,NUR 256 Exam 2 | Concepts of Mental Health Nursing
(2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. Which statement best defines a crisis?
A) A chronic state of emotional instability
B) An event that may lead to an unstable and dangerous situation affecting an
individual, group, or society
C) A predictable developmental milestone
D) A permanent psychological condition requiring lifelong treatment
Correct Answer: An event that may lead to an unstable and dangerous situation
affecting an individual, group, or society
Rationale: A crisis is an acute, time - limited event that disrupts an individual's
normal coping mechanisms. It is not chronic, predictable, or permanent. Crisis
intervention is a directive, time - limited, and goal - directed strategy.
2. Which type of crisis occurs during developmental stages such as marriage, birth
of a child, or retirement?
A) Situational crisis
B) Adventitious crisis
C) Maturational crisis
D) Traumatic crisis
Correct Answer: Maturational crisis
Rationale: Maturational crises occur at developmental stages throughout life.
According to Erikson, each stage represents an internal conflict or crisis. Examples
include leaving home, marriage, birth of a child, and retirement.
3. Which type of crisis is caused by an unanticipated external event such as death,
divorce, or job loss?
,A) Maturational crisis
B) Situational crisis
C) Adventitious crisis
D) Developmental crisis
Correct Answer: Situational crisis
Rationale: Situational crises are unanticipated external events that disrupt a
person's life, such as death, divorce, or job loss. These are not part of everyday life
and are unexpected. Maturational crises are developmental, and adventitious crises
are disasters.
4. A community experiences a tornado that destroys homes and displaces
residents. Which type of crisis does this represent?
A) Maturational crisis
B) Situational crisis
C) Adventitious crisis
D) Developmental crisis
Correct Answer: Adventitious crisis
Rationale: Adventitious crises are caused by unusual, unanticipated events that
affect multiple people, such as natural disasters, crimes, or national emergencies.
Maturational crises are developmental, and situational crises are personal events.
5. During a crisis, which is the nurse's first priority?
A) Ensuring the client's physical and psychological safety
B) Exploring the client's childhood experiences
C) Developing a long - term treatment plan
D) Teaching the client relaxation techniques
Correct Answer: Ensuring the client's physical and psychological safety
, Rationale: Safety is the priority in crisis intervention. The nurse must first assess
for lethality, including suicidal or homicidal ideation, before addressing other needs.
Long - term planning and coping strategies come after stabilization.
6. A client in crisis is pacing, crying, and stating, "I can't take this anymore." What is
the most appropriate nursing action?
A) Leave the client alone to process feelings
B) Stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring approach
C) Tell the client to sit down and relax
D) Administer a PRN antipsychotic medication
Correct Answer: Stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring approach
Rationale: During a crisis, the nurse should remain with the client and provide a
calm presence to reduce anxiety and ensure safety. Leaving the client alone, giving
commands, and administering medications are not the first - line interventions.
7. Which statement by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic communication when a
client says, "I feel so hopeless"?
A) "You have so much to live for."
B) "Why do you feel hopeless?"
C) "Tell me more about what you mean by hopeless."
D) "Everyone feels hopeless sometimes."
Correct Answer: "Tell me more about what you mean by hopeless."
Rationale: This open - ended response encourages the client to explore their feelings
without judgment. Giving advice, asking why, and minimizing feelings are non -
therapeutic techniques.
8. A nurse is assessing a client for suicide risk. Which question should the nurse
ask first?
A) "Have you ever thought about hurting yourself?"
(2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. Which statement best defines a crisis?
A) A chronic state of emotional instability
B) An event that may lead to an unstable and dangerous situation affecting an
individual, group, or society
C) A predictable developmental milestone
D) A permanent psychological condition requiring lifelong treatment
Correct Answer: An event that may lead to an unstable and dangerous situation
affecting an individual, group, or society
Rationale: A crisis is an acute, time - limited event that disrupts an individual's
normal coping mechanisms. It is not chronic, predictable, or permanent. Crisis
intervention is a directive, time - limited, and goal - directed strategy.
2. Which type of crisis occurs during developmental stages such as marriage, birth
of a child, or retirement?
A) Situational crisis
B) Adventitious crisis
C) Maturational crisis
D) Traumatic crisis
Correct Answer: Maturational crisis
Rationale: Maturational crises occur at developmental stages throughout life.
According to Erikson, each stage represents an internal conflict or crisis. Examples
include leaving home, marriage, birth of a child, and retirement.
3. Which type of crisis is caused by an unanticipated external event such as death,
divorce, or job loss?
,A) Maturational crisis
B) Situational crisis
C) Adventitious crisis
D) Developmental crisis
Correct Answer: Situational crisis
Rationale: Situational crises are unanticipated external events that disrupt a
person's life, such as death, divorce, or job loss. These are not part of everyday life
and are unexpected. Maturational crises are developmental, and adventitious crises
are disasters.
4. A community experiences a tornado that destroys homes and displaces
residents. Which type of crisis does this represent?
A) Maturational crisis
B) Situational crisis
C) Adventitious crisis
D) Developmental crisis
Correct Answer: Adventitious crisis
Rationale: Adventitious crises are caused by unusual, unanticipated events that
affect multiple people, such as natural disasters, crimes, or national emergencies.
Maturational crises are developmental, and situational crises are personal events.
5. During a crisis, which is the nurse's first priority?
A) Ensuring the client's physical and psychological safety
B) Exploring the client's childhood experiences
C) Developing a long - term treatment plan
D) Teaching the client relaxation techniques
Correct Answer: Ensuring the client's physical and psychological safety
, Rationale: Safety is the priority in crisis intervention. The nurse must first assess
for lethality, including suicidal or homicidal ideation, before addressing other needs.
Long - term planning and coping strategies come after stabilization.
6. A client in crisis is pacing, crying, and stating, "I can't take this anymore." What is
the most appropriate nursing action?
A) Leave the client alone to process feelings
B) Stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring approach
C) Tell the client to sit down and relax
D) Administer a PRN antipsychotic medication
Correct Answer: Stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring approach
Rationale: During a crisis, the nurse should remain with the client and provide a
calm presence to reduce anxiety and ensure safety. Leaving the client alone, giving
commands, and administering medications are not the first - line interventions.
7. Which statement by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic communication when a
client says, "I feel so hopeless"?
A) "You have so much to live for."
B) "Why do you feel hopeless?"
C) "Tell me more about what you mean by hopeless."
D) "Everyone feels hopeless sometimes."
Correct Answer: "Tell me more about what you mean by hopeless."
Rationale: This open - ended response encourages the client to explore their feelings
without judgment. Giving advice, asking why, and minimizing feelings are non -
therapeutic techniques.
8. A nurse is assessing a client for suicide risk. Which question should the nurse
ask first?
A) "Have you ever thought about hurting yourself?"
