NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2
2026/2027 | GALEN | VERIFIED QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE
• This is a 200-question verified study guide for NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing
Exam 2 (2026/2027), designed to help you master core concepts through practice
questions with correct answers and EXPERT RATIONALE.
• Read each question carefully, attempt an answer before checking, and use the
EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce your understanding — not just memorize
answers.
NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING — EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING | 2026/2027
TOPIC AREAS COVERED: Mood Disorders | Anxiety Disorders | Schizophrenia |
Personality Disorders | Substance Use Disorders | Psychopharmacology |
Therapeutic Communication | Crisis Intervention | Eating Disorders | Sleep
Disorders | Somatoform Disorders | Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Legal & Ethical
Issues
Q1. A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
Which symptom is MOST characteristic of this condition?
A. Grandiosity and decreased need for sleep
B. Auditory hallucinations and flat affect
C. Persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities
D. Obsessive thoughts and compulsive rituals
E. Euphoria alternating with dysphoria
C. Persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities
EXPERT RATIONALE: Major depressive disorder is characterized by persistent depressed
mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia) lasting at least two weeks, along
,with other symptoms such as fatigue, changes in sleep and appetite, and feelings of
worthlessness.
Q2. A patient with bipolar disorder is in a manic episode. Which nursing
intervention is the PRIORITY?
A. Encourage group therapy participation
B. Provide a stimulating environment to channel energy
C. Ensure safety and set limits on behavior
D. Administer antidepressants as prescribed
E. Allow the patient to make independent decisions freely
C. Ensure safety and set limits on behavior
EXPERT RATIONALE: During a manic episode, patients may engage in reckless,
impulsive, or dangerous behaviors. Safety is always the priority nursing intervention.
Setting limits on behavior protects the patient and others from harm.
Q3. Which medication is MOST commonly used as a mood stabilizer in bipolar
disorder?
A. Haloperidol
B. Fluoxetine
C. Diazepam
D. Lithium
E. Clozapine
D. Lithium
EXPERT RATIONALE: Lithium is the gold-standard mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder. It
reduces the frequency and severity of manic and depressive episodes. Therapeutic
,lithium levels must be monitored closely (0.6–1.2 mEq/L) due to its narrow therapeutic
window.
Q4. A nurse is monitoring a patient on lithium therapy. Which finding requires
IMMEDIATE intervention?
A. Mild hand tremor
B. Polyuria and polydipsia
C. Serum lithium level of 2.5 mEq/L
D. Slight weight gain
E. Mild nausea after meals
C. Serum lithium level of 2.5 mEq/L
EXPERT RATIONALE: A serum lithium level above 1.5 mEq/L indicates toxicity. A level of
2.5 mEq/L is severely toxic and can cause seizures, cardiac dysrhythmias, and death.
Immediate intervention including withholding lithium and notifying the provider is
required.
Q5. Which statement by a patient indicates understanding of lithium therapy?
A. "I should avoid foods high in sodium."
B. "I will take my lithium only when I feel manic."
C. "I should maintain consistent sodium and fluid intake."
D. "I can stop taking lithium when I feel better."
E. "I do not need follow-up blood tests once stable."
C. "I should maintain consistent sodium and fluid intake."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Sodium and fluid balance directly affect lithium levels. Low sodium
intake causes lithium retention and toxicity. Patients must maintain consistent sodium
and fluid intake and report signs of dehydration.
, Q6. A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations.
Which nursing response is MOST therapeutic?
A. "The voices are not real; ignore them."
B. "Tell me what the voices are saying to you."
C. "I also hear those voices sometimes."
D. "You need to take your medication immediately."
E. "You should distract yourself by watching TV."
B. "Tell me what the voices are saying to you."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Acknowledging the patient's experience without reinforcing or
denying the hallucination is therapeutic. Asking the patient to describe what they hear
helps assess safety (command hallucinations) and establishes trust.
Q7. Which of the following is a POSITIVE symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Alogia
C. Avolition
D. Hallucinations
E. Social withdrawal
D. Hallucinations
EXPERT RATIONALE: Positive symptoms represent an excess or distortion of normal
functions and include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and bizarre
behavior. Negative symptoms (flat affect, alogia, avolition) represent a diminution or loss
of normal functions.
2026/2027 | GALEN | VERIFIED QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE
• This is a 200-question verified study guide for NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing
Exam 2 (2026/2027), designed to help you master core concepts through practice
questions with correct answers and EXPERT RATIONALE.
• Read each question carefully, attempt an answer before checking, and use the
EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce your understanding — not just memorize
answers.
NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING — EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING | 2026/2027
TOPIC AREAS COVERED: Mood Disorders | Anxiety Disorders | Schizophrenia |
Personality Disorders | Substance Use Disorders | Psychopharmacology |
Therapeutic Communication | Crisis Intervention | Eating Disorders | Sleep
Disorders | Somatoform Disorders | Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Legal & Ethical
Issues
Q1. A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
Which symptom is MOST characteristic of this condition?
A. Grandiosity and decreased need for sleep
B. Auditory hallucinations and flat affect
C. Persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities
D. Obsessive thoughts and compulsive rituals
E. Euphoria alternating with dysphoria
C. Persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities
EXPERT RATIONALE: Major depressive disorder is characterized by persistent depressed
mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia) lasting at least two weeks, along
,with other symptoms such as fatigue, changes in sleep and appetite, and feelings of
worthlessness.
Q2. A patient with bipolar disorder is in a manic episode. Which nursing
intervention is the PRIORITY?
A. Encourage group therapy participation
B. Provide a stimulating environment to channel energy
C. Ensure safety and set limits on behavior
D. Administer antidepressants as prescribed
E. Allow the patient to make independent decisions freely
C. Ensure safety and set limits on behavior
EXPERT RATIONALE: During a manic episode, patients may engage in reckless,
impulsive, or dangerous behaviors. Safety is always the priority nursing intervention.
Setting limits on behavior protects the patient and others from harm.
Q3. Which medication is MOST commonly used as a mood stabilizer in bipolar
disorder?
A. Haloperidol
B. Fluoxetine
C. Diazepam
D. Lithium
E. Clozapine
D. Lithium
EXPERT RATIONALE: Lithium is the gold-standard mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder. It
reduces the frequency and severity of manic and depressive episodes. Therapeutic
,lithium levels must be monitored closely (0.6–1.2 mEq/L) due to its narrow therapeutic
window.
Q4. A nurse is monitoring a patient on lithium therapy. Which finding requires
IMMEDIATE intervention?
A. Mild hand tremor
B. Polyuria and polydipsia
C. Serum lithium level of 2.5 mEq/L
D. Slight weight gain
E. Mild nausea after meals
C. Serum lithium level of 2.5 mEq/L
EXPERT RATIONALE: A serum lithium level above 1.5 mEq/L indicates toxicity. A level of
2.5 mEq/L is severely toxic and can cause seizures, cardiac dysrhythmias, and death.
Immediate intervention including withholding lithium and notifying the provider is
required.
Q5. Which statement by a patient indicates understanding of lithium therapy?
A. "I should avoid foods high in sodium."
B. "I will take my lithium only when I feel manic."
C. "I should maintain consistent sodium and fluid intake."
D. "I can stop taking lithium when I feel better."
E. "I do not need follow-up blood tests once stable."
C. "I should maintain consistent sodium and fluid intake."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Sodium and fluid balance directly affect lithium levels. Low sodium
intake causes lithium retention and toxicity. Patients must maintain consistent sodium
and fluid intake and report signs of dehydration.
, Q6. A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations.
Which nursing response is MOST therapeutic?
A. "The voices are not real; ignore them."
B. "Tell me what the voices are saying to you."
C. "I also hear those voices sometimes."
D. "You need to take your medication immediately."
E. "You should distract yourself by watching TV."
B. "Tell me what the voices are saying to you."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Acknowledging the patient's experience without reinforcing or
denying the hallucination is therapeutic. Asking the patient to describe what they hear
helps assess safety (command hallucinations) and establishes trust.
Q7. Which of the following is a POSITIVE symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Alogia
C. Avolition
D. Hallucinations
E. Social withdrawal
D. Hallucinations
EXPERT RATIONALE: Positive symptoms represent an excess or distortion of normal
functions and include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and bizarre
behavior. Negative symptoms (flat affect, alogia, avolition) represent a diminution or loss
of normal functions.
