Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Exam 6A (2025) comprehensive questions and verified
answers ( detailed & elaborated) 2025-2026 TEST
A client in a mental health facility is demonstrating manic-type behavior by
being demanding and hyperactive. What is the nurse's major objective?
Maintaining a supportive, structured environment
A confused hallucinating client says, "My arms are turning to stone." What is
the most therapeutic response by the nurse?
"It can be frightening to feel that way."
When a newly admitted client with paranoid ideation tells the nurse about
people coming through the doors to commit murder, the nurse should:
Listen to what the client is saying
A client with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) has negative
feelings toward the other clients on the unit and considers them all "bad."
Which defense is the client using when identifying the other clients thusly?
Splitting
A 17-year-old client is admitted to the hospital because of weight loss and
malnutrition, and the health care provider diagnoses anorexia nervosa. After
the client's physical condition is stabilized, the provider, in conjunction with
the client and parents, decides to institute a behavior-modification program.
What component of behavior modification verbalized by one of the parents
leads the nurse to conclude that the parent has an understanding of the
therapy?
Rewarding positive behavior
An older client with a diagnosis of dementia is living in a long-term care
facility. The client's daughter, who lives 300 miles away, calls the unit to speak
to the nurse about her upcoming visit. What should the nurse say in response
to her question about the best time of day to visit?
"Around 2:30 in the afternoon is the best time to visit."
,What is the best initial nursing approach to take with a self-accusatory, guilt-
ridden client?
Accepting the client's statements as the client's beliefs
A client who has a history of a conversion reaction that involves weakness in
the right arm that periodically progresses to paralysis is hospitalized on the
mental health unit of the local community hospital. While listening to
instructions for a group project, the client experiences a feeling of weakness
and is unable to move the right arm. After evaluating the client, what should
the nurse ask?
"What emotion were you feeling before you felt the weakness?"
When intimate partner violence (IPV) is suspected, the nurse plays an
important role as an advocate for the victim. The advocate role includes
several important components. (Select all that apply.)
Planning for future safety
Validating the experiences
Promoting access to community services
While watching television in the dayroom a client who has demonstrated
withdrawn, regressed behavior suddenly screams, bursts into tears, and runs
from the room to the far end of the hallway. What is the most therapeutic
intervention by the nurse?
Walking to the end of the hallway where the client is standing
A nurse is conducting the Mini-Mental Status examination on an older client.
What should the nurse ask the client to do when testing short-term memory?
State three random words mentioned earlier in the exam
A client in the mental health clinic has a phobia about closed spaces. Which
desensitization method should the nurse expect to be used successfully with
this client?
Imagery
What treatment should a nurse anticipate will be prescribed for a client with
severe, persistent, intractable depression and suicidal ideation?
Electroconvulsive therapy
An older adult, accompanied by family members, is admitted to a long-term
care facility with symptoms of dementia. During the admission procedure the
initial statement by the nurse most helpful to this client is:
,"Don't be afraid. I'm your nurse, and everyone here in the hospital is here to help
you."
An older depressed person at an independent living facility constantly
complains about her health problems to anyone who will listen. One day the
client says, "I'm not going to any more activities. All these old crabby people
do is talk about their problems." What defense mechanism does the nurse
conclude that the client is using?
Projection
A client with alcohol dependence problem asks whether the nurse can see the
bugs that are crawling on the bed. What is the nurse's initial reply?
"No, I don't see any bugs."
A client is responding within an hour of receiving naloxone to combat
respiratory depression from an overdose of heroin. Why should a nurse
continue to closely monitor this client's status?
Symptoms of the heroin overdose may return after the naloxone is metabolized.
A client tells the nurse, "The voices say I'll be safe only if I stay in this room,
wear these clothes, and avoid stepping on the cracks between the floor tiles."
What is the best initial response by the nurse?
"I understand that these voices are real to you, but I want you to know that I don't
hear them."
A parent of a 17-year-old girl who has been hospitalized for extremely
disturbed acting-out behavior leaves a gift for the daughter but says, "I'm too
busy to visit today." The daughter becomes upset and tearful after being given
the message and opening the package. What does the nurse conclude that the
parent's actions represent?
Double-bind message
A client with schizophrenia is admitted to a psychiatric unit. The client is
talking while walking in the hall, is unkempt, and obviously has not washed in
several days. What should the nurse say when trying to help this client
shower?
"I'll help you take your shower now."
When a client is expressing severe anxiety by sobbing in the fetal position on
her bed, the nurse's priority is:
Ensuring a safe therapeutic milieu
, A nurse is caring for several clients who are going through withdrawal from
alcohol. The primary reason for the ingestion of alcohol by clients with a
history of alcohol abuse is that they:
Are dependent on it
A nurse is caring for a client with the diagnosis of alcohol withdrawal delirium.
Which action is most appropriate for the nurse to implement?
Assuring the client that the symptoms are part of the withdrawal syndrome
A 30-year-old woman reports to the mental health clinic on the
recommendation of her primary health care provider. She has been unable to
carry out everyday activities because of increased pain in her lower back and
legs. Numerous neurological and orthopedic workups indicate that her
symptoms seem excessive when compared with the physical problems shown
on physical examination and repeated MRIs and x-rays. She says that no one
understands how difficult it has been to care for her 32-year-old husband, who
has an inoperable brain tumor and is undergoing chemotherapy. In light of the
history and symptoms, what disorder should the nurse suspect?
Conversion
A client is admitted to the hospital because of incapacitating obsessive-
compulsive behavior. The statement that best describes how clients with
obsessive-compulsive behavior view this disorder is:
"I know there's no reason to do these things, but I can't help myself."
A client with schizophrenia is demonstrating waxy flexibility. Which
intervention is the best way to manage the possible outcome of this behavior?
Passive range-of-motion exercises three times a day for effective joint health
A client has been on the psychiatric unit for several days. The client arouses
anxiety and frustration in the staff and manipulates them so well that staff
members are afraid to approach the client. One morning the client shouts at
the nurse, "You've worked it so I can't go for a walk with the group today.
You're as cunning as a fox. I hate you! Get out, or I'll hit you!" What is the best
response by the nurse?
"I don't like hearing your threats, but tell me more about your feelings."
An adult client confides to a clinic nurse, "I fantasize about having sex with
children, and I get the urge to do it, too." What is the most appropriate
response by the nurse?
answers ( detailed & elaborated) 2025-2026 TEST
A client in a mental health facility is demonstrating manic-type behavior by
being demanding and hyperactive. What is the nurse's major objective?
Maintaining a supportive, structured environment
A confused hallucinating client says, "My arms are turning to stone." What is
the most therapeutic response by the nurse?
"It can be frightening to feel that way."
When a newly admitted client with paranoid ideation tells the nurse about
people coming through the doors to commit murder, the nurse should:
Listen to what the client is saying
A client with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) has negative
feelings toward the other clients on the unit and considers them all "bad."
Which defense is the client using when identifying the other clients thusly?
Splitting
A 17-year-old client is admitted to the hospital because of weight loss and
malnutrition, and the health care provider diagnoses anorexia nervosa. After
the client's physical condition is stabilized, the provider, in conjunction with
the client and parents, decides to institute a behavior-modification program.
What component of behavior modification verbalized by one of the parents
leads the nurse to conclude that the parent has an understanding of the
therapy?
Rewarding positive behavior
An older client with a diagnosis of dementia is living in a long-term care
facility. The client's daughter, who lives 300 miles away, calls the unit to speak
to the nurse about her upcoming visit. What should the nurse say in response
to her question about the best time of day to visit?
"Around 2:30 in the afternoon is the best time to visit."
,What is the best initial nursing approach to take with a self-accusatory, guilt-
ridden client?
Accepting the client's statements as the client's beliefs
A client who has a history of a conversion reaction that involves weakness in
the right arm that periodically progresses to paralysis is hospitalized on the
mental health unit of the local community hospital. While listening to
instructions for a group project, the client experiences a feeling of weakness
and is unable to move the right arm. After evaluating the client, what should
the nurse ask?
"What emotion were you feeling before you felt the weakness?"
When intimate partner violence (IPV) is suspected, the nurse plays an
important role as an advocate for the victim. The advocate role includes
several important components. (Select all that apply.)
Planning for future safety
Validating the experiences
Promoting access to community services
While watching television in the dayroom a client who has demonstrated
withdrawn, regressed behavior suddenly screams, bursts into tears, and runs
from the room to the far end of the hallway. What is the most therapeutic
intervention by the nurse?
Walking to the end of the hallway where the client is standing
A nurse is conducting the Mini-Mental Status examination on an older client.
What should the nurse ask the client to do when testing short-term memory?
State three random words mentioned earlier in the exam
A client in the mental health clinic has a phobia about closed spaces. Which
desensitization method should the nurse expect to be used successfully with
this client?
Imagery
What treatment should a nurse anticipate will be prescribed for a client with
severe, persistent, intractable depression and suicidal ideation?
Electroconvulsive therapy
An older adult, accompanied by family members, is admitted to a long-term
care facility with symptoms of dementia. During the admission procedure the
initial statement by the nurse most helpful to this client is:
,"Don't be afraid. I'm your nurse, and everyone here in the hospital is here to help
you."
An older depressed person at an independent living facility constantly
complains about her health problems to anyone who will listen. One day the
client says, "I'm not going to any more activities. All these old crabby people
do is talk about their problems." What defense mechanism does the nurse
conclude that the client is using?
Projection
A client with alcohol dependence problem asks whether the nurse can see the
bugs that are crawling on the bed. What is the nurse's initial reply?
"No, I don't see any bugs."
A client is responding within an hour of receiving naloxone to combat
respiratory depression from an overdose of heroin. Why should a nurse
continue to closely monitor this client's status?
Symptoms of the heroin overdose may return after the naloxone is metabolized.
A client tells the nurse, "The voices say I'll be safe only if I stay in this room,
wear these clothes, and avoid stepping on the cracks between the floor tiles."
What is the best initial response by the nurse?
"I understand that these voices are real to you, but I want you to know that I don't
hear them."
A parent of a 17-year-old girl who has been hospitalized for extremely
disturbed acting-out behavior leaves a gift for the daughter but says, "I'm too
busy to visit today." The daughter becomes upset and tearful after being given
the message and opening the package. What does the nurse conclude that the
parent's actions represent?
Double-bind message
A client with schizophrenia is admitted to a psychiatric unit. The client is
talking while walking in the hall, is unkempt, and obviously has not washed in
several days. What should the nurse say when trying to help this client
shower?
"I'll help you take your shower now."
When a client is expressing severe anxiety by sobbing in the fetal position on
her bed, the nurse's priority is:
Ensuring a safe therapeutic milieu
, A nurse is caring for several clients who are going through withdrawal from
alcohol. The primary reason for the ingestion of alcohol by clients with a
history of alcohol abuse is that they:
Are dependent on it
A nurse is caring for a client with the diagnosis of alcohol withdrawal delirium.
Which action is most appropriate for the nurse to implement?
Assuring the client that the symptoms are part of the withdrawal syndrome
A 30-year-old woman reports to the mental health clinic on the
recommendation of her primary health care provider. She has been unable to
carry out everyday activities because of increased pain in her lower back and
legs. Numerous neurological and orthopedic workups indicate that her
symptoms seem excessive when compared with the physical problems shown
on physical examination and repeated MRIs and x-rays. She says that no one
understands how difficult it has been to care for her 32-year-old husband, who
has an inoperable brain tumor and is undergoing chemotherapy. In light of the
history and symptoms, what disorder should the nurse suspect?
Conversion
A client is admitted to the hospital because of incapacitating obsessive-
compulsive behavior. The statement that best describes how clients with
obsessive-compulsive behavior view this disorder is:
"I know there's no reason to do these things, but I can't help myself."
A client with schizophrenia is demonstrating waxy flexibility. Which
intervention is the best way to manage the possible outcome of this behavior?
Passive range-of-motion exercises three times a day for effective joint health
A client has been on the psychiatric unit for several days. The client arouses
anxiety and frustration in the staff and manipulates them so well that staff
members are afraid to approach the client. One morning the client shouts at
the nurse, "You've worked it so I can't go for a walk with the group today.
You're as cunning as a fox. I hate you! Get out, or I'll hit you!" What is the best
response by the nurse?
"I don't like hearing your threats, but tell me more about your feelings."
An adult client confides to a clinic nurse, "I fantasize about having sex with
children, and I get the urge to do it, too." What is the most appropriate
response by the nurse?
