BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NURSING REVIEW GCU
FINAL 2026 EXAMPREP MASTER REVISION SET
◉ Which of the following behaviors exemplifies the concept of
countertransference? (Select all that apply)
A. The nurse defends the client's inappropriate behavior to the MD.
B. The nurse emphasizes with the client's loss.
C. The nurse reflects the client's feelings back to him.
D. The nurse is uneasy when interacting with the client.
E. The nurse recognizes that the client is emotionally attached to the
social worker. Answer: A. The nurse defends the client's
inappropriate behavior to the MD.
D. The nurse is uneasy when interacting with the client.
◉ A client says, "It is a waste of time to be here. I can't talk to you or
anyone." Which of the following is an appropriate response?
A. "I find that hard to believe."
B. "I think you need to calm down and think more positively."
C. "I assure that the care here is excellent and you are in good
hands."
,D. "I sense you feel no one understands you, is that right?" Answer:
D. "I sense you feel no one understands you, is that right?"
◉ Psychosocial Assessment Answer: - Provides additional
information from which to develop a plan of care.
- Assessment is ongoing.
- Requires effective communication skills.
- Use therapeutic communication skills + all senses.
- Nursing process based on QSEN: patient centered care, quality
improvement, safety, informatics, teamwork/collaboration, EBP.
◉ Beliefs to keep in mind Answer: - Patient involvement: may be
there involuntarily, denial may be present so then they won't be
involved in their care.
- Goals of nurse care- Self care: empower patient to take care of
themselves.
- Anxiety level.
- Bias and judgement.
- Assessment is not an interrogation!
◉ Purpose of assessment Answer: - Assess current level of psych
functioning.
- Establish trust and rapport: so they feel comfortable opening up
and sharing information.
,- Coping skills.
- Patient goals: identify and establish.
- Establish plan of care.
◉ Sources of data Answer: *Primary*- the patient. (may not always
be the go-to for information d/t condition: nonverbal,
uncooperative).
*Secondary*- family, school, legal system. Used frequently. Gets both
perspectives.
◉ Age Considerations: Adolescents Answer: 12-17 years old.
Remember HEADSSS:
- *H*ome environment: is it safe? Who do they consider family? May
be fearful that you're going to tell parents what they say.
- *E*ducation: any grade changes, performance.
- *A*ctivities: what are they involved in? Friendships?
- *D*rug/Alcohol Use: what, how much.
- *S*exuality: are they sexually active? Safe sex practices?
- *S*uicidal thoughts: do you have a plan? Have you told your doctor?
- *S*avagery/violence: are they victims of abuse at home? Self
injurious behavior?
, ◉ Age Considerations: Children Answer: - Up to 11 years old.
- Cognitive development (IQ scores), Social/emotional development:
Erikson's stages of development.
- Children regress during times of stress.
- Caretaker: ask to describe behavior.
- Interview and observation: sometimes they are unable to verbalize,
so you will have to watch them.
- Play.
- Story telling.
- Pictures.
◉ Age Considerations: Older Adult Answer: - Sensory changes:
hearing.
- Physical limitations.
- Cognitive ability: Mini mental status exam.
- Losses
- Isolation
- Time for assessment: takes longer.
- Ageism: mental illness, depression, and dementia are *not* a
normal part of aging.
FINAL 2026 EXAMPREP MASTER REVISION SET
◉ Which of the following behaviors exemplifies the concept of
countertransference? (Select all that apply)
A. The nurse defends the client's inappropriate behavior to the MD.
B. The nurse emphasizes with the client's loss.
C. The nurse reflects the client's feelings back to him.
D. The nurse is uneasy when interacting with the client.
E. The nurse recognizes that the client is emotionally attached to the
social worker. Answer: A. The nurse defends the client's
inappropriate behavior to the MD.
D. The nurse is uneasy when interacting with the client.
◉ A client says, "It is a waste of time to be here. I can't talk to you or
anyone." Which of the following is an appropriate response?
A. "I find that hard to believe."
B. "I think you need to calm down and think more positively."
C. "I assure that the care here is excellent and you are in good
hands."
,D. "I sense you feel no one understands you, is that right?" Answer:
D. "I sense you feel no one understands you, is that right?"
◉ Psychosocial Assessment Answer: - Provides additional
information from which to develop a plan of care.
- Assessment is ongoing.
- Requires effective communication skills.
- Use therapeutic communication skills + all senses.
- Nursing process based on QSEN: patient centered care, quality
improvement, safety, informatics, teamwork/collaboration, EBP.
◉ Beliefs to keep in mind Answer: - Patient involvement: may be
there involuntarily, denial may be present so then they won't be
involved in their care.
- Goals of nurse care- Self care: empower patient to take care of
themselves.
- Anxiety level.
- Bias and judgement.
- Assessment is not an interrogation!
◉ Purpose of assessment Answer: - Assess current level of psych
functioning.
- Establish trust and rapport: so they feel comfortable opening up
and sharing information.
,- Coping skills.
- Patient goals: identify and establish.
- Establish plan of care.
◉ Sources of data Answer: *Primary*- the patient. (may not always
be the go-to for information d/t condition: nonverbal,
uncooperative).
*Secondary*- family, school, legal system. Used frequently. Gets both
perspectives.
◉ Age Considerations: Adolescents Answer: 12-17 years old.
Remember HEADSSS:
- *H*ome environment: is it safe? Who do they consider family? May
be fearful that you're going to tell parents what they say.
- *E*ducation: any grade changes, performance.
- *A*ctivities: what are they involved in? Friendships?
- *D*rug/Alcohol Use: what, how much.
- *S*exuality: are they sexually active? Safe sex practices?
- *S*uicidal thoughts: do you have a plan? Have you told your doctor?
- *S*avagery/violence: are they victims of abuse at home? Self
injurious behavior?
, ◉ Age Considerations: Children Answer: - Up to 11 years old.
- Cognitive development (IQ scores), Social/emotional development:
Erikson's stages of development.
- Children regress during times of stress.
- Caretaker: ask to describe behavior.
- Interview and observation: sometimes they are unable to verbalize,
so you will have to watch them.
- Play.
- Story telling.
- Pictures.
◉ Age Considerations: Older Adult Answer: - Sensory changes:
hearing.
- Physical limitations.
- Cognitive ability: Mini mental status exam.
- Losses
- Isolation
- Time for assessment: takes longer.
- Ageism: mental illness, depression, and dementia are *not* a
normal part of aging.
