NUR 253 Exam 4: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Exam 4: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Study
Quiz 2026/2027 UPDATE Galen College
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,NUR 253 Exam 4: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a client with Alzheimer’s disease who is experiencing agnosia.
Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to observe?
A. The client is unable to find the correct words to communicate.
B. The client makes up stories to fill in memory gaps.
C. The client is unable to perform motor tasks despite intact motor function.
D. The client is unable to recognize familiar objects such as a toothbrush.
Answer: D
Rationale: Agnosia is the failure to recognize or identify objects despite intact sensory function.
Choice A describes aphasia, Choice C describes apraxia, and Choice D describes confabulation.
Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on
the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level. Exam questions often test
whether you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what
the nurse can actually do right now.
2. A client is admitted for alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following findings would indicate
the client is progressing to alcohol withdrawal delirium (Delirium Tremens)?
A. Mild tremors and irritability.
B. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg.
C. Visual hallucinations and cardiac arrhythmias.
D. A desire to seek a drink to stop the shaking.
Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium tremens is a medical emergency characterized by severe disorientation, psychotic
symptoms (hallucinations), severe hypertension, and cardiac dysrhythmias, typically occurring 48-72
hours after the last drink. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from
harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. Understanding this helps the
nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action often prevents
bigger complications for the client.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 253 Exam 4: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. The nurse is caring for a client with Anorexia Nervosa. Which laboratory finding most
urgently requires intervention?
A. Hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL.
B. BUN of 22 mg/dL.
C. Potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L.
D. Total cholesterol of 210 mg/dL.
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) is a critical finding in eating disorders due to the risk
of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. This knowledge supports safe care and
helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation
and reduces anxiety. Clear understanding of this concept improves both test performance and
everyday clinical judgment. Practice applying it to short case scenarios to lock the idea in place.
4. A client with Borderline Personality Disorder is observed being extremely complimentary
to one nurse while telling the nurse manager that other nurses are ‘incompetent and mean.’
The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Altruism.
B. Reaction formation.
C. Splitting.
D. Projection.
Answer: C
Rationale: Splitting is a common defense mechanism in Borderline Personality Disorder where the
client views individuals as either all good or all bad, failing to integrate positive and negative qualities.
Exam questions often test whether you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real
situations. Focus on what the nurse can actually do right now. This is important because the nurse
must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think
about safety first when answering these questions.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Exam 4: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Study
Quiz 2026/2027 UPDATE Galen College
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,NUR 253 Exam 4: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a client with Alzheimer’s disease who is experiencing agnosia.
Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to observe?
A. The client is unable to find the correct words to communicate.
B. The client makes up stories to fill in memory gaps.
C. The client is unable to perform motor tasks despite intact motor function.
D. The client is unable to recognize familiar objects such as a toothbrush.
Answer: D
Rationale: Agnosia is the failure to recognize or identify objects despite intact sensory function.
Choice A describes aphasia, Choice C describes apraxia, and Choice D describes confabulation.
Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on
the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level. Exam questions often test
whether you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what
the nurse can actually do right now.
2. A client is admitted for alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following findings would indicate
the client is progressing to alcohol withdrawal delirium (Delirium Tremens)?
A. Mild tremors and irritability.
B. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg.
C. Visual hallucinations and cardiac arrhythmias.
D. A desire to seek a drink to stop the shaking.
Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium tremens is a medical emergency characterized by severe disorientation, psychotic
symptoms (hallucinations), severe hypertension, and cardiac dysrhythmias, typically occurring 48-72
hours after the last drink. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from
harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. Understanding this helps the
nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action often prevents
bigger complications for the client.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 253 Exam 4: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. The nurse is caring for a client with Anorexia Nervosa. Which laboratory finding most
urgently requires intervention?
A. Hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL.
B. BUN of 22 mg/dL.
C. Potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L.
D. Total cholesterol of 210 mg/dL.
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) is a critical finding in eating disorders due to the risk
of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. This knowledge supports safe care and
helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation
and reduces anxiety. Clear understanding of this concept improves both test performance and
everyday clinical judgment. Practice applying it to short case scenarios to lock the idea in place.
4. A client with Borderline Personality Disorder is observed being extremely complimentary
to one nurse while telling the nurse manager that other nurses are ‘incompetent and mean.’
The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Altruism.
B. Reaction formation.
C. Splitting.
D. Projection.
Answer: C
Rationale: Splitting is a common defense mechanism in Borderline Personality Disorder where the
client views individuals as either all good or all bad, failing to integrate positive and negative qualities.
Exam questions often test whether you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real
situations. Focus on what the nurse can actually do right now. This is important because the nurse
must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think
about safety first when answering these questions.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
