NUR 2459 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
EXAM 1 (VERIFIED AND CORRECT Q &
A) SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
2026/2027
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is exhibiting severe anxiety and is pacing the hallway.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Ask the client to describe their feelings in detail.
B. Administer an as-needed dose of a benzodiazepine.
C. Instruct the client to practice deep breathing exercises.
D. Provide a quiet environment with low stimuli.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: For a client with severe anxiety, the priority is to reduce
environmental stimuli to prevent escalation to panic level. While deep breathing is helpful,
a quiet environment is the immediate safety intervention.
2. Which ethical principle is a nurse demonstrating when they respect a client’s right to refuse
psychotropic medication?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
,C. Beneficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Autonomy is the right of the individual to make their own
decisions. In mental health, this includes the right to refuse treatment, provided the client
is competent and not a danger to self or others.
3. During the working phase of the therapeutic relationship, which of the following is the
primary nursing goal?
A. Promoting the client’s problem-solving skills.
B. Establishing trust and rapport.
C. Defining the boundaries of the relationship.
D. Summarizing the progress made during therapy.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The working phase focuses on behavioral change, problem-
solving, and overcoming resistance. Rapport is established in the orientation phase, and
summarizing occurs in the termination phase.
4. A client tells the nurse, ‘I don’t think I can handle this anymore. Everything is just too
much.’ Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. ‘Why do you feel that way today?’
, B. ‘You have so much to live for; don’t give up.’
C. ‘It sounds like you are feeling overwhelmed. Tell me more about that.’
D. ‘Everyone feels that way sometimes.’
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: This response uses reflection and an open-ended prompt, which
encourages the client to express their feelings without judgment or false reassurance.
5. Which defense mechanism is a client using when they claim they are not angry, but then
proceed to slam the door and throw their belongings?
A. Denial
B. Reaction Formation
C. Displacement
D. Projection
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Denial involves the refusal to acknowledge the existence of a
real situation or the feelings associated with it. The client is explicitly denying the anger
while their actions show otherwise.
6. A nurse is assessing a client’s orientation. Which of the following components of the
Mental Status Examination (MSE) does this address?
A. Cognitive Function
EXAM 1 (VERIFIED AND CORRECT Q &
A) SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
2026/2027
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is exhibiting severe anxiety and is pacing the hallway.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Ask the client to describe their feelings in detail.
B. Administer an as-needed dose of a benzodiazepine.
C. Instruct the client to practice deep breathing exercises.
D. Provide a quiet environment with low stimuli.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: For a client with severe anxiety, the priority is to reduce
environmental stimuli to prevent escalation to panic level. While deep breathing is helpful,
a quiet environment is the immediate safety intervention.
2. Which ethical principle is a nurse demonstrating when they respect a client’s right to refuse
psychotropic medication?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
,C. Beneficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Autonomy is the right of the individual to make their own
decisions. In mental health, this includes the right to refuse treatment, provided the client
is competent and not a danger to self or others.
3. During the working phase of the therapeutic relationship, which of the following is the
primary nursing goal?
A. Promoting the client’s problem-solving skills.
B. Establishing trust and rapport.
C. Defining the boundaries of the relationship.
D. Summarizing the progress made during therapy.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The working phase focuses on behavioral change, problem-
solving, and overcoming resistance. Rapport is established in the orientation phase, and
summarizing occurs in the termination phase.
4. A client tells the nurse, ‘I don’t think I can handle this anymore. Everything is just too
much.’ Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. ‘Why do you feel that way today?’
, B. ‘You have so much to live for; don’t give up.’
C. ‘It sounds like you are feeling overwhelmed. Tell me more about that.’
D. ‘Everyone feels that way sometimes.’
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: This response uses reflection and an open-ended prompt, which
encourages the client to express their feelings without judgment or false reassurance.
5. Which defense mechanism is a client using when they claim they are not angry, but then
proceed to slam the door and throw their belongings?
A. Denial
B. Reaction Formation
C. Displacement
D. Projection
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Denial involves the refusal to acknowledge the existence of a
real situation or the feelings associated with it. The client is explicitly denying the anger
while their actions show otherwise.
6. A nurse is assessing a client’s orientation. Which of the following components of the
Mental Status Examination (MSE) does this address?
A. Cognitive Function
