UT Arlington NURS 3381 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Final
Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Mental Health Q&A | Psychiatric Nursing
1. A nurse is integrating evidence-based practice (EBP) into clinical care.
Which of the following represents the correct sequence of the "5 A's" of EBP?
A) Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply, Assess
B) Appraise, Ask, Acquire, Apply, Assess
C) Ask, Appraise, Acquire, Apply, Assess
D) Assess, Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply
Correct Answer: Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply, Assess
Rationale: The 5 A's of evidence-based practice are: Ask a question, Acquire
the literature, Appraise the literature, Apply the evidence, and Assess the
performance. This systematic process ensures clinical decisions are
grounded in the best available evidence.
2. The "Art of Nursing" in psychiatric mental health nursing is best
demonstrated by which of the following?
A) Administering prescribed psychotropic medications
B) Conducting a mental status examination
C) Using therapeutic communication and empathy to connect with the
patient
D) Documenting the patient's symptoms in the medical record
Correct Answer: Using therapeutic communication and empathy to connect
with the patient
Rationale: The Art of Nursing involves the use of verbal and nonverbal
communication, emotional exchange, and other aspects of the nurse's
,personality to establish a relationship with the patient that promotes
cooperation and healing. It includes caring, attending, and advocacy.
3. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think anyone can help me. I've tried
everything." The nurse responds, "It sounds like you're feeling hopeless
about your situation." This is an example of which therapeutic
communication technique?
A) Clarifying
B) Reflecting
C) Restating
D) Exploring
Correct Answer: Reflecting
Rationale: Reflecting involves repeating the patient's feelings or thoughts
back to them to confirm understanding and encourage further expression.
The nurse is reflecting the patient's expressed feeling of hopelessness.
4. The nurse is demonstrating the technique of "attending" during a patient
interview. Which of the following behaviors best reflects attending?
A) Maintaining eye contact and leaning slightly forward
B) Asking closed-ended questions to gather specific data
C) Providing health teaching about the patient's diagnosis
D) Documenting the patient's responses during the interview
Correct Answer: Maintaining eye contact and leaning slightly forward
Rationale: Attending refers to an intensity of presence, being there for and in
tune with the patient. Attending behaviors include active listening skills, such
as body posture and eye contact, touching, or giving attentive physical care.
,5. A patient is admitted involuntarily to a psychiatric facility. The nurse
understands that involuntary admission is based on which criteria?
A) The patient is a danger to self or others
B) The patient is unable to pay for treatment
C) The patient requests admission
D) The patient is homeless
Correct Answer: The patient is a danger to self or others
Rationale: Involuntary admission occurs when a patient poses a danger to
self or others, or is unable to care for themselves due to a mental illness.
Legal and ethical guidelines govern involuntary commitment to protect
patient rights.
6. The mother of psychiatric nursing, known for introducing the concept of
advanced nursing practice and promoting professional standards and
regulation through credentialing, is:
A) Florence Nightingale
B) Dorothea Dix
C) Hildegard Peplau
D) Linda Richards
Correct Answer: Hildegard Peplau
Rationale: Hildegard Peplau is considered the mother of psychiatric nursing.
She introduced the concept of advanced nursing practice and promoted
professional standards and regulation through credentialing.
, 7. 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.
8. 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.
Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Mental Health Q&A | Psychiatric Nursing
1. A nurse is integrating evidence-based practice (EBP) into clinical care.
Which of the following represents the correct sequence of the "5 A's" of EBP?
A) Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply, Assess
B) Appraise, Ask, Acquire, Apply, Assess
C) Ask, Appraise, Acquire, Apply, Assess
D) Assess, Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply
Correct Answer: Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply, Assess
Rationale: The 5 A's of evidence-based practice are: Ask a question, Acquire
the literature, Appraise the literature, Apply the evidence, and Assess the
performance. This systematic process ensures clinical decisions are
grounded in the best available evidence.
2. The "Art of Nursing" in psychiatric mental health nursing is best
demonstrated by which of the following?
A) Administering prescribed psychotropic medications
B) Conducting a mental status examination
C) Using therapeutic communication and empathy to connect with the
patient
D) Documenting the patient's symptoms in the medical record
Correct Answer: Using therapeutic communication and empathy to connect
with the patient
Rationale: The Art of Nursing involves the use of verbal and nonverbal
communication, emotional exchange, and other aspects of the nurse's
,personality to establish a relationship with the patient that promotes
cooperation and healing. It includes caring, attending, and advocacy.
3. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think anyone can help me. I've tried
everything." The nurse responds, "It sounds like you're feeling hopeless
about your situation." This is an example of which therapeutic
communication technique?
A) Clarifying
B) Reflecting
C) Restating
D) Exploring
Correct Answer: Reflecting
Rationale: Reflecting involves repeating the patient's feelings or thoughts
back to them to confirm understanding and encourage further expression.
The nurse is reflecting the patient's expressed feeling of hopelessness.
4. The nurse is demonstrating the technique of "attending" during a patient
interview. Which of the following behaviors best reflects attending?
A) Maintaining eye contact and leaning slightly forward
B) Asking closed-ended questions to gather specific data
C) Providing health teaching about the patient's diagnosis
D) Documenting the patient's responses during the interview
Correct Answer: Maintaining eye contact and leaning slightly forward
Rationale: Attending refers to an intensity of presence, being there for and in
tune with the patient. Attending behaviors include active listening skills, such
as body posture and eye contact, touching, or giving attentive physical care.
,5. A patient is admitted involuntarily to a psychiatric facility. The nurse
understands that involuntary admission is based on which criteria?
A) The patient is a danger to self or others
B) The patient is unable to pay for treatment
C) The patient requests admission
D) The patient is homeless
Correct Answer: The patient is a danger to self or others
Rationale: Involuntary admission occurs when a patient poses a danger to
self or others, or is unable to care for themselves due to a mental illness.
Legal and ethical guidelines govern involuntary commitment to protect
patient rights.
6. The mother of psychiatric nursing, known for introducing the concept of
advanced nursing practice and promoting professional standards and
regulation through credentialing, is:
A) Florence Nightingale
B) Dorothea Dix
C) Hildegard Peplau
D) Linda Richards
Correct Answer: Hildegard Peplau
Rationale: Hildegard Peplau is considered the mother of psychiatric nursing.
She introduced the concept of advanced nursing practice and promoted
professional standards and regulation through credentialing.
, 7. 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.
8. 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.
