NSG 3450 EXAM 3 MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW EXAM (GALEN) – QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES
| DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Principles
• Therapeutic Communication and the Nurse-Client Relationship
• Psychopharmacology and Biological Treatments
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Nursing
• Crisis Intervention and De-escalation Techniques
• Care for Individuals with Mood, Anxiety, and Psychotic Disorders
• Substance Use Disorders and Co-occurring Conditions
• Suicide Risk Assessment and Prevention
• Cultural Competence and Mental Health Disparities
• Community Mental Health and Continuum of Care
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess your readiness for the NSG
3450 Mental Health nursing exam. It covers essential psychiatric-mental health
nursing concepts, from foundational theories and therapeutic communication to
psychopharmacology, legal and ethical standards, and crisis intervention. The
assessment utilizes multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that require
critical thinking and clinical decision-making, mirroring real-world nursing practice.
Each question is meticulously crafted to evaluate your understanding of mental
health disorders, treatment modalities, and the role of the nurse in various care
settings. It is a vital tool for exam preparation, emphasizing the application of
knowledge in complex, patient-centered situations.
Section One: Questions 1 – 50
,1. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client diagnosed with
major depressive disorder. Which of the following actions by the nurse best
demonstrates the characteristic of genuineness?
A. Maintaining a strictly professional and emotionally detached demeanor.
B. Using a calm, reassuring voice while maintaining a neutral facial expression.
C. Consistently being honest, open, and authentic in interactions with the client.
D. Agreeing with the client's statements to avoid conflict and promote trust.
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Consistently being honest, open, and authentic in
interactions with the client.
🔴 Explanation: Genuineness, also known as authenticity, involves the nurse
being real, honest, and transparent. This helps build trust and a more meaningful
therapeutic connection.
2. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The government is watching me
through the television." Which of the following is the most therapeutic
response by the nurse?
A. "That seems very frightening for you. Tell me more about what you are
experiencing."
B. "I don't see anyone watching you. The television is just a television."
C. "If you believe that, we should turn the television off to be safe."
D. "Why do you think the government is interested in you?"
🟢 Correct Answer: A. "That seems very frightening for you. Tell me more about
what you are experiencing."
🔴 Explanation: This response validates the client's feelings without agreeing with
the delusion (confronting the belief) or arguing. It encourages the client to share
their experience.
,3. A client is prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac) for major depressive disorder. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse prioritize during patient
education?
A. "You may eat foods high in tyramine without risk of adverse effects."
B. "You might notice improvement in your symptoms in about one to three
weeks."
C. "This medication is safe to take with St. John's Wort for added efficacy."
D. "You should take this medication as needed when you feel very sad."
🟢 Correct Answer: B. "You might notice improvement in your symptoms in about
one to three weeks."
🔴 Explanation: SSRIs like fluoxetine typically take 1-3 weeks to begin showing
therapeutic effects. Clients need education to prevent premature discontinuation.
4. A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who has a history of suicidal
ideation. Which of the following is the most critical component of the
discharge plan?
A. Providing a list of local fast-food restaurants.
B. Ensuring the client has a 30-day supply of all medications.
C. Developing a written safety plan with identified triggers and coping strategies.
D. Scheduling a follow-up appointment with a psychiatrist in six months.
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Developing a written safety plan with identified triggers
and coping strategies.
🔴 Explanation: A safety plan is a critical component of suicide prevention. It
provides the client with a concrete, personalized plan to follow when experiencing
suicidal thoughts.
5. A client is involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric unit. They are demanding to
leave. Which of the following ethical principles is the nurse upholding by
, enforcing the admission?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Veracity
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Beneficence
🔴 Explanation: Beneficence is the duty to act in the client's best interest. The
nurse upholds the involuntary admission to prevent potential harm and promote
the client's well-being.
6. Which of the following defense mechanisms is being used when a client
forgets their scheduled therapy appointment after an angry outburst at their
therapist during the previous session?
A. Denial
B. Repression
C. Projection
D. Rationalization
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Repression
🔴 Explanation: Repression is an unconscious mechanism that blocks disturbing,
threatening, or anxiety-provoking thoughts from conscious awareness, as
forgetting the appointment.
7. A client experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal is exhibiting tremors,
diaphoresis, and a heart rate of 120 bpm. The nurse anticipates a prescription
for which of the following medications?
A. Naltrexone (ReVia)
B. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES
| DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Principles
• Therapeutic Communication and the Nurse-Client Relationship
• Psychopharmacology and Biological Treatments
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Nursing
• Crisis Intervention and De-escalation Techniques
• Care for Individuals with Mood, Anxiety, and Psychotic Disorders
• Substance Use Disorders and Co-occurring Conditions
• Suicide Risk Assessment and Prevention
• Cultural Competence and Mental Health Disparities
• Community Mental Health and Continuum of Care
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess your readiness for the NSG
3450 Mental Health nursing exam. It covers essential psychiatric-mental health
nursing concepts, from foundational theories and therapeutic communication to
psychopharmacology, legal and ethical standards, and crisis intervention. The
assessment utilizes multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that require
critical thinking and clinical decision-making, mirroring real-world nursing practice.
Each question is meticulously crafted to evaluate your understanding of mental
health disorders, treatment modalities, and the role of the nurse in various care
settings. It is a vital tool for exam preparation, emphasizing the application of
knowledge in complex, patient-centered situations.
Section One: Questions 1 – 50
,1. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client diagnosed with
major depressive disorder. Which of the following actions by the nurse best
demonstrates the characteristic of genuineness?
A. Maintaining a strictly professional and emotionally detached demeanor.
B. Using a calm, reassuring voice while maintaining a neutral facial expression.
C. Consistently being honest, open, and authentic in interactions with the client.
D. Agreeing with the client's statements to avoid conflict and promote trust.
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Consistently being honest, open, and authentic in
interactions with the client.
🔴 Explanation: Genuineness, also known as authenticity, involves the nurse
being real, honest, and transparent. This helps build trust and a more meaningful
therapeutic connection.
2. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The government is watching me
through the television." Which of the following is the most therapeutic
response by the nurse?
A. "That seems very frightening for you. Tell me more about what you are
experiencing."
B. "I don't see anyone watching you. The television is just a television."
C. "If you believe that, we should turn the television off to be safe."
D. "Why do you think the government is interested in you?"
🟢 Correct Answer: A. "That seems very frightening for you. Tell me more about
what you are experiencing."
🔴 Explanation: This response validates the client's feelings without agreeing with
the delusion (confronting the belief) or arguing. It encourages the client to share
their experience.
,3. A client is prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac) for major depressive disorder. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse prioritize during patient
education?
A. "You may eat foods high in tyramine without risk of adverse effects."
B. "You might notice improvement in your symptoms in about one to three
weeks."
C. "This medication is safe to take with St. John's Wort for added efficacy."
D. "You should take this medication as needed when you feel very sad."
🟢 Correct Answer: B. "You might notice improvement in your symptoms in about
one to three weeks."
🔴 Explanation: SSRIs like fluoxetine typically take 1-3 weeks to begin showing
therapeutic effects. Clients need education to prevent premature discontinuation.
4. A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who has a history of suicidal
ideation. Which of the following is the most critical component of the
discharge plan?
A. Providing a list of local fast-food restaurants.
B. Ensuring the client has a 30-day supply of all medications.
C. Developing a written safety plan with identified triggers and coping strategies.
D. Scheduling a follow-up appointment with a psychiatrist in six months.
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Developing a written safety plan with identified triggers
and coping strategies.
🔴 Explanation: A safety plan is a critical component of suicide prevention. It
provides the client with a concrete, personalized plan to follow when experiencing
suicidal thoughts.
5. A client is involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric unit. They are demanding to
leave. Which of the following ethical principles is the nurse upholding by
, enforcing the admission?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Veracity
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Beneficence
🔴 Explanation: Beneficence is the duty to act in the client's best interest. The
nurse upholds the involuntary admission to prevent potential harm and promote
the client's well-being.
6. Which of the following defense mechanisms is being used when a client
forgets their scheduled therapy appointment after an angry outburst at their
therapist during the previous session?
A. Denial
B. Repression
C. Projection
D. Rationalization
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Repression
🔴 Explanation: Repression is an unconscious mechanism that blocks disturbing,
threatening, or anxiety-provoking thoughts from conscious awareness, as
forgetting the appointment.
7. A client experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal is exhibiting tremors,
diaphoresis, and a heart rate of 120 bpm. The nurse anticipates a prescription
for which of the following medications?
A. Naltrexone (ReVia)
B. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
