NUR 254 CONCEPTS OF MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING EXAM 2| GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING | MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2 | 2026.
145 Questions with Answers and Detailed Rationales
100 PERCENT GUARANTEED PASS
INSTANT DOWNLOAD ANSWERS INCLUDED
IMPORTANCE OF THIS DOCUMENT
This comprehensive examination preparation guide has been meticulously developed to help you succeed in the
NUR 254 CONCEPTS OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2| GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING | MENTAL
HEALTH EXAM 2 | 2026.. It contains 145 carefully selected questions that reflect the most current exam content
and testing strategies. Each question is accompanied by a correct answer and a detailed rationale that explains
the underlying pathophysiology, pharmacology, or clinical reasoning.
Self-Assessment – Test your knowledge and Exam Preparation – Familiarize yourself with the
identify areas requiring further question format and content
study areas
Concept Reinforcement – Deepen your Confidence Building – Develop test-taking
understanding through strategies and reduce
evidence-based exam anxiety
rationales
Time Management – Practice answering
questions under simulated
exam conditions
Review Summary 145 Questions
Foundations - Application - NUR 254 Concepts OF Mental Health Nursing 2 Galen College OF Nursing
Mental Health 2 2026 Concepts OF Mental Health Nursing NUR 254 Undergraduate BSN YEAR 2 3 Galen
College OF Nursing
All answers with rationales
,Table of Contents
Content Area Questions Key Topics
Therapeutic Communication 1-25 Disorder, Prescribed, Nursing, Indicates, Schizophrenia
AND THE Nurse-client
Relationship
Mental Health Assessment 26-50 Disorder, Nursing, Priority, Intervention, Schizophrenia
AND Diagnostic Evaluation
Psychopharmacology 51-75 Nursing, Disorder, Finding, Indicates, Prescribed
Antidepressants
Antipsychotics Anxiolytics
MOOD Stabilizers
Anxiety 76-100 Nursing, Disorder, Prescribed, Priority, Indicates
Obsessive-compulsive AND
Trauma-related Disorders
Depressive AND Bipolar 101-125 Disorder, Nursing, Finding, Intervention, Reports
Disorders
Schizophrenia Spectrum 126-145 Nursing, Disorder, Prescribed, Priority, Reports
AND Other Psychotic
Disorders
TOTAL 145 All questions include answers and detailed rationales
,Section A - Therapeutic Communication AND THE
Nurse-client Relationship
Q1.
A patient with schizophrenia has been taking clozapine for 6 weeks and reports fever, sore
throat, and fatigue. Which laboratory value is the nurse's priority to review?
A. Serum clozapine level B. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
C. Fasting blood glucose D. Serum prolactin level
Correct: B - Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
Rationale:Fever, sore throat, and fatigue during clozapine therapy suggest severe
neutropenia/agranulocytosis, which requires immediate ANC evaluation. Clozapine requires
weekly ANC monitoring for the first 6 months; levels and metabolic labs are important but not
the priority for these symptoms.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Clozapine levels assess toxicity/dose but do not detect agranulocytosis.
C. Glucose monitoring addresses metabolic syndrome, not acute infection signs.
D. Prolactin is more relevant to risperidone/haloperidol, not clozapine emergencies.
Reference: Galen NUR 254 Module: Antipsychotic Agents; Stahl, S.M. (2024). Stahl's Essential
Psychopharmacology, 5th Ed.
Q2.
A patient is admitted after a suicide attempt and tells the nurse, 'I promise I won't try
again.' Which nursing action best reflects current best practice?
A. Document the statement and discontinue B. Obtain a no-suicide contract and move
1:1 observation. the patient to a less restrictive unit.
C. Maintain close observation and continue D. Restrict all visitors until the patient's
ongoing suicide risk assessment. mood improves.
Correct: C - Maintain close observation and continue ongoing suicide risk assessment.
Rationale:No-suicide contracts are no longer supported by evidence; risk must be
reassessed continuously with maintained safety precautions. Continued observation and
structured reassessment are the standard of care after a suicide attempt.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Discontinuing observation based on a verbal promise is unsafe and not evidence-based.
B. No-suicide contracts lack evidence and do not replace observation.
D. Visitor restriction is not a suicide-prevention intervention and may worsen isolation.
Reference: Galen NUR 254 Module: Suicide & Crisis; Halter, M.J. (2022). Varcarolis' Foundations of
Page 3
, Section A - Therapeutic Communication AND THE Nurse-client Relationship
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, 9th Ed., Ch. 25
Q3.
Which statement by the nurse best demonstrates the therapeutic communication
technique of reflection?
A. 'You seem angry about your discharge B. 'Why do you think your family stopped
plan.' visiting?'
C. 'I understand exactly how you feel.' D. 'Everything will work out if you follow the
plan.'
Correct: A - 'You seem angry about your discharge plan.'
Rationale:Reflection identifies the patient's expressed feeling and mirrors it back,
encouraging further exploration. Asking 'why,' claiming to know the patient's feelings, or
offering false reassurance are nontherapeutic.
Why the other answers are wrong:
B. 'Why' questions can feel confrontational and demand justification.
C. Claiming to understand the patient's feelings is presumptuous and nontherapeutic.
D. False reassurance minimizes the patient's concerns.
Reference: Galen NUR 254 Module: Therapeutic Communication; Videbeck, S.L. (2023).
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, 9th Ed., Ch. 5
Q4.
A patient in acute alcohol withdrawal has tremors, diaphoresis, and a heart rate of 128.
Which medication does the nurse anticipate as first-line therapy?
A. Naltrexone B. Lorazepam
C. Disulfiram D. Acamprosate
Correct: B - Lorazepam
Rationale:Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are first-line for acute alcohol withdrawal
because they prevent seizures and delirium tremens. Naltrexone, disulfiram, and
acamprosate are used for maintenance of abstinence, not acute withdrawal.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Naltrexone reduces craving and is used for relapse prevention, not acute withdrawal.
C. Disulfiram is an aversive agent for maintenance, contraindicated in active withdrawal.
D. Acamprosate supports abstinence maintenance, not acute symptom management.
Reference: Galen NUR 254 Module: Substance Use Disorders; Lehne, R.A. (2026). Pharmacology for
Nursing Care, 12th Ed., Ch. 25
Page 4
NURSING EXAM 2| GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING | MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2 | 2026.
145 Questions with Answers and Detailed Rationales
100 PERCENT GUARANTEED PASS
INSTANT DOWNLOAD ANSWERS INCLUDED
IMPORTANCE OF THIS DOCUMENT
This comprehensive examination preparation guide has been meticulously developed to help you succeed in the
NUR 254 CONCEPTS OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2| GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING | MENTAL
HEALTH EXAM 2 | 2026.. It contains 145 carefully selected questions that reflect the most current exam content
and testing strategies. Each question is accompanied by a correct answer and a detailed rationale that explains
the underlying pathophysiology, pharmacology, or clinical reasoning.
Self-Assessment – Test your knowledge and Exam Preparation – Familiarize yourself with the
identify areas requiring further question format and content
study areas
Concept Reinforcement – Deepen your Confidence Building – Develop test-taking
understanding through strategies and reduce
evidence-based exam anxiety
rationales
Time Management – Practice answering
questions under simulated
exam conditions
Review Summary 145 Questions
Foundations - Application - NUR 254 Concepts OF Mental Health Nursing 2 Galen College OF Nursing
Mental Health 2 2026 Concepts OF Mental Health Nursing NUR 254 Undergraduate BSN YEAR 2 3 Galen
College OF Nursing
All answers with rationales
,Table of Contents
Content Area Questions Key Topics
Therapeutic Communication 1-25 Disorder, Prescribed, Nursing, Indicates, Schizophrenia
AND THE Nurse-client
Relationship
Mental Health Assessment 26-50 Disorder, Nursing, Priority, Intervention, Schizophrenia
AND Diagnostic Evaluation
Psychopharmacology 51-75 Nursing, Disorder, Finding, Indicates, Prescribed
Antidepressants
Antipsychotics Anxiolytics
MOOD Stabilizers
Anxiety 76-100 Nursing, Disorder, Prescribed, Priority, Indicates
Obsessive-compulsive AND
Trauma-related Disorders
Depressive AND Bipolar 101-125 Disorder, Nursing, Finding, Intervention, Reports
Disorders
Schizophrenia Spectrum 126-145 Nursing, Disorder, Prescribed, Priority, Reports
AND Other Psychotic
Disorders
TOTAL 145 All questions include answers and detailed rationales
,Section A - Therapeutic Communication AND THE
Nurse-client Relationship
Q1.
A patient with schizophrenia has been taking clozapine for 6 weeks and reports fever, sore
throat, and fatigue. Which laboratory value is the nurse's priority to review?
A. Serum clozapine level B. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
C. Fasting blood glucose D. Serum prolactin level
Correct: B - Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
Rationale:Fever, sore throat, and fatigue during clozapine therapy suggest severe
neutropenia/agranulocytosis, which requires immediate ANC evaluation. Clozapine requires
weekly ANC monitoring for the first 6 months; levels and metabolic labs are important but not
the priority for these symptoms.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Clozapine levels assess toxicity/dose but do not detect agranulocytosis.
C. Glucose monitoring addresses metabolic syndrome, not acute infection signs.
D. Prolactin is more relevant to risperidone/haloperidol, not clozapine emergencies.
Reference: Galen NUR 254 Module: Antipsychotic Agents; Stahl, S.M. (2024). Stahl's Essential
Psychopharmacology, 5th Ed.
Q2.
A patient is admitted after a suicide attempt and tells the nurse, 'I promise I won't try
again.' Which nursing action best reflects current best practice?
A. Document the statement and discontinue B. Obtain a no-suicide contract and move
1:1 observation. the patient to a less restrictive unit.
C. Maintain close observation and continue D. Restrict all visitors until the patient's
ongoing suicide risk assessment. mood improves.
Correct: C - Maintain close observation and continue ongoing suicide risk assessment.
Rationale:No-suicide contracts are no longer supported by evidence; risk must be
reassessed continuously with maintained safety precautions. Continued observation and
structured reassessment are the standard of care after a suicide attempt.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Discontinuing observation based on a verbal promise is unsafe and not evidence-based.
B. No-suicide contracts lack evidence and do not replace observation.
D. Visitor restriction is not a suicide-prevention intervention and may worsen isolation.
Reference: Galen NUR 254 Module: Suicide & Crisis; Halter, M.J. (2022). Varcarolis' Foundations of
Page 3
, Section A - Therapeutic Communication AND THE Nurse-client Relationship
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, 9th Ed., Ch. 25
Q3.
Which statement by the nurse best demonstrates the therapeutic communication
technique of reflection?
A. 'You seem angry about your discharge B. 'Why do you think your family stopped
plan.' visiting?'
C. 'I understand exactly how you feel.' D. 'Everything will work out if you follow the
plan.'
Correct: A - 'You seem angry about your discharge plan.'
Rationale:Reflection identifies the patient's expressed feeling and mirrors it back,
encouraging further exploration. Asking 'why,' claiming to know the patient's feelings, or
offering false reassurance are nontherapeutic.
Why the other answers are wrong:
B. 'Why' questions can feel confrontational and demand justification.
C. Claiming to understand the patient's feelings is presumptuous and nontherapeutic.
D. False reassurance minimizes the patient's concerns.
Reference: Galen NUR 254 Module: Therapeutic Communication; Videbeck, S.L. (2023).
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, 9th Ed., Ch. 5
Q4.
A patient in acute alcohol withdrawal has tremors, diaphoresis, and a heart rate of 128.
Which medication does the nurse anticipate as first-line therapy?
A. Naltrexone B. Lorazepam
C. Disulfiram D. Acamprosate
Correct: B - Lorazepam
Rationale:Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are first-line for acute alcohol withdrawal
because they prevent seizures and delirium tremens. Naltrexone, disulfiram, and
acamprosate are used for maintenance of abstinence, not acute withdrawal.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Naltrexone reduces craving and is used for relapse prevention, not acute withdrawal.
C. Disulfiram is an aversive agent for maintenance, contraindicated in active withdrawal.
D. Acamprosate supports abstinence maintenance, not acute symptom management.
Reference: Galen NUR 254 Module: Substance Use Disorders; Lehne, R.A. (2026). Pharmacology for
Nursing Care, 12th Ed., Ch. 25
Page 4
