NURS 222 | NURS222 Exam 1: Mental Health - WCU
Updated and Latest Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationale
1. A nurse is conducting a clinical interview with a new patient. Which action by the nurse
best demonstrates the use of active listening?
A. Writing down every word the patient says to ensure accuracy.
B. Interrupting to clarify technical medical terms the patient uses.
C. Completing the electronic health record documentation during the talk.
D. Maintaining eye contact and leaning slightly forward toward the patient.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Active listening is characterized by non-verbal cues that show the nurse is fully
engaged with the patient. Maintaining eye contact and using an open posture like leaning
forward signals attentiveness and interest. Documentation should be minimized during the
interview to focus on the patient’s emotional cues. This technique helps build rapport and
encourages the patient to share more information. It is a fundamental component of
therapeutic communication in psychiatric nursing.
2. Which statement by the nurse represents the therapeutic communication technique of
‘restating’?
A. I noticed you were shivering during our group session.
B. Can you tell me more about your relationship with your father?
C. Everything will be fine once your medication starts working.
D. You are saying that you feel anxious when you are in a crowd.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Restating involves repeating the main idea of what the patient has expressed to
ensure understanding. This technique allows the patient to hear what they said and
provides an opportunity for clarification. It differs from reflection, which focuses more on
the underlying feelings of the message. Restating is an effective way to validate that the
nurse is listening closely. It helps keep the conversation focused on the patient’s primary
concerns.
3. During the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship, which of the following is a
primary goal?
A. Promoting the patient’s problem-solving skills and self-esteem.
B. Establishing the parameters of the relationship and a contract.
,C. Evaluating the progress toward goals and preparing for discharge.
D. Exploring deep-seated psychological traumas from early childhood.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase is dedicated to building trust and defining the boundaries
of the professional relationship. During this time, the nurse and patient set goals and
establish a formal or informal contract. This phase is crucial for setting expectations
regarding confidentiality and meeting times. It provides the foundation for the subsequent
working phase where actual change occurs. Successful completion of this phase ensures
both parties understand their roles.
4. A patient is admitted involuntarily to a psychiatric unit. Which right does this patient still
retain despite the involuntary status?
A. The right to leave the facility against medical advice at any time.
B. The right to carry personal weapons for self-protection.
C. The right to refuse psychotropic medications in non-emergencies.
D. The right to have visitors 24 hours a day without restriction.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Involuntary admission does not automatically strip a patient of their right to
refuse treatment. Patients have the right to refuse medication unless they are an immediate
danger to themselves or others. This legal protection ensures that patients maintain
autonomy over their bodies even when hospitalized. Court orders are typically required to
force medication in non-emergency situations. Nurses must document the refusal and
notify the treatment team accordingly.
5. The nurse is assessing a patient’s Mental Status Examination (MSE). Which of the following
is an example of ‘affect’?
A. The patient reports feeling ‘depressed and lonely’ today.
B. The patient expresses a desire to harm a neighbor.
C. The patient knows the current date, time, and location.
D. The patient appears to have a flat facial expression with little movement.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Affect is the objective, observable emotional expression of a patient during an
assessment. While mood is what the patient says they feel, affect is what the nurse actually
sees. A flat affect indicates a lack of emotional responsiveness, which is common in some
mental disorders. Describing affect helps the treatment team gauge the severity of the
patient’s condition. It provides an external measure of the patient’s internal emotional
state.
, 6. A nurse is using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to prioritize care. Which patient should the
nurse see first?
A. A patient who is socially isolated and lacks a support system.
B. A patient who is experiencing auditory hallucinations and is agitated.
C. A patient who has not slept or eaten for three days due to mania.
D. A patient who expresses low self-esteem following a job loss.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Maslow’s Hierarchy places physiological needs at the base of the pyramid as the
highest priority. A patient who is not eating or sleeping is at immediate risk for physical
exhaustion and medical instability. While safety and psychological needs are important,
physiological survival must be addressed first. This ensures the patient remains physically
viable for further psychiatric treatment. Nurses must always address life-threatening
physical deficits before focusing on higher-level psychological growth.
7. Which therapeutic communication technique is the nurse using when saying, ‘What would
you like to talk about today?’
A. Offering self.
B. Giving broad openings.
C. Focusing.
D. Summarizing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Giving broad openings allows the patient to take the lead in the conversation
and choose the topic. This technique empowers the patient and demonstrates that the
nurse values their input. It is particularly useful during the beginning of a therapeutic
session to identify what is on the patient’s mind. By not steering the conversation, the
nurse can observe the patient’s priorities and thought processes. It fosters a patient-
centered approach to mental health care.
8. A patient with schizophrenia states, ‘The government has placed a chip in my brain to
monitor my thoughts.’ How should the nurse respond?
A. That is impossible; there is no such technology currently available.
B. Why would the government want to monitor your thoughts specifically?
C. I don’t see any evidence of that, but I can see you are very scared.
D. We can put some tinfoil in your hat to block the signal if you like.
Correct Answer: C
Updated and Latest Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationale
1. A nurse is conducting a clinical interview with a new patient. Which action by the nurse
best demonstrates the use of active listening?
A. Writing down every word the patient says to ensure accuracy.
B. Interrupting to clarify technical medical terms the patient uses.
C. Completing the electronic health record documentation during the talk.
D. Maintaining eye contact and leaning slightly forward toward the patient.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Active listening is characterized by non-verbal cues that show the nurse is fully
engaged with the patient. Maintaining eye contact and using an open posture like leaning
forward signals attentiveness and interest. Documentation should be minimized during the
interview to focus on the patient’s emotional cues. This technique helps build rapport and
encourages the patient to share more information. It is a fundamental component of
therapeutic communication in psychiatric nursing.
2. Which statement by the nurse represents the therapeutic communication technique of
‘restating’?
A. I noticed you were shivering during our group session.
B. Can you tell me more about your relationship with your father?
C. Everything will be fine once your medication starts working.
D. You are saying that you feel anxious when you are in a crowd.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Restating involves repeating the main idea of what the patient has expressed to
ensure understanding. This technique allows the patient to hear what they said and
provides an opportunity for clarification. It differs from reflection, which focuses more on
the underlying feelings of the message. Restating is an effective way to validate that the
nurse is listening closely. It helps keep the conversation focused on the patient’s primary
concerns.
3. During the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship, which of the following is a
primary goal?
A. Promoting the patient’s problem-solving skills and self-esteem.
B. Establishing the parameters of the relationship and a contract.
,C. Evaluating the progress toward goals and preparing for discharge.
D. Exploring deep-seated psychological traumas from early childhood.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase is dedicated to building trust and defining the boundaries
of the professional relationship. During this time, the nurse and patient set goals and
establish a formal or informal contract. This phase is crucial for setting expectations
regarding confidentiality and meeting times. It provides the foundation for the subsequent
working phase where actual change occurs. Successful completion of this phase ensures
both parties understand their roles.
4. A patient is admitted involuntarily to a psychiatric unit. Which right does this patient still
retain despite the involuntary status?
A. The right to leave the facility against medical advice at any time.
B. The right to carry personal weapons for self-protection.
C. The right to refuse psychotropic medications in non-emergencies.
D. The right to have visitors 24 hours a day without restriction.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Involuntary admission does not automatically strip a patient of their right to
refuse treatment. Patients have the right to refuse medication unless they are an immediate
danger to themselves or others. This legal protection ensures that patients maintain
autonomy over their bodies even when hospitalized. Court orders are typically required to
force medication in non-emergency situations. Nurses must document the refusal and
notify the treatment team accordingly.
5. The nurse is assessing a patient’s Mental Status Examination (MSE). Which of the following
is an example of ‘affect’?
A. The patient reports feeling ‘depressed and lonely’ today.
B. The patient expresses a desire to harm a neighbor.
C. The patient knows the current date, time, and location.
D. The patient appears to have a flat facial expression with little movement.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Affect is the objective, observable emotional expression of a patient during an
assessment. While mood is what the patient says they feel, affect is what the nurse actually
sees. A flat affect indicates a lack of emotional responsiveness, which is common in some
mental disorders. Describing affect helps the treatment team gauge the severity of the
patient’s condition. It provides an external measure of the patient’s internal emotional
state.
, 6. A nurse is using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to prioritize care. Which patient should the
nurse see first?
A. A patient who is socially isolated and lacks a support system.
B. A patient who is experiencing auditory hallucinations and is agitated.
C. A patient who has not slept or eaten for three days due to mania.
D. A patient who expresses low self-esteem following a job loss.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Maslow’s Hierarchy places physiological needs at the base of the pyramid as the
highest priority. A patient who is not eating or sleeping is at immediate risk for physical
exhaustion and medical instability. While safety and psychological needs are important,
physiological survival must be addressed first. This ensures the patient remains physically
viable for further psychiatric treatment. Nurses must always address life-threatening
physical deficits before focusing on higher-level psychological growth.
7. Which therapeutic communication technique is the nurse using when saying, ‘What would
you like to talk about today?’
A. Offering self.
B. Giving broad openings.
C. Focusing.
D. Summarizing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Giving broad openings allows the patient to take the lead in the conversation
and choose the topic. This technique empowers the patient and demonstrates that the
nurse values their input. It is particularly useful during the beginning of a therapeutic
session to identify what is on the patient’s mind. By not steering the conversation, the
nurse can observe the patient’s priorities and thought processes. It fosters a patient-
centered approach to mental health care.
8. A patient with schizophrenia states, ‘The government has placed a chip in my brain to
monitor my thoughts.’ How should the nurse respond?
A. That is impossible; there is no such technology currently available.
B. Why would the government want to monitor your thoughts specifically?
C. I don’t see any evidence of that, but I can see you are very scared.
D. We can put some tinfoil in your hat to block the signal if you like.
Correct Answer: C
