THE PRACTICE OF MENTAL HEALTH/
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING Exam
Questions With Complete Solutions
Graded A+
A nurse working on a unit in a psychiatric hospital is responsible for performing a variety
of functions. Which are the ones that a registered nurse is legally permitted to perform?
Select all that apply.
1. Psychotherapy
2. Health promotion
3. Case management
4. Prescribing medication
5. Treating human responses - CORRECT ANSWER-2. Health promotion
3. Case management
5. Treating human responses
The psychiatrist orders "Restraints PRN" for a client who has a history of violent
behavior. Then nurse should:
1. Utilize the restraint order if the client begins to act-out
2. Ask the psychiatrist to clarify the type of restraint order
3. Ensure that the entire staff is aware of the restraint order
4. Recognize that PRN orders for restraints are unacceptable - CORRECT ANSWER-4.
Recognize that PRN orders for restraints are unacceptable
,New orders must be written each time a client requires restraints. When a client is
acting-out, the nurse may use restraints or a seclusion room and then obtain the
necessary order.
A client on the psychiatric unit asks the nurse about psychiatric advance directives
(PAD). The nurse explains that these advanced directives:
1. Make the appointment of a surrogate decision maker unnecessary
2. Permit the client to dictate what treatment will be given during the future
hospitalizations
3. Eliminate the need for involuntary admissions when the client is a threat to self or
others
4. Allow the client, while having the capacity, to consent or refuse potential psychiatric
treatments in the event of a future incapacitating mental health crisis - CORRECT
ANSWER-4. Allow the client, while having the capacity, to consent or refuse potential
psychiatric treatments in the event of a future incapacitating mental health crisis
The purpose of a PAD is to allow psychiatric clients the opportunity to provide input into
future treatment decisions.
The statement that best describes the practice of psychiatric nursing is:
1. Helps people with present or potential mental health problems
2. Ensures clients' legal and ethical rights by acting as a client advocate
3. Focuses interpersonal skills on people with physical or emotional problems
4. Acts in a therapeutic way with people who are diagnosed as having a mental disorder
- CORRECT ANSWER-1. Helps people with present or potential mental health
problems
,An important aspect of the role of the psychiatric nurse is primary, secondary, and
tertiary interventions to promote emotional equilibrium.
A 45-year-old physician is admitted to the psychiatric unit of a community hospital. The
client is restless, loud, aggressive, and resistive during the admission procedure and
states, "I will take my own blood pressure." What is the most therapeutic response by
the nurse?
1. "Right now, doctor, you are just another client."
2. "If you would rather, doctor, I'm sure you will do it OK."
3. "If you do not cooperate, I will get the attendants to hold you down."
4. "I am sorry, but I cannot allow that. I must take your blood pressure." - CORRECT
ANSWER-4. "I am sorry, but I cannot allow that. I must take your blood pressure."
This simply states facts without getting involved in role conflict.
For most nurses the most difficult part of the nurse-client relationship is:
1. Remaining therapeutic and professional
2. Being able to understand and accept the client's behavior
3. Developing an awareness of self and the professional role in the relationship
4. Accepting responsibility in identifying and evaluating the real needs of the client -
CORRECT ANSWER-3. Developing an awareness of self and the professional role in
the relationship
The nurse's major tool in psychiatric nursing is the therapeutic use of self. Psychiatric
nurses must learn to identify their own feelings and understand who they affect the
situation.
, The father of a 16-year-old boy who has just been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease
tells the nurse he does not want his son to know the diagnosis. What response by the
nurse is best in this situation?
1. "It is best is he knows the diagnosis."
2. The cure rate for Hodgkin's disease is high."
3. "Would you like someone with Hodgkin's to talk to you?"
4. "Let's talk about why you don't want him to know." - CORRECT ANSWER-4. "Let's
talk about why you don't want him to know."
This statement does not prejudge the father; if encourages communication.
A male nurse is caring for a client. The client states, "You know, I've never had a male
nurse before." The nurse's best reply should be:
1. "Does it bother you to have a male nurse?"
2. "There aren't many of us; we're a minority."
3. "How do you feel about having a male nurse?"
4. "You sound upset. I will get a female nurse to care for you." - CORRECT ANSWER-
3. "How do you feel about having a male nurse?"
This statement encourages the client to express and explore feelings; also, it is open
and nonjudgmental.
A male nurse reminds a client that it is time for group therapy. The clients responds by
yelling at the nurse, "You are always telling me what to do, just like my father." This
clients response is an example of:
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING Exam
Questions With Complete Solutions
Graded A+
A nurse working on a unit in a psychiatric hospital is responsible for performing a variety
of functions. Which are the ones that a registered nurse is legally permitted to perform?
Select all that apply.
1. Psychotherapy
2. Health promotion
3. Case management
4. Prescribing medication
5. Treating human responses - CORRECT ANSWER-2. Health promotion
3. Case management
5. Treating human responses
The psychiatrist orders "Restraints PRN" for a client who has a history of violent
behavior. Then nurse should:
1. Utilize the restraint order if the client begins to act-out
2. Ask the psychiatrist to clarify the type of restraint order
3. Ensure that the entire staff is aware of the restraint order
4. Recognize that PRN orders for restraints are unacceptable - CORRECT ANSWER-4.
Recognize that PRN orders for restraints are unacceptable
,New orders must be written each time a client requires restraints. When a client is
acting-out, the nurse may use restraints or a seclusion room and then obtain the
necessary order.
A client on the psychiatric unit asks the nurse about psychiatric advance directives
(PAD). The nurse explains that these advanced directives:
1. Make the appointment of a surrogate decision maker unnecessary
2. Permit the client to dictate what treatment will be given during the future
hospitalizations
3. Eliminate the need for involuntary admissions when the client is a threat to self or
others
4. Allow the client, while having the capacity, to consent or refuse potential psychiatric
treatments in the event of a future incapacitating mental health crisis - CORRECT
ANSWER-4. Allow the client, while having the capacity, to consent or refuse potential
psychiatric treatments in the event of a future incapacitating mental health crisis
The purpose of a PAD is to allow psychiatric clients the opportunity to provide input into
future treatment decisions.
The statement that best describes the practice of psychiatric nursing is:
1. Helps people with present or potential mental health problems
2. Ensures clients' legal and ethical rights by acting as a client advocate
3. Focuses interpersonal skills on people with physical or emotional problems
4. Acts in a therapeutic way with people who are diagnosed as having a mental disorder
- CORRECT ANSWER-1. Helps people with present or potential mental health
problems
,An important aspect of the role of the psychiatric nurse is primary, secondary, and
tertiary interventions to promote emotional equilibrium.
A 45-year-old physician is admitted to the psychiatric unit of a community hospital. The
client is restless, loud, aggressive, and resistive during the admission procedure and
states, "I will take my own blood pressure." What is the most therapeutic response by
the nurse?
1. "Right now, doctor, you are just another client."
2. "If you would rather, doctor, I'm sure you will do it OK."
3. "If you do not cooperate, I will get the attendants to hold you down."
4. "I am sorry, but I cannot allow that. I must take your blood pressure." - CORRECT
ANSWER-4. "I am sorry, but I cannot allow that. I must take your blood pressure."
This simply states facts without getting involved in role conflict.
For most nurses the most difficult part of the nurse-client relationship is:
1. Remaining therapeutic and professional
2. Being able to understand and accept the client's behavior
3. Developing an awareness of self and the professional role in the relationship
4. Accepting responsibility in identifying and evaluating the real needs of the client -
CORRECT ANSWER-3. Developing an awareness of self and the professional role in
the relationship
The nurse's major tool in psychiatric nursing is the therapeutic use of self. Psychiatric
nurses must learn to identify their own feelings and understand who they affect the
situation.
, The father of a 16-year-old boy who has just been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease
tells the nurse he does not want his son to know the diagnosis. What response by the
nurse is best in this situation?
1. "It is best is he knows the diagnosis."
2. The cure rate for Hodgkin's disease is high."
3. "Would you like someone with Hodgkin's to talk to you?"
4. "Let's talk about why you don't want him to know." - CORRECT ANSWER-4. "Let's
talk about why you don't want him to know."
This statement does not prejudge the father; if encourages communication.
A male nurse is caring for a client. The client states, "You know, I've never had a male
nurse before." The nurse's best reply should be:
1. "Does it bother you to have a male nurse?"
2. "There aren't many of us; we're a minority."
3. "How do you feel about having a male nurse?"
4. "You sound upset. I will get a female nurse to care for you." - CORRECT ANSWER-
3. "How do you feel about having a male nurse?"
This statement encourages the client to express and explore feelings; also, it is open
and nonjudgmental.
A male nurse reminds a client that it is time for group therapy. The clients responds by
yelling at the nurse, "You are always telling me what to do, just like my father." This
clients response is an example of:
