NUR 253
Exam 1 Comprehensive
Mental Health Nursing Study Guide
Exam 1 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NUR 253
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NUR 253 Exam 1: Comprehensive Mental Health Nursing Study Guide 2026/2027 UPDATE –
Galen
1. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used when a nurse says, ‘Tell me
more about that’?
A. Restating
B. Exploring
C. Focusing
D. Summarizing
Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring is a technique used to delve deeper into a subject or an idea to better
understand the patient’s perspective.
2. A client is admitted involuntarily for 72 hours. Which legal principle allows the state to take
this action if the client is a danger to self or others?
A. Autonomy
B. Parens Patriae
C. Beneficence
D. Nonmaleficence
, Answer: B
Rationale: Parens patriae is the legal doctrine that allows the state to act as a guardian for
those who cannot care for themselves or are a danger to society.
3. During a Mental Status Exam (MSE), the nurse asks the client to interpret the proverb
‘Don’t cry over spilled milk.’ What is the nurse assessing?
A. Judgment
B. Affect
C. Orientation
D. Abstract Thinking
Answer: D
Rationale: Proverb interpretation is used to assess abstract thinking. Concrete thinkers
will focus only on the literal meaning of the words.
4. A patient becomes aggressive and is placed in physical restraints. Which nursing action is a
priority according to safety standards?
A. Check circulation and skin integrity every 15-30 minutes.
B. Renew the restraint order every 24 hours only.
C. Wait for the patient to sleep before removal.
D. Administer PRN sedation immediately after application.
Answer: A
Exam 1 Comprehensive
Mental Health Nursing Study Guide
Exam 1 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NUR 253
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NUR 253 Exam 1: Comprehensive Mental Health Nursing Study Guide 2026/2027 UPDATE –
Galen
1. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used when a nurse says, ‘Tell me
more about that’?
A. Restating
B. Exploring
C. Focusing
D. Summarizing
Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring is a technique used to delve deeper into a subject or an idea to better
understand the patient’s perspective.
2. A client is admitted involuntarily for 72 hours. Which legal principle allows the state to take
this action if the client is a danger to self or others?
A. Autonomy
B. Parens Patriae
C. Beneficence
D. Nonmaleficence
, Answer: B
Rationale: Parens patriae is the legal doctrine that allows the state to act as a guardian for
those who cannot care for themselves or are a danger to society.
3. During a Mental Status Exam (MSE), the nurse asks the client to interpret the proverb
‘Don’t cry over spilled milk.’ What is the nurse assessing?
A. Judgment
B. Affect
C. Orientation
D. Abstract Thinking
Answer: D
Rationale: Proverb interpretation is used to assess abstract thinking. Concrete thinkers
will focus only on the literal meaning of the words.
4. A patient becomes aggressive and is placed in physical restraints. Which nursing action is a
priority according to safety standards?
A. Check circulation and skin integrity every 15-30 minutes.
B. Renew the restraint order every 24 hours only.
C. Wait for the patient to sleep before removal.
D. Administer PRN sedation immediately after application.
Answer: A
