NUR 190 PSYCHIATRIC‑MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
FINAL EXAM 2026|REAL 130Qs&As WITH
RATIONALES|ALREADY GRADED A+
In response to a student's question regarding choosing a psychiatric specialty, a
charge nurse states, "Mentally ill clients need special care. If I were in that position,
I'd want a caring nurse also." From which ethical framework is the charge nurse
operating?
A. Kantianism
B. Christian ethics
C. Ethical egoism
D. Utilitarianism
ANS: B. Christian ethics
Rationale:The charge nurse is operating from a Christian ethics framework. The
imperative demand of Christian ethics is to treat others as moral equals by
permitting them to act as we do when they occupy a position similar to ours.
Kantianism states that decisions should be made based on moral law and that
actions are bound by a sense of moral duty. Utilitarianism holds that decisions
should be made focusing on the end result being happiness. Ethical egoism promotes
the idea that what is right is good for the individual.
During a hiring interview, which response by a nursing applicant should indicate that
the applicant operates from an ethical egoism framework?
A. "I would want to be treated in a caring manner if I were mentally ill."
B. "This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light enough for me."
C. "I will be happy caring for the mentally ill. Working in Med/Surg kills my back."
,D. "It is my duty in life to be a psychiatric nurse. It is the right thing to do."
ANS: B. "This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light enough for me."
The applicant's comment reflects an ethical egoism framework. This framework
promotes the idea that decisions are made based on what is good for the
individual and may not take the needs of others into account.
Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to
an agitated client. The nurse's coworker observes this action but does nothing for
fear of repercussion. What is the ethical interpretation of the coworker's lack of
involvement?
A. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by the coworker.
B. Taking no action releases the coworker from ethical responsibility.
C. Taking no action is advised when potential adverse consequences are foreseen.
D. Taking no action is acceptable because the coworker is only a bystander.
ANS: A. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by the coworker.
The coworker's lack of involvement can be interpreted as an unethical action. The
coworker is experiencing an ethical dilemma in which a decision needs to be made
between two unfavorable alternatives. The coworker has a responsibility to report
any observed unethical actions.
Group therapy is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory, on an inpatient
psychiatric unit. The unit manager's policy is that clients can make a choice about
,whether or not to attend group therapy. Which ethical principle does the unit
manager's policy preserve?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Veracity
D. Beneficence
ANS: B. Autonomy
The unit manager's policy regarding voluntary client participation in group therapy
preserves the ethical principle of autonomy. The principle of autonomy presumes
that individuals are capable of making independent decisions for themselves and
that health-care workers must respect these decisions.
Which is an example of an intentional tort?
A. A nurse fails to assess a client's obvious symptoms of neuroleptic malignant
syndrome.
B. A nurse physically places an irritating client in four-point restraints.
C. A nurse makes a medication error and does not report the incident.
D. A nurse gives patient information to an unauthorized person.
ANS: B. A nurse physically places an irritating client in four-point restraints.
A tort is a violation of civil law in which an individual has been wronged and
can be intentional or unintentional. A nurse who physically places an irritating
client in restraints has touched the client without consent and has committed an
intentional tort.
, An involuntarily committed client is verbally abusive to the staff and repeatedly
threatening to sue. The client records the full names and phone numbers of the staff.
Which nursing action is most appropriate to decrease the possibility of a lawsuit?
A. Verbally redirect the client, and then limit one-on-one interaction.
B. Involve the hospital's security division as soon as possible.
C. Notify the client that documenting personal staff information is against hospital
policy.
D. Continue professional attempts to establish a positive working relationship
with the client.
ANS: D. Continue professional attempts to establish a positive working
relationship with the client.
The most appropriate nursing action is to continue professional attempts to establish
a positive working relationship with the client. The involuntarily committed client
should be respected and has the right to assert grievances if rights are infringed.
Which statement should a nurse identify as correct regarding a client's right to
refuse treatment?
A. Clients can refuse pharmacological but not psychological treatment.
B. Clients can refuse any treatment at any time.
C. Clients can refuse only electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
D. Professionals can override treatment refusal if the client is actively suicidal or
homicidal.
ANS: D. Professionals can override treatment refusal if the client is actively
suicidal or homicidal.
FINAL EXAM 2026|REAL 130Qs&As WITH
RATIONALES|ALREADY GRADED A+
In response to a student's question regarding choosing a psychiatric specialty, a
charge nurse states, "Mentally ill clients need special care. If I were in that position,
I'd want a caring nurse also." From which ethical framework is the charge nurse
operating?
A. Kantianism
B. Christian ethics
C. Ethical egoism
D. Utilitarianism
ANS: B. Christian ethics
Rationale:The charge nurse is operating from a Christian ethics framework. The
imperative demand of Christian ethics is to treat others as moral equals by
permitting them to act as we do when they occupy a position similar to ours.
Kantianism states that decisions should be made based on moral law and that
actions are bound by a sense of moral duty. Utilitarianism holds that decisions
should be made focusing on the end result being happiness. Ethical egoism promotes
the idea that what is right is good for the individual.
During a hiring interview, which response by a nursing applicant should indicate that
the applicant operates from an ethical egoism framework?
A. "I would want to be treated in a caring manner if I were mentally ill."
B. "This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light enough for me."
C. "I will be happy caring for the mentally ill. Working in Med/Surg kills my back."
,D. "It is my duty in life to be a psychiatric nurse. It is the right thing to do."
ANS: B. "This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light enough for me."
The applicant's comment reflects an ethical egoism framework. This framework
promotes the idea that decisions are made based on what is good for the
individual and may not take the needs of others into account.
Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to
an agitated client. The nurse's coworker observes this action but does nothing for
fear of repercussion. What is the ethical interpretation of the coworker's lack of
involvement?
A. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by the coworker.
B. Taking no action releases the coworker from ethical responsibility.
C. Taking no action is advised when potential adverse consequences are foreseen.
D. Taking no action is acceptable because the coworker is only a bystander.
ANS: A. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by the coworker.
The coworker's lack of involvement can be interpreted as an unethical action. The
coworker is experiencing an ethical dilemma in which a decision needs to be made
between two unfavorable alternatives. The coworker has a responsibility to report
any observed unethical actions.
Group therapy is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory, on an inpatient
psychiatric unit. The unit manager's policy is that clients can make a choice about
,whether or not to attend group therapy. Which ethical principle does the unit
manager's policy preserve?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Veracity
D. Beneficence
ANS: B. Autonomy
The unit manager's policy regarding voluntary client participation in group therapy
preserves the ethical principle of autonomy. The principle of autonomy presumes
that individuals are capable of making independent decisions for themselves and
that health-care workers must respect these decisions.
Which is an example of an intentional tort?
A. A nurse fails to assess a client's obvious symptoms of neuroleptic malignant
syndrome.
B. A nurse physically places an irritating client in four-point restraints.
C. A nurse makes a medication error and does not report the incident.
D. A nurse gives patient information to an unauthorized person.
ANS: B. A nurse physically places an irritating client in four-point restraints.
A tort is a violation of civil law in which an individual has been wronged and
can be intentional or unintentional. A nurse who physically places an irritating
client in restraints has touched the client without consent and has committed an
intentional tort.
, An involuntarily committed client is verbally abusive to the staff and repeatedly
threatening to sue. The client records the full names and phone numbers of the staff.
Which nursing action is most appropriate to decrease the possibility of a lawsuit?
A. Verbally redirect the client, and then limit one-on-one interaction.
B. Involve the hospital's security division as soon as possible.
C. Notify the client that documenting personal staff information is against hospital
policy.
D. Continue professional attempts to establish a positive working relationship
with the client.
ANS: D. Continue professional attempts to establish a positive working
relationship with the client.
The most appropriate nursing action is to continue professional attempts to establish
a positive working relationship with the client. The involuntarily committed client
should be respected and has the right to assert grievances if rights are infringed.
Which statement should a nurse identify as correct regarding a client's right to
refuse treatment?
A. Clients can refuse pharmacological but not psychological treatment.
B. Clients can refuse any treatment at any time.
C. Clients can refuse only electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
D. Professionals can override treatment refusal if the client is actively suicidal or
homicidal.
ANS: D. Professionals can override treatment refusal if the client is actively
suicidal or homicidal.
