,NURS 222 MENTAL HEALTH FINAL EXAM –
2026 EDITION
West Coast University | Latest Update |
Questions & Answers | Graded A+
DOMAIN 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL
HEALTH NURSING (Questions 1–25)
1. A nursing student asks the instructor, “What
is the primary purpose of the DSM-5-TR in
psychiatric nursing?” The best response is:
A) To provide a legal definition of mental illness
B) To standardize diagnostic criteria for mental
disorders
C) To list approved medications for each
disorder
D) To replace the nursing care plan
,Answer: B
Rationale: The DSM-5-TR provides
standardized criteria for diagnosing mental
disorders. It does not dictate treatment or legal
definitions.
2. A patient tells the nurse, “I stopped taking my
antipsychotic because I gained 40 pounds.” The
nurse recognizes this as which barrier to
treatment adherence?
A) Lack of insight
B) Medication side effect burden
C) Financial barrier
D) Therapeutic relationship issue
Answer: B
Rationale: Weight gain (metabolic syndrome) is
a common side effect of atypical antipsychotics.
The nurse should validate the concern and
discuss alternative medications or lifestyle
interventions.
, 3. The nurse is providing care on a locked
t t t t t t t t
psychiatric unit. Which patient right is most
t t t t t t t
frequently limited?
t t
A) Right to refuse treatment
t t t t
B) Right to freedom of movement (liberty)
t t t t t t
C) Right to confidentiality
t t t
D) Right to legal counsel
t t t t
Answer: B t
Rationale: Involuntary patients are detained t t t t
(liberty restricted), but they retain the right to
t t t t t t t t
refuse treatment (unless emergent),
t t t t
confidentiality, and legal counsel.
t t t t
4. A patient with schizophrenia is admitted
t t t t t t
involuntarily. The patient refuses all medication
t t t t t t
and is not imminently dangerous. The nurse
t t t t t t t
should:
t
A) Administer medication via IM injection
t t t t t
B) Respect refusal, document, and notify provider
t t t t t t
C) Discharge the patient
t t t
D) Place in seclusion until they agree
t t t t t t
2026 EDITION
West Coast University | Latest Update |
Questions & Answers | Graded A+
DOMAIN 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL
HEALTH NURSING (Questions 1–25)
1. A nursing student asks the instructor, “What
is the primary purpose of the DSM-5-TR in
psychiatric nursing?” The best response is:
A) To provide a legal definition of mental illness
B) To standardize diagnostic criteria for mental
disorders
C) To list approved medications for each
disorder
D) To replace the nursing care plan
,Answer: B
Rationale: The DSM-5-TR provides
standardized criteria for diagnosing mental
disorders. It does not dictate treatment or legal
definitions.
2. A patient tells the nurse, “I stopped taking my
antipsychotic because I gained 40 pounds.” The
nurse recognizes this as which barrier to
treatment adherence?
A) Lack of insight
B) Medication side effect burden
C) Financial barrier
D) Therapeutic relationship issue
Answer: B
Rationale: Weight gain (metabolic syndrome) is
a common side effect of atypical antipsychotics.
The nurse should validate the concern and
discuss alternative medications or lifestyle
interventions.
, 3. The nurse is providing care on a locked
t t t t t t t t
psychiatric unit. Which patient right is most
t t t t t t t
frequently limited?
t t
A) Right to refuse treatment
t t t t
B) Right to freedom of movement (liberty)
t t t t t t
C) Right to confidentiality
t t t
D) Right to legal counsel
t t t t
Answer: B t
Rationale: Involuntary patients are detained t t t t
(liberty restricted), but they retain the right to
t t t t t t t t
refuse treatment (unless emergent),
t t t t
confidentiality, and legal counsel.
t t t t
4. A patient with schizophrenia is admitted
t t t t t t
involuntarily. The patient refuses all medication
t t t t t t
and is not imminently dangerous. The nurse
t t t t t t t
should:
t
A) Administer medication via IM injection
t t t t t
B) Respect refusal, document, and notify provider
t t t t t t
C) Discharge the patient
t t t
D) Place in seclusion until they agree
t t t t t t
