NUR 256 EXAM 1 (MENTAL HEALTH)
EXAM comprehensive Questions and
Verified Accurate Solution (detailed &
elaborated) 2026 2027 TEST!!!
1. A client states, “I don't want this treatment. I want to decide what happens to me.” Which
ethical principle is the client exercising?
A. Beneficence
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Answer: B. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy is the client's right to make independent decisions about healthcare,
including accepting or refusing treatment. The nurse should provide adequate information and
respect a competent client's decision.
2. Which statement best describes therapeutic communication?
A. Giving the client advice about what to do
B. Encouraging the client to discuss thoughts and feelings
C. Persuading the client to accept the nurse's opinion
D. Changing the subject when the client becomes emotional
Answer: B. Encouraging the client to discuss thoughts and feelings
Rationale: Therapeutic communication promotes trust, assessment, emotional expression, and
problem solving. Advice-giving and changing the subject can interfere with the client's ability to
explore concerns.
3. A nurse asks, “Can you tell me more about what has been troubling you?” Which
communication technique is being used?
,A. Giving recognition
B. Exploring
C. Presenting reality
D. Rejecting
Answer: B. Exploring
Rationale: Exploring encourages the client to elaborate on an important topic. It helps the nurse
obtain additional information without directing the client toward a particular answer.
4. Which action is most appropriate during the orientation phase of the therapeutic
relationship?
A. Reviewing progress toward established goals
B. Establishing expectations and introducing the nurse's role
C. Preparing the client for termination
D. Evaluating whether interventions were successful
Answer: B. Establishing expectations and introducing the nurse's role
Rationale: During orientation, the nurse establishes rapport, explains roles and responsibilities,
identifies concerns, and establishes boundaries. Working focuses on addressing problems, while
termination focuses on ending the relationship appropriately.
5. A client begins crying while discussing a traumatic experience. What is the nurse's best
response?
A. “You shouldn't cry about something that happened so long ago.”
B. “Let's talk about something more pleasant.”
C. Remain quietly with the client and allow expression of emotion.
D. “I know exactly how you feel.”
Answer: C. Remain quietly with the client and allow expression of emotion.
Rationale: Therapeutic silence can communicate acceptance and provide space for emotional
expression. The nurse should not minimize feelings or claim to know exactly how the client
feels.
6. Which response demonstrates empathy?
,A. “I know exactly what you're going through.”
B. “You shouldn't feel that way.”
C. “That sounds like a very painful experience for you.”
D. “Everything will be fine.”
Answer: C. “That sounds like a very painful experience for you.”
Rationale: Empathy involves attempting to understand the client's feelings and communicating
that understanding. Sympathy focuses more on feeling sorry for the person and can create
emotional distance.
7. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Client reports poor appetite
B. Client reports difficulty sleeping
C. Client states, “I have a plan to kill myself tonight.”
D. Client reports feeling lonely
Answer: C. Client states, “I have a plan to kill myself tonight.”
Rationale: A specific suicidal plan indicates significant immediate safety risk. The nurse should
prioritize protection from self-harm and conduct an appropriate suicide-risk assessment.
8. Which question is most appropriate when beginning a psychiatric interview?
A. “Why are you behaving this way?”
B. “Tell me what brought you here today.”
C. “You aren't thinking about suicide, are you?”
D. “Don't you think your family is correct?”
Answer: B. “Tell me what brought you here today.”
Rationale: An open-ended question allows the client to describe concerns in their own words.
“Why” questions may sound judgmental, while leading questions can influence responses.
9. A client says, “Everyone at work is against me.” Which response demonstrates therapeutic
exploration?
A. “Why would everyone dislike you?”
B. “That isn't true.”
, C. “Tell me more about what makes you feel that way.”
D. “You should quit your job.”
Answer: C. “Tell me more about what makes you feel that way.”
Rationale: The nurse should explore the client's perception without immediately agreeing or
disagreeing. This also allows further assessment of thought content and possible disturbances in
thinking.
10. Which behavior best demonstrates professional boundaries?
A. Giving the client the nurse's personal phone number
B. Accepting an expensive gift from the client
C. Maintaining the established nurse-client relationship
D. Sharing personal relationship problems with the client
Answer: C. Maintaining the established nurse-client relationship
Rationale: Professional boundaries protect both client and nurse. Personal relationships,
inappropriate self-disclosure, gifts, and personal contact can blur professional roles.
11. Which principle requires the nurse to avoid causing harm?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Autonomy
Answer: C. Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence means “do no harm.” Nurses must avoid actions that unnecessarily
injure or place clients at risk.
12. A nurse promises to return at a specific time to speak with a client and returns as
promised. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?
A. Fidelity
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Veracity
EXAM comprehensive Questions and
Verified Accurate Solution (detailed &
elaborated) 2026 2027 TEST!!!
1. A client states, “I don't want this treatment. I want to decide what happens to me.” Which
ethical principle is the client exercising?
A. Beneficence
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Answer: B. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy is the client's right to make independent decisions about healthcare,
including accepting or refusing treatment. The nurse should provide adequate information and
respect a competent client's decision.
2. Which statement best describes therapeutic communication?
A. Giving the client advice about what to do
B. Encouraging the client to discuss thoughts and feelings
C. Persuading the client to accept the nurse's opinion
D. Changing the subject when the client becomes emotional
Answer: B. Encouraging the client to discuss thoughts and feelings
Rationale: Therapeutic communication promotes trust, assessment, emotional expression, and
problem solving. Advice-giving and changing the subject can interfere with the client's ability to
explore concerns.
3. A nurse asks, “Can you tell me more about what has been troubling you?” Which
communication technique is being used?
,A. Giving recognition
B. Exploring
C. Presenting reality
D. Rejecting
Answer: B. Exploring
Rationale: Exploring encourages the client to elaborate on an important topic. It helps the nurse
obtain additional information without directing the client toward a particular answer.
4. Which action is most appropriate during the orientation phase of the therapeutic
relationship?
A. Reviewing progress toward established goals
B. Establishing expectations and introducing the nurse's role
C. Preparing the client for termination
D. Evaluating whether interventions were successful
Answer: B. Establishing expectations and introducing the nurse's role
Rationale: During orientation, the nurse establishes rapport, explains roles and responsibilities,
identifies concerns, and establishes boundaries. Working focuses on addressing problems, while
termination focuses on ending the relationship appropriately.
5. A client begins crying while discussing a traumatic experience. What is the nurse's best
response?
A. “You shouldn't cry about something that happened so long ago.”
B. “Let's talk about something more pleasant.”
C. Remain quietly with the client and allow expression of emotion.
D. “I know exactly how you feel.”
Answer: C. Remain quietly with the client and allow expression of emotion.
Rationale: Therapeutic silence can communicate acceptance and provide space for emotional
expression. The nurse should not minimize feelings or claim to know exactly how the client
feels.
6. Which response demonstrates empathy?
,A. “I know exactly what you're going through.”
B. “You shouldn't feel that way.”
C. “That sounds like a very painful experience for you.”
D. “Everything will be fine.”
Answer: C. “That sounds like a very painful experience for you.”
Rationale: Empathy involves attempting to understand the client's feelings and communicating
that understanding. Sympathy focuses more on feeling sorry for the person and can create
emotional distance.
7. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Client reports poor appetite
B. Client reports difficulty sleeping
C. Client states, “I have a plan to kill myself tonight.”
D. Client reports feeling lonely
Answer: C. Client states, “I have a plan to kill myself tonight.”
Rationale: A specific suicidal plan indicates significant immediate safety risk. The nurse should
prioritize protection from self-harm and conduct an appropriate suicide-risk assessment.
8. Which question is most appropriate when beginning a psychiatric interview?
A. “Why are you behaving this way?”
B. “Tell me what brought you here today.”
C. “You aren't thinking about suicide, are you?”
D. “Don't you think your family is correct?”
Answer: B. “Tell me what brought you here today.”
Rationale: An open-ended question allows the client to describe concerns in their own words.
“Why” questions may sound judgmental, while leading questions can influence responses.
9. A client says, “Everyone at work is against me.” Which response demonstrates therapeutic
exploration?
A. “Why would everyone dislike you?”
B. “That isn't true.”
, C. “Tell me more about what makes you feel that way.”
D. “You should quit your job.”
Answer: C. “Tell me more about what makes you feel that way.”
Rationale: The nurse should explore the client's perception without immediately agreeing or
disagreeing. This also allows further assessment of thought content and possible disturbances in
thinking.
10. Which behavior best demonstrates professional boundaries?
A. Giving the client the nurse's personal phone number
B. Accepting an expensive gift from the client
C. Maintaining the established nurse-client relationship
D. Sharing personal relationship problems with the client
Answer: C. Maintaining the established nurse-client relationship
Rationale: Professional boundaries protect both client and nurse. Personal relationships,
inappropriate self-disclosure, gifts, and personal contact can blur professional roles.
11. Which principle requires the nurse to avoid causing harm?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Autonomy
Answer: C. Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence means “do no harm.” Nurses must avoid actions that unnecessarily
injure or place clients at risk.
12. A nurse promises to return at a specific time to speak with a client and returns as
promised. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?
A. Fidelity
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Veracity
