NUR 253 Final Exam 3 | Concepts of Mental Health
Nursing (2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. Which of the following best describes the primary characteristic of autism
spectrum disorder?
A) Delayed language development with preserved social skills
B) Impaired social interaction and communication with restricted repetitive behaviors
C) Hyperactivity and impulsivity that are developmentally inappropriate
D) Sudden loss of motor skills after a period of normal development
Correct Answer: Impaired social interaction and communication with restricted
repetitive behaviors
Rationale: Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by
deficits in social communication and interaction, along with restricted, repetitive
patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Language delays are common but not
universal, and social skills are impaired rather than preserved. Hyperactivity and
impulsivity are features of ADHD, while sudden loss of skills suggests a different
condition.
2. What is the primary therapeutic goal when caring for a child diagnosed with
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?
A) To eliminate all hyperactive behavior
B) To improve attention, impulse control, and social functioning
C) To increase academic performance above grade level
D) To prevent the need for medication
Correct Answer: To improve attention, impulse control, and social functioning
Rationale: The goal of ADHD management is to enhance the child's ability to focus,
control impulses, and interact appropriately with peers and adults. Complete
elimination of hyperactivity is unrealistic. Academic improvement is a secondary
benefit, and medication is often a necessary component of treatment. The focus is on
functional improvement across settings.
3. A nurse is teaching the parents of a child with a tic disorder. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
A) "Tics are voluntary movements that my child can control."
B) "Tics are sudden, rapid, nonrhythmic motor movements or vocalizations."
,C) "Tics only occur during times of stress."
D) "Tics will disappear permanently by adolescence."
Correct Answer: "Tics are sudden, rapid, nonrhythmic motor movements or
vocalizations."
Rationale: Tics are sudden, rapid, nonrhythmic motor movements or vocalizations that
can be either simple or complex. They are not voluntary and can change in location,
frequency, and severity over time. While stress can exacerbate tics, they are not solely
stress-induced, and they do not always resolve permanently by adolescence.
4. Which term refers to the style of behavior a child habitually uses to cope with the
demands and expectations of the environment?
A) Temperament
B) Personality
C) Resilience
D) Attachment
Correct Answer: Temperament
Rationale: Temperament refers to the innate, biologically based style of behavior a child
uses to respond to the environment. It is distinct from personality, which develops over
time through the interaction of temperament and experience. Resilience is the ability to
adapt successfully to adversity, and attachment describes the emotional bond with a
caregiver.
5. A nurse is assessing a resilient child. Which characteristic would the nurse
expect to find?
A) Inability to form relationships with adults
B) Adaptive temperament and good problem-solving skills
C) Dependence on parents for all emotional regulation
D) Withdrawal from social interactions
Correct Answer: Adaptive temperament and good problem-solving skills
Rationale: Resilient children typically have an adaptive temperament, the ability to form
nurturing relationships with surrogate parental figures, good social intelligence,
problem-solving skills, and the ability to perceive a positive future. They are not
dependent on parents for all emotional regulation and do not withdraw from social
interactions.
, 6. What is the primary focus of trauma-informed care for a child who has
experienced abuse?
A) To immediately explore the details of the trauma
B) To establish trust and safety before trauma exploration
C) To remove the child from all social activities
D) To medicate the child for anxiety symptoms
Correct Answer: To establish trust and safety before trauma exploration
Rationale: Trauma-informed care prioritizes establishing trust and safety before any
trauma exploration. Using developmentally appropriate language, teaching relaxation
techniques, and involving caregivers when safe are key interventions. Immediate trauma
exploration can re-traumatize the child, and medication is not the first-line approach.
7. According to attachment theory, what is the primary significance of the infant-
caregiver relationship?
A) It determines the infant's intelligence quotient
B) It affects the individual throughout their life, both positively and negatively
C) It only affects the infant during the first year of life
D) It has no long-term impact on development
Correct Answer: It affects the individual throughout their life, both positively and
negatively
Rationale: Attachment theory, developed by Bowlby and Ainsworth, describes the
importance and dynamics of the infant-caregiver relationship and how this early bond
can affect the individual throughout their life. Secure attachment promotes healthy
social and emotional development, while insecure attachment can contribute to later
difficulties.
8. A nurse is assessing a client with dissociative identity disorder. Which finding is
most characteristic of this condition?
A) A feeling of detachment from one's body
B) The presence of two or more distinct personality states
C) Excessive worry about physical symptoms
D) Sudden onset of memory loss without a medical cause
Correct Answer: The presence of two or more distinct personality states
, Rationale: Dissociative identity disorder is characterized by the presence of two or more
distinct personality states that recurrently take control of the individual's behavior.
Depersonalization involves a feeling of detachment from one's body, while dissociative
amnesia involves memory loss. Somatic symptom disorder involves excessive worry
about physical symptoms.
9. What is the primary purpose of dissociation as a coping mechanism?
A) To enhance memory and awareness
B) To cope with severe stress or trauma
C) To improve social relationships
D) To increase emotional expression
Correct Answer: To cope with severe stress or trauma
Rationale: Dissociation is a method for coping with severe stress or trauma by detaching
from reality or oneself. It is not under the person's conscious control. Childhood
physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and other traumatic events are associated with
dissociative symptoms in adults. It does not enhance memory or improve social
relationships.
10. A nurse is teaching a client with depersonalization disorder about their condition.
Which statement by the client indicates correct understanding?
A) "I have multiple personalities that take over my behavior."
B) "I feel detached from my body or mental processes."
C) "I cannot remember important personal information."
D) "I have excessive worry about having a serious illness."
Correct Answer: "I feel detached from my body or mental processes."
Rationale: Depersonalization disorder is characterized by a sense of unreality or self-
estrangement, where the individual feels detached from their body or mental processes.
Multiple personalities are characteristic of dissociative identity disorder. Memory loss is
seen in dissociative amnesia, and excessive worry about illness is seen in somatic
symptom disorder.
11. Which of the following best describes somatic symptom disorder?
A) The presence of physical symptoms without an organic cause, accompanied by
excessive worry
B) The intentional production of physical symptoms for secondary gain
Nursing (2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. Which of the following best describes the primary characteristic of autism
spectrum disorder?
A) Delayed language development with preserved social skills
B) Impaired social interaction and communication with restricted repetitive behaviors
C) Hyperactivity and impulsivity that are developmentally inappropriate
D) Sudden loss of motor skills after a period of normal development
Correct Answer: Impaired social interaction and communication with restricted
repetitive behaviors
Rationale: Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by
deficits in social communication and interaction, along with restricted, repetitive
patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Language delays are common but not
universal, and social skills are impaired rather than preserved. Hyperactivity and
impulsivity are features of ADHD, while sudden loss of skills suggests a different
condition.
2. What is the primary therapeutic goal when caring for a child diagnosed with
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?
A) To eliminate all hyperactive behavior
B) To improve attention, impulse control, and social functioning
C) To increase academic performance above grade level
D) To prevent the need for medication
Correct Answer: To improve attention, impulse control, and social functioning
Rationale: The goal of ADHD management is to enhance the child's ability to focus,
control impulses, and interact appropriately with peers and adults. Complete
elimination of hyperactivity is unrealistic. Academic improvement is a secondary
benefit, and medication is often a necessary component of treatment. The focus is on
functional improvement across settings.
3. A nurse is teaching the parents of a child with a tic disorder. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
A) "Tics are voluntary movements that my child can control."
B) "Tics are sudden, rapid, nonrhythmic motor movements or vocalizations."
,C) "Tics only occur during times of stress."
D) "Tics will disappear permanently by adolescence."
Correct Answer: "Tics are sudden, rapid, nonrhythmic motor movements or
vocalizations."
Rationale: Tics are sudden, rapid, nonrhythmic motor movements or vocalizations that
can be either simple or complex. They are not voluntary and can change in location,
frequency, and severity over time. While stress can exacerbate tics, they are not solely
stress-induced, and they do not always resolve permanently by adolescence.
4. Which term refers to the style of behavior a child habitually uses to cope with the
demands and expectations of the environment?
A) Temperament
B) Personality
C) Resilience
D) Attachment
Correct Answer: Temperament
Rationale: Temperament refers to the innate, biologically based style of behavior a child
uses to respond to the environment. It is distinct from personality, which develops over
time through the interaction of temperament and experience. Resilience is the ability to
adapt successfully to adversity, and attachment describes the emotional bond with a
caregiver.
5. A nurse is assessing a resilient child. Which characteristic would the nurse
expect to find?
A) Inability to form relationships with adults
B) Adaptive temperament and good problem-solving skills
C) Dependence on parents for all emotional regulation
D) Withdrawal from social interactions
Correct Answer: Adaptive temperament and good problem-solving skills
Rationale: Resilient children typically have an adaptive temperament, the ability to form
nurturing relationships with surrogate parental figures, good social intelligence,
problem-solving skills, and the ability to perceive a positive future. They are not
dependent on parents for all emotional regulation and do not withdraw from social
interactions.
, 6. What is the primary focus of trauma-informed care for a child who has
experienced abuse?
A) To immediately explore the details of the trauma
B) To establish trust and safety before trauma exploration
C) To remove the child from all social activities
D) To medicate the child for anxiety symptoms
Correct Answer: To establish trust and safety before trauma exploration
Rationale: Trauma-informed care prioritizes establishing trust and safety before any
trauma exploration. Using developmentally appropriate language, teaching relaxation
techniques, and involving caregivers when safe are key interventions. Immediate trauma
exploration can re-traumatize the child, and medication is not the first-line approach.
7. According to attachment theory, what is the primary significance of the infant-
caregiver relationship?
A) It determines the infant's intelligence quotient
B) It affects the individual throughout their life, both positively and negatively
C) It only affects the infant during the first year of life
D) It has no long-term impact on development
Correct Answer: It affects the individual throughout their life, both positively and
negatively
Rationale: Attachment theory, developed by Bowlby and Ainsworth, describes the
importance and dynamics of the infant-caregiver relationship and how this early bond
can affect the individual throughout their life. Secure attachment promotes healthy
social and emotional development, while insecure attachment can contribute to later
difficulties.
8. A nurse is assessing a client with dissociative identity disorder. Which finding is
most characteristic of this condition?
A) A feeling of detachment from one's body
B) The presence of two or more distinct personality states
C) Excessive worry about physical symptoms
D) Sudden onset of memory loss without a medical cause
Correct Answer: The presence of two or more distinct personality states
, Rationale: Dissociative identity disorder is characterized by the presence of two or more
distinct personality states that recurrently take control of the individual's behavior.
Depersonalization involves a feeling of detachment from one's body, while dissociative
amnesia involves memory loss. Somatic symptom disorder involves excessive worry
about physical symptoms.
9. What is the primary purpose of dissociation as a coping mechanism?
A) To enhance memory and awareness
B) To cope with severe stress or trauma
C) To improve social relationships
D) To increase emotional expression
Correct Answer: To cope with severe stress or trauma
Rationale: Dissociation is a method for coping with severe stress or trauma by detaching
from reality or oneself. It is not under the person's conscious control. Childhood
physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and other traumatic events are associated with
dissociative symptoms in adults. It does not enhance memory or improve social
relationships.
10. A nurse is teaching a client with depersonalization disorder about their condition.
Which statement by the client indicates correct understanding?
A) "I have multiple personalities that take over my behavior."
B) "I feel detached from my body or mental processes."
C) "I cannot remember important personal information."
D) "I have excessive worry about having a serious illness."
Correct Answer: "I feel detached from my body or mental processes."
Rationale: Depersonalization disorder is characterized by a sense of unreality or self-
estrangement, where the individual feels detached from their body or mental processes.
Multiple personalities are characteristic of dissociative identity disorder. Memory loss is
seen in dissociative amnesia, and excessive worry about illness is seen in somatic
symptom disorder.
11. Which of the following best describes somatic symptom disorder?
A) The presence of physical symptoms without an organic cause, accompanied by
excessive worry
B) The intentional production of physical symptoms for secondary gain
