WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 301 BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH CASE EXAM 1 PSYCHIATRIC NURSE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION LATEST
2025-2026
MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATIONS (1–15)
1. Mental health is best defined as:
A. Absence of mental illness only
B. Ability to function effectively in life
C. ICU stability
D. Medication compliance only
Answer: B
Rationale: Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social functioning.
2. A psychiatric nurse’s primary role is to:
A. Promote therapeutic communication
B. Perform surgery
C. Prescribe medication
D. Diagnose independently
Answer: A
Rationale: Nurses support care through communication and therapeutic relationships.
3. Therapeutic communication includes:
A. Active listening
B. Giving advice only
C. Ignoring patient feelings
D. Judging behavior
Answer: A
Rationale: Active listening builds trust and understanding.
,4. The most important element of therapeutic relationship is:
A. Trust
B. Power
C. Authority
D. Medication
Answer: A
Rationale: Trust is the foundation of nurse-patient relationship.
5. A non-therapeutic communication technique is:
A. Changing the subject
B. Clarifying
C. Reflecting
D. Summarizing
Answer: A
Rationale: Changing topic blocks communication.
6. The best initial response to anxiety is:
A. Stay calm and assess
B. Ignore patient
C. Give medication immediately
D. Restrain patient
Answer: A
Rationale: Assessment comes before intervention.
7. The priority in psychiatric assessment is:
A. Safety
B. Income
C. Education
D. Job status
Answer: A
Rationale: Safety is always first.
8. Defense mechanisms are:
A. Unconscious coping strategies
, B. Medical treatments
C. Surgical tools
D. Conscious decisions
Answer: A
Rationale: They protect ego from stress.
9. Denial is an example of:
A. Defense mechanism
B. Medication effect
C. Surgery outcome
D. Therapy technique
Answer: A
Rationale: Refusal to accept reality.
10. Projection means:
A. Blaming others for own feelings
B. Accepting responsibility
C. Logical thinking
D. Medication refusal
Answer: A
Rationale: Attributing own emotions to others.
11. The most common symptom of anxiety is:
A. Restlessness
B. Paralysis
C. Coma
D. Infection
Answer: A
Rationale: Anxiety increases physical tension.
12. Severe anxiety can lead to:
A. Panic attack
B. Healing
C. Relaxation
HEALTH CASE EXAM 1 PSYCHIATRIC NURSE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION LATEST
2025-2026
MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATIONS (1–15)
1. Mental health is best defined as:
A. Absence of mental illness only
B. Ability to function effectively in life
C. ICU stability
D. Medication compliance only
Answer: B
Rationale: Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social functioning.
2. A psychiatric nurse’s primary role is to:
A. Promote therapeutic communication
B. Perform surgery
C. Prescribe medication
D. Diagnose independently
Answer: A
Rationale: Nurses support care through communication and therapeutic relationships.
3. Therapeutic communication includes:
A. Active listening
B. Giving advice only
C. Ignoring patient feelings
D. Judging behavior
Answer: A
Rationale: Active listening builds trust and understanding.
,4. The most important element of therapeutic relationship is:
A. Trust
B. Power
C. Authority
D. Medication
Answer: A
Rationale: Trust is the foundation of nurse-patient relationship.
5. A non-therapeutic communication technique is:
A. Changing the subject
B. Clarifying
C. Reflecting
D. Summarizing
Answer: A
Rationale: Changing topic blocks communication.
6. The best initial response to anxiety is:
A. Stay calm and assess
B. Ignore patient
C. Give medication immediately
D. Restrain patient
Answer: A
Rationale: Assessment comes before intervention.
7. The priority in psychiatric assessment is:
A. Safety
B. Income
C. Education
D. Job status
Answer: A
Rationale: Safety is always first.
8. Defense mechanisms are:
A. Unconscious coping strategies
, B. Medical treatments
C. Surgical tools
D. Conscious decisions
Answer: A
Rationale: They protect ego from stress.
9. Denial is an example of:
A. Defense mechanism
B. Medication effect
C. Surgery outcome
D. Therapy technique
Answer: A
Rationale: Refusal to accept reality.
10. Projection means:
A. Blaming others for own feelings
B. Accepting responsibility
C. Logical thinking
D. Medication refusal
Answer: A
Rationale: Attributing own emotions to others.
11. The most common symptom of anxiety is:
A. Restlessness
B. Paralysis
C. Coma
D. Infection
Answer: A
Rationale: Anxiety increases physical tension.
12. Severe anxiety can lead to:
A. Panic attack
B. Healing
C. Relaxation
