NUR 256 Exam 1: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 256 Exam 1: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Study
Guide 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 256 Exam 1: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. According to Marie Jahoda’s indicators of mental health, which characteristic describes
an individual’s ability to take responsibility for their own decisions and behavior?
A. Autonomy
B. Environmental mastery
C. Perception of reality
D. Self-actualization
Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the individual’s ability to perform in an independent, self- directed
manner and take responsibility for their actions. Exam questions often test whether you can pick the
most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what the nurse can actually do
right now. 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.
2. In Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), during which stage are the body’s
resources depleted and the individual is most susceptible to physical or mental illness?
A. Alarm reaction stage
B. Stage of resistance
C. Stage of exhaustion
D. Compensatory stage
Answer: C
Rationale: The stage of exhaustion occurs when the body can no longer compensate for the stressor,
leading to depletion of adaptive energy and potential illness. 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. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 256 Exam 1: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient who is angry with their physician yells at the nurse instead. Which defense
mechanism is this patient demonstrating?
A. Sublimation
B. Projection
C. Displacement
D. Reaction Formation
Answer: C
Rationale: Displacement is the transfer of feelings from one target to another that is considered less
threatening or neutral. 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. 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. Which component of Freud’s personality structure operates on the ‘pleasure principle’
and seeks immediate gratification of needs?
A. Ego
B. Superego
C. Alter ego
D. Id
Answer: D
Rationale: The Id is the locus of instinctual drives and is governed by the pleasure principle,
demanding immediate satisfaction. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the
client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. Exam questions
often test whether you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations.
Focus on what the nurse can actually do right now.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 256 Exam 1: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Study
Guide 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 256 Exam 1: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. According to Marie Jahoda’s indicators of mental health, which characteristic describes
an individual’s ability to take responsibility for their own decisions and behavior?
A. Autonomy
B. Environmental mastery
C. Perception of reality
D. Self-actualization
Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the individual’s ability to perform in an independent, self- directed
manner and take responsibility for their actions. Exam questions often test whether you can pick the
most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what the nurse can actually do
right now. 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.
2. In Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), during which stage are the body’s
resources depleted and the individual is most susceptible to physical or mental illness?
A. Alarm reaction stage
B. Stage of resistance
C. Stage of exhaustion
D. Compensatory stage
Answer: C
Rationale: The stage of exhaustion occurs when the body can no longer compensate for the stressor,
leading to depletion of adaptive energy and potential illness. 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. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 256 Exam 1: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient who is angry with their physician yells at the nurse instead. Which defense
mechanism is this patient demonstrating?
A. Sublimation
B. Projection
C. Displacement
D. Reaction Formation
Answer: C
Rationale: Displacement is the transfer of feelings from one target to another that is considered less
threatening or neutral. 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. 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. Which component of Freud’s personality structure operates on the ‘pleasure principle’
and seeks immediate gratification of needs?
A. Ego
B. Superego
C. Alter ego
D. Id
Answer: D
Rationale: The Id is the locus of instinctual drives and is governed by the pleasure principle,
demanding immediate satisfaction. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the
client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. Exam questions
often test whether you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations.
Focus on what the nurse can actually do right now.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
