NUR 253 (Exams 1–4) Complete Full Course Study
Bundle
NUR 253 Concepts of Mental Health Nursing – Complete Course Study Bundle
Exams 1–4 | Galen College of Nursing | 2026/2027 Curriculum
This comprehensive study bundle covers NUR 253 Concepts of Mental Health
Nursing with verified questions and answers for Exams 1 through 4. Each section
is organized by exam content based on the official course materials and verified
study guides .
EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
# Key Concepts
Theories of Mental Health
| Theory | Theorist | Core Concept |
|--|-|--|
1
,| Psychoanalytic | Sigmund Freud | Intrapsychic conflict causes mental illness |
| Psychodynamic | Multiple | Unresolved interpersonal relationships/core conflicts |
| Interpersonal | Harry Sullivan | Early relationship with primary parenting figure |
| Behavioral | John Watson | Learned maladaptive behaviors from environment |
Erikson's Eight Stages of Development
1. Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy, 0-1.5 years)
2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Early Childhood, 1.5-3 years)
3. Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool, 3-6 years)
4. Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age, 6-12 years)
5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence, 12-20 years)
6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (Early Adult, 20-35 years)
7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adult, 35-65 years)
8. Integrity vs. Despair (Maturity, 65+ years)
Peplau's Model of Nurse-Patient Relationship
| Phase | Description |
|-|-|
| Orientation | First meeting; establishing rapport; initial interview |
2
,| Working | Maintain relationship; share information; promote problem-solving;
facilitate behavioral change |
| Termination | Final phase; summarize progress; discuss feelings about ending |
Patient Rights in Mental Health
- Right to communicate
- Right to treatment
- Right to informed consent
- Right to refuse treatment
- Right to treatment in least restrictive setting
- Right to privacy
Communication Techniques
| Technique | Description |
|--|-|
| Open-ended questions | Elicit narrative responses; encourage expression of
thoughts/feelings |
| Closed-ended questions | Elicit yes/no responses; useful for initial assessment |
| Projective questions | Start with "what if" to explore thoughts and feelings |
| Presupposition questions | "Miracle question" technique for exploring possibilities
|
3
, | Exploring | Allows deeper understanding through examination of patient's
thoughts/feelings |
| Reflecting | Mirrors patient's feelings for validation and further exploration |
Psychopharmacology - Antidepressants
| Class | Examples | Key Notes |
|-|-|--|
| SSRIs | Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline, Paroxetine, Citalopram, Escitalopram |
First-line; fewer side effects |
| TCAs | Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline, Imipramine | No longer first-line;
anticholinergic side effects; fatal in overdose |
| SNRIs | Venlafaxine, Duloxetine | Norepinephrine/serotonin effects |
| MAOIs | Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine | Tyramine restrictions; hypertensive crisis
risk |
Exam 1 Practice Questions
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of therapeutic communication techniques
in mental health nursing?
4
Bundle
NUR 253 Concepts of Mental Health Nursing – Complete Course Study Bundle
Exams 1–4 | Galen College of Nursing | 2026/2027 Curriculum
This comprehensive study bundle covers NUR 253 Concepts of Mental Health
Nursing with verified questions and answers for Exams 1 through 4. Each section
is organized by exam content based on the official course materials and verified
study guides .
EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
# Key Concepts
Theories of Mental Health
| Theory | Theorist | Core Concept |
|--|-|--|
1
,| Psychoanalytic | Sigmund Freud | Intrapsychic conflict causes mental illness |
| Psychodynamic | Multiple | Unresolved interpersonal relationships/core conflicts |
| Interpersonal | Harry Sullivan | Early relationship with primary parenting figure |
| Behavioral | John Watson | Learned maladaptive behaviors from environment |
Erikson's Eight Stages of Development
1. Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy, 0-1.5 years)
2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Early Childhood, 1.5-3 years)
3. Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool, 3-6 years)
4. Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age, 6-12 years)
5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence, 12-20 years)
6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (Early Adult, 20-35 years)
7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adult, 35-65 years)
8. Integrity vs. Despair (Maturity, 65+ years)
Peplau's Model of Nurse-Patient Relationship
| Phase | Description |
|-|-|
| Orientation | First meeting; establishing rapport; initial interview |
2
,| Working | Maintain relationship; share information; promote problem-solving;
facilitate behavioral change |
| Termination | Final phase; summarize progress; discuss feelings about ending |
Patient Rights in Mental Health
- Right to communicate
- Right to treatment
- Right to informed consent
- Right to refuse treatment
- Right to treatment in least restrictive setting
- Right to privacy
Communication Techniques
| Technique | Description |
|--|-|
| Open-ended questions | Elicit narrative responses; encourage expression of
thoughts/feelings |
| Closed-ended questions | Elicit yes/no responses; useful for initial assessment |
| Projective questions | Start with "what if" to explore thoughts and feelings |
| Presupposition questions | "Miracle question" technique for exploring possibilities
|
3
, | Exploring | Allows deeper understanding through examination of patient's
thoughts/feelings |
| Reflecting | Mirrors patient's feelings for validation and further exploration |
Psychopharmacology - Antidepressants
| Class | Examples | Key Notes |
|-|-|--|
| SSRIs | Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline, Paroxetine, Citalopram, Escitalopram |
First-line; fewer side effects |
| TCAs | Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline, Imipramine | No longer first-line;
anticholinergic side effects; fatal in overdose |
| SNRIs | Venlafaxine, Duloxetine | Norepinephrine/serotonin effects |
| MAOIs | Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine | Tyramine restrictions; hypertensive crisis
risk |
Exam 1 Practice Questions
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of therapeutic communication techniques
in mental health nursing?
4
