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Comprehensive Assessment for Student Nurses
Date: 2026
Total Questions: 85
Instructions: Select the best answer for each question. Answers and detailed
rationales are provided to enhance comprehension of psychiatric nursing concepts.
Section 1: Foundations of Psychiatric Nursing (Therapeutic Communication
& Ethics)
1. A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct an
initial client interview. Which of the following actions should the nurse
identify as the priority?
a) Explain the rules of the clinic.
b) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
c) Discuss the duration of the session.
d) Review the client’s medical history.
Correct Answer: b) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
• Rationale: Before providing education or structure, the nurse must assess
the client's reason for seeking care and their perception of the problem. This
establishes the foundation for a client-centered plan. Option B is the priority
because it directs the interview toward the client's immediate concerns.
2. A client tells the nurse, "Don't tell anyone, but I hid a sharp knife under my
mattress to protect myself from my roommate." Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
,a) Respect the client's confidentiality.
b) Ignore the statement as it is likely delusional.
c) Report the incident to the treatment team.
d) Ask the roommate to confirm the threat.
Correct Answer: c) Report the incident to the treatment team.
• Rationale: Safety overrides confidentiality. The presence of a weapon on
the unit poses an immediate threat to the client, staff, and others. The nurse
has a duty to protect all parties, so the team must be notified to search the
room.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is starting treatment for substance use
disorder. Which of the following actions indicates the nurse is practicing the
ethical principle of nonmaleficence?
a) Providing quality care regardless of ability to pay.
b) Educating the client about legal rights.
c) Withholding a prescribed medication that is causing adverse effects.
d) Being truthful about withdrawal manifestations.
Correct Answer: c) Withholding a prescribed medication that is causing
adverse effects.
• Rationale: Nonmaleficence means "to do no harm." By stopping a
medication causing harm (adverse effects), the nurse is actively preventing
injury. Option A is justice; Option B is autonomy; Option D is veracity .
4. A nurse is caring for a client who was involuntarily committed. The client
refuses electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which action should the nurse take?
a) Ask the family to encourage the client.
b) Inform the client that consent is implied due to commitment.
c) Document the refusal and notify the provider.
d) Tell the client he cannot refuse treatment.
Correct Answer: c) Document the refusal and notify the provider.
• Rationale: Involuntary commitment does not remove a client's right to
refuse specific treatments like ECT or medications (except in a true
emergency). The nurse acts as the client's advocate by documenting the
refusal and informing the provider .
,5. A nurse is leading a crisis intervention group for adolescents who witnessed
a suicide. Which action should the nurse take first?
a) Initiate referrals for long-term therapy.
b) Review community resources.
c) Identify the adolescents' prior coping skills.
d) Discuss the importance of confidentiality.
Correct Answer: c) Identify the adolescents' prior coping skills.
• Rationale: Crisis intervention focuses on returning the client to their pre-
crisis level of functioning. The nurse must first assess what coping
mechanisms have worked for the adolescent in the past to build on existing
strengths .
6. A nurse is planning overall strategies to address problems for a client.
Which of the following nursing actions is the priority?
a) Encourage the client to solve their own problems.
b) Identify the client's coping resources.
c) Review the client’s previous medical history.
d) Determine the client's weekly schedule.
Correct Answer: b) Identify the client's coping resources.
• Rationale: Before planning interventions, a thorough assessment is
required. Understanding a client's coping resources (support systems,
strengths, past successes) is crucial for developing realistic and effective
strategies.
Section 2: Psychiatric Disorders (Mood, Anxiety, & Psychosis)
7. A client with major depressive disorder says, "I just feel like giving up.
Nothing matters anymore." Which response is most therapeutic?
a) "You shouldn't feel that way."
b) "Why do you feel like that?"
c) "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
d) "Things will get better soon."
Correct Answer: c) "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
, • Rationale: This open-ended statement encourages the client to express
feelings of hopelessness without judgment. Option A dismisses feelings;
Option B asks "why," which often puts clients on the defensive; Option D
offers false reassurance .
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and is experiencing a
manic episode. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a) Encourage the client to join large group activities.
b) Dim the lights in the client's room.
c) Provide detailed, complex explanations of rules.
d) Administer a stimulant medication.
Correct Answer: b) Dim the lights in the client's room.
• Rationale: A manic client is highly sensitive to sensory stimulation. A quiet,
low-stimulation environment (low lighting, fewer noises) helps decrease
anxiety and agitation. Group activities (A) increase stimulation; stimulants
(D) worsen mania .
9. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA is poisoning my food."
What is the best response?
a) "That’s not true. The CIA doesn’t care about you."
b) "I know you believe that, but I don’t see evidence of poison."
c) "You must be very scared. Let’s check your food together."
d) "Let’s talk about something else."
Correct Answer: b) "I know you believe that, but I don’t see evidence of
poison."
• Rationale: This is a delusion. The nurse should neither argue (A) nor agree
(C implying the food might be poisoned). Option B presents reality (neutral
fact) while acknowledging the client's experience (validation), which is the
standard therapeutic response .
10. A client is admitted for alcohol withdrawal. Which symptom is expected 6–
12 hours after the last drink?
a) Seizures
b) Delirium tremens
c) Tremors and anxiety
d) Hallucinations
Exam|||questions and answers with
rationales/graded A+/2026
update/100% correct /instant
download
Comprehensive Assessment for Student Nurses
Date: 2026
Total Questions: 85
Instructions: Select the best answer for each question. Answers and detailed
rationales are provided to enhance comprehension of psychiatric nursing concepts.
Section 1: Foundations of Psychiatric Nursing (Therapeutic Communication
& Ethics)
1. A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct an
initial client interview. Which of the following actions should the nurse
identify as the priority?
a) Explain the rules of the clinic.
b) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
c) Discuss the duration of the session.
d) Review the client’s medical history.
Correct Answer: b) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
• Rationale: Before providing education or structure, the nurse must assess
the client's reason for seeking care and their perception of the problem. This
establishes the foundation for a client-centered plan. Option B is the priority
because it directs the interview toward the client's immediate concerns.
2. A client tells the nurse, "Don't tell anyone, but I hid a sharp knife under my
mattress to protect myself from my roommate." Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
,a) Respect the client's confidentiality.
b) Ignore the statement as it is likely delusional.
c) Report the incident to the treatment team.
d) Ask the roommate to confirm the threat.
Correct Answer: c) Report the incident to the treatment team.
• Rationale: Safety overrides confidentiality. The presence of a weapon on
the unit poses an immediate threat to the client, staff, and others. The nurse
has a duty to protect all parties, so the team must be notified to search the
room.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is starting treatment for substance use
disorder. Which of the following actions indicates the nurse is practicing the
ethical principle of nonmaleficence?
a) Providing quality care regardless of ability to pay.
b) Educating the client about legal rights.
c) Withholding a prescribed medication that is causing adverse effects.
d) Being truthful about withdrawal manifestations.
Correct Answer: c) Withholding a prescribed medication that is causing
adverse effects.
• Rationale: Nonmaleficence means "to do no harm." By stopping a
medication causing harm (adverse effects), the nurse is actively preventing
injury. Option A is justice; Option B is autonomy; Option D is veracity .
4. A nurse is caring for a client who was involuntarily committed. The client
refuses electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which action should the nurse take?
a) Ask the family to encourage the client.
b) Inform the client that consent is implied due to commitment.
c) Document the refusal and notify the provider.
d) Tell the client he cannot refuse treatment.
Correct Answer: c) Document the refusal and notify the provider.
• Rationale: Involuntary commitment does not remove a client's right to
refuse specific treatments like ECT or medications (except in a true
emergency). The nurse acts as the client's advocate by documenting the
refusal and informing the provider .
,5. A nurse is leading a crisis intervention group for adolescents who witnessed
a suicide. Which action should the nurse take first?
a) Initiate referrals for long-term therapy.
b) Review community resources.
c) Identify the adolescents' prior coping skills.
d) Discuss the importance of confidentiality.
Correct Answer: c) Identify the adolescents' prior coping skills.
• Rationale: Crisis intervention focuses on returning the client to their pre-
crisis level of functioning. The nurse must first assess what coping
mechanisms have worked for the adolescent in the past to build on existing
strengths .
6. A nurse is planning overall strategies to address problems for a client.
Which of the following nursing actions is the priority?
a) Encourage the client to solve their own problems.
b) Identify the client's coping resources.
c) Review the client’s previous medical history.
d) Determine the client's weekly schedule.
Correct Answer: b) Identify the client's coping resources.
• Rationale: Before planning interventions, a thorough assessment is
required. Understanding a client's coping resources (support systems,
strengths, past successes) is crucial for developing realistic and effective
strategies.
Section 2: Psychiatric Disorders (Mood, Anxiety, & Psychosis)
7. A client with major depressive disorder says, "I just feel like giving up.
Nothing matters anymore." Which response is most therapeutic?
a) "You shouldn't feel that way."
b) "Why do you feel like that?"
c) "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
d) "Things will get better soon."
Correct Answer: c) "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
, • Rationale: This open-ended statement encourages the client to express
feelings of hopelessness without judgment. Option A dismisses feelings;
Option B asks "why," which often puts clients on the defensive; Option D
offers false reassurance .
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and is experiencing a
manic episode. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a) Encourage the client to join large group activities.
b) Dim the lights in the client's room.
c) Provide detailed, complex explanations of rules.
d) Administer a stimulant medication.
Correct Answer: b) Dim the lights in the client's room.
• Rationale: A manic client is highly sensitive to sensory stimulation. A quiet,
low-stimulation environment (low lighting, fewer noises) helps decrease
anxiety and agitation. Group activities (A) increase stimulation; stimulants
(D) worsen mania .
9. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA is poisoning my food."
What is the best response?
a) "That’s not true. The CIA doesn’t care about you."
b) "I know you believe that, but I don’t see evidence of poison."
c) "You must be very scared. Let’s check your food together."
d) "Let’s talk about something else."
Correct Answer: b) "I know you believe that, but I don’t see evidence of
poison."
• Rationale: This is a delusion. The nurse should neither argue (A) nor agree
(C implying the food might be poisoned). Option B presents reality (neutral
fact) while acknowledging the client's experience (validation), which is the
standard therapeutic response .
10. A client is admitted for alcohol withdrawal. Which symptom is expected 6–
12 hours after the last drink?
a) Seizures
b) Delirium tremens
c) Tremors and anxiety
d) Hallucinations
