NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 4 Study Guide … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 4 Study Guide 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 4 Study Guide … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is caring for a client with late-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The client can no longer
recognize familiar objects like a spoon or a hairbrush. Which term should the nurse use to
document this finding?
A. Aphasia
B. Anomia
C. Apraxia
D. Agnosia
Answer: D
Rationale: Agnosia is the loss of the ability to recognize familiar objects, sounds, or people despite
intact sensory functions. Aphasia refers to language impairment, and apraxia is the loss of purposeful
movement. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly
and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces anxiety. This knowledge supports safe
care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves
cooperation and reduces anxiety.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a client experiencing delirium rather
than dementia?
A. Gradual, progressive decline in memory
B. Irreversible cognitive impairment
C. Sudden onset of altered consciousness and fluctuating levels of orientation
D. Intact attention span and focus
Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a rapid, acute onset of symptoms, fluctuating levels of
consciousness, and disturbed attention, whereas dementia is slow and progressive. 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. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 4 Study Guide … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A client is admitted to the medical unit for treatment of anorexia nervosa. Which clinical
finding would require immediate intervention?
A. Body Mass Index (BMI) of 17.5
B. Potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L
C. Heart rate of 62 beats per minute
D. Amenorrhea for four months
Answer: B
Rationale: A potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L indicates severe hypokalemia, which poses a significant
risk for cardiac arrhythmias and death, requiring immediate medical stabilization. In practice, this
guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear
communication are frequent priorities. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the
client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
4. When educating the family of a client with Alzheimer’s disease about Donepezil (Aricept),
what should the nurse include regarding its mechanism of action?
A. It increases the levels of glutamate in the brain
B. It slows the destruction of acetylcholine by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
C. It regenerates damaged neurons in the hippocampus
D. It acts as a sedative to reduce nocturnal wandering
Answer: B
Rationale: Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor that prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine,
thereby improving or stabilizing cognitive function in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. 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. 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 (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 4 Study Guide 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 4 Study Guide … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is caring for a client with late-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The client can no longer
recognize familiar objects like a spoon or a hairbrush. Which term should the nurse use to
document this finding?
A. Aphasia
B. Anomia
C. Apraxia
D. Agnosia
Answer: D
Rationale: Agnosia is the loss of the ability to recognize familiar objects, sounds, or people despite
intact sensory functions. Aphasia refers to language impairment, and apraxia is the loss of purposeful
movement. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly
and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces anxiety. This knowledge supports safe
care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves
cooperation and reduces anxiety.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a client experiencing delirium rather
than dementia?
A. Gradual, progressive decline in memory
B. Irreversible cognitive impairment
C. Sudden onset of altered consciousness and fluctuating levels of orientation
D. Intact attention span and focus
Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a rapid, acute onset of symptoms, fluctuating levels of
consciousness, and disturbed attention, whereas dementia is slow and progressive. 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. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 4 Study Guide … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A client is admitted to the medical unit for treatment of anorexia nervosa. Which clinical
finding would require immediate intervention?
A. Body Mass Index (BMI) of 17.5
B. Potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L
C. Heart rate of 62 beats per minute
D. Amenorrhea for four months
Answer: B
Rationale: A potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L indicates severe hypokalemia, which poses a significant
risk for cardiac arrhythmias and death, requiring immediate medical stabilization. In practice, this
guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear
communication are frequent priorities. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the
client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
4. When educating the family of a client with Alzheimer’s disease about Donepezil (Aricept),
what should the nurse include regarding its mechanism of action?
A. It increases the levels of glutamate in the brain
B. It slows the destruction of acetylcholine by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
C. It regenerates damaged neurons in the hippocampus
D. It acts as a sedative to reduce nocturnal wandering
Answer: B
Rationale: Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor that prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine,
thereby improving or stabilizing cognitive function in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. 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. 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 (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
