NUR 253 Exams 1–4 Bundle: Mental Health Nursing
(Galen) 2026/2027 | Complete All-Inclusive Prep |
Verified Questions and Answers
Exam 1: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing &
Therapeutic Communication
Question 1
A client tells the nurse, "I don't think I can go through with this treatment." Which is an
example of the therapeutic communication technique of restating?
A) "You are concerned about the treatment."
B) "Tell me more about your concerns."
C) "What aspects of the treatment worry you?"
D) "I understand this is difficult for you."
Answer: A) "You are concerned about the treatment."
Rationale: Restating involves repeating the client's message in different words to
show understanding. "You are concerned about the treatment" restates the client's
statement about not being able to go through with treatment.
,Question 2
The nurse finds herself feeling unusually angry toward a patient who reminds her of
someone she dislikes. The nurse should recognize this as:
A) Transference
B) Countertransference
C) Projection
D) Displacement
Answer: B) Countertransference
Rationale: Countertransference refers to unconscious feelings that the healthcare
worker has toward the patient. If the patient reminds the nurse of someone they
dislike, the nurse may unconsciously react as if the patient were that individual .
Question 3
A patient with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, "I'm a failure at everything."
Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A) "You are not a failure. You have accomplished many things."
B) "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
C) "Tell me about the things that make you feel like a failure."
D) "Let's focus on your strengths instead."
Answer: C) "Tell me about the things that make you feel like a failure."
, Rationale: This response uses exploring to gather more information about the
client's feelings. It validates the client's expression and encourages further
discussion. False reassurance or changing the topic dismisses the client's feelings .
Question 4
Which of the following is a therapeutic communication technique?
A) Giving advice to solve patient problems
B) Using open-ended questions like "Tell me more"
C) Changing the subject when the patient becomes emotional
D) Offering false reassurance to reduce anxiety
Answer: B) Using open-ended questions like "Tell me more"
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage patients to express themselves fully
and provide more information. Therapeutic communication techniques include
using open-ended questions, offering self, encouraging elaboration, and exploring
alternatives .
Question 5
A patient tells the nurse, "The CIA has planted a microchip in my brain to steal my
thoughts." Which type of delusion is this?
A) Grandiose
B) Somatic
C) Persecutory
D) Erotomanic
, Answer: C) Persecutory
Rationale: Persecutory delusions involve the belief that one is being harassed,
threatened, or conspired against. The CIA microchip belief is a classic example.
Grandiose delusions involve inflated self-importance; somatic delusions focus on
the body; erotomanic delusions involve belief that another person is in love with
them .
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I feel like no one cares whether I live or die."
Which response by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A) "Of course people care about you."
B) "Why do you feel that way?"
C) "It sounds like you are feeling hopeless right now."
D) "You shouldn't feel that way."
Answer: C) "It sounds like you are feeling hopeless right now."
Rationale: This response uses the therapeutic technique of reflecting and validating
the client's feelings. It demonstrates empathy and encourages further expression
without judgment. Asking "why" can sound accusatory, and false reassurance or
dismissing feelings is non-therapeutic .
Question 7
The nurse recognizes that stigma surrounding mental illness is characterized by:
(Galen) 2026/2027 | Complete All-Inclusive Prep |
Verified Questions and Answers
Exam 1: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing &
Therapeutic Communication
Question 1
A client tells the nurse, "I don't think I can go through with this treatment." Which is an
example of the therapeutic communication technique of restating?
A) "You are concerned about the treatment."
B) "Tell me more about your concerns."
C) "What aspects of the treatment worry you?"
D) "I understand this is difficult for you."
Answer: A) "You are concerned about the treatment."
Rationale: Restating involves repeating the client's message in different words to
show understanding. "You are concerned about the treatment" restates the client's
statement about not being able to go through with treatment.
,Question 2
The nurse finds herself feeling unusually angry toward a patient who reminds her of
someone she dislikes. The nurse should recognize this as:
A) Transference
B) Countertransference
C) Projection
D) Displacement
Answer: B) Countertransference
Rationale: Countertransference refers to unconscious feelings that the healthcare
worker has toward the patient. If the patient reminds the nurse of someone they
dislike, the nurse may unconsciously react as if the patient were that individual .
Question 3
A patient with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, "I'm a failure at everything."
Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A) "You are not a failure. You have accomplished many things."
B) "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
C) "Tell me about the things that make you feel like a failure."
D) "Let's focus on your strengths instead."
Answer: C) "Tell me about the things that make you feel like a failure."
, Rationale: This response uses exploring to gather more information about the
client's feelings. It validates the client's expression and encourages further
discussion. False reassurance or changing the topic dismisses the client's feelings .
Question 4
Which of the following is a therapeutic communication technique?
A) Giving advice to solve patient problems
B) Using open-ended questions like "Tell me more"
C) Changing the subject when the patient becomes emotional
D) Offering false reassurance to reduce anxiety
Answer: B) Using open-ended questions like "Tell me more"
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage patients to express themselves fully
and provide more information. Therapeutic communication techniques include
using open-ended questions, offering self, encouraging elaboration, and exploring
alternatives .
Question 5
A patient tells the nurse, "The CIA has planted a microchip in my brain to steal my
thoughts." Which type of delusion is this?
A) Grandiose
B) Somatic
C) Persecutory
D) Erotomanic
, Answer: C) Persecutory
Rationale: Persecutory delusions involve the belief that one is being harassed,
threatened, or conspired against. The CIA microchip belief is a classic example.
Grandiose delusions involve inflated self-importance; somatic delusions focus on
the body; erotomanic delusions involve belief that another person is in love with
them .
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I feel like no one cares whether I live or die."
Which response by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A) "Of course people care about you."
B) "Why do you feel that way?"
C) "It sounds like you are feeling hopeless right now."
D) "You shouldn't feel that way."
Answer: C) "It sounds like you are feeling hopeless right now."
Rationale: This response uses the therapeutic technique of reflecting and validating
the client's feelings. It demonstrates empathy and encourages further expression
without judgment. Asking "why" can sound accusatory, and false reassurance or
dismissing feelings is non-therapeutic .
Question 7
The nurse recognizes that stigma surrounding mental illness is characterized by:
