N322 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 1 PRACTICE QUESTIONS -
COMPLETE FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE WITH PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2025–2026
A nurse is leading a family therapy session for a mother, father and two adolescent siblings.
Which of the following statements should the nurse recognize as an example of effective
communication among family members?
A. "If you keep saying that, I will tell everyone what you did last night."
B. "She is always bossing me around. Should she do that?"
C. "Can you tell me the reason you get upset each time I go to the mall?"
D. "Please do not raise your voice at the children. I am the one who left dishes in the sink." -
correct answer -C. "Can you tell me the reason you get upset each time I go to the mall?"
Rationale: This is an example of effective or healthy communication. Healthy communication
expresses clear, understandable messages between family members. Each family member is
encouraged to express his or her own feelings and thoughts. The family member is asking the
member who is perceived to be upset to express feelings openly. The communication is clear,
understandable, and direct. This promotes an open exchange of feelings and thoughts.
A nurse is caring for a client who is terminally ill and exhibiting signs and exhibiting signs of
impending death. The client's medical record states that the client is a practicing Roman
Catholic. Which of the following nursing actions is appropriate?
A. Offer to make arrangements for the Sacrament of the Sick
B. Prepare to stay with the client's body after death until family arrives
C. Arrange for a member of the client's faith to bathe the body after death
D. Post a sign on the client's door stating, "No Talking" - correct answer -A. Offer to make
arrangements for the Sacrament of the Sick
,Rationale: Practicing Roman Catholics often wish to receive the Sacrament of the Sick from a
priest during times of illness or when death is approaching. Clients who practice Judaism, rather
than Catholicism, believe that the body should not be left unattended until after the funeral.
Clients who practice Islam, rather than Catholicism, believe that an individual from the client's
mosque should perform bathing rituals after death. Posting a sign on the client's door is a
potential breach of confidentiality. Roman Catholics do not require a quiet room based on
beliefs.
A nurse is planning care for a group of clients on a mental health unit. Which of the following
actions should the nurse plan to take to create a therapeutic environment?
A. Plan to discuss any topic that is presented
B. Focus on client weaknesses to increase adaptation
C. Provide continuity of care by assigning the same stuff
D. Allow client to determine the boundaries of the nurse-client relationship - correct answer -C.
Provide continuity of care by assigning the same stuff
Rationale: Consistent interactions are important in any care setting, but especially in a mental
health. This will help clients establish trust and a sense of security.
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who had a CVA and has left-sided weakness. The
client's partner tells the nurse she is worried about the next steps of treatment for her partner.
Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
A. "We have begun plans to send your partner to a rehabilitation facility as soon as he is stable."
B. "Your partner is too critical to consider what tomorrow will bring. Let's just concentrate on
today."
C. "Don't worry. Most clients like your partner start making progress after a few days of rest."
,D. "You will have to speak to the provider for that information. I can arrange that for you." -
correct answer -A. "We have begun plans to send your partner to a rehabilitation facility as
soon as he is stable."
Rationale: This response illustrates the therapeutic communication technique of giving
information. It directly addresses the partner's concern and demonstrates that discharge and
rehabilitation planning begin on admission.
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia. Which of the following statements by the
client indicates understanding of a relapse prevention plan?
A. "I can remember when my hallucinations first began."
B. "I know which of my hallucinations trigger a relapse."
C. "I record the number of hallucinations I have each day."
D. "I will read as much information as I can about schizophrenia." - correct answer -B. "I know
which of my hallucinations trigger a relapse."
Rationale: This statement indicates a client's understanding of relapse triggers and is an
important component of a relapse prevention plan. Recording the number of hallucinations
each day and remembering when they began indicates an understanding of the management of
schizophrenia, but does not address a relapse prevention plan. The desire to gain knowledge
regarding schizophrenia does not address a relapse prevention plan.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a mental illness. Which of the following actions by the
nurse demonstrates the ethical concept of autonomy?
A. Encouraging client feedback about satisfaction with the facility experience
B. Explaining unit rules and policies regarding unacceptable behaviors
C. Supporting the client's wish to refuse prescribed medications
, D. Making sure the client understands expectations for client preparation - correct answer -C.
Supporting the client's wish to refuse prescribed medications
Rationale: Supporting the client's wishes is an important component of client advocacy. The first
statement represents the ethical concept of fidelity. The second and fourth statements both
demonstrate the ethical concept of veracity.
A nurse is speaking with the parents of a 4 year old child who has a terminal illness. The parents
tell the nurse they have taken their son's name off the list for little league baseball next season.
Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
A. "It must be frustrating for you to have to cancel an activity your son enjoyed."
B. "Baseball can be a dangerous sport for children anyway."
C. "You never know. He could be ready for baseball by the spring."
D. "Why did you feel you needed to do that at this time?" - correct answer -A. "It must be
frustrating for you to have to cancel an activity your son enjoyed."
Rationale: This response demonstrates the therapeutic communication technique of sharing
empathy. It is neutral and nonjudgmental and invites further communication and sharing.
Asking "why" questions is a nontherapeutic communication technique, and can make the
parents defensive and decrease communication between them and the nurse.
A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who tells the nurse that she does not want any more
children. The client asks which birth control method the nurse would recommend. Which of the
following responses should the nurse make?
A. "It's your choice, of course, but birth control pills are the most reliable."
B. "Your provider usually recommends a diaphragm and spermicidal cream."
C. "I'd consider an intrauterine device. You won't have to worry about pregnancy."
COMPLETE FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE WITH PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2025–2026
A nurse is leading a family therapy session for a mother, father and two adolescent siblings.
Which of the following statements should the nurse recognize as an example of effective
communication among family members?
A. "If you keep saying that, I will tell everyone what you did last night."
B. "She is always bossing me around. Should she do that?"
C. "Can you tell me the reason you get upset each time I go to the mall?"
D. "Please do not raise your voice at the children. I am the one who left dishes in the sink." -
correct answer -C. "Can you tell me the reason you get upset each time I go to the mall?"
Rationale: This is an example of effective or healthy communication. Healthy communication
expresses clear, understandable messages between family members. Each family member is
encouraged to express his or her own feelings and thoughts. The family member is asking the
member who is perceived to be upset to express feelings openly. The communication is clear,
understandable, and direct. This promotes an open exchange of feelings and thoughts.
A nurse is caring for a client who is terminally ill and exhibiting signs and exhibiting signs of
impending death. The client's medical record states that the client is a practicing Roman
Catholic. Which of the following nursing actions is appropriate?
A. Offer to make arrangements for the Sacrament of the Sick
B. Prepare to stay with the client's body after death until family arrives
C. Arrange for a member of the client's faith to bathe the body after death
D. Post a sign on the client's door stating, "No Talking" - correct answer -A. Offer to make
arrangements for the Sacrament of the Sick
,Rationale: Practicing Roman Catholics often wish to receive the Sacrament of the Sick from a
priest during times of illness or when death is approaching. Clients who practice Judaism, rather
than Catholicism, believe that the body should not be left unattended until after the funeral.
Clients who practice Islam, rather than Catholicism, believe that an individual from the client's
mosque should perform bathing rituals after death. Posting a sign on the client's door is a
potential breach of confidentiality. Roman Catholics do not require a quiet room based on
beliefs.
A nurse is planning care for a group of clients on a mental health unit. Which of the following
actions should the nurse plan to take to create a therapeutic environment?
A. Plan to discuss any topic that is presented
B. Focus on client weaknesses to increase adaptation
C. Provide continuity of care by assigning the same stuff
D. Allow client to determine the boundaries of the nurse-client relationship - correct answer -C.
Provide continuity of care by assigning the same stuff
Rationale: Consistent interactions are important in any care setting, but especially in a mental
health. This will help clients establish trust and a sense of security.
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who had a CVA and has left-sided weakness. The
client's partner tells the nurse she is worried about the next steps of treatment for her partner.
Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
A. "We have begun plans to send your partner to a rehabilitation facility as soon as he is stable."
B. "Your partner is too critical to consider what tomorrow will bring. Let's just concentrate on
today."
C. "Don't worry. Most clients like your partner start making progress after a few days of rest."
,D. "You will have to speak to the provider for that information. I can arrange that for you." -
correct answer -A. "We have begun plans to send your partner to a rehabilitation facility as
soon as he is stable."
Rationale: This response illustrates the therapeutic communication technique of giving
information. It directly addresses the partner's concern and demonstrates that discharge and
rehabilitation planning begin on admission.
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia. Which of the following statements by the
client indicates understanding of a relapse prevention plan?
A. "I can remember when my hallucinations first began."
B. "I know which of my hallucinations trigger a relapse."
C. "I record the number of hallucinations I have each day."
D. "I will read as much information as I can about schizophrenia." - correct answer -B. "I know
which of my hallucinations trigger a relapse."
Rationale: This statement indicates a client's understanding of relapse triggers and is an
important component of a relapse prevention plan. Recording the number of hallucinations
each day and remembering when they began indicates an understanding of the management of
schizophrenia, but does not address a relapse prevention plan. The desire to gain knowledge
regarding schizophrenia does not address a relapse prevention plan.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a mental illness. Which of the following actions by the
nurse demonstrates the ethical concept of autonomy?
A. Encouraging client feedback about satisfaction with the facility experience
B. Explaining unit rules and policies regarding unacceptable behaviors
C. Supporting the client's wish to refuse prescribed medications
, D. Making sure the client understands expectations for client preparation - correct answer -C.
Supporting the client's wish to refuse prescribed medications
Rationale: Supporting the client's wishes is an important component of client advocacy. The first
statement represents the ethical concept of fidelity. The second and fourth statements both
demonstrate the ethical concept of veracity.
A nurse is speaking with the parents of a 4 year old child who has a terminal illness. The parents
tell the nurse they have taken their son's name off the list for little league baseball next season.
Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
A. "It must be frustrating for you to have to cancel an activity your son enjoyed."
B. "Baseball can be a dangerous sport for children anyway."
C. "You never know. He could be ready for baseball by the spring."
D. "Why did you feel you needed to do that at this time?" - correct answer -A. "It must be
frustrating for you to have to cancel an activity your son enjoyed."
Rationale: This response demonstrates the therapeutic communication technique of sharing
empathy. It is neutral and nonjudgmental and invites further communication and sharing.
Asking "why" questions is a nontherapeutic communication technique, and can make the
parents defensive and decrease communication between them and the nurse.
A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who tells the nurse that she does not want any more
children. The client asks which birth control method the nurse would recommend. Which of the
following responses should the nurse make?
A. "It's your choice, of course, but birth control pills are the most reliable."
B. "Your provider usually recommends a diaphragm and spermicidal cream."
C. "I'd consider an intrauterine device. You won't have to worry about pregnancy."
