NUR 256
Mental Health Nursing Exam 4 Study Guide
Exam 4 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NUR 256
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NUR 256 Mental Health Nursing Exam 4 Study Guide 2026/2027 UPDATE – Galen
1. A client is experiencing a severe panic attack in the emergency department. Which nursing
intervention is the priority?
A. Stay with the client and use short, simple sentences.
B. Teach the client deep breathing exercises.
C. Encourage the client to discuss the trigger of the attack.
D. Administer a scheduled dose of a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI).
Answer: A
Rationale: During a severe panic attack, the client’s perceptual field is significantly
narrowed. The nurse must stay with the client to ensure safety and communicate using
brief, clear instructions. Teaching and processing are not effective until the anxiety level
decreases.
2. A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) spends two hours daily washing their
hands. What is the most appropriate initial nursing action?
A. Allow the ritual but gradually negotiate a time limit.
B. Provide the client with detailed education on skin integrity.
C. Immediately restrict the client’s access to the sink.
D. Instruct the client to stop the behavior whenever it starts.
, Answer: A
Rationale: Initially, the nurse should allow the ritual to prevent overwhelming anxiety. As
the client develops better coping mechanisms through therapy and medication, the nurse
can work to set limits on the behavior.
3. A veteran diagnosed with PTSD reports experiencing frequent flashbacks and sleep
disturbances. Which symptom represents a ‘re-experiencing’ manifestation of PTSD?
A. Emotional numbing and social withdrawal.
B. Hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response.
C. Irritability and outbursts of anger.
D. Intrusive memories of the traumatic event.
Answer: D
Rationale: Re-experiencing includes flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
Hypervigilance is an arousal symptom, and emotional numbing is an avoidance symptom.
4. Which pharmacological treatment is considered the first-line long-term therapy for
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A. Alprazolam
B. Escitalopram
C. Diphenhydramine
D. Buspirone
Mental Health Nursing Exam 4 Study Guide
Exam 4 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NUR 256
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NUR 256 Mental Health Nursing Exam 4 Study Guide 2026/2027 UPDATE – Galen
1. A client is experiencing a severe panic attack in the emergency department. Which nursing
intervention is the priority?
A. Stay with the client and use short, simple sentences.
B. Teach the client deep breathing exercises.
C. Encourage the client to discuss the trigger of the attack.
D. Administer a scheduled dose of a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI).
Answer: A
Rationale: During a severe panic attack, the client’s perceptual field is significantly
narrowed. The nurse must stay with the client to ensure safety and communicate using
brief, clear instructions. Teaching and processing are not effective until the anxiety level
decreases.
2. A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) spends two hours daily washing their
hands. What is the most appropriate initial nursing action?
A. Allow the ritual but gradually negotiate a time limit.
B. Provide the client with detailed education on skin integrity.
C. Immediately restrict the client’s access to the sink.
D. Instruct the client to stop the behavior whenever it starts.
, Answer: A
Rationale: Initially, the nurse should allow the ritual to prevent overwhelming anxiety. As
the client develops better coping mechanisms through therapy and medication, the nurse
can work to set limits on the behavior.
3. A veteran diagnosed with PTSD reports experiencing frequent flashbacks and sleep
disturbances. Which symptom represents a ‘re-experiencing’ manifestation of PTSD?
A. Emotional numbing and social withdrawal.
B. Hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response.
C. Irritability and outbursts of anger.
D. Intrusive memories of the traumatic event.
Answer: D
Rationale: Re-experiencing includes flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
Hypervigilance is an arousal symptom, and emotional numbing is an avoidance symptom.
4. Which pharmacological treatment is considered the first-line long-term therapy for
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A. Alprazolam
B. Escitalopram
C. Diphenhydramine
D. Buspirone
