NUR 253 Exam 4 Concepts Mental Health
Nursing 2026/2027 – Questions and
Answers | 100% Verified | Detailed
Rationales – Pass Guaranteed – A+
Graded| INTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Question 1
A client with major depressive disorder states, “There is no
reason for me to continue living.” What should the nurse do
first?
A. Encourage the client to identify positive aspects of life.
B. Ask directly whether the client has thoughts of suicide.
C. Tell the client that suicide is not an appropriate solution.
D. Encourage participation in a group activity.
Answer: _B. Ask directly whether the client has thoughts of
suicide._
Rationale: Directly assessing suicidal thoughts is essential when
a client expresses hopelessness or statements suggesting
possible self-harm. Asking about suicide does not increase
suicidal behavior and helps determine immediate safety needs.
Question 2
Which finding is most characteristic of a manic episode?
,A. Psychomotor retardation
B. Decreased energy
C. Decreased need for sleep
D. Social withdrawal
Answer: _C. Decreased need for sleep**_
Rationale: Mania commonly includes increased energy,
decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, racing thoughts,
increased activity, and impaired judgment.
Question 3
A client experiencing a panic attack reports severe shortness of
breath. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Leave the client alone to reduce stimulation.
B. Encourage the client to discuss childhood experiences.
C. Remain with the client and use short, simple statements.
D. Ask the client to make several complex decisions.
Answer: _C. Remain with the client and use short, simple
statements._
Rationale: During severe anxiety or panic, the client's ability to
process information is reduced. The nurse should remain with
the client, maintain safety, and communicate calmly and simply.
Question 4
Which behavior is most consistent with obsessive-compulsive
disorder?
,A. Hearing voices commenting on behavior
B. Repeatedly checking that a door is locked
C. Experiencing alternating episodes of mania and depression
D. Avoiding all social interactions because of low self-esteem
Answer: _B. Repeatedly checking that a door is locked.**_
Rationale: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed in
response to anxiety-provoking obsessions. Repeated checking is
a common compulsive behavior.
Question 5
A client taking an antipsychotic medication develops severe
muscle rigidity, high fever, and altered consciousness. What
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Anticholinergic toxicity
D. Lithium toxicity
Answer: _B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome.**_
Rationale: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a potentially life-
threatening reaction associated with antipsychotic medications.
Hallmark findings include severe rigidity, hyperthermia, altered
mental status, and autonomic instability.
Question 6
Which nursing approach is most appropriate when caring for a
client experiencing hallucinations?
, A. Argue that the hallucination is not real.
B. Pretend to hear the same voices.
C. Acknowledge the client's experience without validating the
hallucination.
D. Tell the client to ignore the hallucination.
Answer: _C. Acknowledge the client's experience without
validating the hallucination.**_
Rationale: The nurse should recognize that the client is
experiencing something but should not reinforce the false
perception. A therapeutic response might be, “I understand that
you hear a voice, but I do not hear it.”
Question 7
A client with schizophrenia says, “The television is sending
secret messages directly to me.” Which symptom is this?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Delusion
C. Echolalia
D. Confabulation
Answer: _B. Delusion.**_
Rationale: A delusion is a fixed, false belief that persists despite
evidence to the contrary. Believing that television programs
contain special messages directed at the client is a type of
delusional belief.
Question 8
Which statement best describes therapeutic communication?
Nursing 2026/2027 – Questions and
Answers | 100% Verified | Detailed
Rationales – Pass Guaranteed – A+
Graded| INTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Question 1
A client with major depressive disorder states, “There is no
reason for me to continue living.” What should the nurse do
first?
A. Encourage the client to identify positive aspects of life.
B. Ask directly whether the client has thoughts of suicide.
C. Tell the client that suicide is not an appropriate solution.
D. Encourage participation in a group activity.
Answer: _B. Ask directly whether the client has thoughts of
suicide._
Rationale: Directly assessing suicidal thoughts is essential when
a client expresses hopelessness or statements suggesting
possible self-harm. Asking about suicide does not increase
suicidal behavior and helps determine immediate safety needs.
Question 2
Which finding is most characteristic of a manic episode?
,A. Psychomotor retardation
B. Decreased energy
C. Decreased need for sleep
D. Social withdrawal
Answer: _C. Decreased need for sleep**_
Rationale: Mania commonly includes increased energy,
decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, racing thoughts,
increased activity, and impaired judgment.
Question 3
A client experiencing a panic attack reports severe shortness of
breath. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Leave the client alone to reduce stimulation.
B. Encourage the client to discuss childhood experiences.
C. Remain with the client and use short, simple statements.
D. Ask the client to make several complex decisions.
Answer: _C. Remain with the client and use short, simple
statements._
Rationale: During severe anxiety or panic, the client's ability to
process information is reduced. The nurse should remain with
the client, maintain safety, and communicate calmly and simply.
Question 4
Which behavior is most consistent with obsessive-compulsive
disorder?
,A. Hearing voices commenting on behavior
B. Repeatedly checking that a door is locked
C. Experiencing alternating episodes of mania and depression
D. Avoiding all social interactions because of low self-esteem
Answer: _B. Repeatedly checking that a door is locked.**_
Rationale: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed in
response to anxiety-provoking obsessions. Repeated checking is
a common compulsive behavior.
Question 5
A client taking an antipsychotic medication develops severe
muscle rigidity, high fever, and altered consciousness. What
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Anticholinergic toxicity
D. Lithium toxicity
Answer: _B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome.**_
Rationale: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a potentially life-
threatening reaction associated with antipsychotic medications.
Hallmark findings include severe rigidity, hyperthermia, altered
mental status, and autonomic instability.
Question 6
Which nursing approach is most appropriate when caring for a
client experiencing hallucinations?
, A. Argue that the hallucination is not real.
B. Pretend to hear the same voices.
C. Acknowledge the client's experience without validating the
hallucination.
D. Tell the client to ignore the hallucination.
Answer: _C. Acknowledge the client's experience without
validating the hallucination.**_
Rationale: The nurse should recognize that the client is
experiencing something but should not reinforce the false
perception. A therapeutic response might be, “I understand that
you hear a voice, but I do not hear it.”
Question 7
A client with schizophrenia says, “The television is sending
secret messages directly to me.” Which symptom is this?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Delusion
C. Echolalia
D. Confabulation
Answer: _B. Delusion.**_
Rationale: A delusion is a fixed, false belief that persists despite
evidence to the contrary. Believing that television programs
contain special messages directed at the client is a type of
delusional belief.
Question 8
Which statement best describes therapeutic communication?
