A+ VERIFIED
NURSING · OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
NUR 253 Exam 4 Mental Health — Complete
Official Exam
Galen College of Nursing
50 Questions Full Rationales Verified Answers
50 5 100%
QUESTIONS SECTIONS RATIONALES
Complete coverage Core exam domains Every answer explained
WHAT THIS COVERS
01 Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient Relationship
02 Mood Disorders & Suicide Risk
03 Anxiety, Trauma & Stressor-Related Disorders
04 Schizophrenia, Psychosis & Psychopharmacology
05 Substance Use, Personality Disorders & Crisis
ABOUT THIS ASSESSMENT
Build mastery in mental health nursing — from therapeutic communication
and psychopharmacology to crisis intervention, psychiatric disorders,
and ethical-legal considerations. This original study bank targets
application and analysis skills for NUR 253 Exam 4 Mental Health,
with full rationales for every answer. For review use only.
PASSING SCORE LEVEL FORMAT
80% Intermediate (Nursing Course) Application / Analysis
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM Page 1
, SECTION 1: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient Relationship
Q1. A client with major depression says, “I’m a burden to everyone. Nothing I do matters.” The nurse’s most therapeutic
response is:
A. It sounds as if you’re feeling worthless right now. Tell me more about that.
B. You’re not a burden; many people care about you.
C. You should focus on the positive things in your life.
D. Let’s talk about something more cheerful instead.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Reflecting the client’s feeling of worthlessness and inviting further expression is therapeutic. Reassurance without exploration, advice-giving, and topic
changes block communication.
Q2. During an initial assessment a client becomes silent for nearly a minute after the nurse asks about recent stressors. The
most appropriate nursing action is to:
A. Repeat the question more loudly to prompt an answer.
B. Change the subject to a less sensitive topic immediately.
C. Remain silent and allow the client time to gather thoughts.
D. Document that the client is uncooperative and end the interview.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Therapeutic silence gives the client space to process and respond. Pressuring, abruptly changing topics, or labeling the client as uncooperative are
non-therapeutic.
Q3. A client states, “I know the staff is talking about me behind my back.” The nurse recognizes this as a possible delusion
and responds most therapeutically by:
A. It must feel frightening to think others are talking about you. Can we talk about what you’ve noticed?
B. That’s not true; no one is talking about you.
C. I find that hard to believe. You’re being paranoid.
D. You need to stop thinking that way or you’ll get worse.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Acknowledging the client’s feeling while gently exploring the experience maintains trust without reinforcing or ridiculing the delusion.
Q4. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a newly admitted client. In the orientation phase the priority nursing
action is to:
A. Explore the client’s deep childhood traumas.
B. Confront maladaptive behaviors immediately.
C. Establish trust, clarify roles, and set mutual goals and boundaries.
D. Plan for termination of the relationship.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The orientation phase focuses on trust-building, role clarification, and collaborative goal-setting. Deep exploration and confrontation occur later;
termination planning begins early but is not the immediate priority.
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM · Page 2
NURSING · OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
NUR 253 Exam 4 Mental Health — Complete
Official Exam
Galen College of Nursing
50 Questions Full Rationales Verified Answers
50 5 100%
QUESTIONS SECTIONS RATIONALES
Complete coverage Core exam domains Every answer explained
WHAT THIS COVERS
01 Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient Relationship
02 Mood Disorders & Suicide Risk
03 Anxiety, Trauma & Stressor-Related Disorders
04 Schizophrenia, Psychosis & Psychopharmacology
05 Substance Use, Personality Disorders & Crisis
ABOUT THIS ASSESSMENT
Build mastery in mental health nursing — from therapeutic communication
and psychopharmacology to crisis intervention, psychiatric disorders,
and ethical-legal considerations. This original study bank targets
application and analysis skills for NUR 253 Exam 4 Mental Health,
with full rationales for every answer. For review use only.
PASSING SCORE LEVEL FORMAT
80% Intermediate (Nursing Course) Application / Analysis
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM Page 1
, SECTION 1: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient Relationship
Q1. A client with major depression says, “I’m a burden to everyone. Nothing I do matters.” The nurse’s most therapeutic
response is:
A. It sounds as if you’re feeling worthless right now. Tell me more about that.
B. You’re not a burden; many people care about you.
C. You should focus on the positive things in your life.
D. Let’s talk about something more cheerful instead.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Reflecting the client’s feeling of worthlessness and inviting further expression is therapeutic. Reassurance without exploration, advice-giving, and topic
changes block communication.
Q2. During an initial assessment a client becomes silent for nearly a minute after the nurse asks about recent stressors. The
most appropriate nursing action is to:
A. Repeat the question more loudly to prompt an answer.
B. Change the subject to a less sensitive topic immediately.
C. Remain silent and allow the client time to gather thoughts.
D. Document that the client is uncooperative and end the interview.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Therapeutic silence gives the client space to process and respond. Pressuring, abruptly changing topics, or labeling the client as uncooperative are
non-therapeutic.
Q3. A client states, “I know the staff is talking about me behind my back.” The nurse recognizes this as a possible delusion
and responds most therapeutically by:
A. It must feel frightening to think others are talking about you. Can we talk about what you’ve noticed?
B. That’s not true; no one is talking about you.
C. I find that hard to believe. You’re being paranoid.
D. You need to stop thinking that way or you’ll get worse.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Acknowledging the client’s feeling while gently exploring the experience maintains trust without reinforcing or ridiculing the delusion.
Q4. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a newly admitted client. In the orientation phase the priority nursing
action is to:
A. Explore the client’s deep childhood traumas.
B. Confront maladaptive behaviors immediately.
C. Establish trust, clarify roles, and set mutual goals and boundaries.
D. Plan for termination of the relationship.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The orientation phase focuses on trust-building, role clarification, and collaborative goal-setting. Deep exploration and confrontation occur later;
termination planning begins early but is not the immediate priority.
STUVIA ACTUAL EXAM · Page 2
