NUR 253 | Exam 3
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
NUR 253 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing 2026-2027
Updated Questions & Answers (Verified Answers) -
Galen College of Nursing
Professional Licensing Exam
100 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
Foundations of Mental Health Psychopharmacology
Mood & Anxiety Disorders Substance Use Disorders
Crisis Intervention Special Populations
COVER PAGE - 1
, SECTION 1 | Foundations of Mental Health Nursing | Q1-Q20 | NUR 253 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing 2026-2027 Updated Questions
& Answers (Verified Answers) - Galen College of Nursing 2026/2027
Q1. Question 1 of 100
A nurse is conducting an admission assessment for a client who is experiencing a severe
manic episode. The client is pacing, talking rapidly, and states, 'I am the president of the
world, and I am here to save you all.' Which of the following is the most appropriate initial
nursing intervention?
A. Encourage the client to sit down and participate in a lengthy orientation to the unit rules.
B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulus environment and offer the client high-calorie finger foods.
C. Challenge the client's delusional statements to help them reconnect with reality.
D. Place the client in a secluded room immediately to prevent them from interacting with others.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A client in a manic episode is easily overstimulated and prone to exhaustion and inadequate nutritional
intake. Providing a low-stimulus environment reduces agitation, and offering high-calorie finger foods
allows the client to eat while moving, meeting their physical needs safely.
Q2. Question 2 of 100
A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, 'I really don't see the point
of going on. Nothing ever gets better.' Which of the following is the nurse's priority action?
A. Ask the client directly if they are having thoughts of suicide and if they have a plan.
B. Reassure the client that depression is a treatable illness and things will improve.
C. Encourage the client to attend group therapy to share these feelings with peers.
D. Document the client's statement in the chart and notify the healthcare provider later in the shift.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Statements indicating hopelessness or a lack of desire to live require immediate assessment for
suicidal ideation. Asking directly about thoughts of suicide and the presence of a specific plan is the
absolute priority to ensure client safety.
Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing 2026-2027 Updated Questions & Answers (Verified Answers) - Galen College of Nursing - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80%
, Q3. Question 3 of 100
During a therapy session, a client begins to yell and becomes increasingly agitated,
threatening to throw a chair. According to the principles of de-escalation, which of the
following approaches should the nurse use first?
A. Use a loud, firm voice to establish authority and command the client to sit down.
B. Maintain a calm demeanor, use a soft voice, and stand with an open posture.
C. Immediately call for security to physically restrain the client.
D. Turn away from the client to show that the behavior is being ignored.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The first step in verbal de-escalation is for the nurse to remain calm, maintain a non-threatening and
open physical posture, and speak softly but firmly. Establishing authority through yelling or turning
away often escalates aggression.
Q4. Question 4 of 100
A nurse is teaching a client about the concept of therapeutic boundaries in the nurse-client
relationship. Which of the following actions by the nurse demonstrates a violation of these
boundaries?
A. Sharing personal contact information with the client so they can talk after discharge.
B. Refusing a valuable gift offered by the client as a token of appreciation.
C. Setting specific times for one-on-one interactions during the shift.
D. Redirecting the client when they ask intimate questions about the nurse's personal life.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Sharing personal contact information blurs the line between a professional, therapeutic relationship and
a personal, social relationship. This is a clear boundary violation that compromises the therapeutic
milieu.
Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing 2026-2027 Updated Questions & Answers (Verified Answers) - Galen College of Nursing - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80%
, Q5. Question 5 of 100
A client with schizophrenia states, 'The FBI has planted a listening device in my tooth to
steal my thoughts.' The nurse recognizes this statement as an example of which of the
following?
A. A hallucination.
B. An illusion.
C. A delusion of persecution.
D. A somatic delusion.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
A delusion is a fixed, false belief that cannot be corrected by logic. Believing that one is being
monitored, targeted, or harmed by an outside entity (like the FBI) is specifically a delusion of
persecution.
Q6. Question 6 of 100
A nurse is communicating with a client who is visibly angry. The nurse says, 'You seem very
upset right now. Let's talk about what is making you feel this way.' Which therapeutic
communication technique is the nurse using?
A. Offering advice.
B. Reflecting.
C. Making observations.
D. Exploring.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The nurse is 'making observations' by verbally acknowledging the client's visible emotional state ('You
seem very upset'). This technique encourages the client to recognize their feelings and opens the door
for further discussion.
Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing 2026-2027 Updated Questions & Answers (Verified Answers) - Galen College of Nursing - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80%
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
NUR 253 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing 2026-2027
Updated Questions & Answers (Verified Answers) -
Galen College of Nursing
Professional Licensing Exam
100 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
Foundations of Mental Health Psychopharmacology
Mood & Anxiety Disorders Substance Use Disorders
Crisis Intervention Special Populations
COVER PAGE - 1
, SECTION 1 | Foundations of Mental Health Nursing | Q1-Q20 | NUR 253 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing 2026-2027 Updated Questions
& Answers (Verified Answers) - Galen College of Nursing 2026/2027
Q1. Question 1 of 100
A nurse is conducting an admission assessment for a client who is experiencing a severe
manic episode. The client is pacing, talking rapidly, and states, 'I am the president of the
world, and I am here to save you all.' Which of the following is the most appropriate initial
nursing intervention?
A. Encourage the client to sit down and participate in a lengthy orientation to the unit rules.
B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulus environment and offer the client high-calorie finger foods.
C. Challenge the client's delusional statements to help them reconnect with reality.
D. Place the client in a secluded room immediately to prevent them from interacting with others.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A client in a manic episode is easily overstimulated and prone to exhaustion and inadequate nutritional
intake. Providing a low-stimulus environment reduces agitation, and offering high-calorie finger foods
allows the client to eat while moving, meeting their physical needs safely.
Q2. Question 2 of 100
A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, 'I really don't see the point
of going on. Nothing ever gets better.' Which of the following is the nurse's priority action?
A. Ask the client directly if they are having thoughts of suicide and if they have a plan.
B. Reassure the client that depression is a treatable illness and things will improve.
C. Encourage the client to attend group therapy to share these feelings with peers.
D. Document the client's statement in the chart and notify the healthcare provider later in the shift.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Statements indicating hopelessness or a lack of desire to live require immediate assessment for
suicidal ideation. Asking directly about thoughts of suicide and the presence of a specific plan is the
absolute priority to ensure client safety.
Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing 2026-2027 Updated Questions & Answers (Verified Answers) - Galen College of Nursing - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80%
, Q3. Question 3 of 100
During a therapy session, a client begins to yell and becomes increasingly agitated,
threatening to throw a chair. According to the principles of de-escalation, which of the
following approaches should the nurse use first?
A. Use a loud, firm voice to establish authority and command the client to sit down.
B. Maintain a calm demeanor, use a soft voice, and stand with an open posture.
C. Immediately call for security to physically restrain the client.
D. Turn away from the client to show that the behavior is being ignored.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The first step in verbal de-escalation is for the nurse to remain calm, maintain a non-threatening and
open physical posture, and speak softly but firmly. Establishing authority through yelling or turning
away often escalates aggression.
Q4. Question 4 of 100
A nurse is teaching a client about the concept of therapeutic boundaries in the nurse-client
relationship. Which of the following actions by the nurse demonstrates a violation of these
boundaries?
A. Sharing personal contact information with the client so they can talk after discharge.
B. Refusing a valuable gift offered by the client as a token of appreciation.
C. Setting specific times for one-on-one interactions during the shift.
D. Redirecting the client when they ask intimate questions about the nurse's personal life.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Sharing personal contact information blurs the line between a professional, therapeutic relationship and
a personal, social relationship. This is a clear boundary violation that compromises the therapeutic
milieu.
Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing 2026-2027 Updated Questions & Answers (Verified Answers) - Galen College of Nursing - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80%
, Q5. Question 5 of 100
A client with schizophrenia states, 'The FBI has planted a listening device in my tooth to
steal my thoughts.' The nurse recognizes this statement as an example of which of the
following?
A. A hallucination.
B. An illusion.
C. A delusion of persecution.
D. A somatic delusion.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
A delusion is a fixed, false belief that cannot be corrected by logic. Believing that one is being
monitored, targeted, or harmed by an outside entity (like the FBI) is specifically a delusion of
persecution.
Q6. Question 6 of 100
A nurse is communicating with a client who is visibly angry. The nurse says, 'You seem very
upset right now. Let's talk about what is making you feel this way.' Which therapeutic
communication technique is the nurse using?
A. Offering advice.
B. Reflecting.
C. Making observations.
D. Exploring.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The nurse is 'making observations' by verbally acknowledging the client's visible emotional state ('You
seem very upset'). This technique encourages the client to recognize their feelings and opens the door
for further discussion.
Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing 2026-2027 Updated Questions & Answers (Verified Answers) - Galen College of Nursing - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80%
