The ultimate study guide
NUR 253 EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE
Concepts of Mental Health Nursing
Galen College of Nursing – 2025/2026
Updated Edition
Detail Information
Course NUR 253 – Concepts of Mental Health Nursing
Exam 2
Institution Galen College of Nursing
Edition 2025/2026
Format PDF – Study Guide & Review Questions
Focus Stress Response, Anxiety Disorders, Crisis Intervention, Bipolar Disorders,
Areas Group Dynamics, Nursing Interventions for Specific Behaviors
, �EXAM 2 OVERVIEW
This study guide covers stress, anxiety, crisis, bipolar disorders, and therapeutic
interventions:
Section Topic
1 General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) & Stress Response
2 Levels of Anxiety
3 Anxiety Disorders (GAD, OCD)
4 Pharmacological Interventions for Anxiety
5 Crisis Theory (Types & Phases)
6 Crisis Intervention Modalities
7 Group Dynamics & Leadership Styles
8 Bipolar Disorders (I & II)
9 Lithium & Mood Stabilizers
10 Nursing Interventions for Specific Behaviors
11 NCLEX-Style Practice Questions
, SECTION 1: GENERAL ADAPTATION SYNDROME (GAS) & STRESS RESPONSE
1.1 General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) - Three Stages
Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome describes the body's physiological response to
stress :
Stage Description Physiological Response
Sympathetic nervous system activated;
Initial, brief, and adaptive
Stage 1: Alarm adrenaline released; increased heart
response; "fight or flight"
Reaction rate, blood pressure, respirations;
activation
heightened awareness
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA)
Stage 2: Body attempts to adapt to
axis activated; cortisol produced; glucose
Resistance Stage continued stressor;
flooded into bloodstream; digestion
(Adaptation) defenses mobilized
decreased; resources being used
Resources depleted; Long-term overexposure to cortisol
Stage 3: stress becomes chronic; results in illness; increased susceptibility
Exhaustion Stage body can no longer to disease; physical and mental
maintain adaptation exhaustion
1.2 Types of Stress
, Type Definition Examples
Negative, draining energy that results in anxiety, Divorce, job loss, death of
Distress
depression, confusion, hopelessness, fatigue loved one
Normal stress that creates positive energy to Birth of baby, vacation,
Eustress
motivate people playing sports, new job
1.3 Stressor Classifications
Type Definition Examples
Physiological Environmental conditions Trauma, excessive cold/heat, infection,
Stressors that affect the body hemorrhage, hunger, pain
Divorce, job loss, death of loved one,
Psychological Events that affect mental
marriage, new baby, unexpected
Stressors and emotional state
success
1.4 Factors Influencing Stress Response
Factor Description
One's perception of a stressor generates the response; what
Perception
upsets one person may not upset another with the same stressor
Individual Influenced by genetic structure, vulnerability, childhood
NUR 253 EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE
Concepts of Mental Health Nursing
Galen College of Nursing – 2025/2026
Updated Edition
Detail Information
Course NUR 253 – Concepts of Mental Health Nursing
Exam 2
Institution Galen College of Nursing
Edition 2025/2026
Format PDF – Study Guide & Review Questions
Focus Stress Response, Anxiety Disorders, Crisis Intervention, Bipolar Disorders,
Areas Group Dynamics, Nursing Interventions for Specific Behaviors
, �EXAM 2 OVERVIEW
This study guide covers stress, anxiety, crisis, bipolar disorders, and therapeutic
interventions:
Section Topic
1 General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) & Stress Response
2 Levels of Anxiety
3 Anxiety Disorders (GAD, OCD)
4 Pharmacological Interventions for Anxiety
5 Crisis Theory (Types & Phases)
6 Crisis Intervention Modalities
7 Group Dynamics & Leadership Styles
8 Bipolar Disorders (I & II)
9 Lithium & Mood Stabilizers
10 Nursing Interventions for Specific Behaviors
11 NCLEX-Style Practice Questions
, SECTION 1: GENERAL ADAPTATION SYNDROME (GAS) & STRESS RESPONSE
1.1 General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) - Three Stages
Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome describes the body's physiological response to
stress :
Stage Description Physiological Response
Sympathetic nervous system activated;
Initial, brief, and adaptive
Stage 1: Alarm adrenaline released; increased heart
response; "fight or flight"
Reaction rate, blood pressure, respirations;
activation
heightened awareness
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA)
Stage 2: Body attempts to adapt to
axis activated; cortisol produced; glucose
Resistance Stage continued stressor;
flooded into bloodstream; digestion
(Adaptation) defenses mobilized
decreased; resources being used
Resources depleted; Long-term overexposure to cortisol
Stage 3: stress becomes chronic; results in illness; increased susceptibility
Exhaustion Stage body can no longer to disease; physical and mental
maintain adaptation exhaustion
1.2 Types of Stress
, Type Definition Examples
Negative, draining energy that results in anxiety, Divorce, job loss, death of
Distress
depression, confusion, hopelessness, fatigue loved one
Normal stress that creates positive energy to Birth of baby, vacation,
Eustress
motivate people playing sports, new job
1.3 Stressor Classifications
Type Definition Examples
Physiological Environmental conditions Trauma, excessive cold/heat, infection,
Stressors that affect the body hemorrhage, hunger, pain
Divorce, job loss, death of loved one,
Psychological Events that affect mental
marriage, new baby, unexpected
Stressors and emotional state
success
1.4 Factors Influencing Stress Response
Factor Description
One's perception of a stressor generates the response; what
Perception
upsets one person may not upset another with the same stressor
Individual Influenced by genetic structure, vulnerability, childhood
