NUR 253 Exam 4 Mental Health Comprehensive Practi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Exam 4 Mental Health Comprehensive Practice
2026/2027 UPDATE Galen College
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,NUR 253 Exam 4 Mental Health Comprehensive Practi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected delirium. Which finding would most
effectively help the nurse differentiate delirium from dementia?
A. The patient exhibits impairment in recent memory.
B. The patient is experiencing fragmented sleep-wake cycles.
C. The symptoms developed rapidly over a period of hours to days.
D. The patient demonstrates difficulty with complex task performance.
Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a rapid onset of symptoms (hours to days) and fluctuating
levels of consciousness, whereas dementia is typically progressive and slow- growing. This is
important because the nurse must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting
their basic needs. Always think about safety first when answering these questions. This knowledge
supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching
improves cooperation and reduces anxiety.
2. A patient with Alzheimer’s disease is experiencing agnosia. Which behavior should the
nurse expect to observe?
A. The patient loses the ability to perform purposeful motor movements.
B. The patient struggles to find the correct words to express a thought.
C. The patient fills in memory gaps with imaginary stories.
D. The patient is unable to recognize familiar objects like a toothbrush.
Answer: D
Rationale: Agnosia is the loss of sensory ability to recognize objects. Option B is aphasia, C is
confabulation, and D is apraxia. Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act
before the problem gets worse. Early action often prevents bigger complications for the client.
Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on
the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 253 Exam 4 Mental Health Comprehensive Practi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A nurse is caring for a client with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Which nutritional
deficiency is the primary cause of this condition?
A. Vitamin B12
B. Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
C. Folic Acid
D. Vitamin B6
Answer: B
Rationale: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by a deficiency in thiamine
(Vitamin B1), often associated with chronic alcohol use disorder. Knowing the reason behind the
correct answer makes it easier to rule out the wrong options quickly. Look for the choice that protects
the client and matches the priority need. Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning signs
and act before the problem gets worse. Early action often prevents bigger complications for the client.
4. A patient admitted for alcohol withdrawal is experiencing tremors, tachycardia, and
diaphoresis. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer first?
A. Disulfiram
B. Chlordiazepoxide
C. Naltrexone
D. Methadone
Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide or lorazepam are the gold standard for managing
acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms and preventing seizures or delirium tremens. Understanding this
helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action often
prevents bigger complications for the client. Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning
signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action often prevents bigger complications for the
client.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Exam 4 Mental Health Comprehensive Practice
2026/2027 UPDATE Galen College
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,NUR 253 Exam 4 Mental Health Comprehensive Practi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected delirium. Which finding would most
effectively help the nurse differentiate delirium from dementia?
A. The patient exhibits impairment in recent memory.
B. The patient is experiencing fragmented sleep-wake cycles.
C. The symptoms developed rapidly over a period of hours to days.
D. The patient demonstrates difficulty with complex task performance.
Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a rapid onset of symptoms (hours to days) and fluctuating
levels of consciousness, whereas dementia is typically progressive and slow- growing. This is
important because the nurse must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting
their basic needs. Always think about safety first when answering these questions. This knowledge
supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching
improves cooperation and reduces anxiety.
2. A patient with Alzheimer’s disease is experiencing agnosia. Which behavior should the
nurse expect to observe?
A. The patient loses the ability to perform purposeful motor movements.
B. The patient struggles to find the correct words to express a thought.
C. The patient fills in memory gaps with imaginary stories.
D. The patient is unable to recognize familiar objects like a toothbrush.
Answer: D
Rationale: Agnosia is the loss of sensory ability to recognize objects. Option B is aphasia, C is
confabulation, and D is apraxia. Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act
before the problem gets worse. Early action often prevents bigger complications for the client.
Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on
the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 253 Exam 4 Mental Health Comprehensive Practi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A nurse is caring for a client with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Which nutritional
deficiency is the primary cause of this condition?
A. Vitamin B12
B. Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
C. Folic Acid
D. Vitamin B6
Answer: B
Rationale: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by a deficiency in thiamine
(Vitamin B1), often associated with chronic alcohol use disorder. Knowing the reason behind the
correct answer makes it easier to rule out the wrong options quickly. Look for the choice that protects
the client and matches the priority need. Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning signs
and act before the problem gets worse. Early action often prevents bigger complications for the client.
4. A patient admitted for alcohol withdrawal is experiencing tremors, tachycardia, and
diaphoresis. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer first?
A. Disulfiram
B. Chlordiazepoxide
C. Naltrexone
D. Methadone
Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide or lorazepam are the gold standard for managing
acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms and preventing seizures or delirium tremens. Understanding this
helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action often
prevents bigger complications for the client. Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning
signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action often prevents bigger complications for the
client.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
