NUR 253 Exam 1 2026 | 200 Practice Questions
with Answers & Detailed Explanations | Concepts
of Mental Health Nursing | Galen College | Latest
Update
📚 Section 1: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing (Questions 1–30)
1. A nursing student is studying the concept of mental health. Which definition best
describes mental health?
A) The absence of psychiatric diagnoses or symptoms
B) Successful performance of mental functions resulting in productive activities, fulfilling
relationships, and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity
C) The ability to control one's emotions at all times
D) Freedom from stress and anxiety in daily life
Answer: B
Explanation: Mental health is defined as the successful performance of mental functions,
resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to
adapt to change and cope with adversity. It is not merely the absence of mental illness, but
a state of well-being in which the individual realizes their own potential, can cope with
normal stressors, work productively, and contribute to the community .
, 2. A client with a mental illness experiences social shunning and discrimination. The
nurse recognizes this as:
A) Self-stigma
B) Public stigma
C) Institutional stigma
D) Social isolation
Answer: B
Explanation: Public stigma refers to negative attitudes held by the public toward those with
mental illness, resulting in social shunning, disgrace, and shame. Self-stigma occurs when
individuals internalize negative stereotypes about themselves .
3. A client with depression states, "I'm not worthy of anyone's help." The nurse
recognizes this as an example of:
A) Public stigma
B) Self-stigma
C) Social isolation
D) Discrimination
Answer: B
Explanation: Self-stigma occurs when individuals with mental illness internalize negative
stereotypes and beliefs about themselves. This client is expressing feelings of
worthlessness and unworthiness, which reflects internalized stigma .
, 4. The Mental Health Parity Act requires that:
A) All mental health treatment must be free of charge
B) Insurance companies offer the same level of coverage for mental health care as they
provide for medical and surgical care
C) Mental health care must be provided in inpatient settings only
D) All individuals with mental illness must receive treatment
Answer: B
Explanation: The Mental Health Parity Act requires insurance companies to offer the same
level of coverage for mental health care that they provide for medical and surgical care. This
helps ensure that mental health treatment is accessible and affordable .
5. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) improved mental health coverage by:
A) Eliminating all mental health services
B) Denying coverage for pre-existing mental health conditions
C) Preventing denial of coverage due to medical history, eliminating lifetime limits, and
covering addiction treatment
D) Restricting mental health care to inpatient settings only
Answer: C
Explanation: The ACA improved coverage for the uninsured and those on Medicaid. People
are no longer denied coverage based on their medical history, there are no lifetime limits,
and addiction treatment is covered .
, 6. A nurse is assessing a client's risk factors for mental illness. Which of the
following is a risk factor?
A) Strong social support system
B) Stable housing and income
C) History of trauma or abuse
D) Positive coping skills
Answer: C
Explanation: Risk factors are conditions or variables that increase the likelihood of mental
illness. Examples include trauma or abuse, substance abuse, family history of mental
illness, poverty, and social isolation. Strong social support, stable housing, and positive
coping skills are protective factors .
7. A client has a strong support system, stable housing, and positive coping skills.
The nurse recognizes these as:
A) Risk factors
B) Protective factors
C) Diagnostic criteria
D) Symptoms of mental illness
Answer: B
Explanation: Protective factors are conditions or attributes that reduce risk and promote
with Answers & Detailed Explanations | Concepts
of Mental Health Nursing | Galen College | Latest
Update
📚 Section 1: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing (Questions 1–30)
1. A nursing student is studying the concept of mental health. Which definition best
describes mental health?
A) The absence of psychiatric diagnoses or symptoms
B) Successful performance of mental functions resulting in productive activities, fulfilling
relationships, and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity
C) The ability to control one's emotions at all times
D) Freedom from stress and anxiety in daily life
Answer: B
Explanation: Mental health is defined as the successful performance of mental functions,
resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to
adapt to change and cope with adversity. It is not merely the absence of mental illness, but
a state of well-being in which the individual realizes their own potential, can cope with
normal stressors, work productively, and contribute to the community .
, 2. A client with a mental illness experiences social shunning and discrimination. The
nurse recognizes this as:
A) Self-stigma
B) Public stigma
C) Institutional stigma
D) Social isolation
Answer: B
Explanation: Public stigma refers to negative attitudes held by the public toward those with
mental illness, resulting in social shunning, disgrace, and shame. Self-stigma occurs when
individuals internalize negative stereotypes about themselves .
3. A client with depression states, "I'm not worthy of anyone's help." The nurse
recognizes this as an example of:
A) Public stigma
B) Self-stigma
C) Social isolation
D) Discrimination
Answer: B
Explanation: Self-stigma occurs when individuals with mental illness internalize negative
stereotypes and beliefs about themselves. This client is expressing feelings of
worthlessness and unworthiness, which reflects internalized stigma .
, 4. The Mental Health Parity Act requires that:
A) All mental health treatment must be free of charge
B) Insurance companies offer the same level of coverage for mental health care as they
provide for medical and surgical care
C) Mental health care must be provided in inpatient settings only
D) All individuals with mental illness must receive treatment
Answer: B
Explanation: The Mental Health Parity Act requires insurance companies to offer the same
level of coverage for mental health care that they provide for medical and surgical care. This
helps ensure that mental health treatment is accessible and affordable .
5. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) improved mental health coverage by:
A) Eliminating all mental health services
B) Denying coverage for pre-existing mental health conditions
C) Preventing denial of coverage due to medical history, eliminating lifetime limits, and
covering addiction treatment
D) Restricting mental health care to inpatient settings only
Answer: C
Explanation: The ACA improved coverage for the uninsured and those on Medicaid. People
are no longer denied coverage based on their medical history, there are no lifetime limits,
and addiction treatment is covered .
, 6. A nurse is assessing a client's risk factors for mental illness. Which of the
following is a risk factor?
A) Strong social support system
B) Stable housing and income
C) History of trauma or abuse
D) Positive coping skills
Answer: C
Explanation: Risk factors are conditions or variables that increase the likelihood of mental
illness. Examples include trauma or abuse, substance abuse, family history of mental
illness, poverty, and social isolation. Strong social support, stable housing, and positive
coping skills are protective factors .
7. A client has a strong support system, stable housing, and positive coping skills.
The nurse recognizes these as:
A) Risk factors
B) Protective factors
C) Diagnostic criteria
D) Symptoms of mental illness
Answer: B
Explanation: Protective factors are conditions or attributes that reduce risk and promote
