NURS 354 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
A psychiatric nurse working on an inpatient unit receives a call asking if an individual has been a
client in the facility. Which nursing response reflects appropriate legal and ethical obligations?
1. The nurse refuses to give any information to the caller, citing rules of confidentiality.
2. The nurse hangs up on the caller.
3. The nurse confirms that the person has been at the facility but adds no additional
information.
4. The nurse suggests that the caller speak to the client's therapist. - ANS ANS: 1.
The nurse refuses to give any information to the caller, citing rules of confidentiality.
Rationale: The most appropriate action by the nurse is to refuse to give any information to the
caller. Admission to the facility would be considered protected health information (PHI) and
should not be disclosed by the nurse without prior client consent.
Which statement should a nurse identify as correct regarding a client's right to refuse
treatment?
1. Clients can refuse pharmacological but not psychological treatment.
2. Clients can refuse any treatment at any time.
3. Clients can refuse only electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 25
,4. Professionals can override treatment refusal by an actively suicidal or homicidal client. -
ANS ANS: 4
Professionals can override treatment refusal by an actively suicidal or homicidal client.
Rationale: The nurse should understand that health-care professionals could override treatment
refusal when a client is actively suicidal or homicidal. A suicidal or homicidal client who refuses
treatment may be in danger or a danger to others. This situation should be treated as an
emergency, and treatment may be performed without informed consent.
How would a nurse best complete the new DSM-5 definition of a mental disorder? "A health
condition characterized by significant dysfunction in an individual's cognitions, or behaviors that
reflects a disturbance in the: ________________ - ANS psychological, cognitive, or
developmental process underlying mental functioning."
When working with clients of a particular culture, which action should a nurse avoid?
1. Maintaining eye contact based on cultural norms
2. Assuming that all individuals who share a culture or ethnic group are similar
3. Supporting the client in participating in cultural and spiritual rituals
4. Using an interpreter to clarify communication - ANS ANS: 2
The nurse should avoid assuming that all individuals who share a culture or ethnic group are
similar. This action constitutes stereotyping and must be avoided. Within each culture, many
variations and subcultures exist. Clients should be treated as individuals.
Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to an agitated
client. The nurse's coworker observes this action but does nothing for fear of retaliation. What is
the ethical interpretation of the coworker's lack of involvement?
1. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by the coworker.
2. Taking no action releases the coworker from ethical responsibility.
3. Taking no action is advised when potential adverse consequences are foreseen.
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, 4. Taking no action is acceptable, because the coworker is only a bystander. - ANS ANS: 1
Rationale: The coworker's lack of involvement can be interpreted as an unethical action. The
coworker is experiencing an ethical dilemma in which a decision needs to be made between
two unfavorable alternatives. The coworker has a responsibility to report any observed
unethical actions.
A nurse should recognize that clients who have a history of missed or late medical
appointments are most likely to come from which cultural group?
1. African Americans
2. Asian Americans
3. Native Americans
4. Jewish Americans - ANS ANS: 3
The nurse should recognize that Native American clients might have a history of missed or late
medical appointments. Many Native Americans are not ruled by the clock. The concept of time
is casual and focused on the present.
What is the priority nursing action during the orientation (introductory) phase of the nurse-
client relationship?
1. Acknowledge the client's actions and generate alternative behaviors
2. Establish rapport and develop treatment goals
3. Attempt to find alternative placement
4. Explore how thoughts and feelings about this client may adversely impact care - ANS ANS:
2
The priority nursing action during the orientation phase of the nurse-client relationship should
be to establish rapport and develop treatment goals. Rapport implies feelings on the part of
both the nurse and the client based on respect, acceptance, a sense of trust, and a
nonjudgmental attitude. It is the essential foundation of the nurse-client relationship.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 25
ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
A psychiatric nurse working on an inpatient unit receives a call asking if an individual has been a
client in the facility. Which nursing response reflects appropriate legal and ethical obligations?
1. The nurse refuses to give any information to the caller, citing rules of confidentiality.
2. The nurse hangs up on the caller.
3. The nurse confirms that the person has been at the facility but adds no additional
information.
4. The nurse suggests that the caller speak to the client's therapist. - ANS ANS: 1.
The nurse refuses to give any information to the caller, citing rules of confidentiality.
Rationale: The most appropriate action by the nurse is to refuse to give any information to the
caller. Admission to the facility would be considered protected health information (PHI) and
should not be disclosed by the nurse without prior client consent.
Which statement should a nurse identify as correct regarding a client's right to refuse
treatment?
1. Clients can refuse pharmacological but not psychological treatment.
2. Clients can refuse any treatment at any time.
3. Clients can refuse only electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 25
,4. Professionals can override treatment refusal by an actively suicidal or homicidal client. -
ANS ANS: 4
Professionals can override treatment refusal by an actively suicidal or homicidal client.
Rationale: The nurse should understand that health-care professionals could override treatment
refusal when a client is actively suicidal or homicidal. A suicidal or homicidal client who refuses
treatment may be in danger or a danger to others. This situation should be treated as an
emergency, and treatment may be performed without informed consent.
How would a nurse best complete the new DSM-5 definition of a mental disorder? "A health
condition characterized by significant dysfunction in an individual's cognitions, or behaviors that
reflects a disturbance in the: ________________ - ANS psychological, cognitive, or
developmental process underlying mental functioning."
When working with clients of a particular culture, which action should a nurse avoid?
1. Maintaining eye contact based on cultural norms
2. Assuming that all individuals who share a culture or ethnic group are similar
3. Supporting the client in participating in cultural and spiritual rituals
4. Using an interpreter to clarify communication - ANS ANS: 2
The nurse should avoid assuming that all individuals who share a culture or ethnic group are
similar. This action constitutes stereotyping and must be avoided. Within each culture, many
variations and subcultures exist. Clients should be treated as individuals.
Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to an agitated
client. The nurse's coworker observes this action but does nothing for fear of retaliation. What is
the ethical interpretation of the coworker's lack of involvement?
1. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by the coworker.
2. Taking no action releases the coworker from ethical responsibility.
3. Taking no action is advised when potential adverse consequences are foreseen.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 25
, 4. Taking no action is acceptable, because the coworker is only a bystander. - ANS ANS: 1
Rationale: The coworker's lack of involvement can be interpreted as an unethical action. The
coworker is experiencing an ethical dilemma in which a decision needs to be made between
two unfavorable alternatives. The coworker has a responsibility to report any observed
unethical actions.
A nurse should recognize that clients who have a history of missed or late medical
appointments are most likely to come from which cultural group?
1. African Americans
2. Asian Americans
3. Native Americans
4. Jewish Americans - ANS ANS: 3
The nurse should recognize that Native American clients might have a history of missed or late
medical appointments. Many Native Americans are not ruled by the clock. The concept of time
is casual and focused on the present.
What is the priority nursing action during the orientation (introductory) phase of the nurse-
client relationship?
1. Acknowledge the client's actions and generate alternative behaviors
2. Establish rapport and develop treatment goals
3. Attempt to find alternative placement
4. Explore how thoughts and feelings about this client may adversely impact care - ANS ANS:
2
The priority nursing action during the orientation phase of the nurse-client relationship should
be to establish rapport and develop treatment goals. Rapport implies feelings on the part of
both the nurse and the client based on respect, acceptance, a sense of trust, and a
nonjudgmental attitude. It is the essential foundation of the nurse-client relationship.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 25
