Mental Health Nursing and Psychiatric Care
Practice Exam questions and correct answers
– Updated 2026 (Graded A+) instant
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Subject: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Subtopic: Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship and Communication
Question 1: A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client during the orientation
phase of the nurse-client relationship. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Focus on the client’s long-term goals and discharge planning.
B) Establish a contract regarding the time, place, and duration of meetings.
C) Explore the client’s childhood experiences to identify root causes of current issues.
D) Confront the client about inconsistencies in their behavioral patterns.
Correct Answer: B - Establish a contract regarding the time, place, and duration of
meetings.
Rationale: The orientation phase is the initial stage of the therapeutic relationship, where the
focus is on building rapport, establishing boundaries, and defining the relationship's purpose.
Setting a contract or mutual agreement regarding logistics (time, place, duration) is a
fundamental task of this phase. Option A is more appropriate for the working or termination
phase. Option C (deep psychological exploration) is typically reserved for more advanced
clinical stages or specialized psychotherapy. Option D (confrontation) is an intervention used in
the working phase once a strong base of trust is established.
Question 2: A client is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and is admitted to an inpatient eating
disorder unit. Which of the following nursing interventions is most appropriate to include in the
plan of care?
A) Allow the client to select their own meal times to promote autonomy.
B) Use systematic desensitization to address fears regarding weight gain.
C) Negotiate with the client regarding the opportunity to reweigh.
D) Provide small, frequent meals at scheduled times with close monitoring.
, Correct Answer: D - Provide small, frequent meals at scheduled times with close
monitoring.
Rationale: Clients with anorexia nervosa require a structured, medically supervised nutritional
plan. Small, frequent meals are often better tolerated physically and psychologically than three
large meals. Close monitoring during and after meals is essential to prevent the client from
discarding food or purging. Option A is counterproductive as the client’s choices are often
driven by the eating disorder. Option B is not the primary intervention for acute nutritional
stabilization. Option C is inappropriate because weight monitoring must be consistent and non-
negotiable for safety.
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing active auditory hallucinations.
Which of the following statements by the nurse is the most therapeutic?
A) "I know you hear those voices, but I do not hear them."
B) "Why are you listening to those voices when you know they aren't real?"
C) "You are safe here, and I want to help you understand why you are hearing these things."
D) "Tell me more about what the voices are saying to you."
Correct Answer: A - "I know you hear those voices, but I do not hear them."
Rationale: This statement uses "voicing doubt" or "presenting reality" without being
argumentative. It acknowledges the client's subjective experience while clearly stating the
nurse's reality. Option B is accusatory and non-therapeutic. Option C encourages analysis that
the client may not be capable of during an acute psychotic episode. Option D may reinforce the
hallucination by focusing on the content rather than the client's feelings or reality.
Question 4: A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal. Which of
the following clinical findings should the nurse expect?
A) Bradycardia and bradypnea.
B) Hypotension and somnolence.
C) Insomnia, tremors, and agitation.
D) Constricted pupils and hypothermia.
Correct Answer: C - Insomnia, tremors, and agitation.
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is characterized by autonomic hyperactivity. Expected
findings include insomnia, fine tremors, anxiety, agitation, tachycardia, hypertension, and
Practice Exam questions and correct answers
– Updated 2026 (Graded A+) instant
download pdf
Subject: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Subtopic: Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship and Communication
Question 1: A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client during the orientation
phase of the nurse-client relationship. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Focus on the client’s long-term goals and discharge planning.
B) Establish a contract regarding the time, place, and duration of meetings.
C) Explore the client’s childhood experiences to identify root causes of current issues.
D) Confront the client about inconsistencies in their behavioral patterns.
Correct Answer: B - Establish a contract regarding the time, place, and duration of
meetings.
Rationale: The orientation phase is the initial stage of the therapeutic relationship, where the
focus is on building rapport, establishing boundaries, and defining the relationship's purpose.
Setting a contract or mutual agreement regarding logistics (time, place, duration) is a
fundamental task of this phase. Option A is more appropriate for the working or termination
phase. Option C (deep psychological exploration) is typically reserved for more advanced
clinical stages or specialized psychotherapy. Option D (confrontation) is an intervention used in
the working phase once a strong base of trust is established.
Question 2: A client is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and is admitted to an inpatient eating
disorder unit. Which of the following nursing interventions is most appropriate to include in the
plan of care?
A) Allow the client to select their own meal times to promote autonomy.
B) Use systematic desensitization to address fears regarding weight gain.
C) Negotiate with the client regarding the opportunity to reweigh.
D) Provide small, frequent meals at scheduled times with close monitoring.
, Correct Answer: D - Provide small, frequent meals at scheduled times with close
monitoring.
Rationale: Clients with anorexia nervosa require a structured, medically supervised nutritional
plan. Small, frequent meals are often better tolerated physically and psychologically than three
large meals. Close monitoring during and after meals is essential to prevent the client from
discarding food or purging. Option A is counterproductive as the client’s choices are often
driven by the eating disorder. Option B is not the primary intervention for acute nutritional
stabilization. Option C is inappropriate because weight monitoring must be consistent and non-
negotiable for safety.
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing active auditory hallucinations.
Which of the following statements by the nurse is the most therapeutic?
A) "I know you hear those voices, but I do not hear them."
B) "Why are you listening to those voices when you know they aren't real?"
C) "You are safe here, and I want to help you understand why you are hearing these things."
D) "Tell me more about what the voices are saying to you."
Correct Answer: A - "I know you hear those voices, but I do not hear them."
Rationale: This statement uses "voicing doubt" or "presenting reality" without being
argumentative. It acknowledges the client's subjective experience while clearly stating the
nurse's reality. Option B is accusatory and non-therapeutic. Option C encourages analysis that
the client may not be capable of during an acute psychotic episode. Option D may reinforce the
hallucination by focusing on the content rather than the client's feelings or reality.
Question 4: A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal. Which of
the following clinical findings should the nurse expect?
A) Bradycardia and bradypnea.
B) Hypotension and somnolence.
C) Insomnia, tremors, and agitation.
D) Constricted pupils and hypothermia.
Correct Answer: C - Insomnia, tremors, and agitation.
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is characterized by autonomic hyperactivity. Expected
findings include insomnia, fine tremors, anxiety, agitation, tachycardia, hypertension, and
