NUR 253 – CONCEPTS OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING – GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
EXAM NAME QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains:
Therapeutic Communication and the Nurse-Patient Relationship
Legal and Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Nursing
Neurobiology and Psychopharmacology
Mood Disorders: Depression and Bipolar
Anxiety, OCD, and Trauma-Related Disorders
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Psychotic Disorders
Personality Disorders
Substance Use Disorders and Addiction
Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
Mental Health Promotion and Recovery Model
Introduction
*This comprehensive examination is designed to assess mastery of NUR 253 – Concepts of Mental Health
Nursing. It evaluates foundational theory, clinical judgment, ethical-legal compliance, and real-world decision-
making required for safe, patient-centered psychiatric nursing practice. The 200 multiple-choice questions
include direct knowledge items, clinical scenarios, and application-based problems. Emphasis is placed on the
recovery model, therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology, and crisis management. Each item is
,followed by the correct answer and a concise rationale. This resource supports exam readiness and aligns with
Galen College of Nursing curriculum standards.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with major depressive disorder who states, “Nothing matters anymore. I just
want to sleep and never wake up.” What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage the patient to take a walk outside
B. Document the statement as evidence of hopelessness
C. Perform a suicide risk assessment
D. Remind the patient of reasons to live
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: The statement suggests possible suicidal ideation. Suicide risk assessment is the priority to
ensure patient safety.
2. Which nursing intervention best supports a patient with bipolar disorder during a manic episode?
A. Engage the patient in a competitive card game
B. Provide high-calorie finger foods and frequent rest periods
C. Encourage group discussion of delusional beliefs
D. Restrict fluids to prevent hyponatremia
,🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: During mania, patients may neglect nutrition and rest. Finger foods allow eating while moving,
and rest periods prevent exhaustion.
3. A patient with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The CIA planted a chip in my brain to steal my thoughts.” This is
an example of:
A. Illusion
B. Delusion of persecution
C. Idea of reference
D. Thought broadcasting
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: A persecutory delusion involves a false belief of being targeted, harassed, or plotted against.
4. According to the ANA Code of Ethics, a psychiatric nurse who observes a colleague behaving in a sexually
inappropriate manner with a patient must:
A. Confront the colleague privately first
B. Report the behavior immediately to the supervisor
C. Ignore it unless the patient complains
D. Ask the patient if they felt harmed
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Sexual misconduct with a patient is an ethical and legal violation that must be reported
immediately to protect the patient.
, 5. A patient with borderline personality disorder uses splitting behavior. Which statement by the nurse indicates
effective management?
A. “You are right that the day shift nurse is unfair.”
B. “I will talk to you only when you are calm.”
C. “I understand you’re angry, but hitting is not allowed.”
D. “Both the day nurse and I have the same rules for you.”
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: Splitting involves seeing staff as all-good or all-bad. Consistent, unified boundaries reduce
splitting.
6. Which benzodiazepine is most appropriate for treating alcohol withdrawal seizures due to its long half-life?
A. Alprazolam
B. Lorazepam
C. Chlordiazepoxide
D. Midazolam
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Chlordiazepoxide has a long half-life, allowing a self-tapering effect and reducing seizure risk.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient with PTSD who experiences intrusive memories and hypervigilance. Which brain
structure is primarily implicated in this hyperarousal?
A. Prefrontal cortex
B. Hippocampus
EXAM NAME QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains:
Therapeutic Communication and the Nurse-Patient Relationship
Legal and Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Nursing
Neurobiology and Psychopharmacology
Mood Disorders: Depression and Bipolar
Anxiety, OCD, and Trauma-Related Disorders
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Psychotic Disorders
Personality Disorders
Substance Use Disorders and Addiction
Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
Mental Health Promotion and Recovery Model
Introduction
*This comprehensive examination is designed to assess mastery of NUR 253 – Concepts of Mental Health
Nursing. It evaluates foundational theory, clinical judgment, ethical-legal compliance, and real-world decision-
making required for safe, patient-centered psychiatric nursing practice. The 200 multiple-choice questions
include direct knowledge items, clinical scenarios, and application-based problems. Emphasis is placed on the
recovery model, therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology, and crisis management. Each item is
,followed by the correct answer and a concise rationale. This resource supports exam readiness and aligns with
Galen College of Nursing curriculum standards.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with major depressive disorder who states, “Nothing matters anymore. I just
want to sleep and never wake up.” What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage the patient to take a walk outside
B. Document the statement as evidence of hopelessness
C. Perform a suicide risk assessment
D. Remind the patient of reasons to live
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: The statement suggests possible suicidal ideation. Suicide risk assessment is the priority to
ensure patient safety.
2. Which nursing intervention best supports a patient with bipolar disorder during a manic episode?
A. Engage the patient in a competitive card game
B. Provide high-calorie finger foods and frequent rest periods
C. Encourage group discussion of delusional beliefs
D. Restrict fluids to prevent hyponatremia
,🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: During mania, patients may neglect nutrition and rest. Finger foods allow eating while moving,
and rest periods prevent exhaustion.
3. A patient with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The CIA planted a chip in my brain to steal my thoughts.” This is
an example of:
A. Illusion
B. Delusion of persecution
C. Idea of reference
D. Thought broadcasting
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: A persecutory delusion involves a false belief of being targeted, harassed, or plotted against.
4. According to the ANA Code of Ethics, a psychiatric nurse who observes a colleague behaving in a sexually
inappropriate manner with a patient must:
A. Confront the colleague privately first
B. Report the behavior immediately to the supervisor
C. Ignore it unless the patient complains
D. Ask the patient if they felt harmed
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Sexual misconduct with a patient is an ethical and legal violation that must be reported
immediately to protect the patient.
, 5. A patient with borderline personality disorder uses splitting behavior. Which statement by the nurse indicates
effective management?
A. “You are right that the day shift nurse is unfair.”
B. “I will talk to you only when you are calm.”
C. “I understand you’re angry, but hitting is not allowed.”
D. “Both the day nurse and I have the same rules for you.”
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: Splitting involves seeing staff as all-good or all-bad. Consistent, unified boundaries reduce
splitting.
6. Which benzodiazepine is most appropriate for treating alcohol withdrawal seizures due to its long half-life?
A. Alprazolam
B. Lorazepam
C. Chlordiazepoxide
D. Midazolam
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Chlordiazepoxide has a long half-life, allowing a self-tapering effect and reducing seizure risk.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient with PTSD who experiences intrusive memories and hypervigilance. Which brain
structure is primarily implicated in this hyperarousal?
A. Prefrontal cortex
B. Hippocampus
