NUR253 Exam 4 V2 | NUR 253 Mental
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College
of Nursing
1. A nurse is assessing a 7-year-old child for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Which of the following behaviors is most characteristic of the ‘impulsivity’ component of
ADHD?
A. Blurting out answers before questions have been completed
B. Failing to give close attention to details
C. Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks
D. Losing things necessary for tasks or activities
Answer: A
Rationale: Impulsivity in ADHD often manifests as difficulty waiting one’s turn or
interrupting others, such as blurting out answers. This behavior reflects a lack of inhibitory
control before acting. Options A, B, and D are characteristics of the inattention subtype
rather than impulsivity.
2. When distinguishing between delirium and dementia in a geriatric patient, which clinical
feature is most characteristic of delirium?
A. Slow, progressive decline in cognition
B. Acute onset with a fluctuating level of consciousness
,C. Permanent impairment of memory functions
D. Normal level of alertness despite memory loss
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a rapid onset, usually over hours or days, and
symptoms that fluctuate throughout the day. Unlike dementia, which is a slow and
progressive decline, delirium is often reversible and secondary to a physiological cause.
Maintaining a high index of suspicion for delirium is crucial in elderly patients to treat
underlying medical issues.
3. A nurse is working with a family where the parents frequently involve their teenage
daughter in their marital conflicts to reduce their own anxiety. This dynamic is known as:
A. Enmeshment
B. Differentiation
C. Scapegoating
D. Triangulation
Answer: D
Rationale: Triangulation occurs when a two-person relationship is unstable and a third
person is brought in to stabilize the system. In this scenario, the daughter is used as a
buffer to deflect tension between the parents. This prevents the couple from resolving their
issues directly and can place a heavy emotional burden on the child.
, 4. An adolescent client is diagnosed with Conduct Disorder. Which behavior should the nurse
expect to observe?
A. Argues with authority figures but follows major rules
B. Engages in repetitive motor movements
C. Experiences extreme shyness in social situations
D. Violates the basic rights of others and societal norms
Answer: D
Rationale: Conduct disorder involves a persistent pattern of behavior that violates the
rights of others, such as aggression, theft, or destruction of property. It is more severe than
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), which primarily involves argumentative and defiant
behavior toward authority. Identifying these behaviors early is essential for implementing
behavioral modification strategies.
5. In the context of psychiatric nursing ethics, the principle of ‘Beneficence’ is best described
as:
A. The obligation to tell the truth
B. The right of the patient to make their own decisions
C. The duty to promote the good of others
D. Treating all patients fairly and equally
Answer: C
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College
of Nursing
1. A nurse is assessing a 7-year-old child for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Which of the following behaviors is most characteristic of the ‘impulsivity’ component of
ADHD?
A. Blurting out answers before questions have been completed
B. Failing to give close attention to details
C. Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks
D. Losing things necessary for tasks or activities
Answer: A
Rationale: Impulsivity in ADHD often manifests as difficulty waiting one’s turn or
interrupting others, such as blurting out answers. This behavior reflects a lack of inhibitory
control before acting. Options A, B, and D are characteristics of the inattention subtype
rather than impulsivity.
2. When distinguishing between delirium and dementia in a geriatric patient, which clinical
feature is most characteristic of delirium?
A. Slow, progressive decline in cognition
B. Acute onset with a fluctuating level of consciousness
,C. Permanent impairment of memory functions
D. Normal level of alertness despite memory loss
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a rapid onset, usually over hours or days, and
symptoms that fluctuate throughout the day. Unlike dementia, which is a slow and
progressive decline, delirium is often reversible and secondary to a physiological cause.
Maintaining a high index of suspicion for delirium is crucial in elderly patients to treat
underlying medical issues.
3. A nurse is working with a family where the parents frequently involve their teenage
daughter in their marital conflicts to reduce their own anxiety. This dynamic is known as:
A. Enmeshment
B. Differentiation
C. Scapegoating
D. Triangulation
Answer: D
Rationale: Triangulation occurs when a two-person relationship is unstable and a third
person is brought in to stabilize the system. In this scenario, the daughter is used as a
buffer to deflect tension between the parents. This prevents the couple from resolving their
issues directly and can place a heavy emotional burden on the child.
, 4. An adolescent client is diagnosed with Conduct Disorder. Which behavior should the nurse
expect to observe?
A. Argues with authority figures but follows major rules
B. Engages in repetitive motor movements
C. Experiences extreme shyness in social situations
D. Violates the basic rights of others and societal norms
Answer: D
Rationale: Conduct disorder involves a persistent pattern of behavior that violates the
rights of others, such as aggression, theft, or destruction of property. It is more severe than
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), which primarily involves argumentative and defiant
behavior toward authority. Identifying these behaviors early is essential for implementing
behavioral modification strategies.
5. In the context of psychiatric nursing ethics, the principle of ‘Beneficence’ is best described
as:
A. The obligation to tell the truth
B. The right of the patient to make their own decisions
C. The duty to promote the good of others
D. Treating all patients fairly and equally
Answer: C
