NUR 253 Mental Health Exam Modules 1,2,3 &4 Reviewed and Updated 2026/2027 |Questions with Accurate Answers with Rationales |Guaranteed Pass| Already Graded A+

Prepare to excel in your psychiatric nursing course with the definitive NUR 253 Mental Health Exams Study Guide for 2026/2027. This comprehensive resource features reviewed and updated questions with accurate answers and detailed rationales, designed to secure a guaranteed pass. Master critical concepts from crisis intervention and therapeutic communication to bipolar disorder management, schizophrenia symptoms, and personality disorders. Ideal for nursing students NUR 253 Mental Health Exam Modules 1,2,3 &4 Reviewed and Updated 2026/2027 |Questions with Accurate Answers with Rationales |Guaranteed Pass| Already Graded A+ Adventitious Crisis - ANSWER-caused by nature or humans and are not usual parts of everyday life -natural disaster, a national disaster, or a crime of violence. Examples - hurricane, plane crash, school shooting, physical/sexual assault - often results in acute stress disorder, PTSD, major depressive disorder Phase 1 of crisis - ANSWER-·Conflict or problem arises ·Self-concept threatened ·Increased anxiety ·Use of problem-solving techniques and defense mechanisms (sometimes resolves the problem) Phase 2 of Crisis - ANSWER-Defense mechanisms fail Threat persists Anxiety increases Feelings of extreme discomfort Functioning disorganized Trial-and-error attempt to solve problem and restore normal balance Phase 3 of Crisis - ANSWER-Trial-and-error attempts may fail Anxiety can escalate to severe level or panic Automatic relief behaviors mobilized (i.e., withdrawal and flight) Some form of resolution may be devised(i.e., compromising needs or redefining situation) Phase 4 of Crisis - ANSWER-Problem is unsolved and coping skills are ineffective Overwhelming anxiety Possible serious personality disorganization, depression, confusion, violence against others, or suicidal behavior Modalities of Crisis Treatment - ANSWER-Emergency rooms 24/7 Telephone hotlines Peer crisis services Crisis intervention teams (CITs) Crisis stabilization beds Short-term residential services Mobile Crisis Teams Assessment of crisis pt - ANSWER-General assessment: •Important to assess for suicidal ideations and ask what can be done to make sure the client feels safe Assessment of perception of precipitating event Assessment of situational supports Assessment of personal coping skills Self-assessment Phases of Group Development - ANSWER-Orientation phase: Rules Expectations Start and stop time and dates Working phase Termination phase Group Leadership Responsibility - ANSWER-Initiating: Get them going on time Reiterate the topic or purpose of the meeting Maintaining: Keep them on track Terminating: Recapitulation End on time Styles of Leadership - ANSWER-Autocratic leader: Do it my way or makes decisions independently Democratic leader: Decide how to do it or make decisions as a group Laissez-faire leader: Don't care how you do or when you do it just have it done on time Challenging Members - ANSWER-Monopolizing member Complaining member who rejects help Demoralizing member Silent member Bipolar 1 disorder - ANSWER-•This is the most severe bipolar disorder •Moods fluctuate from mania to deep depression (periods of normal functioning may alternate) •Bipolar 1 Disorder is characterized by at least one MANIC EPISODE Mania - ANSWER-•Hallucinations and delusions •Extreme energy (no need to eat, sleep, etc.) •Risk taking behavior •Feeling euphoric and optimistic •Lasts at least a week •Is a psychiatric and physical emergency Bipolar 2 disorder - ANSWER-•This is less severe than Bipolar 1 disorder •Moods fluctuate from hypomania to deep depression (periods of normal functioning may alternate) •Hypomania does not include hallucinations or delusions but is similar to mania in other symptoms to a lesser degree •The depression, however, can be very severe and that can include psychotic features NI for Bipolar 1 - ANSWER-Your initial intervention is to physically stabilize: • •Assess hydration and physical condition • •Medicate • Keeping an environment of decreased stimulation: • •Clear and concise communication • Reinforcing healthy patterns of sleep, eating and behavior: • •Offer high calorie fluids frequently • •Encourage frequent rest periods • •Monitor I & O • •Offer finger foods and high fiber foods NI Bipolar Disorder 2 - ANSWER-•Encourage healthy patterns of eating, sleeping, etc. •Referrals to therapy •Medications as ordered Lithium - ANSWER-•Lithium is a mood stabilizer •It takes 10 - 21 days to work, so other drugs may be used as an adjunct during this time •Lithium has a narrow therapeutic window and levels need to be drawn frequently •Fluid and sodium balance are important - dehydration, for example, may lead to toxicity. •Many drugs interact with Lithium •Long term use can cause hypothyroidism and goiter Lithium Toxicity - ANSWER-•Normal range of Lithium: 0.6meq/L to 1.2meq/L •Beginning toxicity Levels over: 1.5meq/L •Severe toxicity Levels over: 2.0meq/L •Labs are drawn in the morning 10 - 12 hours after the last dose •Labs are monitored during initiation of Lithium and at any dose change until therapeutic levels are reached. After that, levels are drawn monthly. After about 6 months to 1 year of stability, the lab draws may go to every 3 months. Anticonvulsant Drugs - ANSWER-•Anticonvulsant Drugs are also used as mood stabilizers Valproates (Depakote and Depakene): •Monitor liver function, pancreatic function, platelet count, CBC's and drug levels. •Life threatening rashes may occur Carbamazepine (Tegretol): •Liver enzymes need to be monitored weekly for first 8 weeks •CBC's, pancreatic function, liver function, platelet count and drug levels need to be monitored ongoingly •Life threatening rashes may occur Lamotrigine (Lamictal): •Potential for life threatening rash •Monitor for liver toxicity and blood dyscrasias electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) - ANSWER-•Painless, done under general anesthetic and paralytic agents also given •Airway must be closely monitored (patient is not intubated, but has oxygen delivered by face mask) •Seizure lasts about 1 minute, but is not obvious because paralytic medications are given to decrease movement. •Maintenance sessions are needed (usually 6 - 12) •More effective than medications for depression negative symptoms of schizophrenia - ANSWER-THINGS THAT ARE NOT PRESENT BUT SHOULD BE PRESENT: Affective blunting (flat affect) Anergia Anhedonia Avolition Asociality Apathy Alogia Positive Symptoms of schizophrenia - ANSWER-Things that are present that should not be: •Delusions •Hallucinations (nothing present but perceived through one of 5 senses) •Command •Visual •Illusions (misperception of something that is actually present) •Depersonalization/ derealization •Paranoia •Some speech and behavior alterations GAS Three stages - ANSWER-Alarm or acute stress stage (flight or fight)( interaction between nervous and immune system) Resistance or adaptation stage (usually stressors are successfully overcome) Exhaustion stage (resources are depleted, stress may become chronic) NI for managing Stress - ANSWER-Measuring stress: Social Readjustment Rating Scale (Holmes and Rahe) •Measures level of positive and negative stressful life events over a 1-year period Recent Life Changes Questionnaire Four personal attributes people use to manage stress: Health-sustaining habits (medical compliance, proper diet, relaxation, etc.) Life satisfactions (work, family, hobbies, etc.) Social supports Effective and healthy responses to stress Biofeedback: Use of sensitive instrumentation gives exact information regarding muscle activity, brain waves, skin temperature, HR, BP, and other bodily functions Deep breathing exercises: Should be slow, deep, and even Guided imagery: Focusing on pleasant images to replace negative or stressful feelings Relaxation Techniques - ANSWER-Progressive relaxation: Focusing on eliminating muscle contraction causes by anxious feelings which produce tense muscles Meditation/mindfulness: Training of the mind to develop greater calm and use that calm to bring penetrative insight into one's experience Physical exercise: Walking, yoga, cycling, aerobics, water exercise, dancing etc. Cognitive reframing: Changing ones perception of stress by reassessing the situation and replacing irrational beliefs Journaling Humor Levels of Anxiety - ANSWER-Mild anxiety Everyday problem-solving leverage Grasps more information effectively Moderate anxiety Selective inattention Clear thinking hampered Problem solving not optimal Sympathetic nervous system symptoms begin Severe anxiety Perceptual field greatly reduced