NUR 208/NUR208 Exam 1 V1 | Mental
Health Nursing Q&A with Rationale | Fortis
College
1. A nurse is conducting an admission assessment on a client with a history of schizophrenia.
Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most commonly associated with the positive symptoms
of this disorder?
A. Decreased Acetylcholine
B. Decreased Serotonin
C. Increased Dopamine
D. Increased GABA
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The dopamine hypothesis suggests that an overactive dopamine
system in certain brain regions contributes to hallucinations and delusions. These are
known as positive symptoms because they represent an excess or distortion of normal
function. Most antipsychotic medications work by blocking dopamine receptors to alleviate
these symptoms.
2. During the orientation phase of the nurse-client relationship, which of the following tasks
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Promoting the client’s problem-solving skills
,B. Establishing the parameters of the relationship
C. Evaluating progress toward goals
D. Reducing the client’s anxiety regarding termination
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The orientation phase focuses on establishing trust, defining roles,
and setting boundaries for the therapeutic interaction. This phase is critical for clarifying
the expectations of both the nurse and the client before moving into the working phase.
Without clear parameters, the therapeutic relationship may lack the structure necessary
for effective intervention.
3. A client tells the nurse, ‘I don’t think I should be here; I’m not crazy like the others.’ The
nurse responds, ‘You feel that you don’t belong here?’ This is an example of which
technique?
A. Summarizing
B. Giving information
C. Focusing
D. Restating
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Restating involves repeating the main idea expressed by the client to
confirm understanding and encourage further exploration. It allows the client to hear what
, they have said and provides an opportunity for clarification if the nurse misunderstood.
This technique is a cornerstone of therapeutic communication in mental health nursing.
4. Which ethical principle is the nurse practicing when they ensure that a client has provided
informed consent before beginning a new treatment regimen?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Autonomy refers to the client’s right to make their own decisions
regarding their healthcare and treatment plan. By obtaining informed consent, the nurse
respects the individual’s self-determination and personal freedom. This principle is
foundational to modern medical ethics and protects clients from unauthorized medical
interventions.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is being treated for generalized anxiety disorder. Which
neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by benzodiazepines to produce a calming effect?
A. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
B. Glutamate
C. Norepinephrine
Health Nursing Q&A with Rationale | Fortis
College
1. A nurse is conducting an admission assessment on a client with a history of schizophrenia.
Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most commonly associated with the positive symptoms
of this disorder?
A. Decreased Acetylcholine
B. Decreased Serotonin
C. Increased Dopamine
D. Increased GABA
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The dopamine hypothesis suggests that an overactive dopamine
system in certain brain regions contributes to hallucinations and delusions. These are
known as positive symptoms because they represent an excess or distortion of normal
function. Most antipsychotic medications work by blocking dopamine receptors to alleviate
these symptoms.
2. During the orientation phase of the nurse-client relationship, which of the following tasks
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Promoting the client’s problem-solving skills
,B. Establishing the parameters of the relationship
C. Evaluating progress toward goals
D. Reducing the client’s anxiety regarding termination
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The orientation phase focuses on establishing trust, defining roles,
and setting boundaries for the therapeutic interaction. This phase is critical for clarifying
the expectations of both the nurse and the client before moving into the working phase.
Without clear parameters, the therapeutic relationship may lack the structure necessary
for effective intervention.
3. A client tells the nurse, ‘I don’t think I should be here; I’m not crazy like the others.’ The
nurse responds, ‘You feel that you don’t belong here?’ This is an example of which
technique?
A. Summarizing
B. Giving information
C. Focusing
D. Restating
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Restating involves repeating the main idea expressed by the client to
confirm understanding and encourage further exploration. It allows the client to hear what
, they have said and provides an opportunity for clarification if the nurse misunderstood.
This technique is a cornerstone of therapeutic communication in mental health nursing.
4. Which ethical principle is the nurse practicing when they ensure that a client has provided
informed consent before beginning a new treatment regimen?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Autonomy refers to the client’s right to make their own decisions
regarding their healthcare and treatment plan. By obtaining informed consent, the nurse
respects the individual’s self-determination and personal freedom. This principle is
foundational to modern medical ethics and protects clients from unauthorized medical
interventions.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is being treated for generalized anxiety disorder. Which
neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by benzodiazepines to produce a calming effect?
A. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
B. Glutamate
C. Norepinephrine
