NUR 384 Exam 4 – Mental Health Nursing –
(2026) Actual Questions & Answers
(Concordia) 100% Guarantee Pass
SECTION 1: CRISIS INTERVENTION & THERAPIES
1. The nurse should intervene using which approach for a patient in an
immediate crisis?
• A) Crisis intervention
• B) Psychotherapy
• C) Medication management
• D) Psychoanalysis
Answer: A) Crisis intervention
Rationale: Crisis intervention is a short-term, focused approach to help patients
cope with an immediate crisis. It aims to restore equilibrium and prevent long-
term psychological damage. Crisis intervention is different from long-term
psychotherapy. The goal is to stabilize the patient and connect them with
appropriate resources .
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy
(CBT). The nurse understands that CBT focuses on:
• A) Unconscious conflicts
• B) Maladaptive thoughts and behaviors
• C) Family dynamics
• D) Medication management
,Answer: B) Maladaptive thoughts and behaviors
Rationale: CBT is based on the cognitive model, which posits that thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. Maladaptive thoughts lead to negative
emotions and behaviors. CBT aims to identify and change these patterns. It is an
evidence-based treatment for many mental health disorders .
3. A patient is prescribed an antidepressant. The nurse should educate the
patient that the medication may take how long to produce a therapeutic effect?
• A) 1-2 days
• B) 1-2 weeks
• C) 2-4 weeks
• D) Immediate
Answer: C) 2-4 weeks
Rationale: Antidepressants typically take 2-4 weeks to produce a therapeutic
effect. Patients should be educated about this delay to prevent premature
discontinuation .
4. Which statement by a client taking fluoxetine (Prozac) for major depressive
disorder indicates a need for further teaching?
• A) "I might not feel better for a couple of weeks."
• B) "I will take this medication in the morning to avoid trouble sleeping."
• C) "If I feel completely cured, I can stop taking the medication."
• D) "I should not take over-the-counter cold medicine without checking with
my doctor."
Answer: C) "If I feel completely cured, I can stop taking the medication."
,Rationale: Antidepressants must be tapered gradually to prevent withdrawal
symptoms and relapse. Stopping abruptly is dangerous. The other statements are
correct regarding SSRIs .
5. A client is prescribed buspirone for generalized anxiety disorder. The nurse
should teach the client that this medication:
• A) Can cause physical dependence and must be tapered off slowly
• B) Has a delayed onset of action and may take 2 to 4 weeks to work
• C) Should be taken only when feeling acutely anxious
• D) Will cause significant sedation and drowsiness
Answer: B) Has a delayed onset of action and may take 2 to 4 weeks to work
Rationale: Unlike benzodiazepines, buspirone is non-addictive and does not cause
significant sedation. However, it does not provide immediate relief; it takes 2 to 4
weeks to reach therapeutic effectiveness and must be taken on a scheduled basis .
6. A client on a psychiatric unit says to the nurse, "The government is monitoring
my thoughts through the television." Which nursing response is most
appropriate?
• A) "You know that isn't true. The TV is just a TV."
• B) "I don't see the government monitoring you, but I know you believe that.
It must be scary."
• C) "Let's turn off the TV so they can't monitor you."
• D) "Why do you think the government is interested in you?"
Answer: B) "I don't see the government monitoring you, but I know you believe
that. It must be scary."
, Rationale: This response validates the client's experience while gently providing
reality testing. It acknowledges that the delusion is real to the client without
agreeing with the content. Confronting the delusion or arguing is not therapeutic .
7. A client is experiencing a panic attack. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
• A) Ask the client to identify the cause of the panic
• B) Teach the client deep breathing and relaxation techniques
• C) Stay with the client and use short, calm, directive statements
• D) Leave the client alone in a quiet room to calm down
Answer: C) Stay with the client and use short, calm, directive statements
Rationale: During a panic attack, the client is highly anxious and cannot process
complex information. Leaving them alone is dangerous. The nurse must stay with
the client for safety and use brief, directive statements ("Breathe in... breathe
out") to help them regain control .
8. Which principle is most important when developing a discharge plan for a
patient with a mental health disorder?
• A) A comprehensive discharge plan promotes continuity of care and reduces
the risk of relapse
• B) The patient should be discharged as soon as possible to avoid
institutionalization
• C) Family should not be involved in the discharge plan
• D) Medications should be stopped before discharge to assess the patient's
baseline
(2026) Actual Questions & Answers
(Concordia) 100% Guarantee Pass
SECTION 1: CRISIS INTERVENTION & THERAPIES
1. The nurse should intervene using which approach for a patient in an
immediate crisis?
• A) Crisis intervention
• B) Psychotherapy
• C) Medication management
• D) Psychoanalysis
Answer: A) Crisis intervention
Rationale: Crisis intervention is a short-term, focused approach to help patients
cope with an immediate crisis. It aims to restore equilibrium and prevent long-
term psychological damage. Crisis intervention is different from long-term
psychotherapy. The goal is to stabilize the patient and connect them with
appropriate resources .
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy
(CBT). The nurse understands that CBT focuses on:
• A) Unconscious conflicts
• B) Maladaptive thoughts and behaviors
• C) Family dynamics
• D) Medication management
,Answer: B) Maladaptive thoughts and behaviors
Rationale: CBT is based on the cognitive model, which posits that thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. Maladaptive thoughts lead to negative
emotions and behaviors. CBT aims to identify and change these patterns. It is an
evidence-based treatment for many mental health disorders .
3. A patient is prescribed an antidepressant. The nurse should educate the
patient that the medication may take how long to produce a therapeutic effect?
• A) 1-2 days
• B) 1-2 weeks
• C) 2-4 weeks
• D) Immediate
Answer: C) 2-4 weeks
Rationale: Antidepressants typically take 2-4 weeks to produce a therapeutic
effect. Patients should be educated about this delay to prevent premature
discontinuation .
4. Which statement by a client taking fluoxetine (Prozac) for major depressive
disorder indicates a need for further teaching?
• A) "I might not feel better for a couple of weeks."
• B) "I will take this medication in the morning to avoid trouble sleeping."
• C) "If I feel completely cured, I can stop taking the medication."
• D) "I should not take over-the-counter cold medicine without checking with
my doctor."
Answer: C) "If I feel completely cured, I can stop taking the medication."
,Rationale: Antidepressants must be tapered gradually to prevent withdrawal
symptoms and relapse. Stopping abruptly is dangerous. The other statements are
correct regarding SSRIs .
5. A client is prescribed buspirone for generalized anxiety disorder. The nurse
should teach the client that this medication:
• A) Can cause physical dependence and must be tapered off slowly
• B) Has a delayed onset of action and may take 2 to 4 weeks to work
• C) Should be taken only when feeling acutely anxious
• D) Will cause significant sedation and drowsiness
Answer: B) Has a delayed onset of action and may take 2 to 4 weeks to work
Rationale: Unlike benzodiazepines, buspirone is non-addictive and does not cause
significant sedation. However, it does not provide immediate relief; it takes 2 to 4
weeks to reach therapeutic effectiveness and must be taken on a scheduled basis .
6. A client on a psychiatric unit says to the nurse, "The government is monitoring
my thoughts through the television." Which nursing response is most
appropriate?
• A) "You know that isn't true. The TV is just a TV."
• B) "I don't see the government monitoring you, but I know you believe that.
It must be scary."
• C) "Let's turn off the TV so they can't monitor you."
• D) "Why do you think the government is interested in you?"
Answer: B) "I don't see the government monitoring you, but I know you believe
that. It must be scary."
, Rationale: This response validates the client's experience while gently providing
reality testing. It acknowledges that the delusion is real to the client without
agreeing with the content. Confronting the delusion or arguing is not therapeutic .
7. A client is experiencing a panic attack. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
• A) Ask the client to identify the cause of the panic
• B) Teach the client deep breathing and relaxation techniques
• C) Stay with the client and use short, calm, directive statements
• D) Leave the client alone in a quiet room to calm down
Answer: C) Stay with the client and use short, calm, directive statements
Rationale: During a panic attack, the client is highly anxious and cannot process
complex information. Leaving them alone is dangerous. The nurse must stay with
the client for safety and use brief, directive statements ("Breathe in... breathe
out") to help them regain control .
8. Which principle is most important when developing a discharge plan for a
patient with a mental health disorder?
• A) A comprehensive discharge plan promotes continuity of care and reduces
the risk of relapse
• B) The patient should be discharged as soon as possible to avoid
institutionalization
• C) Family should not be involved in the discharge plan
• D) Medications should be stopped before discharge to assess the patient's
baseline
