Page 1 of 142
MENTAL HEALTH COMPREHENSIVE CARE
EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE
Download now
Champlain Nursing School
HIGH YIELDS QUESTIONS
Exam
NEWEST MODEL 2026 EXAM LATEST
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
, Page 2 of 142
MENTAL HEALTH COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
On admission to the inpatient psychiatric unit, a client's facial expression
indicates severe panic. The client repeatedly states, "I know the police are
going to shoot me. They found out that I'm the child of the devil." What should
the nurse say to initiate a therapeutic relationship with the client?
1. "You certainly look stressed. Can you tell me about the upsetting events
that have occurred in your life recently?"
2. "Hello, my name is ___. I'm a nurse, and I'll care for you when I'm on duty.
Should I call you ___, or do you prefer something else?"
3. "You're having very frightening thoughts. I'll help you find ways to cope with
this scary thinking."
4. "Hello, ___. I'm going to be caring for you while I'm on duty. You look very
frightened, but I'm sure you'll feel better by tomorrow."
2. "Hello, my name is ___. I'm a nurse, and I'll care for you when I'm on duty. Should
I call you ___, or do you prefer something else?"
The first task during the introductory, or orientation, phase of the nurse-client
relationship is to formulate a contract, which begins with the exchange of names and
an explanation of the roles and limits of the relationship. These tasks should precede
the exploration of relevant stressors and new coping mechanisms. Offering false
reassurance is never therapeutic.
Low doses of central nervous system (CNS) depressants produce an initial
excitatory response. This reaction is caused by:
1. a stimulating effect on the CNS.
2. the depression of acetylcholine.
3. the stimulation of dopamine by depressant drugs.
4. inhibitory synapses in the brain being depressed before excitatory
synapses.
, Page 3 of 142
4. inhibitory synapses in the brain being depressed before excitatory synapses.
Excitation can occur when inhibitory synapses are depressed. The other options are
incorrect because depressants don't stimulate the CNS or dopamine and don't
depress acetylcholine.
Touching other people without their permission, reading someone else's mail,
and using personal possessions without asking permission are all examples
of:
1. antisocial behavior.
2. manipulation.
3. poor boundaries.
4. passive-aggressive behavior.
3. poor boundaries.
The described behaviors indicate poor personal boundaries, which is the inability to
differentiate between self and others. Poor boundaries are symptoms of antisocial
and passive-aggressive behavior. Manipulation is an attempt to control another
person.
Unhealthy personal boundaries are a product of dysfunctional families and a
lack of positive role models. Unhealthy boundaries may also be a result of:
1. structured limit setting.
2. supportive environment.
3. abuse and neglect.
4. direction and attention.
3. abuse and neglect.
Abuse and neglect lead to poor self-concept and role confusion, the basis for
unhealthy personal boundaries. Healthy boundaries are established in childhood
when parents provide consistent, supportive limits and attention.
The nurse can use self-disclosure with a client if:
1. the nurse has experienced the same situation as the client.
2. the client asks the nurse directly about the experience.
3. it helps the client to talk more easily.
4. it achieves a specific therapeutic goal.
, Page 4 of 142
4. it achieves a specific therapeutic goal.
Self-disclosure (making personal statements about oneself) can be a useful tool for
the nurse. However, the nurse should use self-disclosure judiciously and with a
specific therapeutic purpose in mind. The nurse should listen to the client closely and
remember that experiences for different people are sometimes similar but never
identical. Using too many self-disclosures is unethical and can shift the focus from
the client to the nurse. Self-disclosure that distracts the client from treatment issues
doesn't benefit the client and may alienate the client from the nurse.
A client is transferred to the locked psychiatric unit from the emergency
department after attempting suicide by taking 200 acetaminophen (Tylenol)
tablets. The client is now awake and alert but refuses to speak with the nurse.
In this situation, the nurse's first priority is to:
1. establish a rapport to foster trust.
2. place the client in full leather restraints.
3. try to communicate with the client in writing.
4. ensure safety by initiating suicide precautions.
4. ensure safety by initiating suicide precautions.
The nurse's first priority is to keep a suicidal client safe and alive. Although
establishing a rapport and promoting trust are important in psychiatric nursing,
neither is the highest priority. Using restraints is inappropriate and could be
interpreted as punishment of the client or a convenience for the nurse. Trying to
communicate in writing is also inappropriate because the client can hear.
A client in an acute care center lacerates her wrists. She has a history of
conflicts and acting out. The client tells the nurse, "I did a good job, didn't I?"
Which response would be best?
1. "You sure did. You're going to have a scar now."
2. "How many times have you done this before?"
3. "What were you feeling before you hurt yourself?"
4. "It seems to me you are trying to get attention in a negative way."
3. "What were you feeling before you hurt yourself?"
Self-mutilation is the client's way of defending herself against feelings she isn't able
MENTAL HEALTH COMPREHENSIVE CARE
EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE
Download now
Champlain Nursing School
HIGH YIELDS QUESTIONS
Exam
NEWEST MODEL 2026 EXAM LATEST
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
, Page 2 of 142
MENTAL HEALTH COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
On admission to the inpatient psychiatric unit, a client's facial expression
indicates severe panic. The client repeatedly states, "I know the police are
going to shoot me. They found out that I'm the child of the devil." What should
the nurse say to initiate a therapeutic relationship with the client?
1. "You certainly look stressed. Can you tell me about the upsetting events
that have occurred in your life recently?"
2. "Hello, my name is ___. I'm a nurse, and I'll care for you when I'm on duty.
Should I call you ___, or do you prefer something else?"
3. "You're having very frightening thoughts. I'll help you find ways to cope with
this scary thinking."
4. "Hello, ___. I'm going to be caring for you while I'm on duty. You look very
frightened, but I'm sure you'll feel better by tomorrow."
2. "Hello, my name is ___. I'm a nurse, and I'll care for you when I'm on duty. Should
I call you ___, or do you prefer something else?"
The first task during the introductory, or orientation, phase of the nurse-client
relationship is to formulate a contract, which begins with the exchange of names and
an explanation of the roles and limits of the relationship. These tasks should precede
the exploration of relevant stressors and new coping mechanisms. Offering false
reassurance is never therapeutic.
Low doses of central nervous system (CNS) depressants produce an initial
excitatory response. This reaction is caused by:
1. a stimulating effect on the CNS.
2. the depression of acetylcholine.
3. the stimulation of dopamine by depressant drugs.
4. inhibitory synapses in the brain being depressed before excitatory
synapses.
, Page 3 of 142
4. inhibitory synapses in the brain being depressed before excitatory synapses.
Excitation can occur when inhibitory synapses are depressed. The other options are
incorrect because depressants don't stimulate the CNS or dopamine and don't
depress acetylcholine.
Touching other people without their permission, reading someone else's mail,
and using personal possessions without asking permission are all examples
of:
1. antisocial behavior.
2. manipulation.
3. poor boundaries.
4. passive-aggressive behavior.
3. poor boundaries.
The described behaviors indicate poor personal boundaries, which is the inability to
differentiate between self and others. Poor boundaries are symptoms of antisocial
and passive-aggressive behavior. Manipulation is an attempt to control another
person.
Unhealthy personal boundaries are a product of dysfunctional families and a
lack of positive role models. Unhealthy boundaries may also be a result of:
1. structured limit setting.
2. supportive environment.
3. abuse and neglect.
4. direction and attention.
3. abuse and neglect.
Abuse and neglect lead to poor self-concept and role confusion, the basis for
unhealthy personal boundaries. Healthy boundaries are established in childhood
when parents provide consistent, supportive limits and attention.
The nurse can use self-disclosure with a client if:
1. the nurse has experienced the same situation as the client.
2. the client asks the nurse directly about the experience.
3. it helps the client to talk more easily.
4. it achieves a specific therapeutic goal.
, Page 4 of 142
4. it achieves a specific therapeutic goal.
Self-disclosure (making personal statements about oneself) can be a useful tool for
the nurse. However, the nurse should use self-disclosure judiciously and with a
specific therapeutic purpose in mind. The nurse should listen to the client closely and
remember that experiences for different people are sometimes similar but never
identical. Using too many self-disclosures is unethical and can shift the focus from
the client to the nurse. Self-disclosure that distracts the client from treatment issues
doesn't benefit the client and may alienate the client from the nurse.
A client is transferred to the locked psychiatric unit from the emergency
department after attempting suicide by taking 200 acetaminophen (Tylenol)
tablets. The client is now awake and alert but refuses to speak with the nurse.
In this situation, the nurse's first priority is to:
1. establish a rapport to foster trust.
2. place the client in full leather restraints.
3. try to communicate with the client in writing.
4. ensure safety by initiating suicide precautions.
4. ensure safety by initiating suicide precautions.
The nurse's first priority is to keep a suicidal client safe and alive. Although
establishing a rapport and promoting trust are important in psychiatric nursing,
neither is the highest priority. Using restraints is inappropriate and could be
interpreted as punishment of the client or a convenience for the nurse. Trying to
communicate in writing is also inappropriate because the client can hear.
A client in an acute care center lacerates her wrists. She has a history of
conflicts and acting out. The client tells the nurse, "I did a good job, didn't I?"
Which response would be best?
1. "You sure did. You're going to have a scar now."
2. "How many times have you done this before?"
3. "What were you feeling before you hurt yourself?"
4. "It seems to me you are trying to get attention in a negative way."
3. "What were you feeling before you hurt yourself?"
Self-mutilation is the client's way of defending herself against feelings she isn't able
