NU 160 / NU160 Exam 4 Galen | 2026/2027 | Mental Health Concepts
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
Mental Health Concepts
NU 160 / NU160 Exam 4 Galen | 2026/2027
A+ Verified 2026/2027 Edition Passing Score: 80%
Quality Assurance Academic Year Required Grade
COVER PAGE - 1
,SECTIONS COVERED
• Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient Relationship
• Section 2: Anxiety, OCD, and Trauma-Related Disorders
• Section 3: Mood Disorders
• Section 4: Psychotic Disorders & Schizophrenia
• Section 5: Substance Use, Personality Disorders & Crisis Intervention
This examination assesses knowledge of mental health nursing concepts at the baccalaureate level. Each
question presents a realistic clinical scenario requiring application and analysis of psychiatric nursing principles.
Select the best answer for each question. Passing score: 80%.
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient Relationship
Question 1
A 34-year-old patient with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, "No one understands what I'm going
through." The nurse responds, "You feel isolated and unheard right now." Which therapeutic communication
technique is the nurse demonstrating?
A. Offering reassurance
B. Restating
C. Reflecting feelings
D. Giving advice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Reflecting feelings involves identifying and verbalizing the patient's emotional state. The nurse accurately names the
feelings of isolation and being unheard. Restating would repeat the content, not the emotion.
Question 2
During an initial interview, a patient with paranoid schizophrenia refuses to make eye contact and states,
"You're here to spy on me." Which is the nurse's best therapeutic response?
A. "I am not a spy; I am your nurse."
B. "You seem suspicious of my intentions."
C. "Why would you think I'm spying on you?"
D. "That's not true, and you need to trust me."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Acknowledging the patient's feeling of suspicion without arguing validates their experience and opens communication.
Arguing with a paranoid patient increases defensiveness, and asking "why" can sound accusatory.
NU 160 / NU160 Exam 4 Galen | 2026/2027 | Mental Health Concepts Page 2
, Question 3
A patient with borderline personality disorder repeatedly calls the nursing station demanding immediate
attention for minor complaints. Which boundary-setting response is most therapeutic?
A. "I will check on you every 2 hours as scheduled."
B. "Your complaints are not emergencies."
C. "I will spend 10 minutes with you now and again at 4 PM."
D. "You need to stop calling so frequently."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Setting a clear, specific, and consistent time limit establishes boundaries while still providing attention. It is non-punitive
and predictable, which helps reduce manipulative behavior in patients with borderline personality disorder.
Question 4
A nurse sits with a patient who has just received a terminal cancer diagnosis. The patient is silent for several
minutes. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
A. Fill the silence with encouraging words
B. Ask the patient to share their thoughts
C. Remain present and allow the silence to continue
D. Suggest the patient speak with a chaplain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Therapeutic silence allows the patient time to process overwhelming emotions without pressure. It communicates
acceptance and presence. Filling the silence or redirecting can interrupt the patient's necessary emotional processing.
Question 5
A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think my antidepressant is working. I still feel sad all the time." The nurse
responds, "You feel sad all the time." This is an example of which communication technique?
A. Paraphrasing
B. Restating
C. Clarifying
D. Exploring
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Restating repeats the patient's main message using similar words to show understanding and encourage elaboration.
Paraphrasing would use different words, while clarifying seeks to make something clearer.
NU 160 / NU160 Exam 4 Galen | 2026/2027 | Mental Health Concepts Page 3
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
Mental Health Concepts
NU 160 / NU160 Exam 4 Galen | 2026/2027
A+ Verified 2026/2027 Edition Passing Score: 80%
Quality Assurance Academic Year Required Grade
COVER PAGE - 1
,SECTIONS COVERED
• Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient Relationship
• Section 2: Anxiety, OCD, and Trauma-Related Disorders
• Section 3: Mood Disorders
• Section 4: Psychotic Disorders & Schizophrenia
• Section 5: Substance Use, Personality Disorders & Crisis Intervention
This examination assesses knowledge of mental health nursing concepts at the baccalaureate level. Each
question presents a realistic clinical scenario requiring application and analysis of psychiatric nursing principles.
Select the best answer for each question. Passing score: 80%.
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient Relationship
Question 1
A 34-year-old patient with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, "No one understands what I'm going
through." The nurse responds, "You feel isolated and unheard right now." Which therapeutic communication
technique is the nurse demonstrating?
A. Offering reassurance
B. Restating
C. Reflecting feelings
D. Giving advice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Reflecting feelings involves identifying and verbalizing the patient's emotional state. The nurse accurately names the
feelings of isolation and being unheard. Restating would repeat the content, not the emotion.
Question 2
During an initial interview, a patient with paranoid schizophrenia refuses to make eye contact and states,
"You're here to spy on me." Which is the nurse's best therapeutic response?
A. "I am not a spy; I am your nurse."
B. "You seem suspicious of my intentions."
C. "Why would you think I'm spying on you?"
D. "That's not true, and you need to trust me."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Acknowledging the patient's feeling of suspicion without arguing validates their experience and opens communication.
Arguing with a paranoid patient increases defensiveness, and asking "why" can sound accusatory.
NU 160 / NU160 Exam 4 Galen | 2026/2027 | Mental Health Concepts Page 2
, Question 3
A patient with borderline personality disorder repeatedly calls the nursing station demanding immediate
attention for minor complaints. Which boundary-setting response is most therapeutic?
A. "I will check on you every 2 hours as scheduled."
B. "Your complaints are not emergencies."
C. "I will spend 10 minutes with you now and again at 4 PM."
D. "You need to stop calling so frequently."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Setting a clear, specific, and consistent time limit establishes boundaries while still providing attention. It is non-punitive
and predictable, which helps reduce manipulative behavior in patients with borderline personality disorder.
Question 4
A nurse sits with a patient who has just received a terminal cancer diagnosis. The patient is silent for several
minutes. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
A. Fill the silence with encouraging words
B. Ask the patient to share their thoughts
C. Remain present and allow the silence to continue
D. Suggest the patient speak with a chaplain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Therapeutic silence allows the patient time to process overwhelming emotions without pressure. It communicates
acceptance and presence. Filling the silence or redirecting can interrupt the patient's necessary emotional processing.
Question 5
A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think my antidepressant is working. I still feel sad all the time." The nurse
responds, "You feel sad all the time." This is an example of which communication technique?
A. Paraphrasing
B. Restating
C. Clarifying
D. Exploring
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Restating repeats the patient's main message using similar words to show understanding and encourage elaboration.
Paraphrasing would use different words, while clarifying seeks to make something clearer.
NU 160 / NU160 Exam 4 Galen | 2026/2027 | Mental Health Concepts Page 3
