Mental Health Exam Preparation
1.
Anthony is a 40-year-old patient who lost his job recently and wishes that he was back home living with
his parents. Anthony has been noted to do things he used to do when he was a child. Anthony is going
through a period of regression. Regression is best defined as:
A retreat to a less stressful time in one's life.
An immature response technique.
An assertive response.
A therapeutic mechanism.
2.
Why is it important for a nurse to review a patient's chart during the Pre-interaction phase?
To prepare for potential medication administration
To gather information for effective therapeutic communication
To establish a personal relationship with the patient
To determine the patient's financial status
3.
Explain the ethical principle of maleficence in nursing practice and its significance.
It emphasizes the importance of patient confidentiality.
It focuses on the obligation to avoid causing harm to patients.
It encourages nurses to advocate for patient rights.
It requires nurses to provide equal care to all patients.
4.
In your own words, explain the significance of establishing trust during the Orientation phase in
psychiatric nursing.
It helps in medication administration.
It fosters a safe environment for patient disclosure.
,It allows for quicker diagnosis.
It reduces the need for follow-up sessions.
5.
What does veracity refer to in the context of ethical behavior?
Upholding promises and commitments
Respecting self and others
Telling the truth and being honest
Following academic policies and guidelines
6.
A newly admitted patient is being treated for major depressive disorder (MDD). Which of the following
medications would be considered first-line treatment for major depression?
Atomoxetine
Risperidone
Citalopram
Amitriptyline
7.
What is the primary cause of Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) in patients?
Excessive physical activity
Certain medications, particularly antipsychotics
Nutritional deficiencies
Genetic predisposition
8.
A psychiatric nurse is considering a job offer in a telehealth setting. What should the nurse consider
regarding the differences in patient interaction compared to an inpatient environment?
Telehealth requires less documentation than inpatient care.
Inpatient care allows for more immediate physical assessments.
, Telehealth eliminates the need for therapeutic communication.
Inpatient care is less regulated than telehealth.
9.
What is the primary purpose of restating in therapeutic communication?
To provide advice to the patient
To confirm understanding of the patient's message
To summarize the entire conversation
To express empathy towards the patient
10.
A patient expresses feelings of guilt about not being able to support their family while in treatment. If
the nurse chooses to use restating as a therapeutic communication technique, which of the following
responses would be most appropriate?
'You feel guilty about not being there for your family.'
'You should focus on your recovery instead.'
'Why do you think you feel that way?'
'Let's talk about your family's needs instead.'
11.
A nurse observes that a patient with schizophrenia, who has just started on typical antipsychotic
medication, is experiencing severe facial muscle rigidity and difficulty swallowing. What should the
nurse's immediate action be?
Administer a dose of the antipsychotic medication.
Document the symptoms and monitor the patient.
Notify the physician and prepare to administer an anticholinergic medication.
Reassure the patient that these symptoms are normal.
12.
A client states, 'I refuse to shower in this room. I must be very cautious. The FBI has placed a camera in
here to monitor my every move.' What response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
1.
Anthony is a 40-year-old patient who lost his job recently and wishes that he was back home living with
his parents. Anthony has been noted to do things he used to do when he was a child. Anthony is going
through a period of regression. Regression is best defined as:
A retreat to a less stressful time in one's life.
An immature response technique.
An assertive response.
A therapeutic mechanism.
2.
Why is it important for a nurse to review a patient's chart during the Pre-interaction phase?
To prepare for potential medication administration
To gather information for effective therapeutic communication
To establish a personal relationship with the patient
To determine the patient's financial status
3.
Explain the ethical principle of maleficence in nursing practice and its significance.
It emphasizes the importance of patient confidentiality.
It focuses on the obligation to avoid causing harm to patients.
It encourages nurses to advocate for patient rights.
It requires nurses to provide equal care to all patients.
4.
In your own words, explain the significance of establishing trust during the Orientation phase in
psychiatric nursing.
It helps in medication administration.
It fosters a safe environment for patient disclosure.
,It allows for quicker diagnosis.
It reduces the need for follow-up sessions.
5.
What does veracity refer to in the context of ethical behavior?
Upholding promises and commitments
Respecting self and others
Telling the truth and being honest
Following academic policies and guidelines
6.
A newly admitted patient is being treated for major depressive disorder (MDD). Which of the following
medications would be considered first-line treatment for major depression?
Atomoxetine
Risperidone
Citalopram
Amitriptyline
7.
What is the primary cause of Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) in patients?
Excessive physical activity
Certain medications, particularly antipsychotics
Nutritional deficiencies
Genetic predisposition
8.
A psychiatric nurse is considering a job offer in a telehealth setting. What should the nurse consider
regarding the differences in patient interaction compared to an inpatient environment?
Telehealth requires less documentation than inpatient care.
Inpatient care allows for more immediate physical assessments.
, Telehealth eliminates the need for therapeutic communication.
Inpatient care is less regulated than telehealth.
9.
What is the primary purpose of restating in therapeutic communication?
To provide advice to the patient
To confirm understanding of the patient's message
To summarize the entire conversation
To express empathy towards the patient
10.
A patient expresses feelings of guilt about not being able to support their family while in treatment. If
the nurse chooses to use restating as a therapeutic communication technique, which of the following
responses would be most appropriate?
'You feel guilty about not being there for your family.'
'You should focus on your recovery instead.'
'Why do you think you feel that way?'
'Let's talk about your family's needs instead.'
11.
A nurse observes that a patient with schizophrenia, who has just started on typical antipsychotic
medication, is experiencing severe facial muscle rigidity and difficulty swallowing. What should the
nurse's immediate action be?
Administer a dose of the antipsychotic medication.
Document the symptoms and monitor the patient.
Notify the physician and prepare to administer an anticholinergic medication.
Reassure the patient that these symptoms are normal.
12.
A client states, 'I refuse to shower in this room. I must be very cautious. The FBI has placed a camera in
here to monitor my every move.' What response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
