PRN 1562/PRN1562 Exam 1 V3 | Principles
of Mental Health Nursing Q&A with
Rationale | Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is discussing the concept of ‘beneficence’ with a student. Which of the following
actions best exemplifies this ethical principle?
A. Allowing a patient to refuse a prescribed medication.
B. Providing the same level of care to all patients regardless of their background.
C. Spending extra time comforting a patient who is experiencing high anxiety.
D. Being honest with a patient about their prognosis.
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Beneficence is the duty to act in a way that benefits others and
promotes good. Spending extra time with an anxious patient directly seeks to improve the
patient’s well-being and provide comfort. This differs from autonomy, which focuses on the
patient’s right to choose, or justice, which focuses on fairness.
2. During an intake assessment, a patient tells the nurse, ‘The FBI is tracking my every move
through the television.’ Which component of the Mental Status Exam (MSE) does this
statement reflect?
A. Affect
B. Judgment
,C. Orientation
D. Thought content
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Thought content refers to what a person is actually thinking about,
including delusions or paranoid ideations. This specific statement is a delusion of
persecution, which is a common assessment finding in certain psychiatric disorders. The
nurse must document this under thought content rather than mood or orientation.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who was involuntarily committed to a mental health facility.
Which of the following rights does the client still maintain?
A. The right to refuse antipsychotic medications.
B. The right to leave the facility against medical advice.
C. The right to carry personal weapons for self-defense.
D. The right to ignore all scheduled therapy sessions.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Involuntary admission does not automatically strip a patient of the
right to refuse treatment, including medications. Only in emergency situations where the
patient is an immediate danger to self or others can medications be administered without
consent. Patients who are involuntarily committed still retain civil rights, including the
right to legal counsel and informed consent.
, 4. A nurse is using the technique of ‘reflection’ during a conversation with a client. The client
says, ‘I feel like my family has abandoned me.’ Which response by the nurse is reflective?
A. ‘Why do you think they feel that way?’
B. ‘Let us talk about your childhood instead.’
C. ‘I am sure they still love you very much.’
D. ‘You feel that your family is no longer supporting you.’
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Reflection involves directing the client’s feelings and thoughts back to
them to encourage exploration. By stating that the client feels unsupported, the nurse
validates the client’s emotion without offering advice or false reassurance. This technique
helps the client better understand their own feelings through a mirror-like feedback
process.
5. Which level of prevention is a nurse practicing when conducting a depression screening at
a local community center?
A. Secondary prevention
B. Primary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Correct Answer: A
of Mental Health Nursing Q&A with
Rationale | Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is discussing the concept of ‘beneficence’ with a student. Which of the following
actions best exemplifies this ethical principle?
A. Allowing a patient to refuse a prescribed medication.
B. Providing the same level of care to all patients regardless of their background.
C. Spending extra time comforting a patient who is experiencing high anxiety.
D. Being honest with a patient about their prognosis.
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Beneficence is the duty to act in a way that benefits others and
promotes good. Spending extra time with an anxious patient directly seeks to improve the
patient’s well-being and provide comfort. This differs from autonomy, which focuses on the
patient’s right to choose, or justice, which focuses on fairness.
2. During an intake assessment, a patient tells the nurse, ‘The FBI is tracking my every move
through the television.’ Which component of the Mental Status Exam (MSE) does this
statement reflect?
A. Affect
B. Judgment
,C. Orientation
D. Thought content
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Thought content refers to what a person is actually thinking about,
including delusions or paranoid ideations. This specific statement is a delusion of
persecution, which is a common assessment finding in certain psychiatric disorders. The
nurse must document this under thought content rather than mood or orientation.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who was involuntarily committed to a mental health facility.
Which of the following rights does the client still maintain?
A. The right to refuse antipsychotic medications.
B. The right to leave the facility against medical advice.
C. The right to carry personal weapons for self-defense.
D. The right to ignore all scheduled therapy sessions.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Involuntary admission does not automatically strip a patient of the
right to refuse treatment, including medications. Only in emergency situations where the
patient is an immediate danger to self or others can medications be administered without
consent. Patients who are involuntarily committed still retain civil rights, including the
right to legal counsel and informed consent.
, 4. A nurse is using the technique of ‘reflection’ during a conversation with a client. The client
says, ‘I feel like my family has abandoned me.’ Which response by the nurse is reflective?
A. ‘Why do you think they feel that way?’
B. ‘Let us talk about your childhood instead.’
C. ‘I am sure they still love you very much.’
D. ‘You feel that your family is no longer supporting you.’
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Reflection involves directing the client’s feelings and thoughts back to
them to encourage exploration. By stating that the client feels unsupported, the nurse
validates the client’s emotion without offering advice or false reassurance. This technique
helps the client better understand their own feelings through a mirror-like feedback
process.
5. Which level of prevention is a nurse practicing when conducting a depression screening at
a local community center?
A. Secondary prevention
B. Primary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Correct Answer: A
