NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 3 – GALEN COLLEGE | TRAUMA,
NEUROCOGNITIVE, CHILD/ADOLESCENT & PERSONALITY DISORDERS | ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | 100 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
SECTION A: TRAUMA AND STRESSOR-RELATED DISORDERS
Questions 1-20
Question 1
A client diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports recurrent nightmares and flashbacks of
a traumatic event. The nurse recognizes these as:
A) Hyperarousal symptoms
B) Intrusion symptoms
C) Avoidance symptoms
D) Negative alterations in cognition and mood
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intrusion symptoms include recurrent, involuntary, and distressing memories, nightmares,
flashbacks, and intense psychological distress at exposure to cues. Hyperarousal includes hypervigilance and
startle response. Avoidance includes avoiding reminders. Negative alterations include distorted blame and
persistent negative emotions.
Question 2
A client with PTSD is experiencing hypervigilance and an exaggerated startle response. The nurse recognizes
these as:
A) Intrusion symptoms
B) Avoidance symptoms
C) Hyperarousal symptoms
D) Negative alterations in cognition and mood
, NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 3 – GALEN COLLEGE | TRAUMA,
NEUROCOGNITIVE, CHILD/ADOLESCENT & PERSONALITY DISORDERS | ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | 100 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperarousal symptoms include hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, sleep disturbance,
irritability, and difficulty concentrating. These are persistent symptoms of PTSD related to increased
autonomic arousal.
Question 3
A client with PTSD avoids places, people, and conversations that remind them of the traumatic event. The
nurse recognizes these as:
A) Intrusion symptoms
B) Avoidance symptoms
C) Hyperarousal symptoms
D) Negative alterations in cognition and mood
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Avoidance symptoms include avoiding thoughts, feelings, or reminders of the traumatic event. This
is a key diagnostic criterion for PTSD and serves as a maladaptive coping mechanism to reduce distress.
Question 4
A client with PTSD reports feeling detached from others and having a persistent negative belief about
themselves. The nurse recognizes these as:
A) Intrusion symptoms
B) Avoidance symptoms
, NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 3 – GALEN COLLEGE | TRAUMA,
NEUROCOGNITIVE, CHILD/ADOLESCENT & PERSONALITY DISORDERS | ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | 100 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
C) Hyperarousal symptoms
D) Negative alterations in cognition and mood
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Negative alterations in cognition and mood include persistent negative beliefs, distorted blame,
persistent negative emotions, diminished interest in activities, feelings of detachment, and inability to
experience positive emotions.
Question 5
A client with acute stress disorder (ASD) is experiencing symptoms similar to PTSD. What differentiates ASD
from PTSD?
A) ASD occurs within 1 month of the traumatic event
B) ASD occurs within 3 months of the traumatic event
C) ASD occurs within 6 months of the traumatic event
D) ASD occurs more than 6 months after the traumatic event
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acute stress disorder occurs within 1 month of the traumatic event and lasts for at least 3 days but
no more than 1 month. If symptoms persist beyond 1 month, the diagnosis changes to PTSD. Symptoms of
ASD and PTSD are similar.
Question 6
A client is diagnosed with PTSD. The nurse understands that trauma-informed care includes which principle?
, NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 3 – GALEN COLLEGE | TRAUMA,
NEUROCOGNITIVE, CHILD/ADOLESCENT & PERSONALITY DISORDERS | ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | 100 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
A) Punishing the client for non-compliance
B) Recognizing the impact of trauma and promoting safety
C) Ignoring the client's trauma history
D) Encouraging the client to suppress memories
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Trauma-informed care recognizes the widespread impact of trauma, understands potential paths
for recovery, and actively avoids re-traumatization. Key principles include safety, trustworthiness, choice,
collaboration, and empowerment.
Question 7
A client with PTSD is experiencing flashbacks. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Tell the client the flashback is not real
B) Help the client to ground themselves in the present
C) Encourage the client to describe the flashback
D) Leave the client alone to process the flashback
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Grounding techniques (e.g., focusing on present objects, breathing exercises) help the client return
to the present. Telling the client the flashback is not real may not be helpful. Encouraging description may
reinforce the flashback. Leaving the client alone is not supportive.
Question 8
NEUROCOGNITIVE, CHILD/ADOLESCENT & PERSONALITY DISORDERS | ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | 100 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
SECTION A: TRAUMA AND STRESSOR-RELATED DISORDERS
Questions 1-20
Question 1
A client diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports recurrent nightmares and flashbacks of
a traumatic event. The nurse recognizes these as:
A) Hyperarousal symptoms
B) Intrusion symptoms
C) Avoidance symptoms
D) Negative alterations in cognition and mood
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intrusion symptoms include recurrent, involuntary, and distressing memories, nightmares,
flashbacks, and intense psychological distress at exposure to cues. Hyperarousal includes hypervigilance and
startle response. Avoidance includes avoiding reminders. Negative alterations include distorted blame and
persistent negative emotions.
Question 2
A client with PTSD is experiencing hypervigilance and an exaggerated startle response. The nurse recognizes
these as:
A) Intrusion symptoms
B) Avoidance symptoms
C) Hyperarousal symptoms
D) Negative alterations in cognition and mood
, NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 3 – GALEN COLLEGE | TRAUMA,
NEUROCOGNITIVE, CHILD/ADOLESCENT & PERSONALITY DISORDERS | ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | 100 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperarousal symptoms include hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, sleep disturbance,
irritability, and difficulty concentrating. These are persistent symptoms of PTSD related to increased
autonomic arousal.
Question 3
A client with PTSD avoids places, people, and conversations that remind them of the traumatic event. The
nurse recognizes these as:
A) Intrusion symptoms
B) Avoidance symptoms
C) Hyperarousal symptoms
D) Negative alterations in cognition and mood
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Avoidance symptoms include avoiding thoughts, feelings, or reminders of the traumatic event. This
is a key diagnostic criterion for PTSD and serves as a maladaptive coping mechanism to reduce distress.
Question 4
A client with PTSD reports feeling detached from others and having a persistent negative belief about
themselves. The nurse recognizes these as:
A) Intrusion symptoms
B) Avoidance symptoms
, NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 3 – GALEN COLLEGE | TRAUMA,
NEUROCOGNITIVE, CHILD/ADOLESCENT & PERSONALITY DISORDERS | ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | 100 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
C) Hyperarousal symptoms
D) Negative alterations in cognition and mood
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Negative alterations in cognition and mood include persistent negative beliefs, distorted blame,
persistent negative emotions, diminished interest in activities, feelings of detachment, and inability to
experience positive emotions.
Question 5
A client with acute stress disorder (ASD) is experiencing symptoms similar to PTSD. What differentiates ASD
from PTSD?
A) ASD occurs within 1 month of the traumatic event
B) ASD occurs within 3 months of the traumatic event
C) ASD occurs within 6 months of the traumatic event
D) ASD occurs more than 6 months after the traumatic event
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acute stress disorder occurs within 1 month of the traumatic event and lasts for at least 3 days but
no more than 1 month. If symptoms persist beyond 1 month, the diagnosis changes to PTSD. Symptoms of
ASD and PTSD are similar.
Question 6
A client is diagnosed with PTSD. The nurse understands that trauma-informed care includes which principle?
, NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 3 – GALEN COLLEGE | TRAUMA,
NEUROCOGNITIVE, CHILD/ADOLESCENT & PERSONALITY DISORDERS | ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | 100 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
A) Punishing the client for non-compliance
B) Recognizing the impact of trauma and promoting safety
C) Ignoring the client's trauma history
D) Encouraging the client to suppress memories
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Trauma-informed care recognizes the widespread impact of trauma, understands potential paths
for recovery, and actively avoids re-traumatization. Key principles include safety, trustworthiness, choice,
collaboration, and empowerment.
Question 7
A client with PTSD is experiencing flashbacks. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Tell the client the flashback is not real
B) Help the client to ground themselves in the present
C) Encourage the client to describe the flashback
D) Leave the client alone to process the flashback
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Grounding techniques (e.g., focusing on present objects, breathing exercises) help the client return
to the present. Telling the client the flashback is not real may not be helpful. Encouraging description may
reinforce the flashback. Leaving the client alone is not supportive.
Question 8
