Chapter 10: The Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nursing Process Exam Questions
With Correct Solutions
1. Which of the following questions would be most helpful in beginning an initial
assessment interview for a patient who has just been admitted to a psychiatric inpatient
unit?
A) Have you had any previous psychiatric admissions?
B) What brings you into the hospital today?
C) Have you had any thoughts about trying to harm yourself?
D) How would you describe your relationship with your spouse? - CORRECT ANSWER-
B) What brings you into the hospital today?
2. A patient is being admitted to the psychiatric unit. While explaining his reason for
seeking admission, he describes how his 32-year-old son recently died of a heart
attack. Which response by the nurse would enhance the effectiveness of this interview?
A) How is your wife handling your son's death?
B) Do you have any other living children that can help you cope with this loss?
C) This must be a very difficult time for you.
D) I know exactly how you're feeling; my 23-year-old son died unexpectedly last year. -
CORRECT ANSWER-C) This must be a very difficult time for you.
3. A patient was admitted to the hospital after a suicide attempt made after his daughter
was killed in an automobile accident during which he had been driving and survived with
only minor injuries. Even though the accident was unavoidable, he feels responsible.
During the assessment interview, the patient begins to describe the last conversation he
had with his daughter before he lost control of the automobile. As he speaks about his
daughter, his voice trembles, and a silent tear rolls down his face. He makes a visible
attempt to straighten up and smiles superficially at the nurse, stating, I'll get over this. I
, just need to keep a stiff upper lip. I think all I need to do is stay overnight. I'll be as good
as new by tomorrow. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
A) Tell me about your daughter. How would you describe the relationship you had with
her?
B) I'm sure you are right; a good night's rest - CORRECT ANSWER-D) You made a
serious attempt on your life; you will not be ready go home by tomorrow.
4. After assessing a patient, the nurse noted the following: he was tearful, he tried to kill
himself before coming into the hospital, he had no immediate plan for another suicide
attempt, he was unable to concentrate, and he reported having trouble sleeping and
having little or no appetite. The nurse also noted that the patient's appearance was
unkempt, that he spoke in a low monotone, and that he was unable to establish and
maintain eye contact. Based on this information, which nursing diagnoses would
be the most appropriate?
A) Ineffective Role Performance
B) Risk for Infection
C) Risk for Suicide
D) Risk for Self-Mutilation - CORRECT ANSWER-C) Risk for Suicide
5. A staff nurse on a psychiatric unit knows that patients often have trouble sleeping
because of their psychiatric conditions. Which of the following would reflect a psychiatric
nursing intervention to
appropriately address this problem?
A) Limiting amounts of evening snacks and beverages
B) Involving patients in a volleyball game immediately before bedtime
C) Enforcing the rule that all patients be in bed with lights out by 10:30 PM
D) Encouraging patients to take short naps in the afternoons - CORRECT ANSWER-A)
Limiting amounts of evening snacks and beverages
Health Nursing Process Exam Questions
With Correct Solutions
1. Which of the following questions would be most helpful in beginning an initial
assessment interview for a patient who has just been admitted to a psychiatric inpatient
unit?
A) Have you had any previous psychiatric admissions?
B) What brings you into the hospital today?
C) Have you had any thoughts about trying to harm yourself?
D) How would you describe your relationship with your spouse? - CORRECT ANSWER-
B) What brings you into the hospital today?
2. A patient is being admitted to the psychiatric unit. While explaining his reason for
seeking admission, he describes how his 32-year-old son recently died of a heart
attack. Which response by the nurse would enhance the effectiveness of this interview?
A) How is your wife handling your son's death?
B) Do you have any other living children that can help you cope with this loss?
C) This must be a very difficult time for you.
D) I know exactly how you're feeling; my 23-year-old son died unexpectedly last year. -
CORRECT ANSWER-C) This must be a very difficult time for you.
3. A patient was admitted to the hospital after a suicide attempt made after his daughter
was killed in an automobile accident during which he had been driving and survived with
only minor injuries. Even though the accident was unavoidable, he feels responsible.
During the assessment interview, the patient begins to describe the last conversation he
had with his daughter before he lost control of the automobile. As he speaks about his
daughter, his voice trembles, and a silent tear rolls down his face. He makes a visible
attempt to straighten up and smiles superficially at the nurse, stating, I'll get over this. I
, just need to keep a stiff upper lip. I think all I need to do is stay overnight. I'll be as good
as new by tomorrow. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
A) Tell me about your daughter. How would you describe the relationship you had with
her?
B) I'm sure you are right; a good night's rest - CORRECT ANSWER-D) You made a
serious attempt on your life; you will not be ready go home by tomorrow.
4. After assessing a patient, the nurse noted the following: he was tearful, he tried to kill
himself before coming into the hospital, he had no immediate plan for another suicide
attempt, he was unable to concentrate, and he reported having trouble sleeping and
having little or no appetite. The nurse also noted that the patient's appearance was
unkempt, that he spoke in a low monotone, and that he was unable to establish and
maintain eye contact. Based on this information, which nursing diagnoses would
be the most appropriate?
A) Ineffective Role Performance
B) Risk for Infection
C) Risk for Suicide
D) Risk for Self-Mutilation - CORRECT ANSWER-C) Risk for Suicide
5. A staff nurse on a psychiatric unit knows that patients often have trouble sleeping
because of their psychiatric conditions. Which of the following would reflect a psychiatric
nursing intervention to
appropriately address this problem?
A) Limiting amounts of evening snacks and beverages
B) Involving patients in a volleyball game immediately before bedtime
C) Enforcing the rule that all patients be in bed with lights out by 10:30 PM
D) Encouraging patients to take short naps in the afternoons - CORRECT ANSWER-A)
Limiting amounts of evening snacks and beverages
