student correctly identifies that the pre-interaction phase
involves which activity?
A. Establishing trust and formulating a contract for care
B. Gathering data, reviewing the patient's history, and self-reflection
C. Exploring underlying issues and implementing nursing interventions
D. Evaluating goal achievement and summarizing the relationship
Answer: B. The pre-interaction phase occurs before the first face-to-face meeting and
involves preparation, such as reviewing the patient's medical record, gathering data,
and examining one's own biases.
7. During a group therapy session, a patient with borderline personality
disorder cries and criticizes the nurse for "not caring about anyone." The nurse
responds, "I can see you are very upset, but it hurts me when you say I don't
care because I truly want to help you." Which non-therapeutic technique did
the nurse use?
A. Defending
B. Validating
,C. Reflecting
D. Focusing
Answer: A. Defending occurs when the nurse protects themselves or others from
negative comments, which makes the patient feel unheard and invalidates their
feelings.
8. A psychiatric nurse is conducting a medication education group. A patient
interrupts and says, "This is a waste of time, these pills poison your body." The
nurse responds, "It sounds like you have strong concerns about the
medication." Which therapeutic technique is the nurse using?
A. Restating
B. Paraphrasing
C. Interpreting
D. Confronting
Answer: B. Paraphrasing involves restating the patient's message in the nurse's own
words to convey understanding and validate feelings.
9. An inpatient psychiatric unit utilizes a therapeutic community (milieu
therapy) approach. Which nursing action best exemplifies the principles of
milieu therapy?
A. Assigning a dedicated security guard to watch high-risk patients at all times
B. Having patients participate in unit governance and shared decision-making
C. Restricting all patients to their rooms after 8:00 PM to ensure adequate sleep
D. Allowing patients to eat meals in their rooms to reduce social anxiety
Answer: B. Milieu therapy involves structuring the environment to promote democratic
decision-making, shared responsibility, and social learning.
10. A nurse is terminating a therapeutic relationship with a patient who has
made significant progress. The patient says, "I don't want you to leave, you are
the only one who understands me." What is the most appropriate nursing
response?
A. "I can request to be your primary nurse again next time you are admitted."
B. "You have learned the skills to understand yourself, and I am confident you can
use them."
C. "I will miss you too, but I have too many other patients to care for right now."
D. "You shouldn't depend on me; you need to find a friend to talk to."
Answer: B. During the termination phase, the nurse should reinforce the patient's
strengths, progress, and autonomy to prevent regression and dependency.
11. A nurse is leading a group for patients with anxiety disorders. One patient
dominates the conversation, preventing others from speaking. Which
, intervention by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Ask the dominating patient to leave the group temporarily.
B. Say to the group, "Let's take a pause and hear from someone who hasn't spoken
yet."
C. Ignore the dominating patient until they realize they are being excluded.
D. Directly address the patient: "You are talking too much, please be quiet."
Answer: B. This gently redirects the group without shaming the patient, promoting
balanced participation.
12. A nurse is conducting a mental status examination. The patient reports
feeling "on top of the world." The nurse observes the patient laughing and
smiling frequently. How should the nurse document the patient's affect?
A. Incongruent
B. Congruent
C. Flat
D. Blunted
Answer: B. Congruent affect occurs when the patient's outward emotional expression
matches their subjective report of mood.
13. A patient tells the nurse, "I am not sure if I should take this medication. My
mother said it might be dangerous." The nurse responds, "You are concerned
about what your mother thinks regarding the safety of the medication?" Which
therapeutic technique is the nurse using?
A. Clarifying
B. Reflecting
C. Summarizing
D. Restating
Answer: D. Restating involves repeating the main idea of what the patient has said to
ensure the nurse understands correctly.
14. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the "fight or flight"
response and is often elevated in patients with anxiety disorders?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Serotonin
D. GABA
Answer: B. Norepinephrine is a catecholamine that plays a key role in the body's stress
response and is associated with hyperarousal and anxiety.
15. A nurse is caring for a patient being treated for depression. The patient
states, "I just can't see things getting better. I've always been a failure."
