, NUR 253 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Updated
Questions & Answers (Verified Answers) - Galen College
of Nursing | 172 Updated Questions and Answers
TRUSTED SOURCE AND VERIFIED, GRADED A+
Western Governors University - College of Health Professions
, Page 2
1. A nurse is assessing a newly admitted patient with bipolar disorder. Which of the following
behaviors would most likely indicate that the patient is in a manic episode?
Answer: Euphoria, increased energy, and decreased need for sleep
Explanation: In a manic episode, patients typically exhibit euphoric mood, increased energy, and
significantly reduced need for sleep. Recognizing these signs is crucial for timely intervention and
management of b...
Rationale: This answer is correct because in a manic episode, patients typically exhibit euphoric
mood, increased energy, and significantly reduced need for sleep. recognizing these signs is crucial
for timely intervention and management of bipolar disorder.
2. During a psychiatric evaluation, a patient demonstrates a lack of insight into their condition.
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate to promote insight in this patient?
Answer: Provide education about their diagnosis and treatment options
Explanation: Education about their diagnosis fosters understanding and insight. It allows the patient
to engage in their treatment actively, which is essential for effective management of mental health
conditions.
Rationale: This answer is correct because education about their diagnosis fosters understanding and
insight. it allows the patient to engage in their treatment actively, which is essential for effective
management of mental health conditions.
3. A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the most
therapeutic response the nurse can provide?
Answer: Acknowledge the hallucinations but redirect the conversation
Explanation: Acknowledging the hallucinations while redirecting the conversation shows empathy
and validates the patient's experience without reinforcing the hallucination, promoting a therapeutic
nurse-patient re...
Rationale: This answer is correct because acknowledging the hallucinations while redirecting the
conversation shows empathy and validates the patient's experience without reinforcing the
hallucination, promoting a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship.
4. Which of the following is the priority nursing action when caring for a patient exhibiting suicidal
ideation?
Answer: Maintain constant observation of the patient
Explanation: Maintaining constant observation ensures the patient's safety, preventing potential
self-harm. It is the immediate priority before other interventions can be effectively implemented.
Rationale: This answer is correct because maintaining constant observation ensures the patient's
safety, preventing potential self-harm. it is the immediate priority before other interventions can be
effectively implemented.
, Page 3
5. In a group therapy session, one patient begins to dominate the discussion, interrupting others.
What should the nurse do first?
Answer: Redirect the group focus back to others
Explanation: Redirecting the group focus helps maintain balance and ensures all participants have the
opportunity to share, promoting a supportive therapeutic environment.
Rationale: This answer is correct because redirecting the group focus helps maintain balance and
ensures all participants have the opportunity to share, promoting a supportive therapeutic
environment.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer an antipsychotic medication to a patient. Which of the
following assessments is essential prior to medication administration?
Answer: Assess the patient's blood pressure and heart rate
Explanation: Antipsychotic medications can affect cardiovascular health. Assessing vital signs helps
identify any potential adverse effects and ensures safe medication administration.
Rationale: This answer is correct because antipsychotic medications can affect cardiovascular health.
assessing vital signs helps identify any potential adverse effects and ensures safe medication
administration.
7. A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder is showing signs of anhedonia. Which
nursing intervention is the most appropriate?
Answer: Encourage the patient to engage in pleasurable activities
Explanation: Encouraging engagement in pleasurable activities helps counteract anhedonia, fostering
motivation and promoting recovery, which is vital in managing depression.
Rationale: This answer is correct because encouraging engagement in pleasurable activities helps
counteract anhedonia, fostering motivation and promoting recovery, which is vital in managing
depression.
8. In the context of cognitive-behavioral therapy, which statement by a patient indicates a need for
further education?
Answer: My feelings are caused by other people's actions.
Explanation: Believing that feelings are solely caused by others indicates a lack of understanding of
cognitive-behavioral principles, which emphasize the connection between thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors.
Rationale: This answer is correct because believing that feelings are solely caused by others indicates
a lack of understanding of cognitive-behavioral principles, which emphasize the connection between
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Questions & Answers (Verified Answers) - Galen College
of Nursing | 172 Updated Questions and Answers
TRUSTED SOURCE AND VERIFIED, GRADED A+
Western Governors University - College of Health Professions
, Page 2
1. A nurse is assessing a newly admitted patient with bipolar disorder. Which of the following
behaviors would most likely indicate that the patient is in a manic episode?
Answer: Euphoria, increased energy, and decreased need for sleep
Explanation: In a manic episode, patients typically exhibit euphoric mood, increased energy, and
significantly reduced need for sleep. Recognizing these signs is crucial for timely intervention and
management of b...
Rationale: This answer is correct because in a manic episode, patients typically exhibit euphoric
mood, increased energy, and significantly reduced need for sleep. recognizing these signs is crucial
for timely intervention and management of bipolar disorder.
2. During a psychiatric evaluation, a patient demonstrates a lack of insight into their condition.
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate to promote insight in this patient?
Answer: Provide education about their diagnosis and treatment options
Explanation: Education about their diagnosis fosters understanding and insight. It allows the patient
to engage in their treatment actively, which is essential for effective management of mental health
conditions.
Rationale: This answer is correct because education about their diagnosis fosters understanding and
insight. it allows the patient to engage in their treatment actively, which is essential for effective
management of mental health conditions.
3. A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the most
therapeutic response the nurse can provide?
Answer: Acknowledge the hallucinations but redirect the conversation
Explanation: Acknowledging the hallucinations while redirecting the conversation shows empathy
and validates the patient's experience without reinforcing the hallucination, promoting a therapeutic
nurse-patient re...
Rationale: This answer is correct because acknowledging the hallucinations while redirecting the
conversation shows empathy and validates the patient's experience without reinforcing the
hallucination, promoting a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship.
4. Which of the following is the priority nursing action when caring for a patient exhibiting suicidal
ideation?
Answer: Maintain constant observation of the patient
Explanation: Maintaining constant observation ensures the patient's safety, preventing potential
self-harm. It is the immediate priority before other interventions can be effectively implemented.
Rationale: This answer is correct because maintaining constant observation ensures the patient's
safety, preventing potential self-harm. it is the immediate priority before other interventions can be
effectively implemented.
, Page 3
5. In a group therapy session, one patient begins to dominate the discussion, interrupting others.
What should the nurse do first?
Answer: Redirect the group focus back to others
Explanation: Redirecting the group focus helps maintain balance and ensures all participants have the
opportunity to share, promoting a supportive therapeutic environment.
Rationale: This answer is correct because redirecting the group focus helps maintain balance and
ensures all participants have the opportunity to share, promoting a supportive therapeutic
environment.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer an antipsychotic medication to a patient. Which of the
following assessments is essential prior to medication administration?
Answer: Assess the patient's blood pressure and heart rate
Explanation: Antipsychotic medications can affect cardiovascular health. Assessing vital signs helps
identify any potential adverse effects and ensures safe medication administration.
Rationale: This answer is correct because antipsychotic medications can affect cardiovascular health.
assessing vital signs helps identify any potential adverse effects and ensures safe medication
administration.
7. A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder is showing signs of anhedonia. Which
nursing intervention is the most appropriate?
Answer: Encourage the patient to engage in pleasurable activities
Explanation: Encouraging engagement in pleasurable activities helps counteract anhedonia, fostering
motivation and promoting recovery, which is vital in managing depression.
Rationale: This answer is correct because encouraging engagement in pleasurable activities helps
counteract anhedonia, fostering motivation and promoting recovery, which is vital in managing
depression.
8. In the context of cognitive-behavioral therapy, which statement by a patient indicates a need for
further education?
Answer: My feelings are caused by other people's actions.
Explanation: Believing that feelings are solely caused by others indicates a lack of understanding of
cognitive-behavioral principles, which emphasize the connection between thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors.
Rationale: This answer is correct because believing that feelings are solely caused by others indicates
a lack of understanding of cognitive-behavioral principles, which emphasize the connection between
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
