Galen NUR 256 Exam 2026
Galen NUR 256 Concepts of Mental Health
Nursing Exam 2026 Edition 100 Advanced
Questions with Answers and Detailed
Rationales NUR256 Galen
This 100-question original NUR 256 practice exam, covering major concepts in psychiatric-
mental health nursing, including:
Therapeutic communication
Anxiety and trauma-related disorders
Mood disorders and suicide prevention
Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
Personality disorders
Psychopharmacology (SSRIs, MAOIs, lithium, antipsychotics)
Neurocognitive disorders (delirium and dementia)
Crisis intervention
NGN-style case studies, prioritization, SATA, bow-tie, and matrix questions
Question 1
A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a newly admitted client diagnosed with
major depressive disorder. Which statement by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "Why do you think you're feeling this way?"
B. "Tell me more about what brought you to the hospital."
C. "Everything will be okay."
D. "You shouldn't think negatively."
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Open-ended questions encourage clients to express feelings without judgment and promote trust.
A: "Why" questions may make clients feel defensive.
B: Correct. Encourages exploration.
C: Gives false reassurance.
D: Minimizes the client's feelings.
, Galen NUR 256 Exam 2026
Question 2
A client states, "There is no reason to live anymore." What is the nurse's priority response?
A. Ask about family support.
B. Assess for suicidal thoughts and plan.
C. Encourage positive thinking.
D. Offer distractions.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Any statement suggesting hopelessness requires immediate suicide risk assessment.
Question 3
Which communication technique demonstrates reflection?
A. "You sound frustrated."
B. "Tell me more."
C. "You feel your family has abandoned you."
D. "Why do you believe that?"
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Reflection directs the client's feelings back to them for further exploration.
Question 4
A client experiencing panic-level anxiety is hyperventilating. Which intervention should the
nurse implement first?
A. Teach relaxation exercises.
B. Stay with the client and speak calmly.
C. Provide detailed education.
D. Encourage group therapy.
✅ Correct Answer: B
, Galen NUR 256 Exam 2026
Rationale
During panic, clients cannot process complex information. Remaining with the client promotes
safety.
Question 5 (SATA)
Which findings increase a client's suicide risk?
Select all that apply.
A. Previous suicide attempt
B. Substance abuse
C. Recent loss of spouse
D. Strong family support
E. Major depressive disorder
✅ Correct Answers: A, B, C, E
Rationale
Major suicide risk factors include:
Previous attempts
Depression
Substance abuse
Significant losses
Strong family support is protective.
Question 6
The nurse is caring for a client experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which response is most
appropriate?
A. "The voices aren't real."
B. "I don't hear the voices, but I know they're real to you."
C. "Ignore them."
D. "What are the voices telling you to do?"
✅ Correct Answer: B
, Galen NUR 256 Exam 2026
Rationale
Acknowledging the client's experience without validating the hallucination maintains therapeutic
communication.
Question 7
Which defense mechanism is demonstrated when a client blames the nurse for spilling coffee
they accidentally dropped?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Regression
D. Displacement
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Projection involves attributing one's unacceptable thoughts or actions to another person.
Question 8
A client suddenly becomes aggressive. Which nursing action is the priority?
A. Explain unit rules.
B. Move other clients to safety.
C. Ask the client to apologize.
D. Begin teaching coping skills.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Safety is always the priority during escalating aggression.
Question 9
Which statement best describes empathy?
Galen NUR 256 Concepts of Mental Health
Nursing Exam 2026 Edition 100 Advanced
Questions with Answers and Detailed
Rationales NUR256 Galen
This 100-question original NUR 256 practice exam, covering major concepts in psychiatric-
mental health nursing, including:
Therapeutic communication
Anxiety and trauma-related disorders
Mood disorders and suicide prevention
Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
Personality disorders
Psychopharmacology (SSRIs, MAOIs, lithium, antipsychotics)
Neurocognitive disorders (delirium and dementia)
Crisis intervention
NGN-style case studies, prioritization, SATA, bow-tie, and matrix questions
Question 1
A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a newly admitted client diagnosed with
major depressive disorder. Which statement by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "Why do you think you're feeling this way?"
B. "Tell me more about what brought you to the hospital."
C. "Everything will be okay."
D. "You shouldn't think negatively."
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Open-ended questions encourage clients to express feelings without judgment and promote trust.
A: "Why" questions may make clients feel defensive.
B: Correct. Encourages exploration.
C: Gives false reassurance.
D: Minimizes the client's feelings.
, Galen NUR 256 Exam 2026
Question 2
A client states, "There is no reason to live anymore." What is the nurse's priority response?
A. Ask about family support.
B. Assess for suicidal thoughts and plan.
C. Encourage positive thinking.
D. Offer distractions.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Any statement suggesting hopelessness requires immediate suicide risk assessment.
Question 3
Which communication technique demonstrates reflection?
A. "You sound frustrated."
B. "Tell me more."
C. "You feel your family has abandoned you."
D. "Why do you believe that?"
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Reflection directs the client's feelings back to them for further exploration.
Question 4
A client experiencing panic-level anxiety is hyperventilating. Which intervention should the
nurse implement first?
A. Teach relaxation exercises.
B. Stay with the client and speak calmly.
C. Provide detailed education.
D. Encourage group therapy.
✅ Correct Answer: B
, Galen NUR 256 Exam 2026
Rationale
During panic, clients cannot process complex information. Remaining with the client promotes
safety.
Question 5 (SATA)
Which findings increase a client's suicide risk?
Select all that apply.
A. Previous suicide attempt
B. Substance abuse
C. Recent loss of spouse
D. Strong family support
E. Major depressive disorder
✅ Correct Answers: A, B, C, E
Rationale
Major suicide risk factors include:
Previous attempts
Depression
Substance abuse
Significant losses
Strong family support is protective.
Question 6
The nurse is caring for a client experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which response is most
appropriate?
A. "The voices aren't real."
B. "I don't hear the voices, but I know they're real to you."
C. "Ignore them."
D. "What are the voices telling you to do?"
✅ Correct Answer: B
, Galen NUR 256 Exam 2026
Rationale
Acknowledging the client's experience without validating the hallucination maintains therapeutic
communication.
Question 7
Which defense mechanism is demonstrated when a client blames the nurse for spilling coffee
they accidentally dropped?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Regression
D. Displacement
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Projection involves attributing one's unacceptable thoughts or actions to another person.
Question 8
A client suddenly becomes aggressive. Which nursing action is the priority?
A. Explain unit rules.
B. Move other clients to safety.
C. Ask the client to apologize.
D. Begin teaching coping skills.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Safety is always the priority during escalating aggression.
Question 9
Which statement best describes empathy?
