NUR253 Exam 1 V2 | NUR 253 Mental
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College
of Nursing
1. Which phase of the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship involves establishing the
contract for boundaries and expectations?
A. Working phase
B. Orientation phase
C. Termination phase
D. Pre-orientation phase
Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase is the initial meeting where the nurse and patient define
their roles and the parameters of the relationship. During this time, the nurse establishes
trust and identifies the patient’s reasons for seeking help. It is critical to set boundaries and
confidentiality agreements early to ensure a safe environment.
2. A patient who was passed over for a promotion at work comes home and starts an
argument with their spouse. Which defense mechanism is being used?
A. Sublimation
B. Projection
C. Rationalization
,D. Displacement
Answer: D
Rationale: Displacement involves the transfer of emotions associated with one person or
object to another, less threatening person or object. In this case, the patient is redirecting
anger from their boss toward their spouse. This mechanism allows the individual to release
pent-up feelings without facing the consequences of confronting the original source.
3. When a nurse remains with a highly anxious patient without expecting the patient to
speak, which therapeutic technique is being applied?
A. Reflecting
B. Giving broad openings
C. Restating
D. Offering self
Answer: D
Rationale: Offering self involves making the nurse’s physical presence available to the
patient to convey interest and concern. This technique is particularly useful for patients
who are too anxious or withdrawn to communicate verbally. It helps build rapport and
security without placing demands on the patient to perform or speak.
4. In the context of ethical principles, which term refers to the nurse’s obligation to do no
harm to the patient?
A. Beneficence
, B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Non-maleficence
Answer: D
Rationale: Non-maleficence is the fundamental ethical duty to avoid causing harm,
whether intentional or unintentional. In psychiatric nursing, this might include protecting a
patient from self-injury or side effects of medication. It is often balanced with beneficence,
which is the duty to act in the patient’s best interest.
5. Which part of the Mental Status Examination (MSE) assesses the patient’s internal
emotional state as reported by the patient?
A. Affect
B. Judgment
C. Thought Content
D. Mood
Answer: D
Rationale: Mood is the subjective emotional state that the patient describes in their own
words, such as feeling sad or happy. Affect, conversely, is the objective observation of the
patient’s emotional expression by the nurse. Assessing mood is vital for identifying
underlying depressive or manic disorders during the interview.
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College
of Nursing
1. Which phase of the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship involves establishing the
contract for boundaries and expectations?
A. Working phase
B. Orientation phase
C. Termination phase
D. Pre-orientation phase
Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase is the initial meeting where the nurse and patient define
their roles and the parameters of the relationship. During this time, the nurse establishes
trust and identifies the patient’s reasons for seeking help. It is critical to set boundaries and
confidentiality agreements early to ensure a safe environment.
2. A patient who was passed over for a promotion at work comes home and starts an
argument with their spouse. Which defense mechanism is being used?
A. Sublimation
B. Projection
C. Rationalization
,D. Displacement
Answer: D
Rationale: Displacement involves the transfer of emotions associated with one person or
object to another, less threatening person or object. In this case, the patient is redirecting
anger from their boss toward their spouse. This mechanism allows the individual to release
pent-up feelings without facing the consequences of confronting the original source.
3. When a nurse remains with a highly anxious patient without expecting the patient to
speak, which therapeutic technique is being applied?
A. Reflecting
B. Giving broad openings
C. Restating
D. Offering self
Answer: D
Rationale: Offering self involves making the nurse’s physical presence available to the
patient to convey interest and concern. This technique is particularly useful for patients
who are too anxious or withdrawn to communicate verbally. It helps build rapport and
security without placing demands on the patient to perform or speak.
4. In the context of ethical principles, which term refers to the nurse’s obligation to do no
harm to the patient?
A. Beneficence
, B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Non-maleficence
Answer: D
Rationale: Non-maleficence is the fundamental ethical duty to avoid causing harm,
whether intentional or unintentional. In psychiatric nursing, this might include protecting a
patient from self-injury or side effects of medication. It is often balanced with beneficence,
which is the duty to act in the patient’s best interest.
5. Which part of the Mental Status Examination (MSE) assesses the patient’s internal
emotional state as reported by the patient?
A. Affect
B. Judgment
C. Thought Content
D. Mood
Answer: D
Rationale: Mood is the subjective emotional state that the patient describes in their own
words, such as feeling sad or happy. Affect, conversely, is the objective observation of the
patient’s emotional expression by the nurse. Assessing mood is vital for identifying
underlying depressive or manic disorders during the interview.
