,NSG3450/NSG 3450 Exam 1 | Nursing Practice – Mental
Health | Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition
(PDF)
1. A nursing student expresses concern that mental health nurses "lose all their clinical nursing skills."
Which response by the mental health nurse is most appropriate?
A) "Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties."
B) "Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thinking to solve
multidimensional problems."
C) "Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technology monitoring equipment and manage complex
intravenous therapies."
D) "Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as medical-surgical nurses."
Correct Answer: Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thinking to solve
multidimensional problems.
Rationale: Mental health nursing requires sophisticated communication, assessment, and critical
thinking skills to address complex biopsychosocial issues. This response validates the student's concern
while accurately describing the intellectual demands of psychiatric nursing. The other options minimize
or misrepresent the specialty's challenges.
2. A nurse encounters an unfamiliar psychiatric disorder on a new patient's admission form. Which
resource should the nurse consult to determine the criteria used to establish this diagnosis?
A) International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10)
B) The ANA's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
C) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
D) A behavioral health reference manual
Correct Answer: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
,Rationale: The DSM-5 is the primary resource used in the United States for diagnosing mental disorders.
It provides standardized diagnostic criteria for psychiatric conditions. The ICD-10 is used for billing and
coding, while the ANA standards guide nursing practice, not diagnosis.
3. Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a patient may be experiencing a mental illness?
A) Reports occasional sleeplessness and anxiety
B) Reports a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood
C) Is able to describe the difference between "as if" and "for real"
D) Perceives difficulty making a decision about whether to change jobs
Correct Answer: Reports a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood
Rationale: Persistent sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood is a hallmark symptom of depression, a
mental illness. Occasional sleeplessness and anxiety, difficulty with decisions, and the ability to
distinguish reality are within normal range.
4. According to Peplau's Interpersonal Relations Theory, which phase involves the nurse and patient
working together to achieve mutually agreed-upon goals?
A) Pre-interaction phase
B) Orientation phase
C) Working phase
D) Termination phase
Correct Answer: Working phase
Rationale: The working phase is when the nurse and patient collaborate to achieve therapeutic goals,
with the patient actively participating in problem-solving. The orientation phase establishes trust, and
the termination phase concludes the relationship.
5. A family has a long history of conflicted relationships among its members. Which family member's
comment best reflects a mentally healthy perspective?
A) "I've made mistakes but everyone else in this family has also."
, B) "I remember joy and mutual respect from our early years together."
C) "I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family."
D) "It's best for me to move away from my family. Things will never change."
Correct Answer: "I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family."
Rationale: Taking personal responsibility and expressing willingness to change behavior for the family's
benefit demonstrates insight, accountability, and a mentally healthy perspective. Blaming others,
dwelling in the past, or avoiding the situation are less adaptive responses.
6. A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client. Which statement is an example of
reflecting?
A) "Tell me more about how you are feeling."
B) "You seem to be feeling sad today."
C) "I understand how you feel."
D) "Why do you think you feel that way?"
Correct Answer: "You seem to be feeling sad today."
Rationale: Reflecting involves restating the client's implied feelings or emotions to help them become
more aware of their emotional state. "Why" questions can be perceived as judgmental, and "I
understand" may not be accurate.
7. Which of the following is an example of a non-therapeutic communication technique?
A) Restating: "You say you feel anxious."
B) Clarifying: "I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
C) Giving advice: "I think you should take the medication exactly as prescribed."
D) Focusing: "Let's talk more about what happened yesterday."
Correct Answer: Giving advice: "I think you should take the medication exactly as prescribed."
Health | Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition
(PDF)
1. A nursing student expresses concern that mental health nurses "lose all their clinical nursing skills."
Which response by the mental health nurse is most appropriate?
A) "Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties."
B) "Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thinking to solve
multidimensional problems."
C) "Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technology monitoring equipment and manage complex
intravenous therapies."
D) "Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as medical-surgical nurses."
Correct Answer: Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thinking to solve
multidimensional problems.
Rationale: Mental health nursing requires sophisticated communication, assessment, and critical
thinking skills to address complex biopsychosocial issues. This response validates the student's concern
while accurately describing the intellectual demands of psychiatric nursing. The other options minimize
or misrepresent the specialty's challenges.
2. A nurse encounters an unfamiliar psychiatric disorder on a new patient's admission form. Which
resource should the nurse consult to determine the criteria used to establish this diagnosis?
A) International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10)
B) The ANA's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
C) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
D) A behavioral health reference manual
Correct Answer: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
,Rationale: The DSM-5 is the primary resource used in the United States for diagnosing mental disorders.
It provides standardized diagnostic criteria for psychiatric conditions. The ICD-10 is used for billing and
coding, while the ANA standards guide nursing practice, not diagnosis.
3. Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a patient may be experiencing a mental illness?
A) Reports occasional sleeplessness and anxiety
B) Reports a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood
C) Is able to describe the difference between "as if" and "for real"
D) Perceives difficulty making a decision about whether to change jobs
Correct Answer: Reports a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood
Rationale: Persistent sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood is a hallmark symptom of depression, a
mental illness. Occasional sleeplessness and anxiety, difficulty with decisions, and the ability to
distinguish reality are within normal range.
4. According to Peplau's Interpersonal Relations Theory, which phase involves the nurse and patient
working together to achieve mutually agreed-upon goals?
A) Pre-interaction phase
B) Orientation phase
C) Working phase
D) Termination phase
Correct Answer: Working phase
Rationale: The working phase is when the nurse and patient collaborate to achieve therapeutic goals,
with the patient actively participating in problem-solving. The orientation phase establishes trust, and
the termination phase concludes the relationship.
5. A family has a long history of conflicted relationships among its members. Which family member's
comment best reflects a mentally healthy perspective?
A) "I've made mistakes but everyone else in this family has also."
, B) "I remember joy and mutual respect from our early years together."
C) "I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family."
D) "It's best for me to move away from my family. Things will never change."
Correct Answer: "I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family."
Rationale: Taking personal responsibility and expressing willingness to change behavior for the family's
benefit demonstrates insight, accountability, and a mentally healthy perspective. Blaming others,
dwelling in the past, or avoiding the situation are less adaptive responses.
6. A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client. Which statement is an example of
reflecting?
A) "Tell me more about how you are feeling."
B) "You seem to be feeling sad today."
C) "I understand how you feel."
D) "Why do you think you feel that way?"
Correct Answer: "You seem to be feeling sad today."
Rationale: Reflecting involves restating the client's implied feelings or emotions to help them become
more aware of their emotional state. "Why" questions can be perceived as judgmental, and "I
understand" may not be accurate.
7. Which of the following is an example of a non-therapeutic communication technique?
A) Restating: "You say you feel anxious."
B) Clarifying: "I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
C) Giving advice: "I think you should take the medication exactly as prescribed."
D) Focusing: "Let's talk more about what happened yesterday."
Correct Answer: Giving advice: "I think you should take the medication exactly as prescribed."
