The ultimate study guide
Page |
1
NUR 253 EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE
Concepts of Mental Health Nursing
Galen College of Nursing – 2025/2026
Updated Edition
Detail Information
Course NUR 253 – Concepts of Mental Health Nursing
Exam 3
Institution Galen College of Nursing
Edition 2025/2026
Format PDF – Study Guide & Review Questions
Focus Trauma Disorders, Somatic Disorders, Dissociative Disorders, Grief, Loss, and
Areas Bereavement
, �EXAM 3 OVERVIEW
Page |
2 This study guide covers trauma-related disorders, somatic symptom disorders,
dissociative disorders, and grief responses:
Section Topic
1 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
2 Acute Stress Disorder
3 Somatic Symptom Disorders
4 Factitious Disorder vs. Malingering
5 Dissociative Disorders
6 Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
7 Kubler-Ross Stages of Grief
8 NCLEX-Style Practice Questions
, SECTION 1: POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
1.1 DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Criteria
Page |
3 Criterion A: Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual
violence in one or more of the following ways:
1. Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s)
2. Witnessing, in person, the event(s) as it occurred to others
3. Learning that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or close friend (in
case of actual or threatened death, the event(s) must have been violent or accidental)
4. Experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event(s)
(e.g., first responders collecting human remains; police officers repeatedly exposed to
details of child abuse)
1.2 PTSD Symptom Clusters
Cluster Symptoms
Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories;
Criterion B: Intrusion
recurrent distressing dreams; dissociative reactions
Symptoms (1 or more
(flashbacks); intense/prolonged psychological distress at cues;
required)
marked physiological reactions to cues
Criterion C: Persistent Avoidance of distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings;
Avoidance (1 or more avoidance of external reminders (people, places, conversations,
required) activities, objects, situations)
Criterion D: Negative Inability to remember important aspect of trauma; persistent
, Cluster Symptoms
Alterations in negative beliefs about self, others, or world; distorted
Page |
4
Cognitions and Mood (2 cognitions about cause/consequences; persistent negative
or more required) emotional state; diminished interest in activities; detachment
from others; inability to experience positive emotions
Criterion E: Alterations
Irritable behavior and angry outbursts; reckless or self-
in Arousal and
destructive behavior; hypervigilance; exaggerated startle
Reactivity (2 or more
response; problems with concentration; sleep disturbance
required)
Criterion F: Duration of the disturbance is more than 1 month.
Criterion G: The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment.
Criterion H: Not attributable to physiological effects of a substance or another medical
condition.
1.3 Specifiers for PTSD
Specifier Description
With Dissociative Symptoms Persistent or recurrent experiences of feeling
(Depersonalization) detached from one's own mental processes or body
With Dissociative Symptoms Persistent or recurrent experiences of unreality of
Page |
1
NUR 253 EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE
Concepts of Mental Health Nursing
Galen College of Nursing – 2025/2026
Updated Edition
Detail Information
Course NUR 253 – Concepts of Mental Health Nursing
Exam 3
Institution Galen College of Nursing
Edition 2025/2026
Format PDF – Study Guide & Review Questions
Focus Trauma Disorders, Somatic Disorders, Dissociative Disorders, Grief, Loss, and
Areas Bereavement
, �EXAM 3 OVERVIEW
Page |
2 This study guide covers trauma-related disorders, somatic symptom disorders,
dissociative disorders, and grief responses:
Section Topic
1 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
2 Acute Stress Disorder
3 Somatic Symptom Disorders
4 Factitious Disorder vs. Malingering
5 Dissociative Disorders
6 Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
7 Kubler-Ross Stages of Grief
8 NCLEX-Style Practice Questions
, SECTION 1: POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
1.1 DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Criteria
Page |
3 Criterion A: Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual
violence in one or more of the following ways:
1. Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s)
2. Witnessing, in person, the event(s) as it occurred to others
3. Learning that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or close friend (in
case of actual or threatened death, the event(s) must have been violent or accidental)
4. Experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event(s)
(e.g., first responders collecting human remains; police officers repeatedly exposed to
details of child abuse)
1.2 PTSD Symptom Clusters
Cluster Symptoms
Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories;
Criterion B: Intrusion
recurrent distressing dreams; dissociative reactions
Symptoms (1 or more
(flashbacks); intense/prolonged psychological distress at cues;
required)
marked physiological reactions to cues
Criterion C: Persistent Avoidance of distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings;
Avoidance (1 or more avoidance of external reminders (people, places, conversations,
required) activities, objects, situations)
Criterion D: Negative Inability to remember important aspect of trauma; persistent
, Cluster Symptoms
Alterations in negative beliefs about self, others, or world; distorted
Page |
4
Cognitions and Mood (2 cognitions about cause/consequences; persistent negative
or more required) emotional state; diminished interest in activities; detachment
from others; inability to experience positive emotions
Criterion E: Alterations
Irritable behavior and angry outbursts; reckless or self-
in Arousal and
destructive behavior; hypervigilance; exaggerated startle
Reactivity (2 or more
response; problems with concentration; sleep disturbance
required)
Criterion F: Duration of the disturbance is more than 1 month.
Criterion G: The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment.
Criterion H: Not attributable to physiological effects of a substance or another medical
condition.
1.3 Specifiers for PTSD
Specifier Description
With Dissociative Symptoms Persistent or recurrent experiences of feeling
(Depersonalization) detached from one's own mental processes or body
With Dissociative Symptoms Persistent or recurrent experiences of unreality of
