NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Prep 2026/20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Prep 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 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Prep 2026/20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is starting treatment. Which
diagnostic criterion is essential for this diagnosis?
A. Symptoms occurring for at least 6 months
B. Symptoms occurring for at least 3 months
C. Presence of at least five panic attacks per week
D. is starting treatment. Which diagnostic criterion is essential for this diagnosis?
Answer: A
Rationale: According to the DSM-5, GAD requires excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days
than not for at least 6 months about a number of events or activities. Knowing the reason behind the
correct answer makes it easier to rule out the wrong options quickly. Look for the choice that protects
the client and matches the priority need. 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.
2. A client is experiencing a severe panic attack in the day room. Which nursing intervention
is the highest priority?
A. Instruct the client to practice deep breathing exercises
B. Administer a PRN dose of Lorazepam immediately
C. Ask the client to explain what triggered the attack
D. Stay with the client and maintain a calm, quiet environment
Answer: D
Rationale: Safety and presence are priorities during a panic attack. The nurse should stay with the
client to provide a sense of security and decrease stimuli. 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. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from
harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Prep 2026/20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) spends two hours each morning
arranging items on a nightstand. How should the nurse initially manage this behavior?
A. Physically prevent the client from touching the items
B. Tell the client that the behavior is illogical and must stop
C. Interrupt the ritual to take the client to group therapy
D. spends two hours each morning arranging items on a nightstand. How should the nurse initially
manage this behavior?
Answer: D
Rationale: Initially, the nurse should allow the client to complete rituals to prevent anxiety from
escalating to panic levels. Ritual reduction is a gradual process. 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. 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.
4. Which therapeutic approach is most effective for a client with a specific phobia of
heights?
A. Flooding therapy
B. Systematic desensitization
C. Interpersonal therapy
D. Psychoanalysis
Answer: B
Rationale: Systematic desensitization gradually exposes the client to the feared object or situation
while using relaxation techniques, which is highly effective for phobias. 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. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect
the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Prep 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 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Prep 2026/20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is starting treatment. Which
diagnostic criterion is essential for this diagnosis?
A. Symptoms occurring for at least 6 months
B. Symptoms occurring for at least 3 months
C. Presence of at least five panic attacks per week
D. is starting treatment. Which diagnostic criterion is essential for this diagnosis?
Answer: A
Rationale: According to the DSM-5, GAD requires excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days
than not for at least 6 months about a number of events or activities. Knowing the reason behind the
correct answer makes it easier to rule out the wrong options quickly. Look for the choice that protects
the client and matches the priority need. 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.
2. A client is experiencing a severe panic attack in the day room. Which nursing intervention
is the highest priority?
A. Instruct the client to practice deep breathing exercises
B. Administer a PRN dose of Lorazepam immediately
C. Ask the client to explain what triggered the attack
D. Stay with the client and maintain a calm, quiet environment
Answer: D
Rationale: Safety and presence are priorities during a panic attack. The nurse should stay with the
client to provide a sense of security and decrease stimuli. 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. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from
harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Prep 2026/20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) spends two hours each morning
arranging items on a nightstand. How should the nurse initially manage this behavior?
A. Physically prevent the client from touching the items
B. Tell the client that the behavior is illogical and must stop
C. Interrupt the ritual to take the client to group therapy
D. spends two hours each morning arranging items on a nightstand. How should the nurse initially
manage this behavior?
Answer: D
Rationale: Initially, the nurse should allow the client to complete rituals to prevent anxiety from
escalating to panic levels. Ritual reduction is a gradual process. 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. 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.
4. Which therapeutic approach is most effective for a client with a specific phobia of
heights?
A. Flooding therapy
B. Systematic desensitization
C. Interpersonal therapy
D. Psychoanalysis
Answer: B
Rationale: Systematic desensitization gradually exposes the client to the feared object or situation
while using relaxation techniques, which is highly effective for phobias. 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. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect
the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
