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“ PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING “ NEWEST
UPDATED EXAM 2025 – 2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS VERIFIED 100% GRADED A+ (LATEST
VERSION)
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
A nurse inspects an inpatient psychiatric unit and finds that exits are free of
obstructions, no one is smoking, and the janitor's closet is locked. These
observations relate to:
a. coordinating care of patients.
b. management of milieu safety.
c. management of the interpersonal climate.
d. use of therapeutic intervention strategies.
ANS: B
Nursing staff are responsible for all aspects of milieu management. The observations
mentioned in this question directly relate to the safety of the unit. The other options,
although part of the nurse's concerns, are unrelated to the observations cited.
The patients below were evaluated in the emergency department. The
psychiatric unit has one bed available. Which patient should be admitted? The
patient:
a. feeling anxiety and a sad mood after separation from a spouse of 10 years.
b. who self-inflicted a superficial cut on the forearm after a family argument.
c. experiencing dry mouth and tremor related to taking haloperidol (Haldol).
d. who is a new parent and hears voices saying, "Smother your baby."
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ANS: D
Admission to the hospital would be justified by the risk of patient danger to self or
others. The other patients have issues that can be handled with less restrictive
alternatives than hospitalization.
A suspicious, socially isolated patient lives alone, eats one meal a day at a
local shelter, and spends the remaining daily food allowance on cigarettes.
Select a community psychiatric nurse's best initial action.
a. Explore ways to help the patient stop smoking.
b. Report the situation to the manager of the shelter.
c. Assess the patient's weight; determine foods and amounts eaten.
d. Arrange hospitalization for the patient in order to formulate a new treatment
plan.
ANS: C
Assessment of biopsychosocial needs and general ability to live in the community is
called for before any other action is taken. Both nutritional status and income
adequacy are critical assessment parameters. A patient may be able to maintain
adequate nutrition while eating only one meal a day. The rule is to assess before
taking action. Hospitalization may not be necessary. Smoking cessation strategies
can be pursued later.
A nurse surveys medical records. Which finding signals a violation of patients'
rights?
a. A patient was not allowed to have visitors.
b. A patient's belongings were searched at admission.
c. A patient with suicidal ideation was placed on continuous observation.
d. Physical restraint was used after a patient was assaultive toward a staff
member.
ANS: A
The patient has the right to have visitors. Inspecting patients' belongings is a safety
measure. Patients have the right to a safe environment, including the right to be
protected against impulses to harm self.
Which principle has the highest priority when addressing a behavioral crisis in
an inpatient setting?
a. Resolve the crisis with the least restrictive intervention possible.
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b. Swift intervention is justified to maintain the integrity of a therapeutic milieu.
c. Rights of an individual patient are superseded by the rights of the majority
of patients.
d. Patients should have opportunities to regain control without intervention if
the safety of others is not compromised.
ANS: A
The rule of using the least restrictive treatment or intervention possible to achieve
the desired outcome is the patient's legal right. Planned interventions are nearly
always preferable. Intervention may be necessary when the patient threatens harm
to self.
Clinical pathways are used in managed care settings to:
a. stabilize aggressive patients.
b. identify obstacles to effective care.
c. relieve nurses of planning responsibilities.
d. streamline the care process and reduce costs.
ANS: D
Clinical pathways provide guidelines for assessments, interventions, treatments, and
outcomes as well as a designated timeline for accomplishment. Deviations from the
timeline must be reported and investigated. Clinical pathways streamline the care
process and save money. Care pathways do not identify obstacles or stabilize
aggressive patients. Staff are responsible for the necessary interventions. Care
pathways do not relieve nurses of the responsibility of planning; pathways may,
however, make the task easier.
A nurse receives these three phone calls regarding a newly admitted patient.
• The psychiatrist wants to complete an initial assessment.
• An internist wants to perform a physical examination.
• The patient's attorney wants an appointment with the patient.
The nurse schedules the activities for the patient. Which role has the nurse
fulfilled?
a. Advocate
b. Case manager
c. Milieu manager
d. Provider of care
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ANS: B
Nurses on psychiatric units routinely coordinate patient services, serving as case
managers as described in this scenario. The role of advocate would require the
nurse to speak out on the patient's behalf. The role of milieu manager refers to
maintaining a therapeutic environment. Provider of care refers to giving direct care to
the patient.
Which aspect of direct care is an experienced, inpatient psychiatric nurse
most likely to provide for a patient?
a. Hygiene assistance
b. Diversional activities
c. Assistance with job hunting
d. Building assertiveness skills
ANS: D
Assertiveness training relies on the counseling and psychoeducational skills of the
nurse. Assistance with personal hygiene would usually be accomplished by a
psychiatric technician or nursing assistant. Diversional activities are usually the
province of recreational therapists. The patient would probably be assisted in job
hunting by a social worker or vocational therapist.
Which characteristic would be more applicable to a community mental health
nurse than to a nurse working in an operating room?
a. Kindness
b. Autonomy
c. Compassion
d. Professionalism
ANS: B
A community mental health nurse often works autonomously. Kindness, compassion,
and professionalism apply to both nurses.
Which patient would be most appropriate to refer for assertive community
treatment (ACT)? A patient diagnosed with:
a. a phobic fear of crowded places.
b. a single episode of major depression.
c. a catastrophic reaction to a tornado in the community.
d. schizophrenia and four hospitalizations in the past year.
“ PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING “ NEWEST
UPDATED EXAM 2025 – 2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS VERIFIED 100% GRADED A+ (LATEST
VERSION)
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
A nurse inspects an inpatient psychiatric unit and finds that exits are free of
obstructions, no one is smoking, and the janitor's closet is locked. These
observations relate to:
a. coordinating care of patients.
b. management of milieu safety.
c. management of the interpersonal climate.
d. use of therapeutic intervention strategies.
ANS: B
Nursing staff are responsible for all aspects of milieu management. The observations
mentioned in this question directly relate to the safety of the unit. The other options,
although part of the nurse's concerns, are unrelated to the observations cited.
The patients below were evaluated in the emergency department. The
psychiatric unit has one bed available. Which patient should be admitted? The
patient:
a. feeling anxiety and a sad mood after separation from a spouse of 10 years.
b. who self-inflicted a superficial cut on the forearm after a family argument.
c. experiencing dry mouth and tremor related to taking haloperidol (Haldol).
d. who is a new parent and hears voices saying, "Smother your baby."
, Page 2 of 108
ANS: D
Admission to the hospital would be justified by the risk of patient danger to self or
others. The other patients have issues that can be handled with less restrictive
alternatives than hospitalization.
A suspicious, socially isolated patient lives alone, eats one meal a day at a
local shelter, and spends the remaining daily food allowance on cigarettes.
Select a community psychiatric nurse's best initial action.
a. Explore ways to help the patient stop smoking.
b. Report the situation to the manager of the shelter.
c. Assess the patient's weight; determine foods and amounts eaten.
d. Arrange hospitalization for the patient in order to formulate a new treatment
plan.
ANS: C
Assessment of biopsychosocial needs and general ability to live in the community is
called for before any other action is taken. Both nutritional status and income
adequacy are critical assessment parameters. A patient may be able to maintain
adequate nutrition while eating only one meal a day. The rule is to assess before
taking action. Hospitalization may not be necessary. Smoking cessation strategies
can be pursued later.
A nurse surveys medical records. Which finding signals a violation of patients'
rights?
a. A patient was not allowed to have visitors.
b. A patient's belongings were searched at admission.
c. A patient with suicidal ideation was placed on continuous observation.
d. Physical restraint was used after a patient was assaultive toward a staff
member.
ANS: A
The patient has the right to have visitors. Inspecting patients' belongings is a safety
measure. Patients have the right to a safe environment, including the right to be
protected against impulses to harm self.
Which principle has the highest priority when addressing a behavioral crisis in
an inpatient setting?
a. Resolve the crisis with the least restrictive intervention possible.
, Page 3 of 108
b. Swift intervention is justified to maintain the integrity of a therapeutic milieu.
c. Rights of an individual patient are superseded by the rights of the majority
of patients.
d. Patients should have opportunities to regain control without intervention if
the safety of others is not compromised.
ANS: A
The rule of using the least restrictive treatment or intervention possible to achieve
the desired outcome is the patient's legal right. Planned interventions are nearly
always preferable. Intervention may be necessary when the patient threatens harm
to self.
Clinical pathways are used in managed care settings to:
a. stabilize aggressive patients.
b. identify obstacles to effective care.
c. relieve nurses of planning responsibilities.
d. streamline the care process and reduce costs.
ANS: D
Clinical pathways provide guidelines for assessments, interventions, treatments, and
outcomes as well as a designated timeline for accomplishment. Deviations from the
timeline must be reported and investigated. Clinical pathways streamline the care
process and save money. Care pathways do not identify obstacles or stabilize
aggressive patients. Staff are responsible for the necessary interventions. Care
pathways do not relieve nurses of the responsibility of planning; pathways may,
however, make the task easier.
A nurse receives these three phone calls regarding a newly admitted patient.
• The psychiatrist wants to complete an initial assessment.
• An internist wants to perform a physical examination.
• The patient's attorney wants an appointment with the patient.
The nurse schedules the activities for the patient. Which role has the nurse
fulfilled?
a. Advocate
b. Case manager
c. Milieu manager
d. Provider of care
, Page 4 of 108
ANS: B
Nurses on psychiatric units routinely coordinate patient services, serving as case
managers as described in this scenario. The role of advocate would require the
nurse to speak out on the patient's behalf. The role of milieu manager refers to
maintaining a therapeutic environment. Provider of care refers to giving direct care to
the patient.
Which aspect of direct care is an experienced, inpatient psychiatric nurse
most likely to provide for a patient?
a. Hygiene assistance
b. Diversional activities
c. Assistance with job hunting
d. Building assertiveness skills
ANS: D
Assertiveness training relies on the counseling and psychoeducational skills of the
nurse. Assistance with personal hygiene would usually be accomplished by a
psychiatric technician or nursing assistant. Diversional activities are usually the
province of recreational therapists. The patient would probably be assisted in job
hunting by a social worker or vocational therapist.
Which characteristic would be more applicable to a community mental health
nurse than to a nurse working in an operating room?
a. Kindness
b. Autonomy
c. Compassion
d. Professionalism
ANS: B
A community mental health nurse often works autonomously. Kindness, compassion,
and professionalism apply to both nurses.
Which patient would be most appropriate to refer for assertive community
treatment (ACT)? A patient diagnosed with:
a. a phobic fear of crowded places.
b. a single episode of major depression.
c. a catastrophic reaction to a tornado in the community.
d. schizophrenia and four hospitalizations in the past year.
