Mental Health exam 1
Mental Health exam 1 study questions
and answers graded a 2025
2. An outcome for S is that she will demonstrate mentally healthy behavior. Which
behavior indicates the outcome is being met?
a. She is aggressive in meeting her needs without considering the rights of others.
b. She behaves without considering the consequences of her actions.
c. She sees herself as approaching her ideals, and as capable of meeting demands.
d. She passively allows others to assume responsibility for major areas of her life. -
Correct Answer ✔C.
3. Strength of the multiaxial DSM-IV is that
it:
a. includes nursing as well as medical diagnoses
b. assessments of several aspects of functioning are made
c. it employs the framework of a specific theory
d. plans for treatment and evaluation are included -Correct Answer ✔b
4. The nurse must assess the mental health or mental illness of several new clients at
the mental health clinic. Some of the traits of mental health include:
a. Accurate appraisal of reality
b. Ability to work and be productive
c. Ability to control one's own behavior
d. All of the above -Correct Answer ✔d
5. B tells the nurse, "I'm a real freak. I'm a psychiatric patient, in and out of hospitals all
the time. None of my friends or relatives is crazy like this." What reply would help B
understand the prevalence of mental illness?
a. "Comparing yourself with others has no real advantages."
b. "Mental illness affects 80% of the adult population in any given year."
c. "Nearly 50% of all people age 15 to 55 have had a psychiatric disorder at some time
in their lives."
d. Unfortunately, there are no answers to your question. -Correct Answer ✔b
6. The nurse who interviews K notes she is profoundly depressed with thought of
wanting to die. Took an unknown amount of pills yesterday. She has refused to do
activities of daily living such as bathing. She also has not eaten for the past 5 days,
according to her husband. The nurse will code her global assessment of functioning as
a. 100
b. 50
c. 25
d. 10 -Correct Answer ✔d
7. Maslow offers a theory of human motivation that assumes patients have:
Mental Health exam 1
,Mental Health exam 1
a. Developmental tasks and psychosocial crisis
b. a hierarchy of needs
c. the process of schemata, assimilation and accommodation
d. all of the above -Correct Answer ✔b
8. Which statement allows the nurse to suspect that the developmental task of infancy,
according to Erickson, was not successfully completed?
a. "I'm afraid to allow anyone to really get to know me."
b "I'm absolutely right, so don't bother saying more."
c "I'm so ashamed because I didn't do it correctly in the first place."
d "Andy and I are very close friends." -Correct Answer ✔a
9. T, a 39-year-old businesswoman and single parent of three, is experiencing many
feelings of inadequacy in her job and family situation since her 16-year-old daughter ran
away several weeks ago. T seeks the help of a therapist specializing in cognitive
therapy. The nurse psychotherapist using cognitive therapy will treat T by
a. focusing on unconscious mental processes
b. negatively reinforcing an undesirable behavior
c. discussing ego states
d. helping her identify and change faulty thinking -Correct Answer ✔d
11. Which of the principles of planning nursing intervention to meet client goals is
violated in this scenario? Goal: Client will, with the aid of staff, remain safe while in the
hospital. Interventions: Allow client to attend off unit programming unsupervised. Client
can access all personal belongings.
a. The interventions are not nursing focused.
b. The interventions are not individualized.
c. The interventions are not safe.
d. The interventions are not relevant to the goal. -Correct Answer ✔c
12. The nurse must plan interventions directed toward meeting the client goal: Client will
remain safe during hospitalization with the assistance of staff. Which nursing
intervention is related to this goal?
a. Encourage patient to discuss relationship with family members.
b. Assist client to identify three personal weaknesses.
c. Observe client for therapeutic effects of psychotropic medication.
d. Implement suicide precautions. -Correct Answer ✔d
13. A nurse behavior that jeopardizes the boundaries of the nurse-client relationship is
a. Focusing on the client's needs.
b. Allowing the relationship to become social.
c. Suspending judgment.
d. Recognizing the need for supervision. -Correct Answer ✔b
Mental Health exam 1
,Mental Health exam 1
14. P is being admitted to the psychiatric unit by Nurse G. P was brought to the
emergency department after making a suicide attempt by taking an overdose of
acetaminophen (Tylenol). P has been lavaged. She appears tense, withdrawn, and
frightened. A therapeutic, empathetic response would be that Nurse G tells her:
a. "I'd like to sit here with you".
b. Tell me more about the suicidal attempt"
c. It must be frightening to have just gone through all you have".
d. What exactly was going on with you before you tried to hurt yourself". -Correct
Answer ✔c
Which statement given below would be an example showing that Nurse G is using an
open ended exploring question with her patient:
a. "Do you think the medications are helping you?"
b. "When were you born?"
c. "Is there mental illness in your family?"
d. "Tell me more about what was going on before your suicide attempt." -Correct
Answer ✔d
What behavior on the part of Nurse G will produce the evaluation that termination of the
therapeutic nurse-client relationship with P, a client, has been handled successfully?
a. He gives P his personal telephone number and permission to call after her discharge.
b. He avoids upsetting P by gradually focusing on other clients beginning 1 week prior
to her discharge.
c. He summarizes with P the changes that have happened during their time together
and evaluates goal attainment.
d. He offers to meet P for coffee and conversation three times a week for 2 weeks after
her discharge. -Correct Answer ✔c
The nurse caring for an angry manipulative client finds himself feeling angry with the
client. The nurse should initially:
a. refuse to care for the patient
b. let the client know how he feels
c. tell the nurse manager to assign the client to another nurse
d. deal with his feelings in a supervisory session -Correct Answer ✔d
As L converses with the nurse, she states, "I dreamed I was stoned. When I woke up, I
was feeling emotionally drained as though I hadn't rested well." If the nurse needs
clarification of "stoned," it would be appropriate to say,
a. "It sounds as though you were quite uncomfortable with the content of your dream."
b. "Can you give me an example of what you mean by stoned?"
c. "I understand what you're saying. Bad dreams leave me feeling tired, too."
d. "So, all in all, you feel as though you had a rather poor night's sleep?" -Correct
Answer ✔b
During the first interview with a restless young man, the nurse notices that he does not
make eye contact throughout most of the interview. It can correctly be assumed that
Mental Health exam 1
, Mental Health exam 1
a. he is not to be trusted in what he says because he is evasive
b. he is really feeling sad and can't look the nurse in the eye
c. he is shy and the nurse must move slowly
d. more data is needed to draw a conclusion -Correct Answer ✔d
Which remark by the nurse would be an appropriate way to begin a therapeutic 1:1
session?
a. "How shall we start today?"
b. "Shall we talk about losing your privileges yesterday?"
c. "What happened when your husband came to visit yesterday?"
d. Tell me what led up to your hospitalization? -Correct Answer ✔a
A client tells the nurse, "I don't think I'll ever get out of here." A therapeutic response
would be
a. Why do you feel that way?
b. "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
c. "You don't think you're making progress?"
d. "Keep up the good work, and you certainly will." -Correct Answer ✔c
In a session J cries as the nurse explores her relationship with her deceased mother. J
sobs, "I shouldn't be blubbering like this." A statement by the nurse that will hinder
communication is
a. "The relationship with your mother is very painful for you."
b. "I can see that you feel sad about this situation."
c. "Why do you think you are feeling so upset?"
d. "Crying is a way of expressing the hurt you're experiencing." -Correct Answer ✔c
What is the legal significance of the nurse's action when a client verbally refuses his
medication and the nurse gives it over his objection?
a. The nurse can be charged with battery.
b. The nurse can be charged with negligence.
c. The nurse can be charged with malpractice.
d. No charges can be brought against the nurse. -Correct Answer ✔a
S is a newly admitted acutely psychotic client. She is a private client of the chief of staff
and a private-pay client. To whom does the psychiatric nurse caring for S owe the duty
of care?
a. Physician
b. Health care agency
c. Client
d. Profession -Correct Answer ✔c
T is an involuntary client on a psychiatric inpatient unit. He asks the nurse for a 5 day
release for discharge. The best response for the nurse to make would be
a. "I can't give you those forms without your doctor's knowledge."
Mental Health exam 1
Mental Health exam 1 study questions
and answers graded a 2025
2. An outcome for S is that she will demonstrate mentally healthy behavior. Which
behavior indicates the outcome is being met?
a. She is aggressive in meeting her needs without considering the rights of others.
b. She behaves without considering the consequences of her actions.
c. She sees herself as approaching her ideals, and as capable of meeting demands.
d. She passively allows others to assume responsibility for major areas of her life. -
Correct Answer ✔C.
3. Strength of the multiaxial DSM-IV is that
it:
a. includes nursing as well as medical diagnoses
b. assessments of several aspects of functioning are made
c. it employs the framework of a specific theory
d. plans for treatment and evaluation are included -Correct Answer ✔b
4. The nurse must assess the mental health or mental illness of several new clients at
the mental health clinic. Some of the traits of mental health include:
a. Accurate appraisal of reality
b. Ability to work and be productive
c. Ability to control one's own behavior
d. All of the above -Correct Answer ✔d
5. B tells the nurse, "I'm a real freak. I'm a psychiatric patient, in and out of hospitals all
the time. None of my friends or relatives is crazy like this." What reply would help B
understand the prevalence of mental illness?
a. "Comparing yourself with others has no real advantages."
b. "Mental illness affects 80% of the adult population in any given year."
c. "Nearly 50% of all people age 15 to 55 have had a psychiatric disorder at some time
in their lives."
d. Unfortunately, there are no answers to your question. -Correct Answer ✔b
6. The nurse who interviews K notes she is profoundly depressed with thought of
wanting to die. Took an unknown amount of pills yesterday. She has refused to do
activities of daily living such as bathing. She also has not eaten for the past 5 days,
according to her husband. The nurse will code her global assessment of functioning as
a. 100
b. 50
c. 25
d. 10 -Correct Answer ✔d
7. Maslow offers a theory of human motivation that assumes patients have:
Mental Health exam 1
,Mental Health exam 1
a. Developmental tasks and psychosocial crisis
b. a hierarchy of needs
c. the process of schemata, assimilation and accommodation
d. all of the above -Correct Answer ✔b
8. Which statement allows the nurse to suspect that the developmental task of infancy,
according to Erickson, was not successfully completed?
a. "I'm afraid to allow anyone to really get to know me."
b "I'm absolutely right, so don't bother saying more."
c "I'm so ashamed because I didn't do it correctly in the first place."
d "Andy and I are very close friends." -Correct Answer ✔a
9. T, a 39-year-old businesswoman and single parent of three, is experiencing many
feelings of inadequacy in her job and family situation since her 16-year-old daughter ran
away several weeks ago. T seeks the help of a therapist specializing in cognitive
therapy. The nurse psychotherapist using cognitive therapy will treat T by
a. focusing on unconscious mental processes
b. negatively reinforcing an undesirable behavior
c. discussing ego states
d. helping her identify and change faulty thinking -Correct Answer ✔d
11. Which of the principles of planning nursing intervention to meet client goals is
violated in this scenario? Goal: Client will, with the aid of staff, remain safe while in the
hospital. Interventions: Allow client to attend off unit programming unsupervised. Client
can access all personal belongings.
a. The interventions are not nursing focused.
b. The interventions are not individualized.
c. The interventions are not safe.
d. The interventions are not relevant to the goal. -Correct Answer ✔c
12. The nurse must plan interventions directed toward meeting the client goal: Client will
remain safe during hospitalization with the assistance of staff. Which nursing
intervention is related to this goal?
a. Encourage patient to discuss relationship with family members.
b. Assist client to identify three personal weaknesses.
c. Observe client for therapeutic effects of psychotropic medication.
d. Implement suicide precautions. -Correct Answer ✔d
13. A nurse behavior that jeopardizes the boundaries of the nurse-client relationship is
a. Focusing on the client's needs.
b. Allowing the relationship to become social.
c. Suspending judgment.
d. Recognizing the need for supervision. -Correct Answer ✔b
Mental Health exam 1
,Mental Health exam 1
14. P is being admitted to the psychiatric unit by Nurse G. P was brought to the
emergency department after making a suicide attempt by taking an overdose of
acetaminophen (Tylenol). P has been lavaged. She appears tense, withdrawn, and
frightened. A therapeutic, empathetic response would be that Nurse G tells her:
a. "I'd like to sit here with you".
b. Tell me more about the suicidal attempt"
c. It must be frightening to have just gone through all you have".
d. What exactly was going on with you before you tried to hurt yourself". -Correct
Answer ✔c
Which statement given below would be an example showing that Nurse G is using an
open ended exploring question with her patient:
a. "Do you think the medications are helping you?"
b. "When were you born?"
c. "Is there mental illness in your family?"
d. "Tell me more about what was going on before your suicide attempt." -Correct
Answer ✔d
What behavior on the part of Nurse G will produce the evaluation that termination of the
therapeutic nurse-client relationship with P, a client, has been handled successfully?
a. He gives P his personal telephone number and permission to call after her discharge.
b. He avoids upsetting P by gradually focusing on other clients beginning 1 week prior
to her discharge.
c. He summarizes with P the changes that have happened during their time together
and evaluates goal attainment.
d. He offers to meet P for coffee and conversation three times a week for 2 weeks after
her discharge. -Correct Answer ✔c
The nurse caring for an angry manipulative client finds himself feeling angry with the
client. The nurse should initially:
a. refuse to care for the patient
b. let the client know how he feels
c. tell the nurse manager to assign the client to another nurse
d. deal with his feelings in a supervisory session -Correct Answer ✔d
As L converses with the nurse, she states, "I dreamed I was stoned. When I woke up, I
was feeling emotionally drained as though I hadn't rested well." If the nurse needs
clarification of "stoned," it would be appropriate to say,
a. "It sounds as though you were quite uncomfortable with the content of your dream."
b. "Can you give me an example of what you mean by stoned?"
c. "I understand what you're saying. Bad dreams leave me feeling tired, too."
d. "So, all in all, you feel as though you had a rather poor night's sleep?" -Correct
Answer ✔b
During the first interview with a restless young man, the nurse notices that he does not
make eye contact throughout most of the interview. It can correctly be assumed that
Mental Health exam 1
, Mental Health exam 1
a. he is not to be trusted in what he says because he is evasive
b. he is really feeling sad and can't look the nurse in the eye
c. he is shy and the nurse must move slowly
d. more data is needed to draw a conclusion -Correct Answer ✔d
Which remark by the nurse would be an appropriate way to begin a therapeutic 1:1
session?
a. "How shall we start today?"
b. "Shall we talk about losing your privileges yesterday?"
c. "What happened when your husband came to visit yesterday?"
d. Tell me what led up to your hospitalization? -Correct Answer ✔a
A client tells the nurse, "I don't think I'll ever get out of here." A therapeutic response
would be
a. Why do you feel that way?
b. "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
c. "You don't think you're making progress?"
d. "Keep up the good work, and you certainly will." -Correct Answer ✔c
In a session J cries as the nurse explores her relationship with her deceased mother. J
sobs, "I shouldn't be blubbering like this." A statement by the nurse that will hinder
communication is
a. "The relationship with your mother is very painful for you."
b. "I can see that you feel sad about this situation."
c. "Why do you think you are feeling so upset?"
d. "Crying is a way of expressing the hurt you're experiencing." -Correct Answer ✔c
What is the legal significance of the nurse's action when a client verbally refuses his
medication and the nurse gives it over his objection?
a. The nurse can be charged with battery.
b. The nurse can be charged with negligence.
c. The nurse can be charged with malpractice.
d. No charges can be brought against the nurse. -Correct Answer ✔a
S is a newly admitted acutely psychotic client. She is a private client of the chief of staff
and a private-pay client. To whom does the psychiatric nurse caring for S owe the duty
of care?
a. Physician
b. Health care agency
c. Client
d. Profession -Correct Answer ✔c
T is an involuntary client on a psychiatric inpatient unit. He asks the nurse for a 5 day
release for discharge. The best response for the nurse to make would be
a. "I can't give you those forms without your doctor's knowledge."
Mental Health exam 1
