NURS 3381 Exam 2 Questions and Answers Fully Solved Latest Version 2025-2026
Planning for patients with mental illness is facilitated by understanding that inpatient hospitalization is
generally reserved for patients who: - Answerspresent a clear danger to self or others
A patient is hospitalized for a reaction to a psychotropic medication and then is closely monitored for 24
hours. During a predischarge visit, the case manager learns the patient received a notice of eviction on
the day of admission. The most appropriate intervention for the case manager is to: - Answersarrange a
temporary place for the patient to stay until new housing can be arranged.
A multidisciplinary health care team meets 12 hours after an adolescent is hospitalized after a suicide
attempt. Members of the team report their assessments. What outcome can be expected from this
meeting? - AnswersA treatment plan will be determined.
The relapse of a patient with schizophrenia is related to medication noncompliance. The patient is
hospitalized for 5 days, medication is restarted, and the patient's thoughts are now more organized. The
patient's family members are upset and say, "It's too soon about the patient being scheduled for
discharge. Hospitalization is needed for at least a month." The nurse should: - Answersexplain that the
patient will continue to improve if medication is taken regularly.
A nurse assesses an inpatient psychiatric unit, noting that exits are free from obstruction, no one is
smoking, the janitor's closet is locked, and all sharp objects are being used under staff supervision. These
observations relate to: - Answersmanagement of milieu safety
The following patients are seen in the emergency department. The psychiatric unit has one bed
available. Which patient should the admitting officer recommend for admission to the hospital? The
patient who: - Answerswho is a single parent and hears voices saying, "Smother your infant."
A student nurse prepares to administer oral medications to a patient with major depression, but the
patient refuses the medication. The student nurse should: - Answersexplore the patient's concerns
about the medication, and report to the staff nurse
A nurse surveys the medical records for violations of patients' rights. Which finding signals a violation? -
AnswersNo treatment plan is present in record
Which principle takes priority for the psychiatric inpatient staff when addressing behavioral crises? -
AnswersResolve behavioral crises with the least restrictive intervention possible.
To provide comprehensive care to patients, which competency is more important for a nurse who works
in a community mental health center than a psychiatric nurse who works in an inpatient unit? -
AnswersAbility to cross service systems
A suspicious and socially isolated patient lives alone, eats one meal a day at a nearby shelter, and spends
the remaining daily food allowance on cigarettes. Select the community psychiatric nurse's best initial
action. - AnswersAssess the patient's weight; determine the foods and amounts eaten
,A patient with schizophrenia has been stable in the community. Today, the spouse reports the patient is
delusional and explosive. The patient says, "I'm willing to take my medicine, but I forgot to get my
prescription refilled." Which outcome should the nurse add to the plan of care? - AnswersPatient's
spouse will mark dates for prescription refills on the family calendar.
A community mental health nurse has worked for 6 months to establish a relationship with a delusional,
suspicious patient. The patient recently lost employment and stopped taking medications because of
inadequate money. The patient says, "Only a traitor would make me go to the hospital." Which solution
is best? - AnswersNegotiate a way to provide medication so the patient can remain at home.
A community psychiatric nurse facilitates medication compliance for a patient by having the health care
provider prescribe depot medications by injection every 3 weeks at the clinic. For this plan to be
successful, which factor will be of critical importance? - AnswersAvailability of transportation to the
clinic
Which assessment finding for a patient in the community requires priority intervention by the nurse?
The patient: - Answerspurchases and uses marijuana on a frequent basis.
A patient tells the nurse at the clinic, "I haven't been taking my antidepressant medication as directed. I
leave out the midday dose. I have lunch with friends and don't want them to ask me about the pills."
Select the nurse's most appropriate intervention - AnswersInvestigate the possibility of once-daily
dosing of the antidepressant.
A community psychiatric nurse assesses that a patient with a mood disorder is more depressed than on
the previous visit a month ago; however, the patient says, "I feel the same." Which intervention
supports the nurse's assessment while preserving the patient's autonomy? - AnswersSchedule weekly
clinic appointments
A patient hurriedly tells the community mental health nurse, "Everything's a disaster! I can't
concentrate. My disability check didn't come. My roommate moved out, and I can't afford the rent. My
therapist is moving away. I feel like I'm coming apart." Which nursing diagnosis applies? -
AnswersAnxiety, related to changes perceived as threatening to psychological equilibrium
Which patient would a nurse refer to partial hospitalization? An individual who: - Answersstates, "I'm
not sure I can avoid using alcohol when my spouse goes to work every morning."
Which employer's health plan is required to include parity provisions related to mental illnesses? -
AnswersEmployer with more than 50 employees
Which scenario best demonstrates an example of eustress? An individual: - Answersprepares to take a 1
week vacation to a tropical island with a group of close friends.
A patient with liver failure has been on the transplant waiting list for 8 months. The patient says to the
nurse, "Why is it taking so long to have the surgery? Maybe I'm meant to die for all the bad things I've
, done." The nurse should document the patient's comment in which section of the assessment? -
AnswersSpiritual
A person with a fear of heights drives across a high bridge. Which structure will stimulate a response
from the autonomic nervous system? - AnswersHypothalamus
A person with a fear of heights drives across a high bridge. Which division of the autonomic nervous
system is stimulated in response to this experience? - AnswersSympathetic nervous system
A patient is brought to the emergency department after a motorcycle accident. The patient is alert,
responsive, and diagnosed with a broken leg. The patient's vital signs are temperature (T), 98.6° F; pulse
(P), 72 beats per minute (bpm); and respirations (R), 16 breaths per minute. After being informed that
surgery is required for the broken leg, which vital sign readings would be expected? - AnswersT, 98.6°; P,
84; R, 22
As part of the stress response, the HPA axis is stimulated. Which structures make up this system? -
AnswersHypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands
Cortisol is released in response to a patient's prolonged stress. Which initial effect would the nurse
expect to result from the increased cortisol level? - AnswersFocused and alert mental status
A soldier returns to the United States from active duty in a combat zone in Afghanistan. The soldier is
diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The nurse's highest priority is to screen this soldier
for which problem? - AnswersMajor depression
A soldier returns to the United States from active duty in a combat zone in Afghanistan. The soldier is
diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which comment by the soldier requires the
nurse's immediate attention? - Answers"I saw my best friend get killed by a roadside bomb. It should
have been me instead."
A soldier returned home from active duty in a combat zone in Afghanistan and was diagnosed with post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The soldier says, "If there's a loud noise at night, I get under my bed
because I think we're getting bombed." What type of experience has the soldier described? -
AnswersFlashback
A soldier returned 3 months ago from Afghanistan and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). Which social event would most likely be disturbing for this soldier? - AnswersFireworks
display on July 4th
A soldier served in combat zones in Iraq in 2010 and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. When is it
most important for the nurse to screen for signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD)? - AnswersScreening should be ongoing
Planning for patients with mental illness is facilitated by understanding that inpatient hospitalization is
generally reserved for patients who: - Answerspresent a clear danger to self or others
A patient is hospitalized for a reaction to a psychotropic medication and then is closely monitored for 24
hours. During a predischarge visit, the case manager learns the patient received a notice of eviction on
the day of admission. The most appropriate intervention for the case manager is to: - Answersarrange a
temporary place for the patient to stay until new housing can be arranged.
A multidisciplinary health care team meets 12 hours after an adolescent is hospitalized after a suicide
attempt. Members of the team report their assessments. What outcome can be expected from this
meeting? - AnswersA treatment plan will be determined.
The relapse of a patient with schizophrenia is related to medication noncompliance. The patient is
hospitalized for 5 days, medication is restarted, and the patient's thoughts are now more organized. The
patient's family members are upset and say, "It's too soon about the patient being scheduled for
discharge. Hospitalization is needed for at least a month." The nurse should: - Answersexplain that the
patient will continue to improve if medication is taken regularly.
A nurse assesses an inpatient psychiatric unit, noting that exits are free from obstruction, no one is
smoking, the janitor's closet is locked, and all sharp objects are being used under staff supervision. These
observations relate to: - Answersmanagement of milieu safety
The following patients are seen in the emergency department. The psychiatric unit has one bed
available. Which patient should the admitting officer recommend for admission to the hospital? The
patient who: - Answerswho is a single parent and hears voices saying, "Smother your infant."
A student nurse prepares to administer oral medications to a patient with major depression, but the
patient refuses the medication. The student nurse should: - Answersexplore the patient's concerns
about the medication, and report to the staff nurse
A nurse surveys the medical records for violations of patients' rights. Which finding signals a violation? -
AnswersNo treatment plan is present in record
Which principle takes priority for the psychiatric inpatient staff when addressing behavioral crises? -
AnswersResolve behavioral crises with the least restrictive intervention possible.
To provide comprehensive care to patients, which competency is more important for a nurse who works
in a community mental health center than a psychiatric nurse who works in an inpatient unit? -
AnswersAbility to cross service systems
A suspicious and socially isolated patient lives alone, eats one meal a day at a nearby shelter, and spends
the remaining daily food allowance on cigarettes. Select the community psychiatric nurse's best initial
action. - AnswersAssess the patient's weight; determine the foods and amounts eaten
,A patient with schizophrenia has been stable in the community. Today, the spouse reports the patient is
delusional and explosive. The patient says, "I'm willing to take my medicine, but I forgot to get my
prescription refilled." Which outcome should the nurse add to the plan of care? - AnswersPatient's
spouse will mark dates for prescription refills on the family calendar.
A community mental health nurse has worked for 6 months to establish a relationship with a delusional,
suspicious patient. The patient recently lost employment and stopped taking medications because of
inadequate money. The patient says, "Only a traitor would make me go to the hospital." Which solution
is best? - AnswersNegotiate a way to provide medication so the patient can remain at home.
A community psychiatric nurse facilitates medication compliance for a patient by having the health care
provider prescribe depot medications by injection every 3 weeks at the clinic. For this plan to be
successful, which factor will be of critical importance? - AnswersAvailability of transportation to the
clinic
Which assessment finding for a patient in the community requires priority intervention by the nurse?
The patient: - Answerspurchases and uses marijuana on a frequent basis.
A patient tells the nurse at the clinic, "I haven't been taking my antidepressant medication as directed. I
leave out the midday dose. I have lunch with friends and don't want them to ask me about the pills."
Select the nurse's most appropriate intervention - AnswersInvestigate the possibility of once-daily
dosing of the antidepressant.
A community psychiatric nurse assesses that a patient with a mood disorder is more depressed than on
the previous visit a month ago; however, the patient says, "I feel the same." Which intervention
supports the nurse's assessment while preserving the patient's autonomy? - AnswersSchedule weekly
clinic appointments
A patient hurriedly tells the community mental health nurse, "Everything's a disaster! I can't
concentrate. My disability check didn't come. My roommate moved out, and I can't afford the rent. My
therapist is moving away. I feel like I'm coming apart." Which nursing diagnosis applies? -
AnswersAnxiety, related to changes perceived as threatening to psychological equilibrium
Which patient would a nurse refer to partial hospitalization? An individual who: - Answersstates, "I'm
not sure I can avoid using alcohol when my spouse goes to work every morning."
Which employer's health plan is required to include parity provisions related to mental illnesses? -
AnswersEmployer with more than 50 employees
Which scenario best demonstrates an example of eustress? An individual: - Answersprepares to take a 1
week vacation to a tropical island with a group of close friends.
A patient with liver failure has been on the transplant waiting list for 8 months. The patient says to the
nurse, "Why is it taking so long to have the surgery? Maybe I'm meant to die for all the bad things I've
, done." The nurse should document the patient's comment in which section of the assessment? -
AnswersSpiritual
A person with a fear of heights drives across a high bridge. Which structure will stimulate a response
from the autonomic nervous system? - AnswersHypothalamus
A person with a fear of heights drives across a high bridge. Which division of the autonomic nervous
system is stimulated in response to this experience? - AnswersSympathetic nervous system
A patient is brought to the emergency department after a motorcycle accident. The patient is alert,
responsive, and diagnosed with a broken leg. The patient's vital signs are temperature (T), 98.6° F; pulse
(P), 72 beats per minute (bpm); and respirations (R), 16 breaths per minute. After being informed that
surgery is required for the broken leg, which vital sign readings would be expected? - AnswersT, 98.6°; P,
84; R, 22
As part of the stress response, the HPA axis is stimulated. Which structures make up this system? -
AnswersHypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands
Cortisol is released in response to a patient's prolonged stress. Which initial effect would the nurse
expect to result from the increased cortisol level? - AnswersFocused and alert mental status
A soldier returns to the United States from active duty in a combat zone in Afghanistan. The soldier is
diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The nurse's highest priority is to screen this soldier
for which problem? - AnswersMajor depression
A soldier returns to the United States from active duty in a combat zone in Afghanistan. The soldier is
diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which comment by the soldier requires the
nurse's immediate attention? - Answers"I saw my best friend get killed by a roadside bomb. It should
have been me instead."
A soldier returned home from active duty in a combat zone in Afghanistan and was diagnosed with post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The soldier says, "If there's a loud noise at night, I get under my bed
because I think we're getting bombed." What type of experience has the soldier described? -
AnswersFlashback
A soldier returned 3 months ago from Afghanistan and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). Which social event would most likely be disturbing for this soldier? - AnswersFireworks
display on July 4th
A soldier served in combat zones in Iraq in 2010 and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. When is it
most important for the nurse to screen for signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD)? - AnswersScreening should be ongoing
