NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam
1–4 Galen College 2026/2027 — Verified
Q&A with Detailed Rationales | Pass
Guaranteed A+ Grade
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has been diagnosed with
major depressive disorder. The client states, "I feel so
worthless, like I'm a burden to everyone." Which of the
following is the nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage the client to attend a group therapy session.
B. Assess the client for suicidal ideation and a specific plan.
C. Reassure the client that they are not a burden to others.
D. Document the client's statement and continue the assessment.
*Answer: B. Assess the client for suicidal ideation and a specific
plan. *
*Rationale: The client's statement of feeling worthless and like a
burden is a major risk factor for suicide. The nurse's priority is
always safety. Therefore, the immediate and most critical action is
to directly assess for suicidal thoughts, intent, and a specific plan.
While group therapy (A), reassurance (C), and documentation (D)
are important, they are secondary to ensuring the client's
immediate safety. *
,2. A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory
hallucinations telling him to hurt himself. Which of the
following statements by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "Tell me what the voices are saying to you."
B. "Don't listen to the voices; they aren't real."
C. "I know the voices are scary, but you are safe here."
D. "Why do you think you are hearing these voices?"
*Answer: A. "Tell me what the voices are saying to you." *
*Rationale: Asking the client to describe the voices (A) is a direct,
non-judgmental way to assess the content and severity of the
hallucination, which is crucial for safety planning. Option B is
dismissive and can damage the therapeutic relationship. Option C
provides reassurance but does not assess the risk. Option D asks
"why," which can be challenging for a client in acute distress and is
not as helpful as assessing the content of the hallucination. *
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed
lithium carbonate. Which of the following client statements
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will make sure to drink plenty of fluids, especially when I
exercise."
B. "I should avoid taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen for headaches."
C. "If I miss a dose, I will double the next dose to catch up."
D. "I will need to have my blood levels checked regularly."
,*Answer: C. "If I miss a dose, I will double the next dose to catch
up." *
*Rationale: Doubling a dose of lithium (C) is dangerous and can
lead to lithium toxicity, which can be life-threatening. The client
should be taught to take the missed dose as soon as remembered,
but if it is close to the time for the next dose, they should skip the
missed dose and resume the regular schedule. Options A, B, and D
are all correct statements regarding lithium therapy. Adequate
hydration (A) is important for lithium excretion. NSAIDs (B) can
increase lithium levels and should be avoided. Regular blood level
monitoring (D) is essential to ensure therapeutic levels and prevent
toxicity. *
NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 – Galen College
Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales
1. A client is admitted to the emergency department with a
blood alcohol level of 0.35. The client is agitated, confused,
and reports visual disturbances. Which of the following is the
nurse's priority intervention?
A. Administer a PRN dose of lorazepam as prescribed.
B. Place the client in a quiet, dimly lit room.
C. Prepare to administer intravenous thiamine and glucose.
D. Initiate a strict intake and output record.
, *Answer: C. Prepare to administer intravenous thiamine and
glucose. *
*Rationale: The client is exhibiting signs of acute alcohol
intoxication and is at high risk for Wernicke's encephalopathy due
to thiamine deficiency. The priority is to prevent irreversible
neurological damage by administering IV thiamine before or with
glucose. Glucose alone can precipitate Wernicke's. While managing
agitation (A) and providing a calm environment (B) are important,
they are not the immediate physiological priority. Monitoring intake
and output (D) is a standard intervention but is not the most urgent
for this client. *
2. A client with anorexia nervosa is admitted to the unit. The
client is 5'4" and weighs 82 lbs. Which of the following is the
most appropriate initial goal for this client?
A. The client will gain 2 lbs per week.
B. The client will verbalize two positive things about her body.
C. The client will consume 100% of meals within 30 minutes.
D. The client will establish a therapeutic relationship with the
nurse.
*Answer: D. The client will establish a therapeutic relationship with
the nurse. *
*Rationale: The initial phase of treatment for a client with anorexia
nervosa focuses on building trust and establishing a therapeutic
relationship (D). The client is likely to be highly resistant to
1–4 Galen College 2026/2027 — Verified
Q&A with Detailed Rationales | Pass
Guaranteed A+ Grade
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has been diagnosed with
major depressive disorder. The client states, "I feel so
worthless, like I'm a burden to everyone." Which of the
following is the nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage the client to attend a group therapy session.
B. Assess the client for suicidal ideation and a specific plan.
C. Reassure the client that they are not a burden to others.
D. Document the client's statement and continue the assessment.
*Answer: B. Assess the client for suicidal ideation and a specific
plan. *
*Rationale: The client's statement of feeling worthless and like a
burden is a major risk factor for suicide. The nurse's priority is
always safety. Therefore, the immediate and most critical action is
to directly assess for suicidal thoughts, intent, and a specific plan.
While group therapy (A), reassurance (C), and documentation (D)
are important, they are secondary to ensuring the client's
immediate safety. *
,2. A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory
hallucinations telling him to hurt himself. Which of the
following statements by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "Tell me what the voices are saying to you."
B. "Don't listen to the voices; they aren't real."
C. "I know the voices are scary, but you are safe here."
D. "Why do you think you are hearing these voices?"
*Answer: A. "Tell me what the voices are saying to you." *
*Rationale: Asking the client to describe the voices (A) is a direct,
non-judgmental way to assess the content and severity of the
hallucination, which is crucial for safety planning. Option B is
dismissive and can damage the therapeutic relationship. Option C
provides reassurance but does not assess the risk. Option D asks
"why," which can be challenging for a client in acute distress and is
not as helpful as assessing the content of the hallucination. *
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed
lithium carbonate. Which of the following client statements
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will make sure to drink plenty of fluids, especially when I
exercise."
B. "I should avoid taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen for headaches."
C. "If I miss a dose, I will double the next dose to catch up."
D. "I will need to have my blood levels checked regularly."
,*Answer: C. "If I miss a dose, I will double the next dose to catch
up." *
*Rationale: Doubling a dose of lithium (C) is dangerous and can
lead to lithium toxicity, which can be life-threatening. The client
should be taught to take the missed dose as soon as remembered,
but if it is close to the time for the next dose, they should skip the
missed dose and resume the regular schedule. Options A, B, and D
are all correct statements regarding lithium therapy. Adequate
hydration (A) is important for lithium excretion. NSAIDs (B) can
increase lithium levels and should be avoided. Regular blood level
monitoring (D) is essential to ensure therapeutic levels and prevent
toxicity. *
NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 – Galen College
Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales
1. A client is admitted to the emergency department with a
blood alcohol level of 0.35. The client is agitated, confused,
and reports visual disturbances. Which of the following is the
nurse's priority intervention?
A. Administer a PRN dose of lorazepam as prescribed.
B. Place the client in a quiet, dimly lit room.
C. Prepare to administer intravenous thiamine and glucose.
D. Initiate a strict intake and output record.
, *Answer: C. Prepare to administer intravenous thiamine and
glucose. *
*Rationale: The client is exhibiting signs of acute alcohol
intoxication and is at high risk for Wernicke's encephalopathy due
to thiamine deficiency. The priority is to prevent irreversible
neurological damage by administering IV thiamine before or with
glucose. Glucose alone can precipitate Wernicke's. While managing
agitation (A) and providing a calm environment (B) are important,
they are not the immediate physiological priority. Monitoring intake
and output (D) is a standard intervention but is not the most urgent
for this client. *
2. A client with anorexia nervosa is admitted to the unit. The
client is 5'4" and weighs 82 lbs. Which of the following is the
most appropriate initial goal for this client?
A. The client will gain 2 lbs per week.
B. The client will verbalize two positive things about her body.
C. The client will consume 100% of meals within 30 minutes.
D. The client will establish a therapeutic relationship with the
nurse.
*Answer: D. The client will establish a therapeutic relationship with
the nurse. *
*Rationale: The initial phase of treatment for a client with anorexia
nervosa focuses on building trust and establishing a therapeutic
relationship (D). The client is likely to be highly resistant to
