ECPI Mental Health Exam One 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
1. What is the primary goal of the nurse during the orientation phase of the nurse-patient
relationship?
A. To explore the patient's deepest feelings
B. To establish trust and define boundaries and responsibilities
C. To solve the patient's primary problem
D. To terminate the relationship successfully
Answer: B. To establish trust and define boundaries and responsibilities
2. A patient says, "I'm nothing. My life is a waste." Which response by the nurse is the most
therapeutic?
A. "That's not true; you have so much to live for."
B. "Tell me more about what makes you feel that way."
C. "You shouldn't think like that. Let's watch TV."
D. "Why do you feel like you are nothing?"
Answer: B. "Tell me more about what makes you feel that way."
3. A patient with Schizophrenia states, "The electrons are eating my thoughts." The nurse
documents this as which type of thought process?
A. Neologism
B. Thought broadcasting
C. Thought insertion
D. Thought blocking
Answer: C. Thought insertion
4. What is the primary action of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Block dopamine receptors
B. Increase the availability of serotonin in the synaptic cleft
C. Inhibit monoamine oxidase
D. Increase GABA activity
Answer: B. Increase the availability of serotonin in the synaptic cleft
,5. A key symptom of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is:
A. Tardive Dyskinesia
B. Muscle rigidity and hyperthermia
C. Akathisia
D. Dystonia
Answer: B. Muscle rigidity and hyperthermia
6. Which statement by a nurse demonstrates the therapeutic technique of "offering self"?
A. "I'll sit with you for 15 minutes until your anxiety decreases."
B. "You should join the group activity today."
C. "Why did you say that to your doctor?"
D. "I know exactly how you feel."
Answer: A. "I'll sit with you for 15 minutes until your anxiety decreases."
7. A patient taking Lithium should maintain a consistent intake of:
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Calcium
D. Iron
Answer: B. Sodium
8. The therapeutic level for Lithium is:
A. 0.2-0.5 mEq/L
B. 5-10 mcg/mL
C. 0.6-1.2 mEq/L
D. 100-200 ng/mL
Answer: C. 0.6-1.2 mEq/L
9. A patient experiencing a panic attack is hyperventilating. The nurse should:
A. Instruct the patient to breathe into a paper bag.
B. Administer a PRN antipsychotic medication.
C. Leave the patient alone to de-escalate.
D. Firmly tell the patient to stop breathing so fast.
Answer: A. Instruct the patient to breathe into a paper bag.
10. Which defense mechanism is a patient using when they shout at their spouse after having
a frustrating day at work?
A. Suppression
B. Displacement
C. Reaction Formation
,D. Sublimation
Answer: B. Displacement
11. What is the single most important legal concept for nursing practice?
A. Informed Consent
B. Confidentiality
C. Documentation
D. Duty to Warn
Answer: C. Documentation
12. A patient with Borderline Personality Disorder angrily tells the nurse, "You are the worst
nurse I've ever had! The other nurse was much nicer." This is an example of:
A. Splitting
B. Projection
C. Rationalization
D. Denial
Answer: A. Splitting
13. The primary purpose of a "Milieu Therapy" is to:
A. Provide a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.
B. Administer medications on a strict schedule.
C. Isolate patients from stressors.
D. Focus solely on one-on-one therapy.
Answer: A. Provide a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.
14. A patient with Anorexia Nervosa, who is severely underweight, constantly talks about
food and cooking for others. This behavior is a manifestation of:
A. Compulsion
B. Obsession
C. Suppression
D. Intellectualization
Answer: B. Obsession
15. Which medication is considered a first-line treatment for Acute Mania in Bipolar Disorder?
A. Haloperidol (Haldol)
B. Lorazepam (Ativan)
C. Lithium
D. Sertraline (Zoloft)
Answer: C. Lithium
, 16. A patient taking an antipsychotic medication develops muscle spasms in their neck and
eyes. This is a sign of:
A. Tardive Dyskinesia
B. Akathisia
C. Acute Dystonia
D. Parkinsonism
Answer: C. Acute Dystonia
17. Which medication is used to treat Acute Dystonia?
A. Benztropine (Cogentin)
B. Lithium
C. Fluoxetine (Prozac)
D. Clozapine (Clozaril)
Answer: A. Benztropine (Cogentin)
18. A patient's right to refuse treatment is protected under which legal principle?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Answer: A. Autonomy
19. A patient with Major Depressive Disorder states, "There's no point. I'm just a burden to
everyone." What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Assess for suicidal ideation with a plan.
B. Administer an antidepressant.
C. Provide health teaching on nutrition.
D. Encourage group therapy participation.
Answer: A. Assess for suicidal ideation with a plan.
20. The phase of the nurse-patient relationship where the patient may test limits and exhibit
resistive behaviors is the:
A. Pre-orientation Phase
B. Orientation Phase
C. Working Phase
D. Termination Phase
Answer: C. Working Phase
21. A patient is prescribed Clozapine (Clozaril). The nurse knows that mandatory monitoring
for this drug includes:
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
1. What is the primary goal of the nurse during the orientation phase of the nurse-patient
relationship?
A. To explore the patient's deepest feelings
B. To establish trust and define boundaries and responsibilities
C. To solve the patient's primary problem
D. To terminate the relationship successfully
Answer: B. To establish trust and define boundaries and responsibilities
2. A patient says, "I'm nothing. My life is a waste." Which response by the nurse is the most
therapeutic?
A. "That's not true; you have so much to live for."
B. "Tell me more about what makes you feel that way."
C. "You shouldn't think like that. Let's watch TV."
D. "Why do you feel like you are nothing?"
Answer: B. "Tell me more about what makes you feel that way."
3. A patient with Schizophrenia states, "The electrons are eating my thoughts." The nurse
documents this as which type of thought process?
A. Neologism
B. Thought broadcasting
C. Thought insertion
D. Thought blocking
Answer: C. Thought insertion
4. What is the primary action of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Block dopamine receptors
B. Increase the availability of serotonin in the synaptic cleft
C. Inhibit monoamine oxidase
D. Increase GABA activity
Answer: B. Increase the availability of serotonin in the synaptic cleft
,5. A key symptom of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is:
A. Tardive Dyskinesia
B. Muscle rigidity and hyperthermia
C. Akathisia
D. Dystonia
Answer: B. Muscle rigidity and hyperthermia
6. Which statement by a nurse demonstrates the therapeutic technique of "offering self"?
A. "I'll sit with you for 15 minutes until your anxiety decreases."
B. "You should join the group activity today."
C. "Why did you say that to your doctor?"
D. "I know exactly how you feel."
Answer: A. "I'll sit with you for 15 minutes until your anxiety decreases."
7. A patient taking Lithium should maintain a consistent intake of:
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Calcium
D. Iron
Answer: B. Sodium
8. The therapeutic level for Lithium is:
A. 0.2-0.5 mEq/L
B. 5-10 mcg/mL
C. 0.6-1.2 mEq/L
D. 100-200 ng/mL
Answer: C. 0.6-1.2 mEq/L
9. A patient experiencing a panic attack is hyperventilating. The nurse should:
A. Instruct the patient to breathe into a paper bag.
B. Administer a PRN antipsychotic medication.
C. Leave the patient alone to de-escalate.
D. Firmly tell the patient to stop breathing so fast.
Answer: A. Instruct the patient to breathe into a paper bag.
10. Which defense mechanism is a patient using when they shout at their spouse after having
a frustrating day at work?
A. Suppression
B. Displacement
C. Reaction Formation
,D. Sublimation
Answer: B. Displacement
11. What is the single most important legal concept for nursing practice?
A. Informed Consent
B. Confidentiality
C. Documentation
D. Duty to Warn
Answer: C. Documentation
12. A patient with Borderline Personality Disorder angrily tells the nurse, "You are the worst
nurse I've ever had! The other nurse was much nicer." This is an example of:
A. Splitting
B. Projection
C. Rationalization
D. Denial
Answer: A. Splitting
13. The primary purpose of a "Milieu Therapy" is to:
A. Provide a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.
B. Administer medications on a strict schedule.
C. Isolate patients from stressors.
D. Focus solely on one-on-one therapy.
Answer: A. Provide a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.
14. A patient with Anorexia Nervosa, who is severely underweight, constantly talks about
food and cooking for others. This behavior is a manifestation of:
A. Compulsion
B. Obsession
C. Suppression
D. Intellectualization
Answer: B. Obsession
15. Which medication is considered a first-line treatment for Acute Mania in Bipolar Disorder?
A. Haloperidol (Haldol)
B. Lorazepam (Ativan)
C. Lithium
D. Sertraline (Zoloft)
Answer: C. Lithium
, 16. A patient taking an antipsychotic medication develops muscle spasms in their neck and
eyes. This is a sign of:
A. Tardive Dyskinesia
B. Akathisia
C. Acute Dystonia
D. Parkinsonism
Answer: C. Acute Dystonia
17. Which medication is used to treat Acute Dystonia?
A. Benztropine (Cogentin)
B. Lithium
C. Fluoxetine (Prozac)
D. Clozapine (Clozaril)
Answer: A. Benztropine (Cogentin)
18. A patient's right to refuse treatment is protected under which legal principle?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Answer: A. Autonomy
19. A patient with Major Depressive Disorder states, "There's no point. I'm just a burden to
everyone." What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Assess for suicidal ideation with a plan.
B. Administer an antidepressant.
C. Provide health teaching on nutrition.
D. Encourage group therapy participation.
Answer: A. Assess for suicidal ideation with a plan.
20. The phase of the nurse-patient relationship where the patient may test limits and exhibit
resistive behaviors is the:
A. Pre-orientation Phase
B. Orientation Phase
C. Working Phase
D. Termination Phase
Answer: C. Working Phase
21. A patient is prescribed Clozapine (Clozaril). The nurse knows that mandatory monitoring
for this drug includes:
