, TEST BANK FOR FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE
LATEST EDITION BY -EXPERTS OF THE FIELD- 2026 LATEST
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1. Therapeutic Communication (Expanded Scenario)
A 32-year-old client diagnosed with major depressive disorder is admitted to the mental health
unit after expressing feelings of hopelessness. During the initial assessment, the client states, “I
feel like nothing I do matters anymore. I’m just tired of everything.” The nurse recognizes that
the client is expressing emotional pain and possible passive suicidal ideation. The nurse must
respond using therapeutic communication techniques that encourage the client to share feelings
without judgment or dismissal.
Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. “You shouldn’t think that way; you have so much to live for.”
B. “Why do you feel like nothing matters anymore?”
C. “Can you tell me more about what has been making you feel this way?”
D. “Everyone feels like this sometimes; it will pass.”
Answer: C
Rationale: This response is open-ended, nonjudgmental, and invites the client to elaborate,
which is essential in therapeutic communication. Option A dismisses the client’s feelings, B
may feel accusatory (“why”), and D minimizes the client’s experience.
2. Panic Disorder (Priority Care)
A 25-year-old client arrives at the emergency department experiencing a sudden onset of intense
fear, chest tightness, rapid heart rate, and a feeling of impending doom. The client is
hyperventilating and states, “I think I’m dying.” The nurse recognizes this as a panic attack.
Immediate intervention is required to reduce the severity of symptoms and ensure patient safety.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Teach the client relaxation techniques for future episodes
B. Stay with the client and speak in a calm, reassuring manner
C. Administer long-term antidepressant therapy
D. Encourage the client to identify triggers
Answer: B
Rationale: During an acute panic attack, the priority is to reduce anxiety and provide
safety. Staying with the client helps ground them. Teaching and long-term interventions
come later.
,3. Schizophrenia (Command Hallucinations)
A 40-year-old client with chronic schizophrenia reports hearing voices that say, “You are
worthless and should hurt yourself.” The client appears distressed and fearful. The nurse
understands that command hallucinations significantly increase the risk of self-harm.
What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Explain that the voices are not real
B. Encourage the client to ignore the voices
C. Assess the client’s intent and ensure immediate safety
D. Document the hallucination and inform the provider later
Answer: C
Rationale: Safety is always the priority. Command hallucinations require immediate risk
assessment. Simply dismissing or ignoring the hallucinations is ineffective.
4. Bipolar Disorder (Manic Phase)
A client diagnosed with bipolar I disorder is admitted during a manic episode. The client is
pacing rapidly, speaking loudly, jumping between topics, and attempting to organize multiple
activities simultaneously. The nurse must identify behaviors consistent with mania to guide
appropriate interventions.
Which behavior is most consistent with mania?
A. Withdrawal and low motivation
B. Excessive sleep and fatigue
C. Increased goal-directed activity and impulsivity
D. Flat affect and slow speech
Answer: C
Rationale: Mania includes hyperactivity, impulsivity, and increased goal-directed activity.
Other options describe depression or negative symptoms.
5. Ethics in Mental Health
A client diagnosed with schizophrenia refuses to take prescribed antipsychotic medication
despite worsening hallucinations. The client is alert, oriented, and able to communicate clearly.
The nurse must respect ethical principles while ensuring patient safety.
Which ethical principle is being demonstrated?
, A. Beneficence
B. Autonomy
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to make decisions about their care, even if
those decisions are not beneficial.
6. Alcohol Withdrawal (Complications)
A hospitalized client with a history of chronic alcohol use begins to show signs of withdrawal,
including tremors, sweating, confusion, and agitation. The nurse recognizes that severe
withdrawal can progress rapidly.
What is the most serious complication the nurse should monitor for?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Delirium tremens
C. Nutritional imbalance
D. Sleep disturbances
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium tremens is life-threatening and includes confusion, hallucinations, and
autonomic instability.
7. Borderline Personality Disorder
A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder frequently alternates between idealizing
and devaluing staff members. The client expresses fear of abandonment and engages in
impulsive behaviors.
Which characteristic best reflects this disorder?
A. Emotional stability
B. Grandiosity
C. Instability in relationships and self-image
D. Lack of remorse
Answer: C
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder involves unstable relationships, self-image, and
emotions.
8. Crisis Intervention
LATEST EDITION BY -EXPERTS OF THE FIELD- 2026 LATEST
RELEASE<COMPLETE&VERIFIED>
1. Therapeutic Communication (Expanded Scenario)
A 32-year-old client diagnosed with major depressive disorder is admitted to the mental health
unit after expressing feelings of hopelessness. During the initial assessment, the client states, “I
feel like nothing I do matters anymore. I’m just tired of everything.” The nurse recognizes that
the client is expressing emotional pain and possible passive suicidal ideation. The nurse must
respond using therapeutic communication techniques that encourage the client to share feelings
without judgment or dismissal.
Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. “You shouldn’t think that way; you have so much to live for.”
B. “Why do you feel like nothing matters anymore?”
C. “Can you tell me more about what has been making you feel this way?”
D. “Everyone feels like this sometimes; it will pass.”
Answer: C
Rationale: This response is open-ended, nonjudgmental, and invites the client to elaborate,
which is essential in therapeutic communication. Option A dismisses the client’s feelings, B
may feel accusatory (“why”), and D minimizes the client’s experience.
2. Panic Disorder (Priority Care)
A 25-year-old client arrives at the emergency department experiencing a sudden onset of intense
fear, chest tightness, rapid heart rate, and a feeling of impending doom. The client is
hyperventilating and states, “I think I’m dying.” The nurse recognizes this as a panic attack.
Immediate intervention is required to reduce the severity of symptoms and ensure patient safety.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Teach the client relaxation techniques for future episodes
B. Stay with the client and speak in a calm, reassuring manner
C. Administer long-term antidepressant therapy
D. Encourage the client to identify triggers
Answer: B
Rationale: During an acute panic attack, the priority is to reduce anxiety and provide
safety. Staying with the client helps ground them. Teaching and long-term interventions
come later.
,3. Schizophrenia (Command Hallucinations)
A 40-year-old client with chronic schizophrenia reports hearing voices that say, “You are
worthless and should hurt yourself.” The client appears distressed and fearful. The nurse
understands that command hallucinations significantly increase the risk of self-harm.
What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Explain that the voices are not real
B. Encourage the client to ignore the voices
C. Assess the client’s intent and ensure immediate safety
D. Document the hallucination and inform the provider later
Answer: C
Rationale: Safety is always the priority. Command hallucinations require immediate risk
assessment. Simply dismissing or ignoring the hallucinations is ineffective.
4. Bipolar Disorder (Manic Phase)
A client diagnosed with bipolar I disorder is admitted during a manic episode. The client is
pacing rapidly, speaking loudly, jumping between topics, and attempting to organize multiple
activities simultaneously. The nurse must identify behaviors consistent with mania to guide
appropriate interventions.
Which behavior is most consistent with mania?
A. Withdrawal and low motivation
B. Excessive sleep and fatigue
C. Increased goal-directed activity and impulsivity
D. Flat affect and slow speech
Answer: C
Rationale: Mania includes hyperactivity, impulsivity, and increased goal-directed activity.
Other options describe depression or negative symptoms.
5. Ethics in Mental Health
A client diagnosed with schizophrenia refuses to take prescribed antipsychotic medication
despite worsening hallucinations. The client is alert, oriented, and able to communicate clearly.
The nurse must respect ethical principles while ensuring patient safety.
Which ethical principle is being demonstrated?
, A. Beneficence
B. Autonomy
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to make decisions about their care, even if
those decisions are not beneficial.
6. Alcohol Withdrawal (Complications)
A hospitalized client with a history of chronic alcohol use begins to show signs of withdrawal,
including tremors, sweating, confusion, and agitation. The nurse recognizes that severe
withdrawal can progress rapidly.
What is the most serious complication the nurse should monitor for?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Delirium tremens
C. Nutritional imbalance
D. Sleep disturbances
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium tremens is life-threatening and includes confusion, hallucinations, and
autonomic instability.
7. Borderline Personality Disorder
A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder frequently alternates between idealizing
and devaluing staff members. The client expresses fear of abandonment and engages in
impulsive behaviors.
Which characteristic best reflects this disorder?
A. Emotional stability
B. Grandiosity
C. Instability in relationships and self-image
D. Lack of remorse
Answer: C
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder involves unstable relationships, self-image, and
emotions.
8. Crisis Intervention
