,NUR 256 Exam 2 Concepts of Mental Health Nursing Questions And
Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which physiological response is characteristic of activation of
the sympathetic nervous system during acute stress?
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Increased heart rate
C) Increased gastrointestinal activity
D) Decreased respiratory rate
Correct Answer: B) Increased heart rate
Rationale: Acute sympathetic activation prepares the body for action by
increasing heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory activity, and blood flow to
skeletal muscles.
Q2. Which hormone plays a major role in the body's longer-term
stress response?
A) Insulin
B) Melatonin
C) Cortisol
D) Oxytocin
Correct Answer: C) Cortisol
Rationale: Cortisol is released through activation of the hypothalamic-
pituitary-adrenal axis and helps the body respond to prolonged stress.
Q3. A client experiences rapid heartbeat, sweating, and muscle
tension immediately after receiving unexpected bad news. Which
response is occurring?
A) Acute stress response
B) Chronic adaptation
C) Learned helplessness
D) Depressive response
Correct Answer: A) Acute stress response
Rationale: Sudden stressful events can activate the acute stress response,
producing autonomic changes such as tachycardia, sweating, and muscle
tension.
,Q4. Which factor is most likely to increase an individual's resilience
to stress?
A) Social isolation
B) Effective coping skills
C) Sleep deprivation
D) Avoidance of all challenges
Correct Answer: B) Effective coping skills
Rationale: Adaptive coping skills help individuals manage stressors and
reduce their negative psychological and physiological effects.
Q5. Which intervention is most appropriate for a client experiencing
stress-related muscle tension?
A) Encourage relaxation and controlled breathing
B) Encourage complete social withdrawal
C) Increase caffeine intake
D) Avoid all physical activity
Correct Answer: A) Encourage relaxation and controlled breathing
Rationale: Relaxation techniques and controlled breathing can decrease
sympathetic arousal and reduce physical manifestations of stress.
Q6. A client responds to stress by exercising regularly, talking with
supportive friends, and organizing tasks. These behaviors
represent:
A) Maladaptive coping
B) Adaptive coping
C) Regression
D) Displacement
Correct Answer: B) Adaptive coping
Rationale: Exercise, social support, and organization are constructive
strategies that help individuals manage stress effectively.
Q7. Which statement best describes chronic stress?
A) It lasts only a few seconds
B) It occurs only during psychiatric emergencies
C) It involves prolonged exposure to stressors or repeated stress responses
D) It always improves psychological functioning
, Correct Answer: C) It involves prolonged exposure to stressors or repeated
stress responses
Rationale: Chronic stress occurs when stress responses persist or recur over
an extended period and can negatively affect physical and mental health.
Q8. Which client behavior suggests ineffective coping with stress?
A) Practicing relaxation exercises
B) Seeking social support
C) Increasing alcohol consumption to manage anxiety
D) Developing a realistic daily schedule
Correct Answer: C) Increasing alcohol consumption to manage anxiety
Rationale: Substance use may provide temporary relief but can worsen
psychological and physical problems and interfere with healthier coping.
Q9. Which nursing intervention is appropriate when teaching stress
management?
A) Encourage identification of controllable stressors
B) Encourage avoidance of all responsibilities
C) Discourage social support
D) Recommend suppressing emotional responses
Correct Answer: A) Encourage identification of controllable stressors
Rationale: Identifying controllable factors allows clients to focus coping
efforts where they can have the greatest effect.
Q10. A client who is overwhelmed by work responsibilities begins
cleaning the entire house repeatedly instead of addressing the work
problem. Which defense mechanism may be demonstrated?
A) Sublimation
B) Displacement
C) Rationalization
D) Regression
Correct Answer: A) Sublimation
Rationale: Sublimation redirects unacceptable or uncomfortable impulses
into socially acceptable activities or behaviors.
Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which physiological response is characteristic of activation of
the sympathetic nervous system during acute stress?
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Increased heart rate
C) Increased gastrointestinal activity
D) Decreased respiratory rate
Correct Answer: B) Increased heart rate
Rationale: Acute sympathetic activation prepares the body for action by
increasing heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory activity, and blood flow to
skeletal muscles.
Q2. Which hormone plays a major role in the body's longer-term
stress response?
A) Insulin
B) Melatonin
C) Cortisol
D) Oxytocin
Correct Answer: C) Cortisol
Rationale: Cortisol is released through activation of the hypothalamic-
pituitary-adrenal axis and helps the body respond to prolonged stress.
Q3. A client experiences rapid heartbeat, sweating, and muscle
tension immediately after receiving unexpected bad news. Which
response is occurring?
A) Acute stress response
B) Chronic adaptation
C) Learned helplessness
D) Depressive response
Correct Answer: A) Acute stress response
Rationale: Sudden stressful events can activate the acute stress response,
producing autonomic changes such as tachycardia, sweating, and muscle
tension.
,Q4. Which factor is most likely to increase an individual's resilience
to stress?
A) Social isolation
B) Effective coping skills
C) Sleep deprivation
D) Avoidance of all challenges
Correct Answer: B) Effective coping skills
Rationale: Adaptive coping skills help individuals manage stressors and
reduce their negative psychological and physiological effects.
Q5. Which intervention is most appropriate for a client experiencing
stress-related muscle tension?
A) Encourage relaxation and controlled breathing
B) Encourage complete social withdrawal
C) Increase caffeine intake
D) Avoid all physical activity
Correct Answer: A) Encourage relaxation and controlled breathing
Rationale: Relaxation techniques and controlled breathing can decrease
sympathetic arousal and reduce physical manifestations of stress.
Q6. A client responds to stress by exercising regularly, talking with
supportive friends, and organizing tasks. These behaviors
represent:
A) Maladaptive coping
B) Adaptive coping
C) Regression
D) Displacement
Correct Answer: B) Adaptive coping
Rationale: Exercise, social support, and organization are constructive
strategies that help individuals manage stress effectively.
Q7. Which statement best describes chronic stress?
A) It lasts only a few seconds
B) It occurs only during psychiatric emergencies
C) It involves prolonged exposure to stressors or repeated stress responses
D) It always improves psychological functioning
, Correct Answer: C) It involves prolonged exposure to stressors or repeated
stress responses
Rationale: Chronic stress occurs when stress responses persist or recur over
an extended period and can negatively affect physical and mental health.
Q8. Which client behavior suggests ineffective coping with stress?
A) Practicing relaxation exercises
B) Seeking social support
C) Increasing alcohol consumption to manage anxiety
D) Developing a realistic daily schedule
Correct Answer: C) Increasing alcohol consumption to manage anxiety
Rationale: Substance use may provide temporary relief but can worsen
psychological and physical problems and interfere with healthier coping.
Q9. Which nursing intervention is appropriate when teaching stress
management?
A) Encourage identification of controllable stressors
B) Encourage avoidance of all responsibilities
C) Discourage social support
D) Recommend suppressing emotional responses
Correct Answer: A) Encourage identification of controllable stressors
Rationale: Identifying controllable factors allows clients to focus coping
efforts where they can have the greatest effect.
Q10. A client who is overwhelmed by work responsibilities begins
cleaning the entire house repeatedly instead of addressing the work
problem. Which defense mechanism may be demonstrated?
A) Sublimation
B) Displacement
C) Rationalization
D) Regression
Correct Answer: A) Sublimation
Rationale: Sublimation redirects unacceptable or uncomfortable impulses
into socially acceptable activities or behaviors.
