UT Arlington NURS 3381 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Exam 2
(pdf) | 2026/2027 | Mental Health Q&A | Psychiatric Nursing
1. A patient is brought to the emergency department after a suicide attempt
by overdose. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Obtain a detailed psychiatric history
B) Ensure the patient's medical stability
C) Contact the patient's family for collateral information
D) Begin one-to-one observation
Correct Answer: Ensure the patient's medical stability
Rationale: After a suicide attempt, the priority is to stabilize the patient
medically and ensure they are physically safe. Only after medical stability is
achieved should the nurse focus on psychiatric assessment and
interventions.
2. A patient with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, "I don't see the
point in going on. Everyone would be better off without me." Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate?
A) Tell the patient they have a lot to live for
B) Ask the patient if they have a plan to harm themselves
C) Remind the patient that suicide is a sin
D) Change the subject to something more positive
Correct Answer: Ask the patient if they have a plan to harm themselves
Rationale: When a patient expresses suicidal ideation, the nurse must
conduct a thorough suicide risk assessment, which includes asking about
intent, plan, and means. Direct questioning does not increase the risk of
suicide.
,3. A patient with a history of depression is prescribed a selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The nurse should educate the patient that the
medication may take how long to reach its full therapeutic effect?
A) 1-2 days
B) 1-2 weeks
C) 2-6 weeks
D) 6-8 weeks
Correct Answer: 2-6 weeks
Rationale: SSRIs typically take 2-6 weeks to reach their full therapeutic
effect. Patients should be educated about this delayed onset to prevent
premature discontinuation.
4. A patient is prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). The nurse should
administer this medication at what time of day?
A) In the morning with breakfast
B) At noon with lunch
C) At bedtime
D) With a high-fat meal
Correct Answer: At bedtime
Rationale: TCAs have sedative effects which can aid in sleep, and the
undesirable anticholinergic side effects will occur during sleep, making
bedtime the preferred administration time.
,5. A patient is prescribed phenelzine, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
The nurse should teach the patient to avoid which foods to prevent a
hypertensive crisis?
A) Fresh fruits and vegetables
B) Aged cheese and cured meats
C) Lean poultry and fish
D) Whole grains and cereals
Correct Answer: Aged cheese and cured meats
Rationale: MAOIs can interact with tyramine-rich foods, such as aged cheese,
cured meats, and fermented products, leading to a hypertensive crisis.
Patients taking MAOIs must follow a low-tyramine diet.
6. Which side effect is commonly associated with selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A) Bruxism (teeth gnashing/clenching)
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Weight loss
D) Hypomania
Correct Answer: Bruxism (teeth gnashing/clenching)
Rationale: SSRIs commonly cause bruxism, or teeth gnashing and clenching.
Other side effects include sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and insomnia.
7. A community mental health nurse has worked for 6 months to establish a
relationship with a delusional, suspicious patient. The patient lost
employment and stopped taking medications due to inadequate money. The
, patient says, "Only a traitor would make me go to the hospital." What is the
best nursing response?
A) "You need to be hospitalized for your own safety."
B) "I understand you're concerned. Let's negotiate a way to provide
medication so you can remain at home."
C) "If you don't take your medication, you will be involuntarily committed."
D) "Your employer was wrong to fire you."
Correct Answer: "I understand you're concerned. Let's negotiate a way to
provide medication so you can remain at home."
Rationale: This response validates the patient's feelings and collaborates on
a solution that respects the patient's autonomy while addressing the
medication noncompliance.
8. A cognitively impaired patient has been a widow for 30 years. The patient
is frantically trying to leave the unit, saying, "I have to go home to cook
dinner before my husband arrives from work." Using validation therapy, what
should the nurse say?
A) "Your husband passed away 30 years ago."
B) "You want to go home to prepare your husband's dinner?"
C) "You don't need to cook dinner tonight."
D) "We will take you home tomorrow."
Correct Answer: "You want to go home to prepare your husband's dinner?"
Rationale: Validation therapy acknowledges the patient's feelings and reality
without correcting or arguing with them. This approach reduces anxiety and
maintains the patient's dignity.
(pdf) | 2026/2027 | Mental Health Q&A | Psychiatric Nursing
1. A patient is brought to the emergency department after a suicide attempt
by overdose. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Obtain a detailed psychiatric history
B) Ensure the patient's medical stability
C) Contact the patient's family for collateral information
D) Begin one-to-one observation
Correct Answer: Ensure the patient's medical stability
Rationale: After a suicide attempt, the priority is to stabilize the patient
medically and ensure they are physically safe. Only after medical stability is
achieved should the nurse focus on psychiatric assessment and
interventions.
2. A patient with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, "I don't see the
point in going on. Everyone would be better off without me." Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate?
A) Tell the patient they have a lot to live for
B) Ask the patient if they have a plan to harm themselves
C) Remind the patient that suicide is a sin
D) Change the subject to something more positive
Correct Answer: Ask the patient if they have a plan to harm themselves
Rationale: When a patient expresses suicidal ideation, the nurse must
conduct a thorough suicide risk assessment, which includes asking about
intent, plan, and means. Direct questioning does not increase the risk of
suicide.
,3. A patient with a history of depression is prescribed a selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The nurse should educate the patient that the
medication may take how long to reach its full therapeutic effect?
A) 1-2 days
B) 1-2 weeks
C) 2-6 weeks
D) 6-8 weeks
Correct Answer: 2-6 weeks
Rationale: SSRIs typically take 2-6 weeks to reach their full therapeutic
effect. Patients should be educated about this delayed onset to prevent
premature discontinuation.
4. A patient is prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). The nurse should
administer this medication at what time of day?
A) In the morning with breakfast
B) At noon with lunch
C) At bedtime
D) With a high-fat meal
Correct Answer: At bedtime
Rationale: TCAs have sedative effects which can aid in sleep, and the
undesirable anticholinergic side effects will occur during sleep, making
bedtime the preferred administration time.
,5. A patient is prescribed phenelzine, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
The nurse should teach the patient to avoid which foods to prevent a
hypertensive crisis?
A) Fresh fruits and vegetables
B) Aged cheese and cured meats
C) Lean poultry and fish
D) Whole grains and cereals
Correct Answer: Aged cheese and cured meats
Rationale: MAOIs can interact with tyramine-rich foods, such as aged cheese,
cured meats, and fermented products, leading to a hypertensive crisis.
Patients taking MAOIs must follow a low-tyramine diet.
6. Which side effect is commonly associated with selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A) Bruxism (teeth gnashing/clenching)
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Weight loss
D) Hypomania
Correct Answer: Bruxism (teeth gnashing/clenching)
Rationale: SSRIs commonly cause bruxism, or teeth gnashing and clenching.
Other side effects include sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and insomnia.
7. A community mental health nurse has worked for 6 months to establish a
relationship with a delusional, suspicious patient. The patient lost
employment and stopped taking medications due to inadequate money. The
, patient says, "Only a traitor would make me go to the hospital." What is the
best nursing response?
A) "You need to be hospitalized for your own safety."
B) "I understand you're concerned. Let's negotiate a way to provide
medication so you can remain at home."
C) "If you don't take your medication, you will be involuntarily committed."
D) "Your employer was wrong to fire you."
Correct Answer: "I understand you're concerned. Let's negotiate a way to
provide medication so you can remain at home."
Rationale: This response validates the patient's feelings and collaborates on
a solution that respects the patient's autonomy while addressing the
medication noncompliance.
8. A cognitively impaired patient has been a widow for 30 years. The patient
is frantically trying to leave the unit, saying, "I have to go home to cook
dinner before my husband arrives from work." Using validation therapy, what
should the nurse say?
A) "Your husband passed away 30 years ago."
B) "You want to go home to prepare your husband's dinner?"
C) "You don't need to cook dinner tonight."
D) "We will take you home tomorrow."
Correct Answer: "You want to go home to prepare your husband's dinner?"
Rationale: Validation therapy acknowledges the patient's feelings and reality
without correcting or arguing with them. This approach reduces anxiety and
maintains the patient's dignity.
