PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM
SCRIPT 2026 TESTED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS ALREADY PASSED
◉ What role does a nurse play as a teacher in inpatient care?
Answer: Educates patients about their diagnosis, medications, and
symptom management.
◉ What is the difference between counseling and psychotherapy in
nursing? Answer: Basic-level RNs do counseling; psychotherapy is
an advanced skill for PMH-APRNs.
◉ What are the four phases of Peplau's Nurse-Patient Relationship?
Answer: 1. Preorientation, 2. Orientation, 3. Working, 4.
Termination.
◉ What happens during the preorientation phase? Answer: The
nurse prepares by reviewing the patient's chart, medications, and
identifying personal anxieties.
◉ What is established during the orientation phase? Answer:
Rapport and trust, purpose, role clarification, and initial goals.
,◉ What occurs in the working phase of the nurse-patient
relationship? Answer: Gathering data, promoting symptom
management, and evaluating progress.
◉ What is the focus of the termination phase? Answer: Summarizing
goals achieved, discussing coping strategies, and planning for follow-
up care.
◉ What is the nature of evaluation in psychiatric nursing? Answer:
Continuous assessment of whether outcomes were achieved, leading
to reassessment and care plan revision.
◉ What are the three core qualities that promote patient growth
according to Rogers & Truax? Answer: Genuineness, empathy, and
positive regard.
◉ What is the role of boundaries in the therapeutic relationship?
Answer: To protect patients and maintain a professional nurse-
patient dynamic.
◉ What distinguishes boundary crossings from boundary
violations? Answer: Boundary crossings are less serious and may
create discomfort, while violations exploit patient vulnerability.
, ◉ What is transference in the context of nursing? Answer: When a
patient unconsciously transfers feelings from significant past figures
onto the nurse.
◉ What is countertransference? Answer: When a nurse
unconsciously displaces feelings from their past onto the patient.
◉ What does milieu therapy refer to? Answer: Using the entire
physical and social environment of the inpatient unit as a
therapeutic tool.
◉ What are the components of the milieu? Answer: Physical space,
social atmosphere, structure and rules, community meetings, and
group activities.
◉ What are the goals of milieu therapy? Answer: To provide safety,
empower patients, promote self-care, build coping skills, and
encourage therapeutic interactions.
◉ What cultural beliefs dominate nursing practice in the Western
model? Answer: Roman, Greek, Judeo-Christian, and Enlightenment
philosophies.
◉ How does the Eastern model differ from the Western model in
healthcare decision-making? Answer: Eastern models emphasize
SCRIPT 2026 TESTED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS ALREADY PASSED
◉ What role does a nurse play as a teacher in inpatient care?
Answer: Educates patients about their diagnosis, medications, and
symptom management.
◉ What is the difference between counseling and psychotherapy in
nursing? Answer: Basic-level RNs do counseling; psychotherapy is
an advanced skill for PMH-APRNs.
◉ What are the four phases of Peplau's Nurse-Patient Relationship?
Answer: 1. Preorientation, 2. Orientation, 3. Working, 4.
Termination.
◉ What happens during the preorientation phase? Answer: The
nurse prepares by reviewing the patient's chart, medications, and
identifying personal anxieties.
◉ What is established during the orientation phase? Answer:
Rapport and trust, purpose, role clarification, and initial goals.
,◉ What occurs in the working phase of the nurse-patient
relationship? Answer: Gathering data, promoting symptom
management, and evaluating progress.
◉ What is the focus of the termination phase? Answer: Summarizing
goals achieved, discussing coping strategies, and planning for follow-
up care.
◉ What is the nature of evaluation in psychiatric nursing? Answer:
Continuous assessment of whether outcomes were achieved, leading
to reassessment and care plan revision.
◉ What are the three core qualities that promote patient growth
according to Rogers & Truax? Answer: Genuineness, empathy, and
positive regard.
◉ What is the role of boundaries in the therapeutic relationship?
Answer: To protect patients and maintain a professional nurse-
patient dynamic.
◉ What distinguishes boundary crossings from boundary
violations? Answer: Boundary crossings are less serious and may
create discomfort, while violations exploit patient vulnerability.
, ◉ What is transference in the context of nursing? Answer: When a
patient unconsciously transfers feelings from significant past figures
onto the nurse.
◉ What is countertransference? Answer: When a nurse
unconsciously displaces feelings from their past onto the patient.
◉ What does milieu therapy refer to? Answer: Using the entire
physical and social environment of the inpatient unit as a
therapeutic tool.
◉ What are the components of the milieu? Answer: Physical space,
social atmosphere, structure and rules, community meetings, and
group activities.
◉ What are the goals of milieu therapy? Answer: To provide safety,
empower patients, promote self-care, build coping skills, and
encourage therapeutic interactions.
◉ What cultural beliefs dominate nursing practice in the Western
model? Answer: Roman, Greek, Judeo-Christian, and Enlightenment
philosophies.
◉ How does the Eastern model differ from the Western model in
healthcare decision-making? Answer: Eastern models emphasize
