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NUR 253 Concepts of Mental Health
Nursing Exam 1 Questions With Solutions
- Galen College of Nursing
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a client about the mental health continuum. Which statement
by the client indicates understanding?
A. "Mental health and mental illness are completely separate categories."
B. "I can move back and forth along the continuum depending on my
circumstances."
C. "Once I have a mental illness, I will always be at the same point on the
continuum."
D. "The continuum only applies to people with diagnosed mental disorders."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mental health and mental illness are conceptualized as points along a
continuum. Individuals can move back and forth along this continuum based on
various factors including stress, coping abilities, and life circumstances. Option A
is incorrect because these concepts are not completely separate; Option C is false
because movement along the continuum is dynamic; Option D is incorrect
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because the continuum applies to everyone, not just those with diagnosed
disorders .
Question 2
The nurse is assessing a client's resilience. Which finding would indicate high
resilience?
A. Inability to regulate emotions during stressful situations
B. Effective coping with challenges and ability to secure needed resources
C. Complete absence of emotional responses to difficult events
D. Dependence on others for all decision-making during crises
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Resilience is the ability and capacity for people to secure the resources
they need to support their well-being. Individuals with high resilience are
effective at regulating their emotions and not falling victim to negative, self-
defeating thoughts. Option A describes low resilience; Option C describes
emotional suppression, not resilience; Option D describes dependence, not
resilience .
Question 3
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According to the diathesis-stress model, which explanation best describes the
development of mental illness?
A. Mental illness is caused solely by genetic factors
B. Mental illness results from a biological predisposition combined with
environmental stress or trauma
C. Mental illness is caused exclusively by childhood experiences
D. Mental illness develops only when there is no social support
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The diathesis-stress model is the most accepted explanation for mental
illness. It proposes that mental illness results from a combination of biological
predisposition (diathesis) and environmental stress or trauma. Options A, C, and D
are incorrect because they present single-factor explanations that do not account
for the complex interplay of biological and environmental factors .
Question 4
A community health nurse is planning primary prevention strategies for mental
health. Which intervention best demonstrates this level of prevention?
A. Providing support groups for clients with chronic schizophrenia
B. Conducting mental health screenings in high schools
NUR 253 Concepts of Mental Health
Nursing Exam 1 Questions With Solutions
- Galen College of Nursing
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a client about the mental health continuum. Which statement
by the client indicates understanding?
A. "Mental health and mental illness are completely separate categories."
B. "I can move back and forth along the continuum depending on my
circumstances."
C. "Once I have a mental illness, I will always be at the same point on the
continuum."
D. "The continuum only applies to people with diagnosed mental disorders."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mental health and mental illness are conceptualized as points along a
continuum. Individuals can move back and forth along this continuum based on
various factors including stress, coping abilities, and life circumstances. Option A
is incorrect because these concepts are not completely separate; Option C is false
because movement along the continuum is dynamic; Option D is incorrect
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because the continuum applies to everyone, not just those with diagnosed
disorders .
Question 2
The nurse is assessing a client's resilience. Which finding would indicate high
resilience?
A. Inability to regulate emotions during stressful situations
B. Effective coping with challenges and ability to secure needed resources
C. Complete absence of emotional responses to difficult events
D. Dependence on others for all decision-making during crises
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Resilience is the ability and capacity for people to secure the resources
they need to support their well-being. Individuals with high resilience are
effective at regulating their emotions and not falling victim to negative, self-
defeating thoughts. Option A describes low resilience; Option C describes
emotional suppression, not resilience; Option D describes dependence, not
resilience .
Question 3
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According to the diathesis-stress model, which explanation best describes the
development of mental illness?
A. Mental illness is caused solely by genetic factors
B. Mental illness results from a biological predisposition combined with
environmental stress or trauma
C. Mental illness is caused exclusively by childhood experiences
D. Mental illness develops only when there is no social support
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The diathesis-stress model is the most accepted explanation for mental
illness. It proposes that mental illness results from a combination of biological
predisposition (diathesis) and environmental stress or trauma. Options A, C, and D
are incorrect because they present single-factor explanations that do not account
for the complex interplay of biological and environmental factors .
Question 4
A community health nurse is planning primary prevention strategies for mental
health. Which intervention best demonstrates this level of prevention?
A. Providing support groups for clients with chronic schizophrenia
B. Conducting mental health screenings in high schools
