NURS 254 Exam 1 Study Guide Psychiatric Nursing
Foundations Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep | 100%
Accurate Answers
1. Describe the significance of the 72-hour timeframe associated with a 5150
hold in psychiatric care.
The 72-hour timeframe allows for assessment and stabilization of the
patient in a safe environment.
The 72-hour timeframe is the maximum duration for any psychiatric
treatment.
The 72-hour timeframe is solely for administrative purposes.
The 72-hour timeframe is used to determine the patient's eligibility for
medication.
2. In a psychiatric unit, if a patient is showing signs of increased anxiety, which
aspect of Nightingale's Environmental Theory should a nurse prioritize to help
alleviate the patient's distress?
Increasing medication dosage
Improving the cleanliness and calmness of the environment
Encouraging group therapy sessions
Limiting patient interactions
3. What is tardive dyskinesia, a neurological disorder associated with certain
medications?
Tardive dyskinesia is a mood disorder characterized by alternating
periods of mania and depression, often triggered by stressful events.
, Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder characterized by
involuntary, repetitive movements of the face, tongue, and other
body parts, caused by prolonged use of certain medications,
particularly antipsychotics.
Tardive dyskinesia is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive
daytime sleepiness and sudden, uncontrollable episodes of falling
asleep, unrelated to the amount of rest an individual gets.
Tardive dyskinesia is a form of memory impairment leading to the
inability to recall past events, often resulting from head injuries or
trauma
4. Describe the key symptoms associated with Neuroleptic Malignant
Syndrome (NMS) and their significance in psychiatric nursing.
NMS is characterized by mild symptoms such as fatigue and
headache.
Symptoms of NMS include fever, rigidity, and altered mental status,
which indicate a serious reaction to antipsychotic medications.
NMS only presents with fever and does not involve muscle rigidity.
NMS symptoms are primarily gastrointestinal and do not affect mental
status.
5. What does Florence Nightingale's Environmental Theory emphasize as crucial
for healing in psychiatric nursing?
Medication adherence
Patient autonomy
A clean, calm environment
Therapeutic communication
6. Describe the significance of the 'Love/Belonging' level in Maslow's Hierarchy
, of Needs in relation to psychiatric nursing.
The 'Love/Belonging' level is the highest priority in all nursing care.
The 'Love/Belonging' level focuses solely on physical health.
The 'Love/Belonging' level is irrelevant to psychiatric nursing.
The 'Love/Belonging' level emphasizes the importance of social
relationships and support in mental health.
7. Describe the rationale behind administering emergency medications without
consent in psychiatric settings.
Patients must always provide consent before any medication is
administered.
Emergency medications are always given without consent regardless
of the situation.
Emergency medications can be given without consent to ensure the
safety of the patient and others during a crisis.
Emergency medications are only given if the patient is unconscious.
8. In a psychiatric nursing scenario, how might a nurse address a patient's needs
at the 'Esteem' level of Maslow's Hierarchy?
By encouraging the patient to set and achieve personal goals to
build self-esteem.
By ensuring the patient has a safe environment.
By providing the patient with basic physical care.
By focusing solely on medication management.
9. _____ are at the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
Safety needs
Foundations Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep | 100%
Accurate Answers
1. Describe the significance of the 72-hour timeframe associated with a 5150
hold in psychiatric care.
The 72-hour timeframe allows for assessment and stabilization of the
patient in a safe environment.
The 72-hour timeframe is the maximum duration for any psychiatric
treatment.
The 72-hour timeframe is solely for administrative purposes.
The 72-hour timeframe is used to determine the patient's eligibility for
medication.
2. In a psychiatric unit, if a patient is showing signs of increased anxiety, which
aspect of Nightingale's Environmental Theory should a nurse prioritize to help
alleviate the patient's distress?
Increasing medication dosage
Improving the cleanliness and calmness of the environment
Encouraging group therapy sessions
Limiting patient interactions
3. What is tardive dyskinesia, a neurological disorder associated with certain
medications?
Tardive dyskinesia is a mood disorder characterized by alternating
periods of mania and depression, often triggered by stressful events.
, Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder characterized by
involuntary, repetitive movements of the face, tongue, and other
body parts, caused by prolonged use of certain medications,
particularly antipsychotics.
Tardive dyskinesia is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive
daytime sleepiness and sudden, uncontrollable episodes of falling
asleep, unrelated to the amount of rest an individual gets.
Tardive dyskinesia is a form of memory impairment leading to the
inability to recall past events, often resulting from head injuries or
trauma
4. Describe the key symptoms associated with Neuroleptic Malignant
Syndrome (NMS) and their significance in psychiatric nursing.
NMS is characterized by mild symptoms such as fatigue and
headache.
Symptoms of NMS include fever, rigidity, and altered mental status,
which indicate a serious reaction to antipsychotic medications.
NMS only presents with fever and does not involve muscle rigidity.
NMS symptoms are primarily gastrointestinal and do not affect mental
status.
5. What does Florence Nightingale's Environmental Theory emphasize as crucial
for healing in psychiatric nursing?
Medication adherence
Patient autonomy
A clean, calm environment
Therapeutic communication
6. Describe the significance of the 'Love/Belonging' level in Maslow's Hierarchy
, of Needs in relation to psychiatric nursing.
The 'Love/Belonging' level is the highest priority in all nursing care.
The 'Love/Belonging' level focuses solely on physical health.
The 'Love/Belonging' level is irrelevant to psychiatric nursing.
The 'Love/Belonging' level emphasizes the importance of social
relationships and support in mental health.
7. Describe the rationale behind administering emergency medications without
consent in psychiatric settings.
Patients must always provide consent before any medication is
administered.
Emergency medications are always given without consent regardless
of the situation.
Emergency medications can be given without consent to ensure the
safety of the patient and others during a crisis.
Emergency medications are only given if the patient is unconscious.
8. In a psychiatric nursing scenario, how might a nurse address a patient's needs
at the 'Esteem' level of Maslow's Hierarchy?
By encouraging the patient to set and achieve personal goals to
build self-esteem.
By ensuring the patient has a safe environment.
By providing the patient with basic physical care.
By focusing solely on medication management.
9. _____ are at the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
Safety needs
