National University NUR 350 Module 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Mental
Health Nursing Q&A | Nursing
1. A nursing student is learning the foundational concepts of mental health
nursing. Which of the following best defines mental health according to the
World Health Organization?
A) The absence of mental illness or psychiatric symptoms
B) A state of well-being in which each individual realizes their own potential,
copes with normal stresses, works productively, and contributes to their
community
C) The ability to control one's emotions and suppress negative thoughts
D) A fixed state of happiness and contentment that remains constant over
time
Correct Answer: A state of well-being in which each individual realizes their
own potential, copes with normal stresses, works productively, and
contributes to their community
Rationale: The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of
well-being, not merely the absence of illness. It encompasses the ability to
cope with life's stresses, work productively, and contribute to the
community, reflecting a dynamic and positive state of functioning.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing significant dysfunction
in thought processes and reality testing. The nurse correctly identifies this
condition as:
A) Neurosis
B) Psychosis
C) Anxiety disorder
D) Personality disorder
Correct Answer: Psychosis
,Rationale: Psychosis is characterized by a severe mental illness where an
individual experiences a significant loss of contact with reality, including
hallucinations, delusions, and impaired insight. Neurosis is a less severe
condition where reality testing remains intact.
3. A patient with a less severe mental illness continues to function in daily
life but experiences significant distress. This condition is best described as:
A) Psychosis
B) Neurosis
C) Schizophrenia
D) Bipolar disorder
Correct Answer: Neurosis
Rationale: Neurosis refers to a less severe mental illness where the individual
remains in contact with reality but experiences significant anxiety,
depression, or other distressing symptoms that impair functioning. Psychosis
involves a severe break from reality.
4. A nurse is reviewing the historical treatment of mental illness. Which
approach involved the use of kindness, compassion, and a pleasant
environment to treat patients?
A) Moral treatment
B) Psychoanalysis
C) Institutionalization
D) Electroconvulsive therapy
Correct Answer: Moral treatment
,Rationale: Moral treatment was a humane approach to mental health care
that emphasized kindness, compassion, and a therapeutic environment,
emerging as a reform movement in the 18th and 19th centuries.
5. A patient is receiving therapy that focuses on exploring unconscious
conflicts and repairing trauma from early psychological injuries. This
therapeutic approach is known as:
A) Milieu therapy
B) Cognitive-behavioral therapy
C) Psychoanalysis
D) Group therapy
Correct Answer: Psychoanalysis
Rationale: Psychoanalysis, developed by Sigmund Freud, is a therapeutic
approach that aims to bring unconscious material into conscious awareness
to resolve deep-seated conflicts and trauma from early psychological
injuries.
6. A nurse is providing care in a psychiatric facility that emphasizes health
promotion, holistic assessment, and therapeutic communication. This
approach is consistent with the principles of:
A) Institutionalization
B) Moral treatment
C) Psychiatric-mental health nursing
D) Biomedical model
Correct Answer: Psychiatric-mental health nursing
, Rationale: Psychiatric-mental health nursing focuses on the role of the
professional nurse in providing care to clients with behavioral and
psychological problems, emphasizing health promotion, holistic assessment,
therapeutic communication, and milieu management.
7. A nurse is planning care for a patient with a mental health disorder. The
nurse understands that the nursing process in psychiatric nursing includes all
of the following steps EXCEPT:
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Prescribing medication
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Prescribing medication
Rationale: The nursing process in psychiatric nursing follows the same steps
as general nursing: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and
Evaluation. Prescribing medication is outside the scope of nursing practice
and is the responsibility of an advanced practice provider or physician.
8. A patient is admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit against their will due
to being a danger to themselves. This legal process is known as:
A) Informed consent
B) Involuntary commitment
C) Advance directive
D) Civil commitment
Correct Answer: Involuntary commitment
Health Nursing Q&A | Nursing
1. A nursing student is learning the foundational concepts of mental health
nursing. Which of the following best defines mental health according to the
World Health Organization?
A) The absence of mental illness or psychiatric symptoms
B) A state of well-being in which each individual realizes their own potential,
copes with normal stresses, works productively, and contributes to their
community
C) The ability to control one's emotions and suppress negative thoughts
D) A fixed state of happiness and contentment that remains constant over
time
Correct Answer: A state of well-being in which each individual realizes their
own potential, copes with normal stresses, works productively, and
contributes to their community
Rationale: The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of
well-being, not merely the absence of illness. It encompasses the ability to
cope with life's stresses, work productively, and contribute to the
community, reflecting a dynamic and positive state of functioning.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing significant dysfunction
in thought processes and reality testing. The nurse correctly identifies this
condition as:
A) Neurosis
B) Psychosis
C) Anxiety disorder
D) Personality disorder
Correct Answer: Psychosis
,Rationale: Psychosis is characterized by a severe mental illness where an
individual experiences a significant loss of contact with reality, including
hallucinations, delusions, and impaired insight. Neurosis is a less severe
condition where reality testing remains intact.
3. A patient with a less severe mental illness continues to function in daily
life but experiences significant distress. This condition is best described as:
A) Psychosis
B) Neurosis
C) Schizophrenia
D) Bipolar disorder
Correct Answer: Neurosis
Rationale: Neurosis refers to a less severe mental illness where the individual
remains in contact with reality but experiences significant anxiety,
depression, or other distressing symptoms that impair functioning. Psychosis
involves a severe break from reality.
4. A nurse is reviewing the historical treatment of mental illness. Which
approach involved the use of kindness, compassion, and a pleasant
environment to treat patients?
A) Moral treatment
B) Psychoanalysis
C) Institutionalization
D) Electroconvulsive therapy
Correct Answer: Moral treatment
,Rationale: Moral treatment was a humane approach to mental health care
that emphasized kindness, compassion, and a therapeutic environment,
emerging as a reform movement in the 18th and 19th centuries.
5. A patient is receiving therapy that focuses on exploring unconscious
conflicts and repairing trauma from early psychological injuries. This
therapeutic approach is known as:
A) Milieu therapy
B) Cognitive-behavioral therapy
C) Psychoanalysis
D) Group therapy
Correct Answer: Psychoanalysis
Rationale: Psychoanalysis, developed by Sigmund Freud, is a therapeutic
approach that aims to bring unconscious material into conscious awareness
to resolve deep-seated conflicts and trauma from early psychological
injuries.
6. A nurse is providing care in a psychiatric facility that emphasizes health
promotion, holistic assessment, and therapeutic communication. This
approach is consistent with the principles of:
A) Institutionalization
B) Moral treatment
C) Psychiatric-mental health nursing
D) Biomedical model
Correct Answer: Psychiatric-mental health nursing
, Rationale: Psychiatric-mental health nursing focuses on the role of the
professional nurse in providing care to clients with behavioral and
psychological problems, emphasizing health promotion, holistic assessment,
therapeutic communication, and milieu management.
7. A nurse is planning care for a patient with a mental health disorder. The
nurse understands that the nursing process in psychiatric nursing includes all
of the following steps EXCEPT:
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Prescribing medication
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Prescribing medication
Rationale: The nursing process in psychiatric nursing follows the same steps
as general nursing: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and
Evaluation. Prescribing medication is outside the scope of nursing practice
and is the responsibility of an advanced practice provider or physician.
8. A patient is admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit against their will due
to being a danger to themselves. This legal process is known as:
A) Informed consent
B) Involuntary commitment
C) Advance directive
D) Civil commitment
Correct Answer: Involuntary commitment
