NURS 322 Exam 1 – Mental Health Nursing 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NURS 322 Exam 1 – Mental Health Nursing 2026
UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NURS 322 Exam 1 – Mental Health Nursing 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Which of the following describes the ethical principle of ‘Autonomy’?
A. The duty to do good and maximize benefits for others.
B. The duty to tell the truth and be honest with the patient.
C. The obligation to be fair and distribute resources equally.
D. The right of the patient to make their own decisions regarding treatment.
Answer: D
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to self-determination and making their own healthcare
choices. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making
a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. During which phase of the nurse-patient relationship are goals for treatment primarily
established?
A. Pre-orientation phase
B. Termination phase
C. Orientation phase
D. Working phase
Answer: C
Rationale: The orientation phase involves establishing rapport, defining parameters, and setting mutual goals.
Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient
outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
3. A patient is admitted involuntarily because they are a danger to themselves. What right does
the patient still retain?
A. The right to refuse medication, unless it is an emergency.
B. The right to immediate discharge upon request.
C. The right to leave the hospital at any time.
D. The right to ignore all unit safety rules.
Answer: A
Rationale: Even involuntary patients retain the right to refuse medication in non- emergency situations,
depending on state laws and specific court orders. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NURS 322 Exam 1 – Mental Health Nursing 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which defense mechanism involves shifting feelings from a threatening target to a less
threatening one?
A. Sublimation
B. Rationalization
C. Displacement
D. Projection
Answer: C
Rationale: Displacement is the transfer of feelings to another person or object that is less threatening. Applying
this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. This
is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C) requires understanding both the
pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
5. A nurse tells a patient, ‘I’ll stay here with you for a while.’ Which therapeutic communication
technique is this?
A. Giving recognition
B. Restating
C. Offering self
D. Formulating a plan
Answer: C
Rationale: Offering self makes the nurse’s presence available to the patient unconditionally. Recognizing this
principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear
rationale essential for mastery.
6. What is the primary goal of Milieu Therapy?
A. To ensure the patient follows all rules strictly.
B. To provide a structured and safe environment for recovery.
C. To administer the highest dose of medication possible.
D. To isolate the patient from all social triggers.
Answer: B
Rationale: Milieu therapy creates a safe, structured environment where the patient can learn and practice
adaptive coping skills. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and
improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (B)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NURS 322 Exam 1 – Mental Health Nursing 2026
UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NURS 322 Exam 1 – Mental Health Nursing 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Which of the following describes the ethical principle of ‘Autonomy’?
A. The duty to do good and maximize benefits for others.
B. The duty to tell the truth and be honest with the patient.
C. The obligation to be fair and distribute resources equally.
D. The right of the patient to make their own decisions regarding treatment.
Answer: D
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to self-determination and making their own healthcare
choices. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making
a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. During which phase of the nurse-patient relationship are goals for treatment primarily
established?
A. Pre-orientation phase
B. Termination phase
C. Orientation phase
D. Working phase
Answer: C
Rationale: The orientation phase involves establishing rapport, defining parameters, and setting mutual goals.
Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient
outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
3. A patient is admitted involuntarily because they are a danger to themselves. What right does
the patient still retain?
A. The right to refuse medication, unless it is an emergency.
B. The right to immediate discharge upon request.
C. The right to leave the hospital at any time.
D. The right to ignore all unit safety rules.
Answer: A
Rationale: Even involuntary patients retain the right to refuse medication in non- emergency situations,
depending on state laws and specific court orders. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NURS 322 Exam 1 – Mental Health Nursing 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which defense mechanism involves shifting feelings from a threatening target to a less
threatening one?
A. Sublimation
B. Rationalization
C. Displacement
D. Projection
Answer: C
Rationale: Displacement is the transfer of feelings to another person or object that is less threatening. Applying
this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. This
is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C) requires understanding both the
pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
5. A nurse tells a patient, ‘I’ll stay here with you for a while.’ Which therapeutic communication
technique is this?
A. Giving recognition
B. Restating
C. Offering self
D. Formulating a plan
Answer: C
Rationale: Offering self makes the nurse’s presence available to the patient unconditionally. Recognizing this
principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear
rationale essential for mastery.
6. What is the primary goal of Milieu Therapy?
A. To ensure the patient follows all rules strictly.
B. To provide a structured and safe environment for recovery.
C. To administer the highest dose of medication possible.
D. To isolate the patient from all social triggers.
Answer: B
Rationale: Milieu therapy creates a safe, structured environment where the patient can learn and practice
adaptive coping skills. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and
improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (B)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
