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NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH EXAMS 2 (GALEN) NEWEST 2026 |
NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH EXAMS REVIEWS WITH COMPLETE
50 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
Exam 2: Core Concepts in Mental Health Nursing
1. A nurse is teaching a client who has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The client was sexually assaulted during a live concert. Which of the following is
included in the diagnostic criteria for PTSD?
A. Recurring dreams of the incident during the live concert.
B. Excessive worry about future concerts.
C. Avoidance of all social gatherings.
D. Generalized anxiety unrelated to the trauma.
: Correct Answer : A. Recurring dreams of the incident during the live concert.
Rationale: PTSD is defined by exposure to actual or threatened death, serious
injury, or sexual violence. The DSM-5 specifies intrusive symptoms such as
recurrent, involuntary, and distressing memories of the traumatic event.
Recurring dreams related to the trauma are a classic intrusive symptom. Worry
about future concerts (B) may be a form of avoidance but is not a stand-alone
diagnostic criterion; avoidance of all social gatherings (C) is too broad and not
specific to the trauma. Generalized anxiety unrelated to the trauma (D) is not part
of the PTSD criteria.
2. The nurse educator is developing a coping skills group for the mental health
unit. During the planning phase, what is the first step in the group development
process?
A. Identify group members’ individual needs.
B. Outline session activities and materials.
C. Identify the name, objectives, and desired outcomes of the group.
D. Establish group rules and confidentiality agreements.
pg. 1
,2
: Correct Answer : C. Identify the name, objectives, and desired outcomes of
the group.
Rationale: Planning a group begins with defining its purpose. Without clear name,
objectives, and desired outcomes, subsequent steps (assessing individual needs,
outlining activities, setting rules) have no direction. This foundational step
ensures the group is goal-directed and aligns with therapeutic principles.
3. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The CIA is putting poison in my
food.” Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. “Why would the CIA want to poison you?”
B. “I don’t see anyone poisoning your food. You are safe here.”
C. “It must be frightening to think someone is trying to poison you.”
D. “Let’s skip lunch and just have snacks from the vending machine.”
: Correct Answer : C. “It must be frightening to think someone is trying to
poison you.”
Rationale: This response validates the client’s emotional experience without
reinforcing or challenging the delusion. “Why” questions (A) are non-therapeutic
and can feel accusatory. Arguing with the delusion (B) increases distrust and
anxiety. Changing the subject (D) avoids addressing the client’s distress.
Acknowledging the feeling builds therapeutic rapport.
4. A client with severe anxiety is pacing the hallway, breathing rapidly, and
unable to focus on the nurse’s questions. What is the nurse’s priority
intervention?
A. Teach the client deep breathing relaxation techniques.
B. Ask the client to explain what is making them anxious.
C. Move the client to a quiet, low-stimulation environment and stay with them.
D. Administer a PRN benzodiazepine immediately.
: Correct Answer : C. Move the client to a quiet, low-stimulation environment
and stay with them.
pg. 2
, 3
Rationale: The client is experiencing severe to panic-level anxiety. At this level,
the client cannot process complex instructions (A) or answer probing questions
(B). The priority is to reduce environmental stimuli and provide a calm, safe,
non-threatening presence. While medication (D) may be needed, de-escalation
and environmental safety come first.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who was involuntarily admitted to an inpatient
psychiatric unit. The client appears angry, is verbally abusive to staff, and
repeatedly threatens to sue various staff members. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Warn the client that threats of legal action are inappropriate.
B. Remind the client that they are here for treatment, not to argue.
C. Set consistent limits on the behavior while continuing to engage
therapeutically.
D. Notify security and place the client in seclusion.
: Correct Answer : C. Set consistent limits on the behavior while continuing to
engage therapeutically.
Rationale: The client’s behavior is disruptive but does not yet meet criteria for
seclusion (D). Threatening a warning (A) is non-therapeutic and may escalate
anger. Reminding the client of the purpose of hospitalization (B) dismisses the
underlying distress. Setting consistent limits while maintaining a therapeutic
relationship (C) provides structure and safety without escalating the situation.
6. A client with bipolar disorder, manic episode, reports a decreased need for
sleep, grandiosity, and pressured speech. Which nursing intervention should be
included in the plan of care?
A. Encourage the client to rest in a dimly lit, low-stimulation room.
B. Allow the client to lead group activities to channel excessive energy.
C. Provide high-calorie finger foods that the client can eat while walking.
D. Challenge the client’s grandiose statements to promote reality orientation.
: Correct Answer : C. Provide high-calorie finger foods that the client can eat
while walking.
pg. 3
NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH EXAMS 2 (GALEN) NEWEST 2026 |
NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH EXAMS REVIEWS WITH COMPLETE
50 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
Exam 2: Core Concepts in Mental Health Nursing
1. A nurse is teaching a client who has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The client was sexually assaulted during a live concert. Which of the following is
included in the diagnostic criteria for PTSD?
A. Recurring dreams of the incident during the live concert.
B. Excessive worry about future concerts.
C. Avoidance of all social gatherings.
D. Generalized anxiety unrelated to the trauma.
: Correct Answer : A. Recurring dreams of the incident during the live concert.
Rationale: PTSD is defined by exposure to actual or threatened death, serious
injury, or sexual violence. The DSM-5 specifies intrusive symptoms such as
recurrent, involuntary, and distressing memories of the traumatic event.
Recurring dreams related to the trauma are a classic intrusive symptom. Worry
about future concerts (B) may be a form of avoidance but is not a stand-alone
diagnostic criterion; avoidance of all social gatherings (C) is too broad and not
specific to the trauma. Generalized anxiety unrelated to the trauma (D) is not part
of the PTSD criteria.
2. The nurse educator is developing a coping skills group for the mental health
unit. During the planning phase, what is the first step in the group development
process?
A. Identify group members’ individual needs.
B. Outline session activities and materials.
C. Identify the name, objectives, and desired outcomes of the group.
D. Establish group rules and confidentiality agreements.
pg. 1
,2
: Correct Answer : C. Identify the name, objectives, and desired outcomes of
the group.
Rationale: Planning a group begins with defining its purpose. Without clear name,
objectives, and desired outcomes, subsequent steps (assessing individual needs,
outlining activities, setting rules) have no direction. This foundational step
ensures the group is goal-directed and aligns with therapeutic principles.
3. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The CIA is putting poison in my
food.” Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. “Why would the CIA want to poison you?”
B. “I don’t see anyone poisoning your food. You are safe here.”
C. “It must be frightening to think someone is trying to poison you.”
D. “Let’s skip lunch and just have snacks from the vending machine.”
: Correct Answer : C. “It must be frightening to think someone is trying to
poison you.”
Rationale: This response validates the client’s emotional experience without
reinforcing or challenging the delusion. “Why” questions (A) are non-therapeutic
and can feel accusatory. Arguing with the delusion (B) increases distrust and
anxiety. Changing the subject (D) avoids addressing the client’s distress.
Acknowledging the feeling builds therapeutic rapport.
4. A client with severe anxiety is pacing the hallway, breathing rapidly, and
unable to focus on the nurse’s questions. What is the nurse’s priority
intervention?
A. Teach the client deep breathing relaxation techniques.
B. Ask the client to explain what is making them anxious.
C. Move the client to a quiet, low-stimulation environment and stay with them.
D. Administer a PRN benzodiazepine immediately.
: Correct Answer : C. Move the client to a quiet, low-stimulation environment
and stay with them.
pg. 2
, 3
Rationale: The client is experiencing severe to panic-level anxiety. At this level,
the client cannot process complex instructions (A) or answer probing questions
(B). The priority is to reduce environmental stimuli and provide a calm, safe,
non-threatening presence. While medication (D) may be needed, de-escalation
and environmental safety come first.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who was involuntarily admitted to an inpatient
psychiatric unit. The client appears angry, is verbally abusive to staff, and
repeatedly threatens to sue various staff members. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Warn the client that threats of legal action are inappropriate.
B. Remind the client that they are here for treatment, not to argue.
C. Set consistent limits on the behavior while continuing to engage
therapeutically.
D. Notify security and place the client in seclusion.
: Correct Answer : C. Set consistent limits on the behavior while continuing to
engage therapeutically.
Rationale: The client’s behavior is disruptive but does not yet meet criteria for
seclusion (D). Threatening a warning (A) is non-therapeutic and may escalate
anger. Reminding the client of the purpose of hospitalization (B) dismisses the
underlying distress. Setting consistent limits while maintaining a therapeutic
relationship (C) provides structure and safety without escalating the situation.
6. A client with bipolar disorder, manic episode, reports a decreased need for
sleep, grandiosity, and pressured speech. Which nursing intervention should be
included in the plan of care?
A. Encourage the client to rest in a dimly lit, low-stimulation room.
B. Allow the client to lead group activities to channel excessive energy.
C. Provide high-calorie finger foods that the client can eat while walking.
D. Challenge the client’s grandiose statements to promote reality orientation.
: Correct Answer : C. Provide high-calorie finger foods that the client can eat
while walking.
pg. 3
