PRN 1562/PRN1562 Final Exam V1 |
Principles of Mental Health Nursing Q&A
with Rationale | Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is communicating with a client who states, ‘I am a complete failure.’ Which
response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. ‘Why do you feel that way?’
B. ‘You have many things to be proud of.’
C. ‘It sounds like you are feeling very discouraged right now.’
D. ‘Everyone feels like a failure at some point.’
Answer: C
Rationale: Reflecting the client’s feelings allows them to explore their emotions further
without feeling judged. This technique validates the client’s experience and encourages
deeper communication. Open-ended statements are a cornerstone of therapeutic nursing
interventions in mental health.
2. A client is admitted involuntarily to a psychiatric unit. Which right does this client still
retain?
A. The right to leave the hospital at any time.
B. The right to schedule their own therapy times.
C. The right to carry personal weapons.
,D. The right to refuse prescribed medications.
Answer: D
Rationale: Involuntary admission does not automatically waive the client’s right to refuse
treatment or medications. Legal proceedings or specific court orders are typically required
to force medication administration against a client’s will. Nurses must respect the client’s
autonomy while ensuring safety on the unit.
3. A client taking Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder reports blurred vision and a coarse
hand tremor. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled.
B. Encourage the client to drink more water.
C. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
D. Ask the client to lie down and rest.
Answer: C
Rationale: Blurred vision and coarse tremors are significant signs of lithium toxicity. The
therapeutic window for lithium is very narrow, making frequent monitoring of blood levels
essential. Immediate intervention is required to prevent severe neurological damage or
death.
4. What is the primary goal of the orientation phase of the therapeutic relationship?
A. Evaluating the progress toward goals.
, B. Establishing rapport and a contract for the relationship.
C. Promoting the client’s problem-solving skills.
D. Developing a plan for termination.
Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase is focused on building trust and setting the boundaries of
the nurse-client relationship. During this time, the nurse and client define the purpose of
their meetings and discuss confidentiality. This stage provides the necessary foundation for
the working phase of treatment.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with Schizophrenia who is experiencing auditory
hallucinations. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Leave the client alone to reduce stimulation.
B. Tell the client, ‘I can hear the voices too.’
C. Argue with the client about the reality of the voices.
D. Ask the client, ‘What are the voices telling you?’
Answer: D
Rationale: Asking what the voices are saying is crucial to assess for ‘command
hallucinations’ that might order the client to hurt themselves or others. The nurse should
acknowledge the client’s experience without validating the hallucination as reality. Safety is
the primary concern when hallucinations involve specific instructions to the client.
Principles of Mental Health Nursing Q&A
with Rationale | Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is communicating with a client who states, ‘I am a complete failure.’ Which
response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. ‘Why do you feel that way?’
B. ‘You have many things to be proud of.’
C. ‘It sounds like you are feeling very discouraged right now.’
D. ‘Everyone feels like a failure at some point.’
Answer: C
Rationale: Reflecting the client’s feelings allows them to explore their emotions further
without feeling judged. This technique validates the client’s experience and encourages
deeper communication. Open-ended statements are a cornerstone of therapeutic nursing
interventions in mental health.
2. A client is admitted involuntarily to a psychiatric unit. Which right does this client still
retain?
A. The right to leave the hospital at any time.
B. The right to schedule their own therapy times.
C. The right to carry personal weapons.
,D. The right to refuse prescribed medications.
Answer: D
Rationale: Involuntary admission does not automatically waive the client’s right to refuse
treatment or medications. Legal proceedings or specific court orders are typically required
to force medication administration against a client’s will. Nurses must respect the client’s
autonomy while ensuring safety on the unit.
3. A client taking Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder reports blurred vision and a coarse
hand tremor. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled.
B. Encourage the client to drink more water.
C. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
D. Ask the client to lie down and rest.
Answer: C
Rationale: Blurred vision and coarse tremors are significant signs of lithium toxicity. The
therapeutic window for lithium is very narrow, making frequent monitoring of blood levels
essential. Immediate intervention is required to prevent severe neurological damage or
death.
4. What is the primary goal of the orientation phase of the therapeutic relationship?
A. Evaluating the progress toward goals.
, B. Establishing rapport and a contract for the relationship.
C. Promoting the client’s problem-solving skills.
D. Developing a plan for termination.
Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase is focused on building trust and setting the boundaries of
the nurse-client relationship. During this time, the nurse and client define the purpose of
their meetings and discuss confidentiality. This stage provides the necessary foundation for
the working phase of treatment.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with Schizophrenia who is experiencing auditory
hallucinations. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Leave the client alone to reduce stimulation.
B. Tell the client, ‘I can hear the voices too.’
C. Argue with the client about the reality of the voices.
D. Ask the client, ‘What are the voices telling you?’
Answer: D
Rationale: Asking what the voices are saying is crucial to assess for ‘command
hallucinations’ that might order the client to hurt themselves or others. The nurse should
acknowledge the client’s experience without validating the hallucination as reality. Safety is
the primary concern when hallucinations involve specific instructions to the client.
