NURS 3381 Exam 1 Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update 2025/2026
In the shift-change report, an off-going nurse criticizes a patient who wears heavy makeup.
Which comment by the nurse who receives the report best demonstrates advocacy? - Answers
Our patients need our help to learn behaviors that will help them get along in society.
A nurse assesses a newly admitted patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which
statement is an example of attending? - Answers Id like to sit with you a while so you may feel
more comfortable talking with me.
A patient is hospitalized for depression and suicidal ideation after their spouse asks for a
divorce. Select the nurses most caring comment. - Answers Lets discuss some means of
coping other than suicide when you have these feelings.
A patient shows the nurse an article from the Internet about a health problem. Which
characteristic of the web sites address most alerts the nurse that the site may have biased and
prejudiced information? - Answers Address ends in .com.
A nurse says, When I was in school, I learned to call upset patients by name to get their
attention; however, I read a descriptive research study that says that this approach does not
work. I plan to stop calling patients by name. Which statement is the best appraisal of this
nurses comment? - Answers One descriptive research study rarely provides enough evidence to
change practice.
Two nursing students discuss career plans after graduation. One student wants to enter
psychiatric nursing.
The other student asks, Why would you want to be a psychiatric nurse? All they do is talk. You
will lose your skills. Select the best response by the student interested in psychiatric nursing. -
Answers Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills, as well as critical thinking, to
solve multidimensional problems. I'm challenged by those situations.
Which research evidence would most influence a group of nurses to change their practice? -
Answers Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
A bill introduced in Congress would reduce funding for the care of people diagnosed with
mental illnesses.
A group of nurses write letters to their elected representatives in opposition to the legislation.
Which role have the nurses fulfilled? - Answers Advocacy
An informal group of patients discuss their perceptions of nursing care. Which comment best
,indicates a patients perception that his or her nurse is caring? - Answers My nurse spends time
listening to me talk about my problems. That helps me feel like I'm not alone.
A patient who immigrated to the United States from Honduras was diagnosed with
schizophrenia. The patient took an antipsychotic medication for 3 weeks but showed no
improvement. Which resource should the treatment team consult for information on more
effective medications for this patient? - Answers Clinical algorithm
Which historical nursing leader helped focus practice to recognize the importance of science in
psychiatric nursing? - Answers Hildegard Peplau
A nurse consistently strives to demonstrate caring behaviors during interactions with patients.
Which reaction by a patient indicates this nurse is effective? A patient reports feeling: - Answers
connected with others
An 86-year-old, previously healthy and independent, falls after an episode of vertigo. Which
behavior by this patient best demonstrates resilience? The patient: - Answers says, Maybe some
physical therapy will help me with my balance
A patient is admitted to the psychiatric hospital. Which assessment finding best indicates that
the patient has a mental illness? The patient: - Answers describes mood as consistently sad,
discouraged, and hopeless
The goal for a patient is to increase resiliency. Which outcome should a nurse add to the plan of
care? Within 3 days, the patient will: - Answers identify healthy coping behaviors in response to
stressful events
Which organization actively seeks to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness through
public presentations such as In Our Own Voice (IOOV)? - Answers National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI)
A nurse must assess several new patients at a community mental health center. Conclusions
concerning current functioning should be made on the basis of: - Answers a continuum from
mentally healthy to unhealthy
A nurse at a behavioral health clinic sees an unfamiliar psychiatric diagnosis on a patients
insurance form.
Which resource should the nurse consult to discern the criteria used to establish this diagnosis?
- Answers Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
A 40-year-old adult living with parents states, Im happy but I dont socialize much. My work is
, routine.
When new things come up, my boss explains them a few times to make sure I understand. At
home, my parents make decisions for me, and I go along with them. A nurse should identify
interventions to improve this patients: - Answers self-concept
A patient tells a nurse, I have psychiatric problems and am in and out of hospitals all the time.
Not one of my friends or relatives has these problems. Select the nurses best response. -
Answers It sounds like you are concerned that others dont experience the same challenges as
you
A critical care nurse asks a psychiatric nurse about the difference between a diagnosis in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and a nursing diagnosis. Select
the psychiatric nurses best response. - Answers The DSM-5 diagnosis influences the medical
treatment; the nursing diagnosis offers a framework to identify interventions for problems a
patient has or may experience.
The spouse of a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia says, I dont understand why childhood
experiences have anything to do with this disabling illness. Select the nurses response that will
best help the spouse understand this condition. - Answers Although this disorder more likely
has a biological rather than psychological origin, the support and involvement of caregivers is
very important.
Which belief by a nurse supports the highest degree of patient advocacy during a
multidisciplinary patient care planning session? - Answers Some symptoms of mental disorders
may reflect a persons cultural patterns
A patients history shows intense and unstable relationships with others. The patient initially
idealizes an individual and then devalues the person when the patients needs are not met.
Which aspect of mental health is a problem? - Answers Fulfilling relationships
In the majority culture of the United States, which individual is at greatest risk to be incorrectly
labeled mentally ill? - Answers Person who attends a charismatic church and describes hearing
Gods voice
A participant at a community education conference asks, What is the most prevalent type of
mental disorder in the United States? Select the nurses best response. - Answers Anxiety
disorders
A nurse wants to find a description of diagnostic criteria for a person diagnosed with
schizophrenia. Which resource should the nurse consult? - Answers Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
A psychiatric nurse best implements the ethical principle of autonomy when he or she: -
Answers explores alternative solutions with a patient, who then makes a choice
In the shift-change report, an off-going nurse criticizes a patient who wears heavy makeup.
Which comment by the nurse who receives the report best demonstrates advocacy? - Answers
Our patients need our help to learn behaviors that will help them get along in society.
A nurse assesses a newly admitted patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which
statement is an example of attending? - Answers Id like to sit with you a while so you may feel
more comfortable talking with me.
A patient is hospitalized for depression and suicidal ideation after their spouse asks for a
divorce. Select the nurses most caring comment. - Answers Lets discuss some means of
coping other than suicide when you have these feelings.
A patient shows the nurse an article from the Internet about a health problem. Which
characteristic of the web sites address most alerts the nurse that the site may have biased and
prejudiced information? - Answers Address ends in .com.
A nurse says, When I was in school, I learned to call upset patients by name to get their
attention; however, I read a descriptive research study that says that this approach does not
work. I plan to stop calling patients by name. Which statement is the best appraisal of this
nurses comment? - Answers One descriptive research study rarely provides enough evidence to
change practice.
Two nursing students discuss career plans after graduation. One student wants to enter
psychiatric nursing.
The other student asks, Why would you want to be a psychiatric nurse? All they do is talk. You
will lose your skills. Select the best response by the student interested in psychiatric nursing. -
Answers Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills, as well as critical thinking, to
solve multidimensional problems. I'm challenged by those situations.
Which research evidence would most influence a group of nurses to change their practice? -
Answers Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
A bill introduced in Congress would reduce funding for the care of people diagnosed with
mental illnesses.
A group of nurses write letters to their elected representatives in opposition to the legislation.
Which role have the nurses fulfilled? - Answers Advocacy
An informal group of patients discuss their perceptions of nursing care. Which comment best
,indicates a patients perception that his or her nurse is caring? - Answers My nurse spends time
listening to me talk about my problems. That helps me feel like I'm not alone.
A patient who immigrated to the United States from Honduras was diagnosed with
schizophrenia. The patient took an antipsychotic medication for 3 weeks but showed no
improvement. Which resource should the treatment team consult for information on more
effective medications for this patient? - Answers Clinical algorithm
Which historical nursing leader helped focus practice to recognize the importance of science in
psychiatric nursing? - Answers Hildegard Peplau
A nurse consistently strives to demonstrate caring behaviors during interactions with patients.
Which reaction by a patient indicates this nurse is effective? A patient reports feeling: - Answers
connected with others
An 86-year-old, previously healthy and independent, falls after an episode of vertigo. Which
behavior by this patient best demonstrates resilience? The patient: - Answers says, Maybe some
physical therapy will help me with my balance
A patient is admitted to the psychiatric hospital. Which assessment finding best indicates that
the patient has a mental illness? The patient: - Answers describes mood as consistently sad,
discouraged, and hopeless
The goal for a patient is to increase resiliency. Which outcome should a nurse add to the plan of
care? Within 3 days, the patient will: - Answers identify healthy coping behaviors in response to
stressful events
Which organization actively seeks to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness through
public presentations such as In Our Own Voice (IOOV)? - Answers National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI)
A nurse must assess several new patients at a community mental health center. Conclusions
concerning current functioning should be made on the basis of: - Answers a continuum from
mentally healthy to unhealthy
A nurse at a behavioral health clinic sees an unfamiliar psychiatric diagnosis on a patients
insurance form.
Which resource should the nurse consult to discern the criteria used to establish this diagnosis?
- Answers Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
A 40-year-old adult living with parents states, Im happy but I dont socialize much. My work is
, routine.
When new things come up, my boss explains them a few times to make sure I understand. At
home, my parents make decisions for me, and I go along with them. A nurse should identify
interventions to improve this patients: - Answers self-concept
A patient tells a nurse, I have psychiatric problems and am in and out of hospitals all the time.
Not one of my friends or relatives has these problems. Select the nurses best response. -
Answers It sounds like you are concerned that others dont experience the same challenges as
you
A critical care nurse asks a psychiatric nurse about the difference between a diagnosis in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and a nursing diagnosis. Select
the psychiatric nurses best response. - Answers The DSM-5 diagnosis influences the medical
treatment; the nursing diagnosis offers a framework to identify interventions for problems a
patient has or may experience.
The spouse of a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia says, I dont understand why childhood
experiences have anything to do with this disabling illness. Select the nurses response that will
best help the spouse understand this condition. - Answers Although this disorder more likely
has a biological rather than psychological origin, the support and involvement of caregivers is
very important.
Which belief by a nurse supports the highest degree of patient advocacy during a
multidisciplinary patient care planning session? - Answers Some symptoms of mental disorders
may reflect a persons cultural patterns
A patients history shows intense and unstable relationships with others. The patient initially
idealizes an individual and then devalues the person when the patients needs are not met.
Which aspect of mental health is a problem? - Answers Fulfilling relationships
In the majority culture of the United States, which individual is at greatest risk to be incorrectly
labeled mentally ill? - Answers Person who attends a charismatic church and describes hearing
Gods voice
A participant at a community education conference asks, What is the most prevalent type of
mental disorder in the United States? Select the nurses best response. - Answers Anxiety
disorders
A nurse wants to find a description of diagnostic criteria for a person diagnosed with
schizophrenia. Which resource should the nurse consult? - Answers Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
A psychiatric nurse best implements the ethical principle of autonomy when he or she: -
Answers explores alternative solutions with a patient, who then makes a choice
