,NSG3450/NSG 3450 Exam 1 | Mental Health
Nursing | Galen College | 26/27 Updated
(PDF)
1. Which theoretical framework emphasizes the role of unconscious motives and conflicts as primary
determinants of human behavior?
A) Behavioral theory
B) Cognitive theory
C) Psychodynamic theory
D) Humanistic theory
Correct Answer: Psychodynamic theory
Rationale: Psychodynamic theory, originating from Freud, posits that unconscious drives, memories,
and conflicts shape personality and behavior. Behavioral theory focuses on observable actions and
conditioning, cognitive theory on thought processes, and humanistic theory on self-actualization and
free will, making them incorrect for this specific emphasis.
2. A nurse observes a patient who consistently attributes personal failures to external circumstances
while blaming others for their own shortcomings. Which defense mechanism is the patient primarily
exhibiting?
A) Projection
B) Displacement
C) Rationalization
D) Sublimation
Correct Answer: Projection
Rationale: Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to another
person. Displacement redirects emotions to a safer target, rationalization creates logical excuses for
,irrational behavior, and sublimation channels impulses into socially acceptable activities—all distinct
from the described externalization and blaming pattern.
3. In the context of the therapeutic milieu, which intervention best promotes a patient's sense of
autonomy and self-worth?
A) Enforcing strict unit rules without exception
B) Allowing patients to choose their daily activities from a structured list
C) Restricting visitors to reduce patient stimulation
D) Assigning patients to specific groups without their input
Correct Answer: Allowing patients to choose their daily activities from a structured list
Rationale: Offering choices within a structured environment empowers patients, fostering autonomy
and self-esteem. Enforcing rigid rules or restricting input diminishes personal agency, while assigning
groups without input can increase feelings of powerlessness, all of which are counter-therapeutic.
4. According to current standards, which ethical principle is primarily violated when a nurse shares a
patient's mental health diagnosis with a family member without the patient's explicit consent?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Correct Answer: Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy respects a patient's right to self-determination and privacy, including control
over their health information. Beneficence involves doing good, nonmaleficence means avoiding
harm, and justice refers to fairness—none directly address the breach of confidentiality described.
5. A patient with a history of trauma becomes extremely agitated when a nurse enters the room
wearing a particular cologne. The nurse recognizes this as a conditioned response. Which component
of the limbic system is most directly involved in this emotional memory?
, A) Hypothalamus
B) Amygdala
C) Hippocampus
D) Thalamus
Correct Answer: Amygdala
Rationale: The amygdala is central to processing emotional memories and fear responses, including
conditioned aversions. The hippocampus is involved in factual memory formation, the hypothalamus
regulates homeostasis, and the thalamus relays sensory information—none are primarily responsible
for the emotional valence of this specific memory.
6. A psychiatric-mental health nurse is planning care for a patient from a culture that traditionally
views mental illness as a spiritual imbalance. To provide culturally competent care, which action
should the nurse prioritize?
A) Insisting the patient adhere strictly to the biomedical treatment model
B) Collaborating with the patient to integrate spiritual practices with evidence-based care
C) Avoiding any discussion of spirituality to maintain professional boundaries
D) Referring the patient to a chaplain without further discussion
Correct Answer: Collaborating with the patient to integrate spiritual practices with evidence-based
care
Rationale: Culturally competent care involves respecting and integrating the patient's beliefs into the
treatment plan when safe and feasible. Insisting on a single model is paternalistic, avoiding discussion
neglects a key patient need, and referring without discussion fails to involve the patient in their own
care.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient's risk for suicide. Which factor has the strongest empirical evidence as
a predictor of imminent risk?
A) A family history of depression
B) Expressing feelings of hopelessness
Nursing | Galen College | 26/27 Updated
(PDF)
1. Which theoretical framework emphasizes the role of unconscious motives and conflicts as primary
determinants of human behavior?
A) Behavioral theory
B) Cognitive theory
C) Psychodynamic theory
D) Humanistic theory
Correct Answer: Psychodynamic theory
Rationale: Psychodynamic theory, originating from Freud, posits that unconscious drives, memories,
and conflicts shape personality and behavior. Behavioral theory focuses on observable actions and
conditioning, cognitive theory on thought processes, and humanistic theory on self-actualization and
free will, making them incorrect for this specific emphasis.
2. A nurse observes a patient who consistently attributes personal failures to external circumstances
while blaming others for their own shortcomings. Which defense mechanism is the patient primarily
exhibiting?
A) Projection
B) Displacement
C) Rationalization
D) Sublimation
Correct Answer: Projection
Rationale: Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to another
person. Displacement redirects emotions to a safer target, rationalization creates logical excuses for
,irrational behavior, and sublimation channels impulses into socially acceptable activities—all distinct
from the described externalization and blaming pattern.
3. In the context of the therapeutic milieu, which intervention best promotes a patient's sense of
autonomy and self-worth?
A) Enforcing strict unit rules without exception
B) Allowing patients to choose their daily activities from a structured list
C) Restricting visitors to reduce patient stimulation
D) Assigning patients to specific groups without their input
Correct Answer: Allowing patients to choose their daily activities from a structured list
Rationale: Offering choices within a structured environment empowers patients, fostering autonomy
and self-esteem. Enforcing rigid rules or restricting input diminishes personal agency, while assigning
groups without input can increase feelings of powerlessness, all of which are counter-therapeutic.
4. According to current standards, which ethical principle is primarily violated when a nurse shares a
patient's mental health diagnosis with a family member without the patient's explicit consent?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Correct Answer: Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy respects a patient's right to self-determination and privacy, including control
over their health information. Beneficence involves doing good, nonmaleficence means avoiding
harm, and justice refers to fairness—none directly address the breach of confidentiality described.
5. A patient with a history of trauma becomes extremely agitated when a nurse enters the room
wearing a particular cologne. The nurse recognizes this as a conditioned response. Which component
of the limbic system is most directly involved in this emotional memory?
, A) Hypothalamus
B) Amygdala
C) Hippocampus
D) Thalamus
Correct Answer: Amygdala
Rationale: The amygdala is central to processing emotional memories and fear responses, including
conditioned aversions. The hippocampus is involved in factual memory formation, the hypothalamus
regulates homeostasis, and the thalamus relays sensory information—none are primarily responsible
for the emotional valence of this specific memory.
6. A psychiatric-mental health nurse is planning care for a patient from a culture that traditionally
views mental illness as a spiritual imbalance. To provide culturally competent care, which action
should the nurse prioritize?
A) Insisting the patient adhere strictly to the biomedical treatment model
B) Collaborating with the patient to integrate spiritual practices with evidence-based care
C) Avoiding any discussion of spirituality to maintain professional boundaries
D) Referring the patient to a chaplain without further discussion
Correct Answer: Collaborating with the patient to integrate spiritual practices with evidence-based
care
Rationale: Culturally competent care involves respecting and integrating the patient's beliefs into the
treatment plan when safe and feasible. Insisting on a single model is paternalistic, avoiding discussion
neglects a key patient need, and referring without discussion fails to involve the patient in their own
care.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient's risk for suicide. Which factor has the strongest empirical evidence as
a predictor of imminent risk?
A) A family history of depression
B) Expressing feelings of hopelessness
