,NSG 3450 Nursing Practice – Mental
Health Exam Prep — Comprehensive
Review + Practice MCQs — Galen
College of Nursing 2025/2026
1. A nurse is explaining the concept of mental health to a patient newly admitted to the behavioral health unit.
Which statement best reflects the WHO definition of mental health?
A. "Mental health means you never experience stress or negative emotions."
B. "Mental health is a state of well-being in which you realize your abilities, cope with normal stresses, work
productively, and contribute to your community."
C. "Mental health is the absence of any psychiatric diagnosis."
D. "Mental health is determined entirely by your genetic makeup and cannot be changed."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The WHO defines mental health as a state of well-being in which an individual realizes their own
abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to
their community. It is not merely the absence of illness.
2. A nursing student asks the instructor which resource provides the standardized diagnostic criteria for
psychiatric disorders in the United States. The instructor correctly identifies:
A. NANDA International
B. The DSM-5-TR
C. The ICD-11
D. The Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC)
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision) is
the authoritative resource published by the American Psychiatric Association for classifying and diagnosing
psychiatric disorders. It provides standardized symptom criteria for each diagnosis.
3. A nurse is reviewing epidemiological data on mental illness. The nurse correctly defines "incidence" as:
A. The total number of existing cases of a disorder in a population at a given time
B. The number of new cases of a disorder occurring during a specific time period
C. The percentage of a population that will develop a disorder over their lifetime
D. The number of deaths attributable to a specific disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Incidence refers to the number or rate of new cases of a condition during a specific time period
(usually a year). Prevalence, by contrast, refers to the total number of existing cases (both old and new) in a
population at a given time.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The nurse demonstrates respect
by referring to the patient as:
A. "The schizophrenic in room 412"
B. "The patient in room 412 who has schizophrenia"
C. "The crazy patient in room 412"
D. "The patient with schizophrenia in room 412"
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Person-first language ("patient with schizophrenia" or "patient who has schizophrenia") preserves
dignity by identifying the person before the diagnosis. Labeling a person as "schizophrenic" defines them by
their illness and contributes to stigma.
5. A nurse is teaching a group of patients about stigma in mental health. Which statement by a patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "Stigma can prevent people from seeking treatment."
B. "Stigma only affects people with severe mental illness."
C. "Stigma can lead to discrimination in housing and employment."
D. "Healthcare providers can help reduce stigma through compassionate care."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stigma affects individuals across the entire spectrum of mental health conditions, not just those
with severe illness. It can lead to discrimination, social isolation, and reluctance to seek treatment for anyone
experiencing mental health challenges.
6. A patient is admitted to the psychiatric unit involuntarily. The nurse understands that involuntary admission
requires:
A. The patient's signed consent
B. A court order or legal criteria indicating the patient is a danger to self or others
C. Approval from the patient's family only
Health Exam Prep — Comprehensive
Review + Practice MCQs — Galen
College of Nursing 2025/2026
1. A nurse is explaining the concept of mental health to a patient newly admitted to the behavioral health unit.
Which statement best reflects the WHO definition of mental health?
A. "Mental health means you never experience stress or negative emotions."
B. "Mental health is a state of well-being in which you realize your abilities, cope with normal stresses, work
productively, and contribute to your community."
C. "Mental health is the absence of any psychiatric diagnosis."
D. "Mental health is determined entirely by your genetic makeup and cannot be changed."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The WHO defines mental health as a state of well-being in which an individual realizes their own
abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to
their community. It is not merely the absence of illness.
2. A nursing student asks the instructor which resource provides the standardized diagnostic criteria for
psychiatric disorders in the United States. The instructor correctly identifies:
A. NANDA International
B. The DSM-5-TR
C. The ICD-11
D. The Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC)
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision) is
the authoritative resource published by the American Psychiatric Association for classifying and diagnosing
psychiatric disorders. It provides standardized symptom criteria for each diagnosis.
3. A nurse is reviewing epidemiological data on mental illness. The nurse correctly defines "incidence" as:
A. The total number of existing cases of a disorder in a population at a given time
B. The number of new cases of a disorder occurring during a specific time period
C. The percentage of a population that will develop a disorder over their lifetime
D. The number of deaths attributable to a specific disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Incidence refers to the number or rate of new cases of a condition during a specific time period
(usually a year). Prevalence, by contrast, refers to the total number of existing cases (both old and new) in a
population at a given time.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The nurse demonstrates respect
by referring to the patient as:
A. "The schizophrenic in room 412"
B. "The patient in room 412 who has schizophrenia"
C. "The crazy patient in room 412"
D. "The patient with schizophrenia in room 412"
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Person-first language ("patient with schizophrenia" or "patient who has schizophrenia") preserves
dignity by identifying the person before the diagnosis. Labeling a person as "schizophrenic" defines them by
their illness and contributes to stigma.
5. A nurse is teaching a group of patients about stigma in mental health. Which statement by a patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "Stigma can prevent people from seeking treatment."
B. "Stigma only affects people with severe mental illness."
C. "Stigma can lead to discrimination in housing and employment."
D. "Healthcare providers can help reduce stigma through compassionate care."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stigma affects individuals across the entire spectrum of mental health conditions, not just those
with severe illness. It can lead to discrimination, social isolation, and reluctance to seek treatment for anyone
experiencing mental health challenges.
6. A patient is admitted to the psychiatric unit involuntarily. The nurse understands that involuntary admission
requires:
A. The patient's signed consent
B. A court order or legal criteria indicating the patient is a danger to self or others
C. Approval from the patient's family only
