NUR253 Exam 1 V1 | NUR 253 Mental
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College
of Nursing
1. A nurse is communicating with a patient who is experiencing significant anxiety. Which
technique is most appropriate to help the patient clarify their feelings?
A. Asking the patient ‘Why do you feel this way?’
B. Changing the subject to a more positive topic.
C. Providing the patient with personal advice on how to cope.
D. Restating what the patient has said to ensure understanding.
Answer: D
Rationale: Restating is a therapeutic communication technique that helps the nurse clarify
understanding and shows the patient they are being heard. Asking ‘Why’ can be defensive,
and giving advice or changing the subject is non-therapeutic.
2. Which ethical principle is the nurse upholding when they support a patient’s right to refuse
a recommended medication?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Beneficence
,D. Fidelity
Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomy is the right of the patient to make their own decisions about their
medical care. Even in mental health, patients retain this right unless they are deemed
legally incompetent or are in an emergency situation.
3. A patient is admitted involuntarily to the psychiatric unit. Which statement regarding their
rights is true?
A. They retain the right to refuse treatment unless a court orders otherwise.
B. They lose the right to informed consent.
C. They lose the right to refuse medication immediately upon admission.
D. They no longer have the right to legal counsel.
Answer: A
Rationale: Involuntary admission is for treatment but does not automatically strip a
patient of the right to refuse medications. Legal processes or emergency safety threats are
required to bypass this right.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient’s risk for suicide. Which question is the most direct and
appropriate for this assessment?
A. Do you ever feel like life isn’t worth living?
B. Does your family know how sad you are?
, C. You aren’t thinking about hurting yourself, are you?
D. Are you thinking of killing yourself?
Answer: D
Rationale: Directness is essential when assessing suicide risk. Asking ‘Are you thinking of
killing yourself?’ provides a clear, unambiguous question that requires a direct answer,
unlike passive or leading questions.
5. Which level of anxiety is characterized by a narrowed perceptual field, where the individual
focuses only on the immediate problem and may experience muscle tension and headaches?
A. Moderate anxiety
B. Mild anxiety
C. Severe anxiety
D. Panic level
Answer: A
Rationale: Moderate anxiety narrows the perceptual field to immediate concerns. While
learning can still occur, it is slightly impaired compared to mild anxiety.
6. During a Mental Status Examination (MSE), the nurse observes the patient jumping from
one topic to another rapidly, though the connections between thoughts are understandable.
This is documented as:
A. Word salad
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College
of Nursing
1. A nurse is communicating with a patient who is experiencing significant anxiety. Which
technique is most appropriate to help the patient clarify their feelings?
A. Asking the patient ‘Why do you feel this way?’
B. Changing the subject to a more positive topic.
C. Providing the patient with personal advice on how to cope.
D. Restating what the patient has said to ensure understanding.
Answer: D
Rationale: Restating is a therapeutic communication technique that helps the nurse clarify
understanding and shows the patient they are being heard. Asking ‘Why’ can be defensive,
and giving advice or changing the subject is non-therapeutic.
2. Which ethical principle is the nurse upholding when they support a patient’s right to refuse
a recommended medication?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Beneficence
,D. Fidelity
Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomy is the right of the patient to make their own decisions about their
medical care. Even in mental health, patients retain this right unless they are deemed
legally incompetent or are in an emergency situation.
3. A patient is admitted involuntarily to the psychiatric unit. Which statement regarding their
rights is true?
A. They retain the right to refuse treatment unless a court orders otherwise.
B. They lose the right to informed consent.
C. They lose the right to refuse medication immediately upon admission.
D. They no longer have the right to legal counsel.
Answer: A
Rationale: Involuntary admission is for treatment but does not automatically strip a
patient of the right to refuse medications. Legal processes or emergency safety threats are
required to bypass this right.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient’s risk for suicide. Which question is the most direct and
appropriate for this assessment?
A. Do you ever feel like life isn’t worth living?
B. Does your family know how sad you are?
, C. You aren’t thinking about hurting yourself, are you?
D. Are you thinking of killing yourself?
Answer: D
Rationale: Directness is essential when assessing suicide risk. Asking ‘Are you thinking of
killing yourself?’ provides a clear, unambiguous question that requires a direct answer,
unlike passive or leading questions.
5. Which level of anxiety is characterized by a narrowed perceptual field, where the individual
focuses only on the immediate problem and may experience muscle tension and headaches?
A. Moderate anxiety
B. Mild anxiety
C. Severe anxiety
D. Panic level
Answer: A
Rationale: Moderate anxiety narrows the perceptual field to immediate concerns. While
learning can still occur, it is slightly impaired compared to mild anxiety.
6. During a Mental Status Examination (MSE), the nurse observes the patient jumping from
one topic to another rapidly, though the connections between thoughts are understandable.
This is documented as:
A. Word salad
