NUR 252 | Mental Health Nursing | Exam 4 2026 Galen College
1. A nurse is assessing a client experiencing a maturational crisis. Which of the
following events is an example of this type of crisis?
A. The loss of a job due to company downsizing
B. A severe physical illness diagnosis
C. An earthquake destroying the client’s home
D. Moving away to college for the first time
Answer: D
Rationale: A maturational crisis occurs as a person moves through the stages of life, such
as leaving home, marriage, or retirement.
2. A client is brought to the emergency department following a natural disaster.
What is the nurse’s priority action during the initial impact phase of a crisis?
A. Assess the client’s support systems
B. Teach the client new coping mechanisms
C. Encourage the client to express their feelings about the event
D. Provide for the client’s physical safety and basic needs
Answer: D
Rationale: In the initial phase of a crisis or disaster, the nurse’s priority is the safety and
stabilization of the individual’s physiological needs.
,3. Which statement by a client indicates an understanding of the primary goal of
crisis intervention?
A. ‘I will learn how to prevent any future problems from occurring.’
B. ‘I will be able to resolve deep-seated psychological issues.’
C. ‘I will need long-term therapy to recover from this.’
D. ‘I will return to my previous level of functioning.’
Answer: D
Rationale: The primary goal of crisis intervention is to return the individual to their pre-
crisis level of functioning.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with Borderline Personality Disorder who is
‘splitting’ staff members. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Allow the client to choose which nurse provides care
B. Hold a staff meeting to ensure a consistent approach by all team members
C. Confront the client about their manipulative behavior immediately
D. Limit the client’s interaction with other patients
Answer: B
Rationale: Splitting is a common defense mechanism in BPD. Consistency and limit-setting
among all staff members are crucial to manage this behavior.
5. A client with Antisocial Personality Disorder is admitted to a mental health
unit. Which characteristic is the nurse likely to observe?
A. Extreme shyness and social withdrawal
B. Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking
C. Lack of remorse for actions that hurt others
D. Preoccupation with orderliness and perfectionism
Answer: C
Rationale: Antisocial Personality Disorder is characterized by a disregard for the rights of
others and a lack of guilt or remorse for wrongdoing.
, 6. The nurse is evaluating a client for Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium (Delirium
Tremens). Which of the following is a symptom of this condition?
A. Bradycardia and hypotension
B. Hypothermia
C. Increased appetite
D. Visual or tactile hallucinations
Answer: D
Rationale: Delirium Tremens is a medical emergency characterized by autonomic
hyperactivity, fluctuating consciousness, and hallucinations.
7. A nurse is educating a client who is starting Disulfiram therapy. Which of the
following instructions should be included?
A. ‘You can drink alcohol as long as it is in small amounts.’
B. ‘The medication takes effect after 2 weeks of continuous use.’
C. ‘This medication will stop your cravings for alcohol.’
D. ‘Avoid all products containing alcohol, including mouthwash and aftershave.’
Answer: D
Rationale: Disulfiram causes a severe physical reaction when alcohol is consumed. Clients
must avoid even topical or hidden sources of alcohol.
8. Which medication is considered the ‘gold standard’ for the treatment of
opioid overdose?
A. Methadone
B. Buprenorphine
C. Naloxone
D. Clonidine
Answer: C
Rationale: Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist used to rapidly reverse respiratory
depression in an opioid overdose.
1. A nurse is assessing a client experiencing a maturational crisis. Which of the
following events is an example of this type of crisis?
A. The loss of a job due to company downsizing
B. A severe physical illness diagnosis
C. An earthquake destroying the client’s home
D. Moving away to college for the first time
Answer: D
Rationale: A maturational crisis occurs as a person moves through the stages of life, such
as leaving home, marriage, or retirement.
2. A client is brought to the emergency department following a natural disaster.
What is the nurse’s priority action during the initial impact phase of a crisis?
A. Assess the client’s support systems
B. Teach the client new coping mechanisms
C. Encourage the client to express their feelings about the event
D. Provide for the client’s physical safety and basic needs
Answer: D
Rationale: In the initial phase of a crisis or disaster, the nurse’s priority is the safety and
stabilization of the individual’s physiological needs.
,3. Which statement by a client indicates an understanding of the primary goal of
crisis intervention?
A. ‘I will learn how to prevent any future problems from occurring.’
B. ‘I will be able to resolve deep-seated psychological issues.’
C. ‘I will need long-term therapy to recover from this.’
D. ‘I will return to my previous level of functioning.’
Answer: D
Rationale: The primary goal of crisis intervention is to return the individual to their pre-
crisis level of functioning.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with Borderline Personality Disorder who is
‘splitting’ staff members. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Allow the client to choose which nurse provides care
B. Hold a staff meeting to ensure a consistent approach by all team members
C. Confront the client about their manipulative behavior immediately
D. Limit the client’s interaction with other patients
Answer: B
Rationale: Splitting is a common defense mechanism in BPD. Consistency and limit-setting
among all staff members are crucial to manage this behavior.
5. A client with Antisocial Personality Disorder is admitted to a mental health
unit. Which characteristic is the nurse likely to observe?
A. Extreme shyness and social withdrawal
B. Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking
C. Lack of remorse for actions that hurt others
D. Preoccupation with orderliness and perfectionism
Answer: C
Rationale: Antisocial Personality Disorder is characterized by a disregard for the rights of
others and a lack of guilt or remorse for wrongdoing.
, 6. The nurse is evaluating a client for Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium (Delirium
Tremens). Which of the following is a symptom of this condition?
A. Bradycardia and hypotension
B. Hypothermia
C. Increased appetite
D. Visual or tactile hallucinations
Answer: D
Rationale: Delirium Tremens is a medical emergency characterized by autonomic
hyperactivity, fluctuating consciousness, and hallucinations.
7. A nurse is educating a client who is starting Disulfiram therapy. Which of the
following instructions should be included?
A. ‘You can drink alcohol as long as it is in small amounts.’
B. ‘The medication takes effect after 2 weeks of continuous use.’
C. ‘This medication will stop your cravings for alcohol.’
D. ‘Avoid all products containing alcohol, including mouthwash and aftershave.’
Answer: D
Rationale: Disulfiram causes a severe physical reaction when alcohol is consumed. Clients
must avoid even topical or hidden sources of alcohol.
8. Which medication is considered the ‘gold standard’ for the treatment of
opioid overdose?
A. Methadone
B. Buprenorphine
C. Naloxone
D. Clonidine
Answer: C
Rationale: Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist used to rapidly reverse respiratory
depression in an opioid overdose.
