NUR 2225 Mental Health Nursing Exam
Newest 2026/2027 Actual Exam With
Complete Real Exam Questions and
Correct Verified Answers Already Graded
A+ (Brand New!!)
NUR 2225 Mental Health Nursing
Practice Exam Questions
Foundations & Therapeutic Communication
1. Which statement best describes mental health?
A. Absence of all psychological stress
B. A state of well-being that supports coping and functioning
C. Complete independence from other people
D. Ability to avoid all emotional problems
Answer: B
Rationale: Mental health involves emotional, psychological, and social well-being and the
ability to cope with normal life challenges.
2. A patient says, “Nobody understands what I am going through.” Which response is most
therapeutic?
A. “You shouldn't feel that way.”
B. “Other people have worse problems.”
C. “Tell me more about what you are experiencing.”
D. “You need to think positively.”
Answer: C
Rationale: An open-ended response encourages the patient to explore feelings without
judgment.
,3. Which communication technique involves repeating the patient's main idea using different
words?
A. Clarification
B. Paraphrasing
C. Confrontation
D. Interpretation
Answer: B
Rationale: Paraphrasing restates the patient's message to confirm understanding.
4. Which nurse statement is an example of therapeutic silence?
A. “Why aren't you talking?”
B. “You need to answer me.”
C. Remaining quietly present while allowing the patient time to respond
D. Leaving the room immediately
Answer: C
Rationale: Silence gives patients time to organize thoughts and express feelings.
5. A patient begins crying during an interview. What should the nurse do first?
A. Change the subject
B. Tell the patient to stop crying
C. Remain present and allow the patient to express emotions
D. Immediately call the psychiatrist
Answer: C
Rationale: Allowing emotional expression while maintaining a supportive presence is
therapeutic.
6. Which question is most appropriate when beginning a mental-health assessment?
A. “You aren't suicidal, are you?”
B. “Why are you behaving like this?”
C. “Can you tell me what brought you to the hospital?”
D. “Do you have schizophrenia?”
Answer: C
Rationale: An open-ended question allows the patient to describe the presenting concern in
their own words.
,7. Which behavior represents active listening?
A. Looking at the clock frequently
B. Interrupting frequently
C. Maintaining appropriate eye contact and using brief encouragers
D. Completing documentation while the patient speaks
Answer: C
Rationale: Active listening includes attention, appropriate eye contact, and verbal/nonverbal
encouragement.
8. A nurse tells a patient, “Everything will be fine.” Why is this response inappropriate?
A. It provides too much information
B. It offers false reassurance
C. It demonstrates empathy
D. It encourages independence
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse cannot guarantee the outcome. False reassurance may minimize the
patient's concerns.
9. Which statement demonstrates empathy?
A. “I know exactly how you feel.”
B. “You should be grateful for what you have.”
C. “It sounds like this situation has been very difficult for you.”
D. “I would never react that way.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Empathy recognizes the patient's feelings without claiming identical personal
experience.
10. What is the primary purpose of establishing a therapeutic relationship?
A. To become the patient's friend
B. To obtain control over the patient
C. To facilitate treatment and promote patient well-being
D. To prevent the patient from asking questions
Answer: C
Rationale: Therapeutic relationships provide a professional framework for assessment,
treatment, support, and recovery.
, 11. Which behavior is characteristic of a professional therapeutic relationship?
A. Sharing personal secrets
B. Maintaining appropriate boundaries
C. Accepting expensive gifts
D. Socializing with the patient outside the facility
Answer: B
Rationale: Professional boundaries protect both patient and nurse.
12. Which question best assesses the patient's perception of their problem?
A. “What do you think is happening to you?”
B. “Do your parents have depression?”
C. “What medications do you take?”
D. “When did you last eat?”
Answer: A
Rationale: The question explores the patient's understanding and interpretation of their
condition.
13. Which action by the nurse is most likely to interfere with therapeutic communication?
A. Sitting at an appropriate distance
B. Using open-ended questions
C. Frequently changing the topic
D. Reflecting feelings
Answer: C
Rationale: Changing topics unnecessarily can prevent exploration of important concerns.
14. A patient says, “I am worthless.” Which response is best?
A. “You shouldn't think that way.”
B. “What makes you feel worthless?”
C. “Everyone feels worthless sometimes.”
D. “Your family probably disagrees.”
Answer: B
Rationale: This encourages exploration of the patient's feelings and underlying concerns.
15. Which intervention is most appropriate during the orientation phase of a therapeutic
relationship?
Newest 2026/2027 Actual Exam With
Complete Real Exam Questions and
Correct Verified Answers Already Graded
A+ (Brand New!!)
NUR 2225 Mental Health Nursing
Practice Exam Questions
Foundations & Therapeutic Communication
1. Which statement best describes mental health?
A. Absence of all psychological stress
B. A state of well-being that supports coping and functioning
C. Complete independence from other people
D. Ability to avoid all emotional problems
Answer: B
Rationale: Mental health involves emotional, psychological, and social well-being and the
ability to cope with normal life challenges.
2. A patient says, “Nobody understands what I am going through.” Which response is most
therapeutic?
A. “You shouldn't feel that way.”
B. “Other people have worse problems.”
C. “Tell me more about what you are experiencing.”
D. “You need to think positively.”
Answer: C
Rationale: An open-ended response encourages the patient to explore feelings without
judgment.
,3. Which communication technique involves repeating the patient's main idea using different
words?
A. Clarification
B. Paraphrasing
C. Confrontation
D. Interpretation
Answer: B
Rationale: Paraphrasing restates the patient's message to confirm understanding.
4. Which nurse statement is an example of therapeutic silence?
A. “Why aren't you talking?”
B. “You need to answer me.”
C. Remaining quietly present while allowing the patient time to respond
D. Leaving the room immediately
Answer: C
Rationale: Silence gives patients time to organize thoughts and express feelings.
5. A patient begins crying during an interview. What should the nurse do first?
A. Change the subject
B. Tell the patient to stop crying
C. Remain present and allow the patient to express emotions
D. Immediately call the psychiatrist
Answer: C
Rationale: Allowing emotional expression while maintaining a supportive presence is
therapeutic.
6. Which question is most appropriate when beginning a mental-health assessment?
A. “You aren't suicidal, are you?”
B. “Why are you behaving like this?”
C. “Can you tell me what brought you to the hospital?”
D. “Do you have schizophrenia?”
Answer: C
Rationale: An open-ended question allows the patient to describe the presenting concern in
their own words.
,7. Which behavior represents active listening?
A. Looking at the clock frequently
B. Interrupting frequently
C. Maintaining appropriate eye contact and using brief encouragers
D. Completing documentation while the patient speaks
Answer: C
Rationale: Active listening includes attention, appropriate eye contact, and verbal/nonverbal
encouragement.
8. A nurse tells a patient, “Everything will be fine.” Why is this response inappropriate?
A. It provides too much information
B. It offers false reassurance
C. It demonstrates empathy
D. It encourages independence
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse cannot guarantee the outcome. False reassurance may minimize the
patient's concerns.
9. Which statement demonstrates empathy?
A. “I know exactly how you feel.”
B. “You should be grateful for what you have.”
C. “It sounds like this situation has been very difficult for you.”
D. “I would never react that way.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Empathy recognizes the patient's feelings without claiming identical personal
experience.
10. What is the primary purpose of establishing a therapeutic relationship?
A. To become the patient's friend
B. To obtain control over the patient
C. To facilitate treatment and promote patient well-being
D. To prevent the patient from asking questions
Answer: C
Rationale: Therapeutic relationships provide a professional framework for assessment,
treatment, support, and recovery.
, 11. Which behavior is characteristic of a professional therapeutic relationship?
A. Sharing personal secrets
B. Maintaining appropriate boundaries
C. Accepting expensive gifts
D. Socializing with the patient outside the facility
Answer: B
Rationale: Professional boundaries protect both patient and nurse.
12. Which question best assesses the patient's perception of their problem?
A. “What do you think is happening to you?”
B. “Do your parents have depression?”
C. “What medications do you take?”
D. “When did you last eat?”
Answer: A
Rationale: The question explores the patient's understanding and interpretation of their
condition.
13. Which action by the nurse is most likely to interfere with therapeutic communication?
A. Sitting at an appropriate distance
B. Using open-ended questions
C. Frequently changing the topic
D. Reflecting feelings
Answer: C
Rationale: Changing topics unnecessarily can prevent exploration of important concerns.
14. A patient says, “I am worthless.” Which response is best?
A. “You shouldn't think that way.”
B. “What makes you feel worthless?”
C. “Everyone feels worthless sometimes.”
D. “Your family probably disagrees.”
Answer: B
Rationale: This encourages exploration of the patient's feelings and underlying concerns.
15. Which intervention is most appropriate during the orientation phase of a therapeutic
relationship?
