NR 326 EXAM 1: MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
ACTUAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
(GUARANTEE PASS)
1. A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit after a suicide attempt. Which nursing
intervention takes priority during the first 24 hours of admission?
A. Encouraging the client to participate in group therapy sessions.
B. Providing one-on-one observation to ensure client safety.
C. Administering prescribed antidepressant medications.
D. Assessing the client’s family support system.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Safety is the highest priority for a suicidal client. One-on-one
observation ensures immediate intervention if the client attempts self-harm again.
2. A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who is distressed. Which
statement by the nurse represents the technique of ‘offering self’?
A. I will sit here with you for a while.
B. Tell me more about what you are feeling.
C. Why do you think you feel this way today?
,D. I think you should try to relax more.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Offering self makes the nurse’s presence available to the client,
showing interest and concern without making demands.
3. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, ‘The FBI is monitoring my every move through
the television.’ Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. The FBI is not watching you; that is impossible.
B. I understand that you believe that, but I do not see any evidence of it.
C. Why would the FBI want to monitor you specifically?
D. Let’s turn off the television so they can’t see you.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: This response represents ‘presenting reality’ and ‘voicing doubt’
without directly challenging or belittling the client’s false belief.
4. In which phase of the nurse-client relationship does the nurse address the issue of
confidentiality and establish the boundaries of the relationship?
A. Pre-interaction phase
B. Working phase
C. Orientation phase
D. Termination phase
, Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The orientation phase involves establishing rapport, parameters
of the relationship, confidentiality, and the contract.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is voluntarily admitted to a psychiatric unit. The client
requests to leave the hospital against medical advice (AMA). What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Notify the psychiatrist to assess the client’s safety to self or others.
B. Restrain the client to prevent them from leaving.
C. Allow the client to leave immediately as they are voluntary.
D. Administer a sedative to calm the client down.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Even voluntary clients must be assessed for danger to self or
others before discharge. If they are a danger, the status may be changed to involuntary.
6. Which ethical principle is practiced when a nurse truthfuly answers a client’s questions
about their medication side effects?
A. Autonomy
B. Veracity
C. Beneficence
D. Justice
NURSING COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
ACTUAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
(GUARANTEE PASS)
1. A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit after a suicide attempt. Which nursing
intervention takes priority during the first 24 hours of admission?
A. Encouraging the client to participate in group therapy sessions.
B. Providing one-on-one observation to ensure client safety.
C. Administering prescribed antidepressant medications.
D. Assessing the client’s family support system.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Safety is the highest priority for a suicidal client. One-on-one
observation ensures immediate intervention if the client attempts self-harm again.
2. A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who is distressed. Which
statement by the nurse represents the technique of ‘offering self’?
A. I will sit here with you for a while.
B. Tell me more about what you are feeling.
C. Why do you think you feel this way today?
,D. I think you should try to relax more.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Offering self makes the nurse’s presence available to the client,
showing interest and concern without making demands.
3. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, ‘The FBI is monitoring my every move through
the television.’ Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. The FBI is not watching you; that is impossible.
B. I understand that you believe that, but I do not see any evidence of it.
C. Why would the FBI want to monitor you specifically?
D. Let’s turn off the television so they can’t see you.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: This response represents ‘presenting reality’ and ‘voicing doubt’
without directly challenging or belittling the client’s false belief.
4. In which phase of the nurse-client relationship does the nurse address the issue of
confidentiality and establish the boundaries of the relationship?
A. Pre-interaction phase
B. Working phase
C. Orientation phase
D. Termination phase
, Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The orientation phase involves establishing rapport, parameters
of the relationship, confidentiality, and the contract.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is voluntarily admitted to a psychiatric unit. The client
requests to leave the hospital against medical advice (AMA). What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Notify the psychiatrist to assess the client’s safety to self or others.
B. Restrain the client to prevent them from leaving.
C. Allow the client to leave immediately as they are voluntary.
D. Administer a sedative to calm the client down.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Even voluntary clients must be assessed for danger to self or
others before discharge. If they are a danger, the status may be changed to involuntary.
6. Which ethical principle is practiced when a nurse truthfuly answers a client’s questions
about their medication side effects?
A. Autonomy
B. Veracity
C. Beneficence
D. Justice
