NUR 253 Exams 1 – 4 | Mental Health (2026 /
2027) PDF | Galen College of Nursing
EXAM 1: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing
Question 1
A nursing student is learning about the evolution of mental health care. Which statement best
describes the current philosophy of mental health treatment?
A) Focus is primarily on institutionalization and containment
B) Focus is on recovery, hope, and community-based care
C) Focus is on medication management as the sole treatment
D) Focus is on separating mental illness from physical health
Answer: B — The current philosophy emphasizes recovery, hope, empowerment, and
community integration rather than institutionalization. Recovery is a process of change through
which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach
their full potential.
---
Question 2
,A nurse is providing care using Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Which patient need should the
nurse address FIRST?
A) The patient expresses feelings of loneliness
B) The patient has not eaten in 24 hours
C) The patient states, "I have no purpose in life"
D) The patient wants to discuss future goals
Answer: B — According to Maslow's hierarchy, physiological needs (food, water, air) take
priority over safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs.
---
Question 3
A nurse is documenting a mental health assessment using the SOAP format. What does the "O"
represent?
A) Opinion of the patient's condition
B) Objective data observed by the nurse
C) Outcomes expected from treatment
D) Orientation of the patient
Answer: B — In SOAP documentation, "O" stands for Objective data—information that is
observable, measurable, and verifiable (e.g., patient appearance, behavior, vital signs).
---
,Question 4
Which of the following is an example of a therapeutic communication technique?
A) "Why did you do that?"
B) "I understand how you feel"
C) "Tell me more about what happened"
D) "You shouldn't feel that way"
Answer: C — "Tell me more about what happened" is an open-ended Question that
encourages the patient to elaborate. "Why" Question s are nontherapeutic (can be perceived
as accusatory). "I understand how you feel" is a cliché that dismisses uniqueness. "You
shouldn't feel that way" is judgmental and dismissive.
---
Question 5
A patient says, "Nobody cares about me. I'm completely alone." Which response by the nurse is
MOST therapeutic?
A) "That's not true. We all care about you here"
B) "You're feeling alone right now"
C) "Why do you feel that way?"
D) "Everyone feels alone sometimes"
Answer: B — Reflecting feelings ("You're feeling alone right now") validates the patient's
emotion without arguing or minimizing. Option A argues, Option C uses "why," and Option D
minimizes with a cliché.
, ---
Question 6
A nurse is using the technique of "clarification" in therapeutic communication. Which statement
is an example of this technique?
A) "I notice you're pacing the hallway"
B) "Are you saying that you want to go home?"
C) "It sounds like you're feeling angry about the situation"
D) "Could you explain what you mean by 'they're out to get me'?"
Answer: D — Clarification involves asking the patient to explain ambiguous or confusing
statements. Option A is observation, Option B is paraphrasing, and Option C is reflecting
feelings.
---
Question 7
Which of the following is a NONtherapeutic communication technique?
A) Offering self
B) Restating
C) Giving approval
D) Exploring
Answer: C — Giving approval ("That's good" or "You're right") implies the nurse has the right
to judge the patient's thoughts or behaviors, which is nontherapeutic. Offering self, restating,
and exploring are all therapeutic techniques.
2027) PDF | Galen College of Nursing
EXAM 1: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing
Question 1
A nursing student is learning about the evolution of mental health care. Which statement best
describes the current philosophy of mental health treatment?
A) Focus is primarily on institutionalization and containment
B) Focus is on recovery, hope, and community-based care
C) Focus is on medication management as the sole treatment
D) Focus is on separating mental illness from physical health
Answer: B — The current philosophy emphasizes recovery, hope, empowerment, and
community integration rather than institutionalization. Recovery is a process of change through
which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach
their full potential.
---
Question 2
,A nurse is providing care using Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Which patient need should the
nurse address FIRST?
A) The patient expresses feelings of loneliness
B) The patient has not eaten in 24 hours
C) The patient states, "I have no purpose in life"
D) The patient wants to discuss future goals
Answer: B — According to Maslow's hierarchy, physiological needs (food, water, air) take
priority over safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs.
---
Question 3
A nurse is documenting a mental health assessment using the SOAP format. What does the "O"
represent?
A) Opinion of the patient's condition
B) Objective data observed by the nurse
C) Outcomes expected from treatment
D) Orientation of the patient
Answer: B — In SOAP documentation, "O" stands for Objective data—information that is
observable, measurable, and verifiable (e.g., patient appearance, behavior, vital signs).
---
,Question 4
Which of the following is an example of a therapeutic communication technique?
A) "Why did you do that?"
B) "I understand how you feel"
C) "Tell me more about what happened"
D) "You shouldn't feel that way"
Answer: C — "Tell me more about what happened" is an open-ended Question that
encourages the patient to elaborate. "Why" Question s are nontherapeutic (can be perceived
as accusatory). "I understand how you feel" is a cliché that dismisses uniqueness. "You
shouldn't feel that way" is judgmental and dismissive.
---
Question 5
A patient says, "Nobody cares about me. I'm completely alone." Which response by the nurse is
MOST therapeutic?
A) "That's not true. We all care about you here"
B) "You're feeling alone right now"
C) "Why do you feel that way?"
D) "Everyone feels alone sometimes"
Answer: B — Reflecting feelings ("You're feeling alone right now") validates the patient's
emotion without arguing or minimizing. Option A argues, Option C uses "why," and Option D
minimizes with a cliché.
, ---
Question 6
A nurse is using the technique of "clarification" in therapeutic communication. Which statement
is an example of this technique?
A) "I notice you're pacing the hallway"
B) "Are you saying that you want to go home?"
C) "It sounds like you're feeling angry about the situation"
D) "Could you explain what you mean by 'they're out to get me'?"
Answer: D — Clarification involves asking the patient to explain ambiguous or confusing
statements. Option A is observation, Option B is paraphrasing, and Option C is reflecting
feelings.
---
Question 7
Which of the following is a NONtherapeutic communication technique?
A) Offering self
B) Restating
C) Giving approval
D) Exploring
Answer: C — Giving approval ("That's good" or "You're right") implies the nurse has the right
to judge the patient's thoughts or behaviors, which is nontherapeutic. Offering self, restating,
and exploring are all therapeutic techniques.
