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NUR 253 Exams 1–4 Mental Health Nursing Practice Exam
Pack (2026 2027)
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Nur253 Mental Health Exams 1 4 Galen 2026 2027
NUR 253 Exams 1–4 | Mental Health Nursing Practice
Exam Pack (2026/2027)
EXAM 1 – Foundations of Mental Health Nursing
1. A nurse is communicating with a client experiencing anxiety. Which therapeutic response is most
appropriate?
A. “You should calm down immediately.”
B. “Tell me more about what you are feeling.”
C. “There is nothing to worry about.”
D. “Other patients feel worse than you.”
Correct Answer:
B. “Tell me more about what you are feeling.”
Expert Rationale:
Open-ended therapeutic communication encourages expression of feelings and builds trust.
2. Which defense mechanism involves refusing to acknowledge reality?
A. Projection
B. Rationalization
C. Denial
D. Regression
Correct Answer:
C. Denial
Expert Rationale:
Denial occurs when a person refuses to accept painful facts or reality.
3. A client with panic disorder is hyperventilating. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Leave the client alone.
B. Encourage rapid breathing.
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C. Stay with the client and speak calmly.
D. Provide detailed teaching immediately.
Correct Answer:
C. Stay with the client and speak calmly.
Expert Rationale:
Remaining calm and present helps decrease panic and promotes safety.
4. Which finding is commonly associated with generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Hallucinations
B. Excessive uncontrollable worry
C. Grandiosity
D. Flat affect only
Correct Answer:
B. Excessive uncontrollable worry
Expert Rationale:
Generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent excessive anxiety and worry.
5. A nurse is assessing suicide risk. Which statement requires immediate intervention?
A. “I feel tired lately.”
B. “Sometimes I feel hopeless.”
C. “I have a plan to kill myself tonight.”
D. “I do not enjoy hobbies anymore.”
Correct Answer:
C. “I have a plan to kill myself tonight.”
Expert Rationale:
A specific suicide plan indicates high suicide risk and requires immediate action.
6. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used when the nurse says, “Go on”?
A. Confrontation
B. Reflection
C. General leads
D. Interpretation
NUR 253 Exams 1–4 Mental Health Nursing Practice Exam
Pack (2026 2027)
, lOMoARcPSD|46354221
Nur253 Mental Health Exams 1 4 Galen 2026 2027
NUR 253 Exams 1–4 | Mental Health Nursing Practice
Exam Pack (2026/2027)
EXAM 1 – Foundations of Mental Health Nursing
1. A nurse is communicating with a client experiencing anxiety. Which therapeutic response is most
appropriate?
A. “You should calm down immediately.”
B. “Tell me more about what you are feeling.”
C. “There is nothing to worry about.”
D. “Other patients feel worse than you.”
Correct Answer:
B. “Tell me more about what you are feeling.”
Expert Rationale:
Open-ended therapeutic communication encourages expression of feelings and builds trust.
2. Which defense mechanism involves refusing to acknowledge reality?
A. Projection
B. Rationalization
C. Denial
D. Regression
Correct Answer:
C. Denial
Expert Rationale:
Denial occurs when a person refuses to accept painful facts or reality.
3. A client with panic disorder is hyperventilating. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Leave the client alone.
B. Encourage rapid breathing.
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C. Stay with the client and speak calmly.
D. Provide detailed teaching immediately.
Correct Answer:
C. Stay with the client and speak calmly.
Expert Rationale:
Remaining calm and present helps decrease panic and promotes safety.
4. Which finding is commonly associated with generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Hallucinations
B. Excessive uncontrollable worry
C. Grandiosity
D. Flat affect only
Correct Answer:
B. Excessive uncontrollable worry
Expert Rationale:
Generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent excessive anxiety and worry.
5. A nurse is assessing suicide risk. Which statement requires immediate intervention?
A. “I feel tired lately.”
B. “Sometimes I feel hopeless.”
C. “I have a plan to kill myself tonight.”
D. “I do not enjoy hobbies anymore.”
Correct Answer:
C. “I have a plan to kill myself tonight.”
Expert Rationale:
A specific suicide plan indicates high suicide risk and requires immediate action.
6. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used when the nurse says, “Go on”?
A. Confrontation
B. Reflection
C. General leads
D. Interpretation
