Galen College NSG 3450 Exam 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Mental Health
Q&A | Mental Health Nursing
1. A nurse is conducting an admission interview with an adolescent who
states, "Why should I tell you anything? You'll just tell my parents
everything." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) "Your parents have a legal right to know everything you tell me."
B) "What you say about your feelings is private, but some things, like suicidal
thoughts, must be reported to the treatment team."
C) "I promise I won't tell your parents anything you say."
D) "You're right to be concerned, but I have to tell your parents everything."
Correct Answer: "What you say about your feelings is private, but some
things, like suicidal thoughts, must be reported to the treatment team."
Rationale: This response is honest about the limits of confidentiality while
respecting the adolescent's need for privacy. It establishes trust by clarifying
what information will be shared and under what circumstances, which is
essential for building a therapeutic alliance with adolescent patients. The
other options either misrepresent confidentiality or make false promises.
2. A patient tells the nurse, "My marriage is perfect," while repeatedly
tapping their foot and avoiding eye contact. The nurse recognizes this as an
example of:
A) Congruent communication
B) Incongruous communication
C) Defensive communication
D) Passive communication
Correct Answer: Incongruous communication
,Rationale: Incongruous communication occurs when there is a mismatch
between verbal and nonverbal messages. The patient's words describe a
"perfect" marriage, but nonverbal cues (foot tapping, avoiding eye contact)
suggest anxiety or discomfort, indicating the verbal message may not be
genuine. The nurse should gently explore this discrepancy.
3. Which of the following is a nontherapeutic communication technique?
A) Active listening
B) Clarification
C) Asking "why" questions
D) Reflection
Correct Answer: Asking "why" questions
Rationale: Asking "why" questions is a nontherapeutic communication
technique because it can make patients feel defensive or judged.
Therapeutic techniques include active listening, clarification, reflection,
validation, and summarization. "Why" questions often imply criticism and
should be avoided.
4. A nurse is working with a patient who is highly anxious. The nurse
maintains a calm demeanor and speaks in a low, soothing tone. This is an
example of which therapeutic communication technique?
A) Active listening
B) Nonverbal communication
C) Clarification
D) Confrontation
Correct Answer: Nonverbal communication
,Rationale: Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, tone of
voice, posture, and gestures. Maintaining a calm demeanor and using a
soothing tone conveys safety and reassurance to an anxious patient.
Nonverbal cues often communicate more than words and must be congruent
with verbal messages.
5. During the working phase of the therapeutic relationship, the nurse's
primary focus should be on:
A) Establishing trust and setting goals
B) Implementing interventions and facilitating behavioral change
C) Reviewing progress and planning for termination
D) Gathering initial assessment data
Correct Answer: Implementing interventions and facilitating behavioral
change
Rationale: The therapeutic relationship has four phases: pre-interaction,
orientation (trust-building, goal-setting), working (implementing
interventions, problem-solving, facilitating change), and termination
(reviewing progress, discharge planning). The working phase is where active
therapeutic work occurs.
6. A patient repeatedly asks the nurse for personal information and attempts
to extend the relationship beyond the professional setting. The nurse
recognizes this as:
A) Transference
B) Countertransference
C) Boundary blurring
D) Therapeutic alliance
Correct Answer: Boundary blurring
, Rationale: Boundary blurring occurs when the patient attempts to extend the
nurse-patient relationship beyond professional boundaries. Transference
involves the patient projecting feelings onto the nurse, while
countertransference involves the nurse's emotional reaction to the patient.
Maintaining professional boundaries is essential for therapeutic
effectiveness.
7. 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) Denial
B) Resilience
C) Self-esteem
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.
8. The nurse is assessing a patient's risk for suicide. Which assessment tool
is specifically designed for suicide risk screening?
A) Braden Scale
B) SAD PERSONS scale
C) Morse Fall Scale
D) Mini-Mental State Examination
Q&A | Mental Health Nursing
1. A nurse is conducting an admission interview with an adolescent who
states, "Why should I tell you anything? You'll just tell my parents
everything." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) "Your parents have a legal right to know everything you tell me."
B) "What you say about your feelings is private, but some things, like suicidal
thoughts, must be reported to the treatment team."
C) "I promise I won't tell your parents anything you say."
D) "You're right to be concerned, but I have to tell your parents everything."
Correct Answer: "What you say about your feelings is private, but some
things, like suicidal thoughts, must be reported to the treatment team."
Rationale: This response is honest about the limits of confidentiality while
respecting the adolescent's need for privacy. It establishes trust by clarifying
what information will be shared and under what circumstances, which is
essential for building a therapeutic alliance with adolescent patients. The
other options either misrepresent confidentiality or make false promises.
2. A patient tells the nurse, "My marriage is perfect," while repeatedly
tapping their foot and avoiding eye contact. The nurse recognizes this as an
example of:
A) Congruent communication
B) Incongruous communication
C) Defensive communication
D) Passive communication
Correct Answer: Incongruous communication
,Rationale: Incongruous communication occurs when there is a mismatch
between verbal and nonverbal messages. The patient's words describe a
"perfect" marriage, but nonverbal cues (foot tapping, avoiding eye contact)
suggest anxiety or discomfort, indicating the verbal message may not be
genuine. The nurse should gently explore this discrepancy.
3. Which of the following is a nontherapeutic communication technique?
A) Active listening
B) Clarification
C) Asking "why" questions
D) Reflection
Correct Answer: Asking "why" questions
Rationale: Asking "why" questions is a nontherapeutic communication
technique because it can make patients feel defensive or judged.
Therapeutic techniques include active listening, clarification, reflection,
validation, and summarization. "Why" questions often imply criticism and
should be avoided.
4. A nurse is working with a patient who is highly anxious. The nurse
maintains a calm demeanor and speaks in a low, soothing tone. This is an
example of which therapeutic communication technique?
A) Active listening
B) Nonverbal communication
C) Clarification
D) Confrontation
Correct Answer: Nonverbal communication
,Rationale: Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, tone of
voice, posture, and gestures. Maintaining a calm demeanor and using a
soothing tone conveys safety and reassurance to an anxious patient.
Nonverbal cues often communicate more than words and must be congruent
with verbal messages.
5. During the working phase of the therapeutic relationship, the nurse's
primary focus should be on:
A) Establishing trust and setting goals
B) Implementing interventions and facilitating behavioral change
C) Reviewing progress and planning for termination
D) Gathering initial assessment data
Correct Answer: Implementing interventions and facilitating behavioral
change
Rationale: The therapeutic relationship has four phases: pre-interaction,
orientation (trust-building, goal-setting), working (implementing
interventions, problem-solving, facilitating change), and termination
(reviewing progress, discharge planning). The working phase is where active
therapeutic work occurs.
6. A patient repeatedly asks the nurse for personal information and attempts
to extend the relationship beyond the professional setting. The nurse
recognizes this as:
A) Transference
B) Countertransference
C) Boundary blurring
D) Therapeutic alliance
Correct Answer: Boundary blurring
, Rationale: Boundary blurring occurs when the patient attempts to extend the
nurse-patient relationship beyond professional boundaries. Transference
involves the patient projecting feelings onto the nurse, while
countertransference involves the nurse's emotional reaction to the patient.
Maintaining professional boundaries is essential for therapeutic
effectiveness.
7. 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) Denial
B) Resilience
C) Self-esteem
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.
8. The nurse is assessing a patient's risk for suicide. Which assessment tool
is specifically designed for suicide risk screening?
A) Braden Scale
B) SAD PERSONS scale
C) Morse Fall Scale
D) Mini-Mental State Examination
