NR 326 Mental Health Final Exam | Questions
and Answers | 2026/27 Updated | 100% correct
Question 1
pts
A child drowned while swimming in a local lake 2 years ago. Which behavior best
indicates the child’s parents are mourning in an effective way? The parents
keep a place set for the deceased child at the family dinner table.
forbid their other children from going swimming.
sealed their child’s room exactly as the child left it 2 years ago.
throw flowers on the lake at each anniversary date of the accident.
Loss of a child is among the highest risk situations for maladaptive grieving. Depending
on many factors, this process can take many months to a number of years. The parents
who throw flowers on the lake on each anniversary date of the accident are openly
expressing their feelings. The incorrect options indicate the parents are isolating
themselves and/or denying their feelings.
Question 2
pts
A wife received news that her husband died of heart failure and called her family to
come to the hospital. She angrily tells the nurse who cared for him, “He would still be
alive if you had given him your undivided attention.” Select the nurse’s most therapeutic
action.
Say, “I will call my supervisor to discuss this matter with you.”
,Say, “Your husband’s heart was so severely damaged that it could no longer pump.”
Hold the spouse’s hand in silence until the family arrives.
,Say, “I understand you are feeling upset. I will stay with you until your family comes.”
When bereaved family behaves in a disturbed manner, the nurse should show patience
and tact while offering sympathy and warmth. The distracters are defensive, evasive, or
placating. Touch (holding hands) is culturally defined; it may or may not be appropriate
in this situation.
Question 3
pts
A widow repeatedly tells details of finding her elderly husband not breathing, performing
cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and seeing him pronounced dead. Family members are
concerned and ask, “What can we do?” The nurse should counsel the family that
they should express their feelings to the widow and ask her not to retell the story.
retelling of memories is expected as part of the aging process.
the retelling should be limited to once daily to avoid unnecessary stimulation.
repeating the story and her feelings is a helpful and necessary part of grieving.
Nurses are encouraged to tell bereaved patients that telling the personal story of loss as
many times as needed is acceptable and healthy because repetition is a helpful and
necessary part of grieving.
Question 4
pts
An adult says to the nurse, “The cancer in my neck spread in only 2 months. I’ve been
cursed my whole life. Maybe if I had been more generous with others …” Considering
the stages of grief described by Kübler-Ross, which stage is evident?
, Anger
Depression
Denial
Bargaining
The patient’s comment demonstrates an attempt to regain control. Bargaining is
evidenced by people reviewing what could have been done differently. While the person
may also be experiencing anger and depression, the comment speaks directly to
bargaining. The person shows acceptance of the disease.
Question 5
pts
After the death of his wife, a man says, “I can’t live without her … she was my whole
life.” Select the nurse’s most therapeutic reply.
“Her death is a terrible loss for you.”
“Each day will get a little better.”
“Your friends will help you cope with this change in your life.”
“It’s important to recognize that she is no longer suffering.”
A statement that validates the bereaved person’s loss is more helpful than
commonplace clichés. It signifies understanding. The other options are clichés.
and Answers | 2026/27 Updated | 100% correct
Question 1
pts
A child drowned while swimming in a local lake 2 years ago. Which behavior best
indicates the child’s parents are mourning in an effective way? The parents
keep a place set for the deceased child at the family dinner table.
forbid their other children from going swimming.
sealed their child’s room exactly as the child left it 2 years ago.
throw flowers on the lake at each anniversary date of the accident.
Loss of a child is among the highest risk situations for maladaptive grieving. Depending
on many factors, this process can take many months to a number of years. The parents
who throw flowers on the lake on each anniversary date of the accident are openly
expressing their feelings. The incorrect options indicate the parents are isolating
themselves and/or denying their feelings.
Question 2
pts
A wife received news that her husband died of heart failure and called her family to
come to the hospital. She angrily tells the nurse who cared for him, “He would still be
alive if you had given him your undivided attention.” Select the nurse’s most therapeutic
action.
Say, “I will call my supervisor to discuss this matter with you.”
,Say, “Your husband’s heart was so severely damaged that it could no longer pump.”
Hold the spouse’s hand in silence until the family arrives.
,Say, “I understand you are feeling upset. I will stay with you until your family comes.”
When bereaved family behaves in a disturbed manner, the nurse should show patience
and tact while offering sympathy and warmth. The distracters are defensive, evasive, or
placating. Touch (holding hands) is culturally defined; it may or may not be appropriate
in this situation.
Question 3
pts
A widow repeatedly tells details of finding her elderly husband not breathing, performing
cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and seeing him pronounced dead. Family members are
concerned and ask, “What can we do?” The nurse should counsel the family that
they should express their feelings to the widow and ask her not to retell the story.
retelling of memories is expected as part of the aging process.
the retelling should be limited to once daily to avoid unnecessary stimulation.
repeating the story and her feelings is a helpful and necessary part of grieving.
Nurses are encouraged to tell bereaved patients that telling the personal story of loss as
many times as needed is acceptable and healthy because repetition is a helpful and
necessary part of grieving.
Question 4
pts
An adult says to the nurse, “The cancer in my neck spread in only 2 months. I’ve been
cursed my whole life. Maybe if I had been more generous with others …” Considering
the stages of grief described by Kübler-Ross, which stage is evident?
, Anger
Depression
Denial
Bargaining
The patient’s comment demonstrates an attempt to regain control. Bargaining is
evidenced by people reviewing what could have been done differently. While the person
may also be experiencing anger and depression, the comment speaks directly to
bargaining. The person shows acceptance of the disease.
Question 5
pts
After the death of his wife, a man says, “I can’t live without her … she was my whole
life.” Select the nurse’s most therapeutic reply.
“Her death is a terrible loss for you.”
“Each day will get a little better.”
“Your friends will help you cope with this change in your life.”
“It’s important to recognize that she is no longer suffering.”
A statement that validates the bereaved person’s loss is more helpful than
commonplace clichés. It signifies understanding. The other options are clichés.
