Mental Health Nursing Exam Prep:
Therapeutic Communication, Safety,
and Recovery-Based Care Questions
Verified and Provided with A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated
2026
A nurse is assessing a client who is disoriented to time and place, attempting to get out of bed
without assistance, and reports left leg pain and weakness. According to Standard 2 of the
standards of practice for mental health nurses, which of the following should the nurse identify
as the priority finding?
Confusion
Safety
Leg pain
Weakness
Safety
When using the safety/risk reduction priority framework, the nurse should identify that the
priority finding to address for this client is the potential for possible injury because they are
trying to get out of bed without assistance.
A nurse is teaching an adolescent client the importance of taking their prescribed medication in
the afternoon so that they will be able to sleep an adequate number of hours at night. Which of
the following Standards of Practice is this an example of?
Standard 5B Health Teaching and Health Promotion
Standard 1 Assessment
Standard 3 Outcomes Identification
Standard 5A Coordination of Care
Standard 5B Health Teaching and Health Promotion
This is an example of Standard 5B Health Teaching and Health Promotion because it primarily
involves teaching about medication and medication administration times.
,A nurse is interviewing a client who wants to start an exercise regimen. Which of the following
client behaviors indicates that the nurse has successfully focused with the client?
Admits to their desire to exercise and improve their overall health
Discusses their previous medical history and attempts with treatment
Talks about how a lack of exercise has impacted their relationship with their partner
Expresses confidence about exercising when tired using a scale of 0 to 10
Talks about how a lack of exercise has impacted their relationship with their partner
The nurse should identify that the client is focusing when the client describes how their
unhealthy behavior, or maladaptive defense mechanisms, affects their life. Once the nurse has
analyzed alternatives to the behaviors they can offer the client a variety of healthy alternatives.
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia with an exacerbation of hallucinations. The
client states, "I do not understand why the hallucinations have come back." The nurse should
explain that which of the following is the reason for the exacerbation of hallucinations?
Relapse
The SE model
Boundaries
Stigma
Relapse
Relapse is a common issue for clients who have serious mental illness (SMI), specifically those
who have schizophrenia. The nurse should include this reason in their explanation, so that the
client will understand what steps to take when manifestations arise.
A nurse is admitting a client to the chemical dependency unit. The client asks, "Why do you all
say that we alcoholics cannot completely be free of it?" Which of the following responses
should the nurse give?
"It sounds like you are motivated to work toward healing. You can view recovery as a process
and an outcome when you commit to abstinence."
"Once you start the medication, you should never have a desire for alcohol again."
"It sounds like you are ready to get started and achieve a full recovery from alcohol use. This is
definitely the only way to view healing."
"Are you willing to complete our full program with all the protocols and requirements?"
"It sounds like you are motivated to work toward healing. You can view recovery as a process
and an outcome when you commit to abstinence."
, This is the response the nurse should give. Recovery is viewed as a process and an outcome
with the inclusion of abstinence as a foundation of the treatment protocols.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a serious mental illness. The client's temperature is 37° C
(98.6° F), respiratory rate is 18/min, heart rate is 102/min, and blood pressure is 202/98 mm Hg.
The client is wearing a heavy coat and scarf. The temperature is 37.8° C (100° F) outside. The
client reaches for the nurse and says, "Kiss me baby! You know you want to!" Which of the
following findings should the nurse address first?
Heart rate
Comment to the nurse
Clothing choice of heavy coat
Blood pressure
Blood pressure
When using the airway, breathing, circulation approach to client care, the nurse should first
address the client's blood pressure because it is dangerously high and can lead to life-
threatening consequences.
A nurse is working to build rapport and trust with new clients. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
Explain the importance of treatment to a client who speaks a language different from the nurse.
Use clinical terminology to help a client better understand their diagnosis.
Fulfill a promise by allowing a client to visit with family members.
Minimize contact with a client who is angry.
Fulfill a promise by allowing a client to visit with family members.
This action by the nurse demonstrates fidelity, which in turn builds rapport.
A nurse is caring for a client who is requesting a prescription for a new medication. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
Inform the client that this will be discussed with their provider.
State, "Only doctors are allowed to write prescriptions for medications."
Recommend alternative options, such as attending an additional group therapy session.
Ask, "Why are you asking for another prescription when you already have one at home?"
Inform the client that this will be discussed with their provider.
Therapeutic Communication, Safety,
and Recovery-Based Care Questions
Verified and Provided with A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated
2026
A nurse is assessing a client who is disoriented to time and place, attempting to get out of bed
without assistance, and reports left leg pain and weakness. According to Standard 2 of the
standards of practice for mental health nurses, which of the following should the nurse identify
as the priority finding?
Confusion
Safety
Leg pain
Weakness
Safety
When using the safety/risk reduction priority framework, the nurse should identify that the
priority finding to address for this client is the potential for possible injury because they are
trying to get out of bed without assistance.
A nurse is teaching an adolescent client the importance of taking their prescribed medication in
the afternoon so that they will be able to sleep an adequate number of hours at night. Which of
the following Standards of Practice is this an example of?
Standard 5B Health Teaching and Health Promotion
Standard 1 Assessment
Standard 3 Outcomes Identification
Standard 5A Coordination of Care
Standard 5B Health Teaching and Health Promotion
This is an example of Standard 5B Health Teaching and Health Promotion because it primarily
involves teaching about medication and medication administration times.
,A nurse is interviewing a client who wants to start an exercise regimen. Which of the following
client behaviors indicates that the nurse has successfully focused with the client?
Admits to their desire to exercise and improve their overall health
Discusses their previous medical history and attempts with treatment
Talks about how a lack of exercise has impacted their relationship with their partner
Expresses confidence about exercising when tired using a scale of 0 to 10
Talks about how a lack of exercise has impacted their relationship with their partner
The nurse should identify that the client is focusing when the client describes how their
unhealthy behavior, or maladaptive defense mechanisms, affects their life. Once the nurse has
analyzed alternatives to the behaviors they can offer the client a variety of healthy alternatives.
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia with an exacerbation of hallucinations. The
client states, "I do not understand why the hallucinations have come back." The nurse should
explain that which of the following is the reason for the exacerbation of hallucinations?
Relapse
The SE model
Boundaries
Stigma
Relapse
Relapse is a common issue for clients who have serious mental illness (SMI), specifically those
who have schizophrenia. The nurse should include this reason in their explanation, so that the
client will understand what steps to take when manifestations arise.
A nurse is admitting a client to the chemical dependency unit. The client asks, "Why do you all
say that we alcoholics cannot completely be free of it?" Which of the following responses
should the nurse give?
"It sounds like you are motivated to work toward healing. You can view recovery as a process
and an outcome when you commit to abstinence."
"Once you start the medication, you should never have a desire for alcohol again."
"It sounds like you are ready to get started and achieve a full recovery from alcohol use. This is
definitely the only way to view healing."
"Are you willing to complete our full program with all the protocols and requirements?"
"It sounds like you are motivated to work toward healing. You can view recovery as a process
and an outcome when you commit to abstinence."
, This is the response the nurse should give. Recovery is viewed as a process and an outcome
with the inclusion of abstinence as a foundation of the treatment protocols.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a serious mental illness. The client's temperature is 37° C
(98.6° F), respiratory rate is 18/min, heart rate is 102/min, and blood pressure is 202/98 mm Hg.
The client is wearing a heavy coat and scarf. The temperature is 37.8° C (100° F) outside. The
client reaches for the nurse and says, "Kiss me baby! You know you want to!" Which of the
following findings should the nurse address first?
Heart rate
Comment to the nurse
Clothing choice of heavy coat
Blood pressure
Blood pressure
When using the airway, breathing, circulation approach to client care, the nurse should first
address the client's blood pressure because it is dangerously high and can lead to life-
threatening consequences.
A nurse is working to build rapport and trust with new clients. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
Explain the importance of treatment to a client who speaks a language different from the nurse.
Use clinical terminology to help a client better understand their diagnosis.
Fulfill a promise by allowing a client to visit with family members.
Minimize contact with a client who is angry.
Fulfill a promise by allowing a client to visit with family members.
This action by the nurse demonstrates fidelity, which in turn builds rapport.
A nurse is caring for a client who is requesting a prescription for a new medication. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
Inform the client that this will be discussed with their provider.
State, "Only doctors are allowed to write prescriptions for medications."
Recommend alternative options, such as attending an additional group therapy session.
Ask, "Why are you asking for another prescription when you already have one at home?"
Inform the client that this will be discussed with their provider.
