NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-2027 |…
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
NUR 253 Mental Health
Nursing Exam 2 Questions
& Answers 2026-2027 |
Comprehensive Review
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 54 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This comprehensive review document provides 54 mental health nursing exam questions,
each paired with a correct answer and detailed rationales. Covering key concepts in mental
health nursing, it is suitable for in-depth study, course review, and certification preparation.
Students can effectively utilize this resource to solidify their understanding and master the
material.
TOPICS
Anxiety and Crisis Management Q1–Q17
Group Dynamics and Leadership Q18–Q26
Mood Disorders Q27–Q37
Pharmacology and Treatments Q38–Q43
Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders Q44–Q47
Defense Mechanisms and Coping Q48–Q54
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 54
GAS Three stages
CORRECT ANSWER
Alarm or acute stress stage (flight or fight)( interaction between nervous and immune system)
Resistance or adaptation stage (usually stressors are successfully overcome)
Exhaustion stage (resources are depleted, stress may become chronic)
RATIONALE
The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) describes the body's physiological response to stress in
three distinct stages. The initial alarm stage, characterized by the "fight or flight" response, involves
the interaction between the nervous and immune systems to prepare the body for immediate
action.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 54
NI for managing Stress
CORRECT ANSWER
Measuring stress:
- Social Readjustment Rating Scale (Holmes and Rahe)
•Measures level of positive and negative stressful life events over a 1-year period
Recent Life Changes Questionnaire
Four personal attributes people use to manage stress:
- Health-sustaining habits (medical compliance, proper diet, relaxation, etc.)
- Life satisfactions (work, family, hobbies, etc.)
- Social supports
- Effective and healthy responses to stress
Biofeedback:
- Use of sensitive instrumentation gives exact information regarding muscle activity, brain
waves, skin temperature, HR, BP, and other bodily functions
Deep breathing exercises:
- Should be slow, deep, and even
Guided imagery:
- Focusing on pleasant images to replace negative or stressful feelings
Page 2
, Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 54
Relaxation Techniques
CORRECT ANSWER
Progressive relaxation:
- Focusing on eliminating muscle contraction causes by anxious feelings which produce tense
muscles
Meditation/mindfulness:
- Training of the mind to develop greater calm and use that calm to bring penetrative insight
into one's experience
Physical exercise:
- Walking, yoga, cycling, aerobics, water exercise, dancing etc.
Cognitive reframing:
- Changing ones perception of stress by reassessing the situation and replacing irrational
beliefs
Journaling
Humor
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 54
Levels of Anxiety
CORRECT ANSWER
Mild anxiety
- Everyday problem-solving leverage
- Grasps more information effectively
Moderate anxiety
- Selective inattention
- Clear thinking hampered
- Problem solving not optimal
- Sympathetic nervous system symptoms begin
Severe anxiety
- Perceptual field greatly reduced
- Difficulty concentrating on environment
- Confused and automatic behavior
- Somatic symptoms increase
Panic
- Most extreme level of anxiety
- Markedly disturbed behavior—running, shouting, screaming, pacing
- Unable to process reality; impulsivity
Page 3
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
NUR 253 Mental Health
Nursing Exam 2 Questions
& Answers 2026-2027 |
Comprehensive Review
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 54 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This comprehensive review document provides 54 mental health nursing exam questions,
each paired with a correct answer and detailed rationales. Covering key concepts in mental
health nursing, it is suitable for in-depth study, course review, and certification preparation.
Students can effectively utilize this resource to solidify their understanding and master the
material.
TOPICS
Anxiety and Crisis Management Q1–Q17
Group Dynamics and Leadership Q18–Q26
Mood Disorders Q27–Q37
Pharmacology and Treatments Q38–Q43
Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders Q44–Q47
Defense Mechanisms and Coping Q48–Q54
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 54
GAS Three stages
CORRECT ANSWER
Alarm or acute stress stage (flight or fight)( interaction between nervous and immune system)
Resistance or adaptation stage (usually stressors are successfully overcome)
Exhaustion stage (resources are depleted, stress may become chronic)
RATIONALE
The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) describes the body's physiological response to stress in
three distinct stages. The initial alarm stage, characterized by the "fight or flight" response, involves
the interaction between the nervous and immune systems to prepare the body for immediate
action.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 54
NI for managing Stress
CORRECT ANSWER
Measuring stress:
- Social Readjustment Rating Scale (Holmes and Rahe)
•Measures level of positive and negative stressful life events over a 1-year period
Recent Life Changes Questionnaire
Four personal attributes people use to manage stress:
- Health-sustaining habits (medical compliance, proper diet, relaxation, etc.)
- Life satisfactions (work, family, hobbies, etc.)
- Social supports
- Effective and healthy responses to stress
Biofeedback:
- Use of sensitive instrumentation gives exact information regarding muscle activity, brain
waves, skin temperature, HR, BP, and other bodily functions
Deep breathing exercises:
- Should be slow, deep, and even
Guided imagery:
- Focusing on pleasant images to replace negative or stressful feelings
Page 2
, Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 54
Relaxation Techniques
CORRECT ANSWER
Progressive relaxation:
- Focusing on eliminating muscle contraction causes by anxious feelings which produce tense
muscles
Meditation/mindfulness:
- Training of the mind to develop greater calm and use that calm to bring penetrative insight
into one's experience
Physical exercise:
- Walking, yoga, cycling, aerobics, water exercise, dancing etc.
Cognitive reframing:
- Changing ones perception of stress by reassessing the situation and replacing irrational
beliefs
Journaling
Humor
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 54
Levels of Anxiety
CORRECT ANSWER
Mild anxiety
- Everyday problem-solving leverage
- Grasps more information effectively
Moderate anxiety
- Selective inattention
- Clear thinking hampered
- Problem solving not optimal
- Sympathetic nervous system symptoms begin
Severe anxiety
- Perceptual field greatly reduced
- Difficulty concentrating on environment
- Confused and automatic behavior
- Somatic symptoms increase
Panic
- Most extreme level of anxiety
- Markedly disturbed behavior—running, shouting, screaming, pacing
- Unable to process reality; impulsivity
Page 3
