NURSING 326 PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING TESTS 1&2 FALL 2026 | Test Bank |
Grade A+ | Complete Q&A | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
[TEST 1 - FOUNDATIONS & THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES (Q1-50)]
[Section 1A: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient Relationship (Q1-15)]
Q1. A 28-year-old client with major depressive disorder states, "I don't see the point in
anything anymore. Nothing matters." Which therapeutic response by the nurse
demonstrates the most effective use of active listening?
A. "You have so much to live for. Your family loves you, and you have a good job."
B. "It sounds like you're feeling hopeless right now. Can you tell me more about that?"
C. "Have you tried going for a walk or doing something fun to cheer yourself up?"
D. "Many people feel this way when they're depressed, but things will get better with
time."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Option B uses reflection and open-ended questioning, which are core
therapeutic communication techniques that validate the client's feelings and encourage
further expression. Option A offers false reassurance and approval, which are
nontherapeutic. Option C minimizes the client's experience and offers simplistic
solutions. Option D provides false reassurance and dismisses the client's current
emotional state. Correct Answer: B
Q2. During the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship, a client with
schizophrenia asks, "Are you married? Do you have children?" Which response best
maintains therapeutic boundaries while preserving the therapeutic alliance?
,A. "Yes, I am married with two children. Why do you ask?"
B. "I prefer to keep my personal life private. Let's focus on how you're doing today."
C. "My personal life isn't relevant to your care, but I understand you might be curious.
What would knowing that help you with?"
D. "That's not something I discuss with patients. Let's talk about your treatment plan
instead."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Option C acknowledges the client's curiosity without self-disclosure,
redirects to the client's needs, and explores the underlying meaning of the question—
maintaining boundaries therapeutically. Option A involves inappropriate self-
disclosure. Option B is abrupt and may seem dismissive. Option D is defensive and
closes communication. Correct Answer: C
Q3. A client with borderline personality disorder becomes angry and states, "You're just
like every other nurse—nobody really cares about me." Which response demonstrates
the most effective use of the therapeutic communication technique of setting limits?
A. "That's not fair. I've been here for you all shift."
B. "I understand you're upset, but I won't accept being spoken to that way. I'm here to
help you, and I need respectful communication to do that."
C. "You must be having a difficult time. Would you like to talk about your feelings?"
D. "Maybe you should take a PRN medication and rest for a while."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Option B clearly sets behavioral limits while maintaining a caring stance and
explaining the rationale—essential for clients with BPD who need consistent
boundaries. Option A is defensive and nontherapeutic. Option C ignores the
inappropriate behavior and may reinforce manipulation. Option D avoids addressing
the behavior and uses chemical restraint inappropriately. Correct Answer: B
,Q4. A nurse is working with a client who has been silent for 10 minutes during a
therapy session. The client stares at the floor and fidgets with their hands. Which
nonverbal communication observation should the nurse prioritize in formulating the
next therapeutic intervention?
A. The client's silence indicates resistance and should be challenged directly.
B. The client's fidgeting and gaze avoidance suggest anxiety; the nurse should provide
reassurance and allow more time.
C. The client is being manipulative by refusing to participate in the session.
D. The nurse should immediately interpret the silence as a sign of depression and
document it.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nonverbal cues (fidgeting, gaze avoidance) typically indicate anxiety or
discomfort rather than resistance or manipulation. Providing reassurance and allowing
time respects the client's pace and reduces anxiety. Option A misinterprets silence as
resistance. Option C incorrectly labels the behavior as manipulative. Option D makes an
unsubstantiated diagnostic assumption. Correct Answer: B
Q5. During a group therapy session, a client with bipolar disorder in a manic episode
dominates the conversation, interrupts others, and makes inappropriate jokes. Which
nursing intervention best maintains the therapeutic milieu?
A. Ask the client to leave the group session immediately.
B. Ignore the behavior to avoid reinforcing it with attention.
C. "I notice you're sharing a lot today. Let's hear from someone who hasn't had a chance
to speak. [Client name], what are your thoughts?"
D. Privately tell the client after the group that their behavior was inappropriate.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Option C redirects the client in the moment, validates their participation, and
involves other group members—maintaining group dynamics therapeutically. Option A
is punitive and excludes the client. Option B allows the behavior to disrupt others.
Option D delays intervention and misses the opportunity to model appropriate group
behavior in real-time. Correct Answer: C
, Q6. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder states, "I keep having these nightmares
where I'm back in the war. I wake up sweating and can't go back to sleep." Which
therapeutic response demonstrates empathy and encourages further exploration?
A. "At least you made it home safely. Many soldiers didn't have that chance."
B. "Those nightmares must be terrifying. It sounds like you're reliving traumatic
experiences. How are you coping during the day?"
C. "Have you tried keeping a dream journal to analyze what the nightmares mean?"
D. "Nightmares are common with PTSD. Your doctor can prescribe something to help
you sleep."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Option B demonstrates empathy through reflection, validates the traumatic
nature of the experience, and explores functional impact—core therapeutic
communication skills. Option A minimizes the experience with "at least" (false
reassurance). Option C offers a premature cognitive intervention. Option D provides
medical advice and closes emotional exploration. Correct Answer: B
Q7. A nurse is terminating the therapeutic relationship with a client who has completed
a successful course of treatment for panic disorder. During the final session, the client
becomes tearful and says, "I don't know how I'll manage without you." Which response
best facilitates healthy closure?
A. "You'll be fine. You have all the tools you need now."
B. "It's normal to feel sad about ending our work together. We've accomplished a lot,
and I'm confident in your ability to use the skills you've learned. Let's review your
coping strategies one more time."
C. "We can schedule occasional check-in sessions if that would make you feel better."
D. "You shouldn't be dependent on me. That's not healthy."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Option B normalizes the client's feelings, reinforces accomplishments,
reviews coping strategies, and maintains boundaries—facilitating healthy termination.
NURSING TESTS 1&2 FALL 2026 | Test Bank |
Grade A+ | Complete Q&A | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
[TEST 1 - FOUNDATIONS & THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES (Q1-50)]
[Section 1A: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient Relationship (Q1-15)]
Q1. A 28-year-old client with major depressive disorder states, "I don't see the point in
anything anymore. Nothing matters." Which therapeutic response by the nurse
demonstrates the most effective use of active listening?
A. "You have so much to live for. Your family loves you, and you have a good job."
B. "It sounds like you're feeling hopeless right now. Can you tell me more about that?"
C. "Have you tried going for a walk or doing something fun to cheer yourself up?"
D. "Many people feel this way when they're depressed, but things will get better with
time."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Option B uses reflection and open-ended questioning, which are core
therapeutic communication techniques that validate the client's feelings and encourage
further expression. Option A offers false reassurance and approval, which are
nontherapeutic. Option C minimizes the client's experience and offers simplistic
solutions. Option D provides false reassurance and dismisses the client's current
emotional state. Correct Answer: B
Q2. During the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship, a client with
schizophrenia asks, "Are you married? Do you have children?" Which response best
maintains therapeutic boundaries while preserving the therapeutic alliance?
,A. "Yes, I am married with two children. Why do you ask?"
B. "I prefer to keep my personal life private. Let's focus on how you're doing today."
C. "My personal life isn't relevant to your care, but I understand you might be curious.
What would knowing that help you with?"
D. "That's not something I discuss with patients. Let's talk about your treatment plan
instead."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Option C acknowledges the client's curiosity without self-disclosure,
redirects to the client's needs, and explores the underlying meaning of the question—
maintaining boundaries therapeutically. Option A involves inappropriate self-
disclosure. Option B is abrupt and may seem dismissive. Option D is defensive and
closes communication. Correct Answer: C
Q3. A client with borderline personality disorder becomes angry and states, "You're just
like every other nurse—nobody really cares about me." Which response demonstrates
the most effective use of the therapeutic communication technique of setting limits?
A. "That's not fair. I've been here for you all shift."
B. "I understand you're upset, but I won't accept being spoken to that way. I'm here to
help you, and I need respectful communication to do that."
C. "You must be having a difficult time. Would you like to talk about your feelings?"
D. "Maybe you should take a PRN medication and rest for a while."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Option B clearly sets behavioral limits while maintaining a caring stance and
explaining the rationale—essential for clients with BPD who need consistent
boundaries. Option A is defensive and nontherapeutic. Option C ignores the
inappropriate behavior and may reinforce manipulation. Option D avoids addressing
the behavior and uses chemical restraint inappropriately. Correct Answer: B
,Q4. A nurse is working with a client who has been silent for 10 minutes during a
therapy session. The client stares at the floor and fidgets with their hands. Which
nonverbal communication observation should the nurse prioritize in formulating the
next therapeutic intervention?
A. The client's silence indicates resistance and should be challenged directly.
B. The client's fidgeting and gaze avoidance suggest anxiety; the nurse should provide
reassurance and allow more time.
C. The client is being manipulative by refusing to participate in the session.
D. The nurse should immediately interpret the silence as a sign of depression and
document it.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nonverbal cues (fidgeting, gaze avoidance) typically indicate anxiety or
discomfort rather than resistance or manipulation. Providing reassurance and allowing
time respects the client's pace and reduces anxiety. Option A misinterprets silence as
resistance. Option C incorrectly labels the behavior as manipulative. Option D makes an
unsubstantiated diagnostic assumption. Correct Answer: B
Q5. During a group therapy session, a client with bipolar disorder in a manic episode
dominates the conversation, interrupts others, and makes inappropriate jokes. Which
nursing intervention best maintains the therapeutic milieu?
A. Ask the client to leave the group session immediately.
B. Ignore the behavior to avoid reinforcing it with attention.
C. "I notice you're sharing a lot today. Let's hear from someone who hasn't had a chance
to speak. [Client name], what are your thoughts?"
D. Privately tell the client after the group that their behavior was inappropriate.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Option C redirects the client in the moment, validates their participation, and
involves other group members—maintaining group dynamics therapeutically. Option A
is punitive and excludes the client. Option B allows the behavior to disrupt others.
Option D delays intervention and misses the opportunity to model appropriate group
behavior in real-time. Correct Answer: C
, Q6. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder states, "I keep having these nightmares
where I'm back in the war. I wake up sweating and can't go back to sleep." Which
therapeutic response demonstrates empathy and encourages further exploration?
A. "At least you made it home safely. Many soldiers didn't have that chance."
B. "Those nightmares must be terrifying. It sounds like you're reliving traumatic
experiences. How are you coping during the day?"
C. "Have you tried keeping a dream journal to analyze what the nightmares mean?"
D. "Nightmares are common with PTSD. Your doctor can prescribe something to help
you sleep."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Option B demonstrates empathy through reflection, validates the traumatic
nature of the experience, and explores functional impact—core therapeutic
communication skills. Option A minimizes the experience with "at least" (false
reassurance). Option C offers a premature cognitive intervention. Option D provides
medical advice and closes emotional exploration. Correct Answer: B
Q7. A nurse is terminating the therapeutic relationship with a client who has completed
a successful course of treatment for panic disorder. During the final session, the client
becomes tearful and says, "I don't know how I'll manage without you." Which response
best facilitates healthy closure?
A. "You'll be fine. You have all the tools you need now."
B. "It's normal to feel sad about ending our work together. We've accomplished a lot,
and I'm confident in your ability to use the skills you've learned. Let's review your
coping strategies one more time."
C. "We can schedule occasional check-in sessions if that would make you feel better."
D. "You shouldn't be dependent on me. That's not healthy."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Option B normalizes the client's feelings, reinforces accomplishments,
reviews coping strategies, and maintains boundaries—facilitating healthy termination.
