PRINCIPLES OF MENTAL HEALTH
EXAM 1 230 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
A client with a diagnosis of depression who has attempted suicide says to the
nurse, "I should have died. I've always been a failure. Nothing ever goes right
for me." Which response by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic
communication?
1. "You have everything to live for."
2. "Why do you see yourself as a failure?"
3. "Feeling like this is all part of being depressed."
4. "You've been feeling like a failure for a while?"
4
The nurse visits a client at home. The client states, "I haven't slept at all the
last couple of nights." Which response by the nurse demonstrates
therapeutic communication?
1. "I see."
2. "Really?"
,3. "You're having difficulty sleeping?"
4. "Sometimes I have trouble sleeping too."
3
A client experiencing disturbed thought processes believes that his food is
being poisoned. Which communication technique should the nurse use to
encourage the client to eat?
1. Using open-ended questions and silence
2. Sharing personal preference regarding food choices
3. Documenting reasons why the client does not want to eat
4. Offering opinions about the necessity of adequate nutrition
1
A client admitted voluntarily for treatment of an anxiety disorder demands to
be released from the hospital. Which action should the nurse take initially?
1. Contact the client's health care provider (HCP).
2. Call the client's family to arrange for transportation.
3. Attempt to persuade the client to stay "for only a few more days."
,4. Tell the client that leaving would likely result in an involuntary
commitment.
1
When reviewing the admission assessment, the nurse notes that a client was
admitted to the mental health unit involuntarily. Based on this type of
admission, the nurse should provide which intervention for this client?
1. Monitor closely for harm to self or others.
2. Assist in completing an application for admission.
3. Supply the client with written information about his or her mental illness.
4. Provide an opportunity for the family to discuss why they felt the
admission was needed.
1
When a client is admitted to an inpatient mental health unit with the
diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, a cognitive behavioral approach is used as
part of the treatment plan. The nurse plans care based on which purpose of
this approach?
1. Providing a supportive environment
2. Examining intrapsychic conflicts and past issues
, 3. Emphasizing social interaction with clients who withdraw
4. Helping the client to examine dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs
4
A client is preparing to attend a Gamblers Anonymous meeting for the first
time. The nurse should tell the client that which is the first step in this 12-
step program?
1. Admitting to having a problem
2. Substituting other activities for gambling
3. Stating that the gambling will be stopped
4. Discontinuing relationships with people who gamble
1
The nurse employed in a mental health clinic is greeted by a neighbor in a
local grocery store. The neighbor says to the nurse, "How is Carol doing? She
is my best friend and is seen at your clinic every week." Which is the most
appropriate nursing response?
1. "I cannot discuss any client situation with you."
EXAM 1 230 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
A client with a diagnosis of depression who has attempted suicide says to the
nurse, "I should have died. I've always been a failure. Nothing ever goes right
for me." Which response by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic
communication?
1. "You have everything to live for."
2. "Why do you see yourself as a failure?"
3. "Feeling like this is all part of being depressed."
4. "You've been feeling like a failure for a while?"
4
The nurse visits a client at home. The client states, "I haven't slept at all the
last couple of nights." Which response by the nurse demonstrates
therapeutic communication?
1. "I see."
2. "Really?"
,3. "You're having difficulty sleeping?"
4. "Sometimes I have trouble sleeping too."
3
A client experiencing disturbed thought processes believes that his food is
being poisoned. Which communication technique should the nurse use to
encourage the client to eat?
1. Using open-ended questions and silence
2. Sharing personal preference regarding food choices
3. Documenting reasons why the client does not want to eat
4. Offering opinions about the necessity of adequate nutrition
1
A client admitted voluntarily for treatment of an anxiety disorder demands to
be released from the hospital. Which action should the nurse take initially?
1. Contact the client's health care provider (HCP).
2. Call the client's family to arrange for transportation.
3. Attempt to persuade the client to stay "for only a few more days."
,4. Tell the client that leaving would likely result in an involuntary
commitment.
1
When reviewing the admission assessment, the nurse notes that a client was
admitted to the mental health unit involuntarily. Based on this type of
admission, the nurse should provide which intervention for this client?
1. Monitor closely for harm to self or others.
2. Assist in completing an application for admission.
3. Supply the client with written information about his or her mental illness.
4. Provide an opportunity for the family to discuss why they felt the
admission was needed.
1
When a client is admitted to an inpatient mental health unit with the
diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, a cognitive behavioral approach is used as
part of the treatment plan. The nurse plans care based on which purpose of
this approach?
1. Providing a supportive environment
2. Examining intrapsychic conflicts and past issues
, 3. Emphasizing social interaction with clients who withdraw
4. Helping the client to examine dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs
4
A client is preparing to attend a Gamblers Anonymous meeting for the first
time. The nurse should tell the client that which is the first step in this 12-
step program?
1. Admitting to having a problem
2. Substituting other activities for gambling
3. Stating that the gambling will be stopped
4. Discontinuing relationships with people who gamble
1
The nurse employed in a mental health clinic is greeted by a neighbor in a
local grocery store. The neighbor says to the nurse, "How is Carol doing? She
is my best friend and is seen at your clinic every week." Which is the most
appropriate nursing response?
1. "I cannot discuss any client situation with you."
