,NUR 326 Psychiatric Mental Health Exam 1 | Health and Illness
Concepts II (2026) Q&A | Arizona State University
1. Which principle underlies effective patient teaching in psychiatric nursing?
A) Moderate to severe anxiety increases patient learning.
B) Mild anxiety enhances patient learning.
C) Panic-level anxiety improves nurses’ teaching.
D) Severe anxiety intensifies concentration.
Correct Answer: Mild anxiety enhances patient learning.
Rationale: Mild anxiety heightens awareness and sharpens focus, which
optimizes the patient’s ability to concentrate and learn. Moderate, severe, and
panic-level anxiety narrow perception and impair concentration, making teaching
ineffective.
2. A client states, “I don’t think anyone really cares what happens to me.” Which
response by the nurse best demonstrates empathy and encourages further
exploration?
A) “You feel as though no one cares about you right now.”
B) “Your family visited earlier today, so they obviously care.”
C) “Many people with depression feel that way, but it will pass soon.”
D) “Why would you say something like that when you have support?”
Correct Answer: “You feel as though no one cares about you right now.”
,Rationale: Restating the client’s feeling validates their experience without
judgment and opens the door for deeper discussion. Offering contradictory
evidence minimizes the client’s feelings, false reassurance dismisses their concern,
and asking “why” places the client on the defensive.
3. During the initial mental status examination, a nurse observes poor eye contact,
a flat affect, and one-word answers. These findings most directly reflect which
component of the assessment?
A) Thought process and content
B) Appearance and behavior
C) Insight and judgment
D) Sensorium and cognition
Correct Answer: Appearance and behavior
Rationale: Eye contact, affect, and verbal responsiveness are elements of
appearance and behavior in the mental status exam. Thought process refers to
how thoughts are organized, insight and judgment assess self-awareness and
decision-making, and sensorium and cognition evaluate orientation and
intellectual function.
4. A client voluntarily admitted for anxiety management states a desire to leave
against medical advice. What is the nurse’s most appropriate initial action?
A) Notify security to prevent the client from leaving the unit.
B) Inform the client of the risks of leaving and notify the provider immediately.
C) Administer a PRN anxiolytic to reduce the client’s distress.
D) Have the client sign a liability waiver before exiting the facility.
, Correct Answer: Inform the client of the risks of leaving and notify the
provider immediately.
Rationale: For voluntary clients expressing intent to leave, the nurse must first
inform them of medical risks and notify the provider to assess for potential
conversion to involuntary status if criteria are met. Notifying security is
premature without provider evaluation, and administering medication or
obtaining a waiver does not address the client’s right to make an informed
decision.
5. A newly licensed nurse expresses frustration about caring for a client with
borderline personality disorder, stating, “The client is just manipulative and
doesn’t really want help.” Which concept should the nurse educator emphasize?
A) Countertransference and the importance of self-awareness
B) The biological basis of personality disorders
C) Mandatory rotation to a different assignment
D) The client’s legal right to refuse all treatment
Correct Answer: Countertransference and the importance of self-awareness
Rationale: The nurse’s negative emotional reaction represents
countertransference, which requires self-awareness to prevent it from affecting
care. Understanding the biological basis may be helpful but does not directly
address the nurse’s attitude, rotation does not resolve the underlying issue, and
the client’s legal rights are not the primary concern here.
6. Which finding is most consistent with a manic episode?
A) Psychomotor retardation and anhedonia
B) Decreased need for sleep and grandiosity
Concepts II (2026) Q&A | Arizona State University
1. Which principle underlies effective patient teaching in psychiatric nursing?
A) Moderate to severe anxiety increases patient learning.
B) Mild anxiety enhances patient learning.
C) Panic-level anxiety improves nurses’ teaching.
D) Severe anxiety intensifies concentration.
Correct Answer: Mild anxiety enhances patient learning.
Rationale: Mild anxiety heightens awareness and sharpens focus, which
optimizes the patient’s ability to concentrate and learn. Moderate, severe, and
panic-level anxiety narrow perception and impair concentration, making teaching
ineffective.
2. A client states, “I don’t think anyone really cares what happens to me.” Which
response by the nurse best demonstrates empathy and encourages further
exploration?
A) “You feel as though no one cares about you right now.”
B) “Your family visited earlier today, so they obviously care.”
C) “Many people with depression feel that way, but it will pass soon.”
D) “Why would you say something like that when you have support?”
Correct Answer: “You feel as though no one cares about you right now.”
,Rationale: Restating the client’s feeling validates their experience without
judgment and opens the door for deeper discussion. Offering contradictory
evidence minimizes the client’s feelings, false reassurance dismisses their concern,
and asking “why” places the client on the defensive.
3. During the initial mental status examination, a nurse observes poor eye contact,
a flat affect, and one-word answers. These findings most directly reflect which
component of the assessment?
A) Thought process and content
B) Appearance and behavior
C) Insight and judgment
D) Sensorium and cognition
Correct Answer: Appearance and behavior
Rationale: Eye contact, affect, and verbal responsiveness are elements of
appearance and behavior in the mental status exam. Thought process refers to
how thoughts are organized, insight and judgment assess self-awareness and
decision-making, and sensorium and cognition evaluate orientation and
intellectual function.
4. A client voluntarily admitted for anxiety management states a desire to leave
against medical advice. What is the nurse’s most appropriate initial action?
A) Notify security to prevent the client from leaving the unit.
B) Inform the client of the risks of leaving and notify the provider immediately.
C) Administer a PRN anxiolytic to reduce the client’s distress.
D) Have the client sign a liability waiver before exiting the facility.
, Correct Answer: Inform the client of the risks of leaving and notify the
provider immediately.
Rationale: For voluntary clients expressing intent to leave, the nurse must first
inform them of medical risks and notify the provider to assess for potential
conversion to involuntary status if criteria are met. Notifying security is
premature without provider evaluation, and administering medication or
obtaining a waiver does not address the client’s right to make an informed
decision.
5. A newly licensed nurse expresses frustration about caring for a client with
borderline personality disorder, stating, “The client is just manipulative and
doesn’t really want help.” Which concept should the nurse educator emphasize?
A) Countertransference and the importance of self-awareness
B) The biological basis of personality disorders
C) Mandatory rotation to a different assignment
D) The client’s legal right to refuse all treatment
Correct Answer: Countertransference and the importance of self-awareness
Rationale: The nurse’s negative emotional reaction represents
countertransference, which requires self-awareness to prevent it from affecting
care. Understanding the biological basis may be helpful but does not directly
address the nurse’s attitude, rotation does not resolve the underlying issue, and
the client’s legal rights are not the primary concern here.
6. Which finding is most consistent with a manic episode?
A) Psychomotor retardation and anhedonia
B) Decreased need for sleep and grandiosity
