PSYCHIATRIC/MENTAL HEALTH NURSING FINAL EXAM NEWEST
2025/2026 COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED
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A patient was hospitalized for 24 hours after a reaction to a psychotropic
medication. While planning discharge, the case manager learned that the patient
received a notice of eviction immediately prior to admission. Select the case
manager's most appropriate action.
a. Postpone the patient's discharge from the hospital.
b. Contact the landlord who evicted the patient to further discuss the situation.
c. Arrange a temporary place for the patient to stay until new housing can be
arranged.
d. Determine whether the adverse medication reaction was genuine because the
patient had nowhere to live. - ANSWER-ANS: C
The case manager should intervene by arranging temporary shelter for the patient
until an apartment can be found. This activity is part of the coordination and
delivery of services that falls under the case manager role. None of the other
options is a viable alternative.
Select the example of tertiary prevention.
a. Helping a person diagnosed with a serious mental illness learn to manage
money
b. Restraining an agitated patient who has become aggressive and assaultive
c. Teaching school-age children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol
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d. Genetic counseling with a young couple expecting their first child - ANSWER-
ANS: A
Tertiary prevention involves services that address residual impairments, with a
goal of improved independent functioning. Restraint is a secondary prevention.
Genetic counseling and teaching school-age children about substance abuse and
dependence are examples of primary prevention.
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia had an exacerbation related to medication
noncompliance and was hospitalized for 5 days. The patient's thoughts are now
more organized, and discharge is planned. The patient's family says, "It's too soon
for discharge. We will just go through all this again." The nurse should:
a. ask the case manager to arrange a transfer to a long-term care facility.
b. notify hospital security to handle the disturbance and escort the family off the
unit.
c. explain that the patient will continue to improve if the medication is taken
regularly.
d. contact the health care provider to meet with the family and explain the
discharge rationale. - ANSWER-ANS: C
Patients do not stay in a hospital until every symptom disappears. The nurse must
assume responsibility to advocate for the patient's right to the least restrictive
setting as soon as the symptoms are under control and for the right of citizens to
control health care costs. The health care provider will use the same rationale.
Shifting blame will not change the discharge. Security is unnecessary. The nurse
can handle this matter.
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:
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a. coordinating care of patients.
b. management of milieu safety.
c. management of the interpersonal climate.
d. use of therapeutic intervention strategies. - ANSWER-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." - ANSWER-
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.
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d. Arrange hospitalization for the patient in order to formulate a new treatment
plan. - ANSWER-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. - ANSWER-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.
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.
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