VARCAROLIS FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING PRACTICE
ASSESSMENT 2026 CERTIFICATION
EVALUATION EXPERT CHECKED
◉ A patient states, "I'm not worth anything. I have negative thoughts
about myself. I feel anxious and shaky all the time. Sometimes I feel
so sad that I want to go to sleep and never wake up." Which nursing
intervention should have the highest priority?
a. Self-esteem-building activities
b. Anxiety self-control measures
c. Sleep enhancement activities
d. Suicide precautions Answer: ANS: D
The nurse would place a priority on monitoring and reinforcing
suicide self-restraint because it relates directly and immediately to
patient safety. Patient safety is always a priority concern. The nurse
should monitor and reinforce all patient attempts to control anxiety,
improve sleep patterns, and develop self-esteem, while giving
priority attention to suicide self-restraint.
◉ Select the best outcome for a patient with the nursing diagnosis:
Impaired social interaction related to sociocultural dissonance as
evidenced by stating, "Although I'd like to, I don't join in because I
don't speak the language very well." Patient will:
,a. show improved use of language.
b. demonstrate improved social skills.
c. become more independent in decision making.
d. select and participate in one group activity per day. Answer: ANS:
D
The outcome describes social involvement on the part of the patient.
Neither cooperation nor independence has been an issue. The
patient has already expressed a desire to interact with others.
Outcomes must be measurable. Two of the distracters are not
measurable.
◉ Nursing behaviors associated with the implementation phase of
nursing process are concerned with:
a. participating in mutual identification of patient outcomes.
b. gathering accurate and sufficient patient-centered data.
c. comparing patient responses and expected outcomes.
d. carrying out interventions and coordinating care. Answer: ANS: D
Nursing behaviors relating to implementation include using
available resources, performing interventions, finding alternatives
when necessary, and coordinating care with other team members.
◉ Which statement made by a patient during an initial assessment
interview should serve as the priority focus for the plan of care?
a. "I can always trust my family."
, b. "It seems like I always have bad luck."
c. "You never know who will turn against you."
d. "I hear evil voices that tell me to do bad things." Answer: ANS: D
The statement regarding evil voices tells the nurse that the patient is
experiencing auditory hallucinations and may create risks for
violence. The other statements are vague and do not clearly identify
the patient's chief symptom.
◉ Which entry in the medical record best meets the requirement for
problem-oriented charting?
a. "A: Pacing and muttering to self. P: Sensory perceptual alteration
related to internal auditory stimulation. I: Given fluphenazine HCL
(Prolixin) 2.5 mg po at 0900 and went to room to lie down. E:
Calmer by 0930. Returned to lounge to watch TV."
b. "S: States, 'I feel like I'm ready to blow up.' O: Pacing hall,
mumbling to self. A: Auditory hallucinations. P: Offer haloperidol
(Haldol) 2 mg po. I: Haloperidol (Haldol) 2 mg po given at 0900. E:
Returned to lounge at 0930 and quietly watched TV."
c. "Agitated behavior. D: Patient muttering to self as though
answering an unseen person. A: Given haloperidol (Haldol) 2 mg po
and went to room to lie down. E: Patient calmer. Returned to lounge
to watch TV."
d. "Pacing hall and muttering to self as though answering an unseen
person. haloperidol (Haldol) 2 mg po administered at 0900 Answer:
ANS: B
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING PRACTICE
ASSESSMENT 2026 CERTIFICATION
EVALUATION EXPERT CHECKED
◉ A patient states, "I'm not worth anything. I have negative thoughts
about myself. I feel anxious and shaky all the time. Sometimes I feel
so sad that I want to go to sleep and never wake up." Which nursing
intervention should have the highest priority?
a. Self-esteem-building activities
b. Anxiety self-control measures
c. Sleep enhancement activities
d. Suicide precautions Answer: ANS: D
The nurse would place a priority on monitoring and reinforcing
suicide self-restraint because it relates directly and immediately to
patient safety. Patient safety is always a priority concern. The nurse
should monitor and reinforce all patient attempts to control anxiety,
improve sleep patterns, and develop self-esteem, while giving
priority attention to suicide self-restraint.
◉ Select the best outcome for a patient with the nursing diagnosis:
Impaired social interaction related to sociocultural dissonance as
evidenced by stating, "Although I'd like to, I don't join in because I
don't speak the language very well." Patient will:
,a. show improved use of language.
b. demonstrate improved social skills.
c. become more independent in decision making.
d. select and participate in one group activity per day. Answer: ANS:
D
The outcome describes social involvement on the part of the patient.
Neither cooperation nor independence has been an issue. The
patient has already expressed a desire to interact with others.
Outcomes must be measurable. Two of the distracters are not
measurable.
◉ Nursing behaviors associated with the implementation phase of
nursing process are concerned with:
a. participating in mutual identification of patient outcomes.
b. gathering accurate and sufficient patient-centered data.
c. comparing patient responses and expected outcomes.
d. carrying out interventions and coordinating care. Answer: ANS: D
Nursing behaviors relating to implementation include using
available resources, performing interventions, finding alternatives
when necessary, and coordinating care with other team members.
◉ Which statement made by a patient during an initial assessment
interview should serve as the priority focus for the plan of care?
a. "I can always trust my family."
, b. "It seems like I always have bad luck."
c. "You never know who will turn against you."
d. "I hear evil voices that tell me to do bad things." Answer: ANS: D
The statement regarding evil voices tells the nurse that the patient is
experiencing auditory hallucinations and may create risks for
violence. The other statements are vague and do not clearly identify
the patient's chief symptom.
◉ Which entry in the medical record best meets the requirement for
problem-oriented charting?
a. "A: Pacing and muttering to self. P: Sensory perceptual alteration
related to internal auditory stimulation. I: Given fluphenazine HCL
(Prolixin) 2.5 mg po at 0900 and went to room to lie down. E:
Calmer by 0930. Returned to lounge to watch TV."
b. "S: States, 'I feel like I'm ready to blow up.' O: Pacing hall,
mumbling to self. A: Auditory hallucinations. P: Offer haloperidol
(Haldol) 2 mg po. I: Haloperidol (Haldol) 2 mg po given at 0900. E:
Returned to lounge at 0930 and quietly watched TV."
c. "Agitated behavior. D: Patient muttering to self as though
answering an unseen person. A: Given haloperidol (Haldol) 2 mg po
and went to room to lie down. E: Patient calmer. Returned to lounge
to watch TV."
d. "Pacing hall and muttering to self as though answering an unseen
person. haloperidol (Haldol) 2 mg po administered at 0900 Answer:
ANS: B
