Galen College NSG 3450 Exam 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Mental Health
Q&A | Mental Health Nursing
1. According to the World Health Organization, which statement best defines
mental health?
A) The absence of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder
B) A state of well-being in which individuals realize their own potential, cope
with normal stresses, work productively, and contribute to their community
C) The ability to function independently without any social support
D) Complete freedom from anxiety or emotional distress
Correct Answer: A state of well-being in which individuals realize their own
potential, cope with normal stresses, work productively, and contribute to
their community
Rationale: The WHO defines mental health as a state of well-being in which
individuals realize their own abilities, cope with normal life stresses, work
productively, and make contributions to their communities. Mental health is
more than the absence of mental illness and encompasses positive
functioning and resilience.
2. A patient who recently lost their job states, "I know I have the skills to find
a better position eventually." The nurse recognizes this statement as
demonstrating which concept?
A) Self-esteem
B) Resilience
C) Denial
D) Spiritual well-being
Correct Answer: Resilience
,Rationale: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity and
maintain a positive outlook despite challenges. The patient's statement
reflects confidence in their ability to recover from job loss, demonstrating
resilience rather than denial or low self-esteem.
3. A psychiatric-mental health nurse is caring for a patient who was
voluntarily admitted. The patient now wishes to leave against medical
advice. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Allow the patient to leave immediately without further assessment
B) Place the patient in restraints to prevent leaving
C) Assess the patient's decision-making capacity and notify the healthcare
provider
D) Tell the patient they signed a contract and cannot leave
Correct Answer: Assess the patient's decision-making capacity and notify the
healthcare provider
Rationale: Voluntarily admitted patients generally have the right to leave;
however, the nurse must assess decision-making capacity and notify the
provider if there are concerns about safety. Restraints would be inappropriate
without an order and an immediate safety threat.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who was admitted on a 72-hour involuntary
hold. The patient demands to leave immediately. Which response is most
appropriate?
A) "You signed consent to be here, so you must stay for 72 hours."
B) "I will get your discharge papers ready right away."
C) "You are here on an involuntary status and cannot leave until the
evaluation is complete."
D) "If you try to leave, we will have to place you in restraints."
,Correct Answer: "You are here on an involuntary status and cannot leave
until the evaluation is complete."
Rationale: Involuntary commitment means the patient cannot leave until a
formal evaluation determines they no longer pose a danger to themselves or
others. The nurse should explain the legal status clearly and factually
without threatening the patient.
5. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which patient should the nurse
prioritize for immediate assessment?
A) A patient who feels lonely and lacks a support system
B) A patient who is refusing to eat or drink
C) A patient with low self-esteem following a divorce
D) A patient expressing a need for self-actualization
Correct Answer: A patient who is refusing to eat or drink
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs (food, water,
shelter) before safety, love, self-esteem, and self-actualization. A patient
refusing food and fluids has an unmet physiological need that threatens
survival and must be addressed first.
6. A nurse is working with a patient who mimics the nurse's physical gestures
during an interaction. The nurse recognizes this behavior as a concept
associated with which theorist?
A) Sigmund Freud
B) Harry Stack Sullivan
C) Jean Piaget
D) Erik Erikson
, Correct Answer: Harry Stack Sullivan
Rationale: Harry Stack Sullivan's interpersonal theory emphasizes the role of
interpersonal relationships and the "participant observer" role, where the
nurse observes interactions including phenomena like mirroring. This
concept is not associated with Freud, Piaget, or Erikson.
7. A patient in an outpatient mental health clinic is diagnosed with a serious
mental illness. What is the primary goal of the "least restrictive environment"
principle?
A) To ensure the patient is always under direct supervision
B) To provide necessary care while maintaining the patient's maximum
freedom
C) To prevent the patient from interacting with the community
D) To minimize the cost of psychiatric treatment
Correct Answer: To provide necessary care while maintaining the patient's
maximum freedom
Rationale: The "least restrictive environment" is a legal and ethical principle
requiring that patients receive care in the setting that imposes the fewest
restrictions on their freedom while still meeting their treatment needs.
8. Which action by the nurse best represents the ethical principle of
beneficence?
A) Respecting a patient's right to refuse a specific medication
B) Spending extra time with a highly anxious patient to provide comfort
C) Providing the same level of care to all patients regardless of their
background
D) Maintaining patient confidentiality
Q&A | Mental Health Nursing
1. According to the World Health Organization, which statement best defines
mental health?
A) The absence of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder
B) A state of well-being in which individuals realize their own potential, cope
with normal stresses, work productively, and contribute to their community
C) The ability to function independently without any social support
D) Complete freedom from anxiety or emotional distress
Correct Answer: A state of well-being in which individuals realize their own
potential, cope with normal stresses, work productively, and contribute to
their community
Rationale: The WHO defines mental health as a state of well-being in which
individuals realize their own abilities, cope with normal life stresses, work
productively, and make contributions to their communities. Mental health is
more than the absence of mental illness and encompasses positive
functioning and resilience.
2. A patient who recently lost their job states, "I know I have the skills to find
a better position eventually." The nurse recognizes this statement as
demonstrating which concept?
A) Self-esteem
B) Resilience
C) Denial
D) Spiritual well-being
Correct Answer: Resilience
,Rationale: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity and
maintain a positive outlook despite challenges. The patient's statement
reflects confidence in their ability to recover from job loss, demonstrating
resilience rather than denial or low self-esteem.
3. A psychiatric-mental health nurse is caring for a patient who was
voluntarily admitted. The patient now wishes to leave against medical
advice. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Allow the patient to leave immediately without further assessment
B) Place the patient in restraints to prevent leaving
C) Assess the patient's decision-making capacity and notify the healthcare
provider
D) Tell the patient they signed a contract and cannot leave
Correct Answer: Assess the patient's decision-making capacity and notify the
healthcare provider
Rationale: Voluntarily admitted patients generally have the right to leave;
however, the nurse must assess decision-making capacity and notify the
provider if there are concerns about safety. Restraints would be inappropriate
without an order and an immediate safety threat.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who was admitted on a 72-hour involuntary
hold. The patient demands to leave immediately. Which response is most
appropriate?
A) "You signed consent to be here, so you must stay for 72 hours."
B) "I will get your discharge papers ready right away."
C) "You are here on an involuntary status and cannot leave until the
evaluation is complete."
D) "If you try to leave, we will have to place you in restraints."
,Correct Answer: "You are here on an involuntary status and cannot leave
until the evaluation is complete."
Rationale: Involuntary commitment means the patient cannot leave until a
formal evaluation determines they no longer pose a danger to themselves or
others. The nurse should explain the legal status clearly and factually
without threatening the patient.
5. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which patient should the nurse
prioritize for immediate assessment?
A) A patient who feels lonely and lacks a support system
B) A patient who is refusing to eat or drink
C) A patient with low self-esteem following a divorce
D) A patient expressing a need for self-actualization
Correct Answer: A patient who is refusing to eat or drink
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs (food, water,
shelter) before safety, love, self-esteem, and self-actualization. A patient
refusing food and fluids has an unmet physiological need that threatens
survival and must be addressed first.
6. A nurse is working with a patient who mimics the nurse's physical gestures
during an interaction. The nurse recognizes this behavior as a concept
associated with which theorist?
A) Sigmund Freud
B) Harry Stack Sullivan
C) Jean Piaget
D) Erik Erikson
, Correct Answer: Harry Stack Sullivan
Rationale: Harry Stack Sullivan's interpersonal theory emphasizes the role of
interpersonal relationships and the "participant observer" role, where the
nurse observes interactions including phenomena like mirroring. This
concept is not associated with Freud, Piaget, or Erikson.
7. A patient in an outpatient mental health clinic is diagnosed with a serious
mental illness. What is the primary goal of the "least restrictive environment"
principle?
A) To ensure the patient is always under direct supervision
B) To provide necessary care while maintaining the patient's maximum
freedom
C) To prevent the patient from interacting with the community
D) To minimize the cost of psychiatric treatment
Correct Answer: To provide necessary care while maintaining the patient's
maximum freedom
Rationale: The "least restrictive environment" is a legal and ethical principle
requiring that patients receive care in the setting that imposes the fewest
restrictions on their freedom while still meeting their treatment needs.
8. Which action by the nurse best represents the ethical principle of
beneficence?
A) Respecting a patient's right to refuse a specific medication
B) Spending extra time with a highly anxious patient to provide comfort
C) Providing the same level of care to all patients regardless of their
background
D) Maintaining patient confidentiality
