,NUR 253 EXAM 3 Mental Health Nursing Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which disorder is characterized by symptoms occurring after
exposure to a traumatic event and lasting longer than one month?
A) Acute stress disorder
B) Post-traumatic stress disorder
C) Adjustment disorder
D) Panic disorder
Correct Answer: B) Post-traumatic stress disorder
Rationale: PTSD develops after exposure to a qualifying traumatic event
and includes intrusion, avoidance, negative mood or cognition changes, and
alterations in arousal. Symptoms persist beyond the acute post-trauma
period.
Q2. Which finding is characteristic of PTSD?
A) Flashbacks of the traumatic event
B) Increased appetite only
C) Persistent elevated mood
D) Compulsive handwashing
Correct Answer: A) Flashbacks of the traumatic event
Rationale: Intrusive memories, nightmares, and flashbacks are hallmark
intrusion symptoms of PTSD.
Q3. Which behavior is an example of avoidance in PTSD?
A) Repeatedly discussing the trauma
B) Avoiding places associated with the traumatic event
C) Increased social participation
D) Seeking reminders of the event
Correct Answer: B) Avoiding places associated with the traumatic event
Rationale: Avoidance involves deliberately avoiding memories, feelings,
people, places, or activities associated with the trauma.
Q4. Which symptom is classified as a hyperarousal symptom of
PTSD?
A) Hypervigilance
B) Euphoria
,C) Compulsive checking
D) Amnesia caused by dementia
Correct Answer: A) Hypervigilance
Rationale: Hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, irritability, sleep
disturbance, and difficulty concentrating are common alterations in arousal
associated with PTSD.
Q5. A client witnessed a serious accident 10 days ago and now
experiences nightmares, intrusive memories, and hypervigilance.
Which disorder is most consistent with this presentation?
A) PTSD
B) Acute stress disorder
C) Generalized anxiety disorder
D) Adjustment disorder
Correct Answer: B) Acute stress disorder
Rationale: Acute stress disorder occurs after trauma when qualifying
symptoms develop within the first month and persist for at least several days
but do not yet meet the duration requirement for PTSD.
Q6. Which characteristic distinguishes acute stress disorder from
PTSD?
A) The type of traumatic event
B) The duration and timing of symptoms
C) The patient's age
D) The presence of anxiety
Correct Answer: B) The duration and timing of symptoms
Rationale: Both disorders can follow trauma and share symptoms, but their
diagnostic distinction is strongly related to when symptoms occur and how
long they persist.
Q7. Which condition is precipitated by an identifiable stressor but
does not require exposure to a qualifying traumatic event?
A) Adjustment disorder
B) PTSD
C) Dissociative identity disorder
D) Panic disorder
, Correct Answer: A) Adjustment disorder
Rationale: Adjustment disorder involves emotional or behavioral symptoms
in response to an identifiable stressor that do not meet criteria for another
disorder.
Q8. Which nursing approach is most appropriate for trauma-
informed care?
A) Force the client to describe the trauma in detail
B) Promote safety, choice, collaboration, and control
C) Avoid explaining procedures
D) Use confrontation to uncover memories
Correct Answer: B) Promote safety, choice, collaboration, and control
Rationale: Trauma-informed care seeks to avoid retraumatization while
emphasizing safety, trust, empowerment, collaboration, and patient choice.
Q9. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a client
experiencing a PTSD flashback?
A) Tell the client the experience is imaginary
B) Ground the client in the present environment
C) Encourage complete isolation
D) Challenge the memory aggressively
Correct Answer: B) Ground the client in the present environment
Rationale: Grounding helps the client distinguish the present environment
from the traumatic memory and regain orientation to the current situation.
Q10. Which statement by the nurse demonstrates trauma-informed
communication?
A) “You must tell me everything that happened.”
B) “You can decide what you are comfortable discussing right now.”
C) “Avoid thinking about the trauma.”
D) “You should have recovered by now.”
Correct Answer: B) “You can decide what you are comfortable discussing
right now.”
Rationale: Giving the client appropriate control and choice supports
psychological safety and avoids unnecessary retraumatization.
Q11. Dissociative disorders primarily involve disruptions in:
2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which disorder is characterized by symptoms occurring after
exposure to a traumatic event and lasting longer than one month?
A) Acute stress disorder
B) Post-traumatic stress disorder
C) Adjustment disorder
D) Panic disorder
Correct Answer: B) Post-traumatic stress disorder
Rationale: PTSD develops after exposure to a qualifying traumatic event
and includes intrusion, avoidance, negative mood or cognition changes, and
alterations in arousal. Symptoms persist beyond the acute post-trauma
period.
Q2. Which finding is characteristic of PTSD?
A) Flashbacks of the traumatic event
B) Increased appetite only
C) Persistent elevated mood
D) Compulsive handwashing
Correct Answer: A) Flashbacks of the traumatic event
Rationale: Intrusive memories, nightmares, and flashbacks are hallmark
intrusion symptoms of PTSD.
Q3. Which behavior is an example of avoidance in PTSD?
A) Repeatedly discussing the trauma
B) Avoiding places associated with the traumatic event
C) Increased social participation
D) Seeking reminders of the event
Correct Answer: B) Avoiding places associated with the traumatic event
Rationale: Avoidance involves deliberately avoiding memories, feelings,
people, places, or activities associated with the trauma.
Q4. Which symptom is classified as a hyperarousal symptom of
PTSD?
A) Hypervigilance
B) Euphoria
,C) Compulsive checking
D) Amnesia caused by dementia
Correct Answer: A) Hypervigilance
Rationale: Hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, irritability, sleep
disturbance, and difficulty concentrating are common alterations in arousal
associated with PTSD.
Q5. A client witnessed a serious accident 10 days ago and now
experiences nightmares, intrusive memories, and hypervigilance.
Which disorder is most consistent with this presentation?
A) PTSD
B) Acute stress disorder
C) Generalized anxiety disorder
D) Adjustment disorder
Correct Answer: B) Acute stress disorder
Rationale: Acute stress disorder occurs after trauma when qualifying
symptoms develop within the first month and persist for at least several days
but do not yet meet the duration requirement for PTSD.
Q6. Which characteristic distinguishes acute stress disorder from
PTSD?
A) The type of traumatic event
B) The duration and timing of symptoms
C) The patient's age
D) The presence of anxiety
Correct Answer: B) The duration and timing of symptoms
Rationale: Both disorders can follow trauma and share symptoms, but their
diagnostic distinction is strongly related to when symptoms occur and how
long they persist.
Q7. Which condition is precipitated by an identifiable stressor but
does not require exposure to a qualifying traumatic event?
A) Adjustment disorder
B) PTSD
C) Dissociative identity disorder
D) Panic disorder
, Correct Answer: A) Adjustment disorder
Rationale: Adjustment disorder involves emotional or behavioral symptoms
in response to an identifiable stressor that do not meet criteria for another
disorder.
Q8. Which nursing approach is most appropriate for trauma-
informed care?
A) Force the client to describe the trauma in detail
B) Promote safety, choice, collaboration, and control
C) Avoid explaining procedures
D) Use confrontation to uncover memories
Correct Answer: B) Promote safety, choice, collaboration, and control
Rationale: Trauma-informed care seeks to avoid retraumatization while
emphasizing safety, trust, empowerment, collaboration, and patient choice.
Q9. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a client
experiencing a PTSD flashback?
A) Tell the client the experience is imaginary
B) Ground the client in the present environment
C) Encourage complete isolation
D) Challenge the memory aggressively
Correct Answer: B) Ground the client in the present environment
Rationale: Grounding helps the client distinguish the present environment
from the traumatic memory and regain orientation to the current situation.
Q10. Which statement by the nurse demonstrates trauma-informed
communication?
A) “You must tell me everything that happened.”
B) “You can decide what you are comfortable discussing right now.”
C) “Avoid thinking about the trauma.”
D) “You should have recovered by now.”
Correct Answer: B) “You can decide what you are comfortable discussing
right now.”
Rationale: Giving the client appropriate control and choice supports
psychological safety and avoids unnecessary retraumatization.
Q11. Dissociative disorders primarily involve disruptions in:
