NSG 3450 Exam 1 V1 | NSG 3450 Mental Health
Guide | Actual Q&A with Rationale (NSG3450 Exam
1) | Galen College of Nursing
1. A nurse is communicating with a client who is experiencing moderate anxiety. Which
action should the nurse take to facilitate communication?
A. Speak in long, detailed sentences to provide thorough information.
B. Provide the client with several options to give them a sense of control.
C. Ask the client to explain the underlying cause of their anxiety.
D. Use short, simple sentences and speak slowly.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Clients with moderate anxiety have a narrowed perceptual field and may
struggle to process complex information. Using short, simple sentences ensures that the
client can comprehend the message without feeling overwhelmed. This approach helps the
nurse maintain a therapeutic connection while the client’s cognitive function is slightly
impaired.
2. A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit and exhibits symptoms of severe anxiety. Which
of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Encouraging the client to explore their feelings in a group setting.
B. Remaining with the client in a quiet, non-stimulating environment.
,C. Teaching the client deep-breathing exercises immediately.
D. Providing detailed education about anxiety disorder medications.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: For a client in severe anxiety, the priority is safety and a reduction in
environmental stimuli. Staying with the client provides a sense of security and prevents the
anxiety from escalating to the panic level. Detailed education or group therapy is
inappropriate at this time because the client is unable to focus or learn effectively.
3. A client who just lost his job tells the nurse, ‘It’s for the best; I needed a break anyway, and
that job was going nowhere.’ The nurse recognizes this as which defense mechanism?
A. Reaction Formation
B. Displacement
C. Rationalization
D. Projection
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Rationalization involves justifying illogical or unreasonable ideas or feelings
by developing acceptable explanations. In this case, the client is creating a plausible excuse
for the job loss to protect their self-esteem. This defense mechanism helps the individual
cope with disappointment by reframing the negative event.
, 4. Which ethical principle is the nurse practicing when they ensure that a client has the right
to make their own decisions regarding their treatment?
A. Justice
B. Veracity
C. Beneficence
D. Autonomy
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Autonomy refers to the right of individuals to make their own decisions and
act on their own behalf. In mental health nursing, this includes the patient’s right to refuse
treatment or participate in care planning. The nurse supports autonomy by providing
necessary information so the client can make informed choices.
5. A nurse is reviewing the DSM-5 for a newly admitted client. What is the primary purpose of
this manual?
A. To provide a list of recommended nursing interventions for psychiatric disorders.
B. To list all medications used in the treatment of mental illness.
C. To serve as a guide for diagnosing mental disorders based on specific criteria.
D. To provide legal definitions for insanity and criminal responsibility.
Correct Answer: C
Guide | Actual Q&A with Rationale (NSG3450 Exam
1) | Galen College of Nursing
1. A nurse is communicating with a client who is experiencing moderate anxiety. Which
action should the nurse take to facilitate communication?
A. Speak in long, detailed sentences to provide thorough information.
B. Provide the client with several options to give them a sense of control.
C. Ask the client to explain the underlying cause of their anxiety.
D. Use short, simple sentences and speak slowly.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Clients with moderate anxiety have a narrowed perceptual field and may
struggle to process complex information. Using short, simple sentences ensures that the
client can comprehend the message without feeling overwhelmed. This approach helps the
nurse maintain a therapeutic connection while the client’s cognitive function is slightly
impaired.
2. A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit and exhibits symptoms of severe anxiety. Which
of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Encouraging the client to explore their feelings in a group setting.
B. Remaining with the client in a quiet, non-stimulating environment.
,C. Teaching the client deep-breathing exercises immediately.
D. Providing detailed education about anxiety disorder medications.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: For a client in severe anxiety, the priority is safety and a reduction in
environmental stimuli. Staying with the client provides a sense of security and prevents the
anxiety from escalating to the panic level. Detailed education or group therapy is
inappropriate at this time because the client is unable to focus or learn effectively.
3. A client who just lost his job tells the nurse, ‘It’s for the best; I needed a break anyway, and
that job was going nowhere.’ The nurse recognizes this as which defense mechanism?
A. Reaction Formation
B. Displacement
C. Rationalization
D. Projection
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Rationalization involves justifying illogical or unreasonable ideas or feelings
by developing acceptable explanations. In this case, the client is creating a plausible excuse
for the job loss to protect their self-esteem. This defense mechanism helps the individual
cope with disappointment by reframing the negative event.
, 4. Which ethical principle is the nurse practicing when they ensure that a client has the right
to make their own decisions regarding their treatment?
A. Justice
B. Veracity
C. Beneficence
D. Autonomy
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Autonomy refers to the right of individuals to make their own decisions and
act on their own behalf. In mental health nursing, this includes the patient’s right to refuse
treatment or participate in care planning. The nurse supports autonomy by providing
necessary information so the client can make informed choices.
5. A nurse is reviewing the DSM-5 for a newly admitted client. What is the primary purpose of
this manual?
A. To provide a list of recommended nursing interventions for psychiatric disorders.
B. To list all medications used in the treatment of mental illness.
C. To serve as a guide for diagnosing mental disorders based on specific criteria.
D. To provide legal definitions for insanity and criminal responsibility.
Correct Answer: C
