NUR253 Exam 1 V3 | NUR 253 Mental
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College
of Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing moderate anxiety. Which of the
following nursing interventions is most appropriate?
A. Provide detailed instructions about the upcoming procedure.
B. Use short, simple sentences to communicate.
C. Leave the patient alone to calm down.
D. Ask the patient to explain the cause of their anxiety.
Answer: B
Rationale: In moderate anxiety, the patient’s perceptual field narrows and their ability to
process information decreases. Using short, simple sentences helps ensure the patient can
understand and follow directions. Providing detailed information may overwhelm the
patient and increase anxiety levels further.
2. Which ethical principle is demonstrated when a nurse stays with a patient who is fearful to
provide comfort?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
,D. Veracity
Answer: A
Rationale: Beneficence is the duty to act in a way that benefits or promotes the good of
others. By staying with a fearful patient, the nurse is actively working to alleviate distress
and provide support. This principle is fundamental to the caring aspect of psychiatric
nursing practice.
3. A patient is admitted to the psychiatric unit involuntarily. Which of the following rights
does the patient still retain?
A. The right to leave the facility at any time.
B. The right to schedule their own discharge date.
C. The right to keep all personal belongings in their room.
D. The right to refuse psychotropic medications.
Answer: D
Rationale: Involuntary admission does not automatically waive a patient’s right to refuse
medication, except in emergencies. Patients still maintain the right to informed consent and
the right to refuse treatment under standard conditions. Legal proceedings are required to
override this right if the patient is deemed a danger to self or others.
, 4. During a therapeutic interaction, the patient says, ‘I feel like my life is a mess.’ The nurse
responds, ‘It sounds like you are feeling overwhelmed by your current situation.’ Which
technique is the nurse using?
A. Exploring
B. Restating
C. Reflecting
D. Clarifying
Answer: C
Rationale: Reflecting involves directing the patient’s feelings back to them, helping them
recognize and accept their emotions. This technique validates the patient’s experience and
encourages deeper exploration of those feelings. It is a core component of building a
therapeutic nurse-patient relationship.
5. Which level of prevention is focused on reducing the incidence of mental disorders within a
community?
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Answer: A
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College
of Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing moderate anxiety. Which of the
following nursing interventions is most appropriate?
A. Provide detailed instructions about the upcoming procedure.
B. Use short, simple sentences to communicate.
C. Leave the patient alone to calm down.
D. Ask the patient to explain the cause of their anxiety.
Answer: B
Rationale: In moderate anxiety, the patient’s perceptual field narrows and their ability to
process information decreases. Using short, simple sentences helps ensure the patient can
understand and follow directions. Providing detailed information may overwhelm the
patient and increase anxiety levels further.
2. Which ethical principle is demonstrated when a nurse stays with a patient who is fearful to
provide comfort?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
,D. Veracity
Answer: A
Rationale: Beneficence is the duty to act in a way that benefits or promotes the good of
others. By staying with a fearful patient, the nurse is actively working to alleviate distress
and provide support. This principle is fundamental to the caring aspect of psychiatric
nursing practice.
3. A patient is admitted to the psychiatric unit involuntarily. Which of the following rights
does the patient still retain?
A. The right to leave the facility at any time.
B. The right to schedule their own discharge date.
C. The right to keep all personal belongings in their room.
D. The right to refuse psychotropic medications.
Answer: D
Rationale: Involuntary admission does not automatically waive a patient’s right to refuse
medication, except in emergencies. Patients still maintain the right to informed consent and
the right to refuse treatment under standard conditions. Legal proceedings are required to
override this right if the patient is deemed a danger to self or others.
, 4. During a therapeutic interaction, the patient says, ‘I feel like my life is a mess.’ The nurse
responds, ‘It sounds like you are feeling overwhelmed by your current situation.’ Which
technique is the nurse using?
A. Exploring
B. Restating
C. Reflecting
D. Clarifying
Answer: C
Rationale: Reflecting involves directing the patient’s feelings back to them, helping them
recognize and accept their emotions. This technique validates the patient’s experience and
encourages deeper exploration of those feelings. It is a core component of building a
therapeutic nurse-patient relationship.
5. Which level of prevention is focused on reducing the incidence of mental disorders within a
community?
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Answer: A
