ALU 202 Exam Study Guide | ALU 202 Exam Prep 2026–2027 | ALU 202
Exam Review & Practice Questions | ALU 202 Study Guide, ALU 202 Course
Review, Key Concepts, Important Topics, Exam Preparation, Critical
Thinking, Academic Skills, Course Concepts, Applied Learning, Case Studies,
Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a client who reports persistent sadness,
reduced energy, and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities for the past
three weeks. Which statement best demonstrates application of the mental
health versus mental illness framework?
A. This is not a mental illness since the client is still going to work every day.
B. These symptoms indicate impaired functioning and suggest a treatable mental
health disorder requiring further assessment.
C. Because the client is young, these problems will likely resolve without
intervention.
D. Labeling this as a mental illness will only lead to unnecessary stigmatization.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. These symptoms indicate impaired functioning and
suggest a treatable mental health disorder requiring further assessment.
Rationale: Mental health and mental illness exist on a dynamic spectrum defined
by functioning and distress, not solely by employment status or age. Persistent
sadness, anhedonia, and reduced energy lasting three weeks indicate impaired
functioning that warrants assessment and treatment.
Question 2: A nurse is assessing a client's cognitive function. Which area of the
brain is primarily responsible for executive functions such as decision-making,
impulse control, and judgment?
A. Occipital lobe
B. Parietal lobe
C. Frontal lobe
D. Temporal lobe
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Frontal lobe
,Rationale: The frontal lobe controls motor function, personality, and higher-level
cognitive functions including decision-making, impulse control, and judgment. The
occipital lobe is responsible for vision, the parietal lobe for sensory processing,
and the temporal lobe for hearing and memory.
Question 3: A client grieving the recent loss of her husband asks the nurse if she
is becoming mentally ill because she feels so sad. What is the nurse's best
response?
A. You should see a psychiatrist for medication immediately.
B. Grief is a normal response to loss and is not considered a mental illness.
C. You may be developing major depressive disorder.
D. Everyone feels this way after a loss, so you should not worry.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Grief is a normal response to loss and is not considered a
mental illness.
Rationale: Grief is a normal, expected response to loss. The DSM-5-TR
distinguishes between normal grief and persistent complex bereavement disorder
based on duration and severity. This response validates the client's experience
without pathologizing a normal process.
Question 4: Which of the following is a basic-level function in psychiatric-mental
health nursing?
A. Psychotherapy
B. Prescriptive authority
C. Milieu therapy
D. Program development
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Milieu therapy
Rationale: Basic-level functions include counseling, milieu therapy, self-care
activities, psychobiologic interventions, health teaching, and case management.
Psychotherapy, prescriptive authority, and program development are advanced-
level functions requiring additional education and certification.
,Question 5: A nurse is assessing a client who states, "The federal guards were
sent to kill me." Which is the best response by the nurse?
A. I don't believe this is true.
B. The guards are not out to kill you.
C. Do you feel afraid that people are trying to hurt you?
D. What makes you think the guards were sent to hurt you?
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Do you feel afraid that people are trying to hurt you?
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client's feelings without validating the
delusion. Options A and B are confrontational and may damage the therapeutic
relationship. Option D may reinforce the delusional thinking by asking the client
to elaborate on the delusion.
Question 6: A client diagnosed with terminal cancer says to the nurse, "I'm
going to die, and I wish my family would stop hoping for a cure! I get so angry
when they carry on like this." Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. Have you shared your feelings with your family?
B. I think we should talk more about your anger with your family.
C. You're feeling angry that your family continues to hope for you to be cured?
D. You are probably very depressed, which is understandable with such a
diagnosis.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. You're feeling angry that your family continues to hope
for you to be cured?
Rationale: This response uses restatement and reflection to validate the client's
feelings. Options A and B may be premature by directing the client to act on
feelings before fully exploring them. Option D labels the client's emotions, which
is nontherapeutic.
Question 7: When reviewing the admission assessment, the nurse notes that a
client was admitted to the mental health unit involuntarily. Based on this type
of admission, the nurse should provide which intervention for this client?
, A. Monitor closely for harm to self or others.
B. Assist in completing an application for admission.
C. Supply the client with written information about his or her mental illness.
D. Provide an opportunity for the family to discuss why they felt the admission
was needed.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Monitor closely for harm to self or others.
Rationale: Involuntary admission implies that the client poses a danger to self or
others. Close monitoring for safety is the priority nursing intervention. Options B,
C, and D are not specific to the involuntary admission status.
Question 8: A client with a diagnosis of depression who has attempted suicide
says to the nurse, "I should have died. I've always been a failure. Nothing ever
goes right for me." Which response by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic
communication?
A. You have everything to live for.
B. Why do you see yourself as a failure?
C. Feeling like this is all part of being depressed.
D. You've been feeling like a failure for a while?
CORRECT ANSWER: D. You've been feeling like a failure for a while?
Rationale: This response uses the therapeutic technique of restating and
reflecting feelings, encouraging the client to explore their emotions further.
Options A and C offer false reassurance or minimize the client's feelings. Option B
asks "why," which can be perceived as confrontational.
Question 9: Besides antianxiety agents, which classification of drugs is also
commonly given to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders?
A. Antipsychotics
B. Mood stabilizers
C. Antidepressants
Exam Review & Practice Questions | ALU 202 Study Guide, ALU 202 Course
Review, Key Concepts, Important Topics, Exam Preparation, Critical
Thinking, Academic Skills, Course Concepts, Applied Learning, Case Studies,
Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a client who reports persistent sadness,
reduced energy, and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities for the past
three weeks. Which statement best demonstrates application of the mental
health versus mental illness framework?
A. This is not a mental illness since the client is still going to work every day.
B. These symptoms indicate impaired functioning and suggest a treatable mental
health disorder requiring further assessment.
C. Because the client is young, these problems will likely resolve without
intervention.
D. Labeling this as a mental illness will only lead to unnecessary stigmatization.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. These symptoms indicate impaired functioning and
suggest a treatable mental health disorder requiring further assessment.
Rationale: Mental health and mental illness exist on a dynamic spectrum defined
by functioning and distress, not solely by employment status or age. Persistent
sadness, anhedonia, and reduced energy lasting three weeks indicate impaired
functioning that warrants assessment and treatment.
Question 2: A nurse is assessing a client's cognitive function. Which area of the
brain is primarily responsible for executive functions such as decision-making,
impulse control, and judgment?
A. Occipital lobe
B. Parietal lobe
C. Frontal lobe
D. Temporal lobe
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Frontal lobe
,Rationale: The frontal lobe controls motor function, personality, and higher-level
cognitive functions including decision-making, impulse control, and judgment. The
occipital lobe is responsible for vision, the parietal lobe for sensory processing,
and the temporal lobe for hearing and memory.
Question 3: A client grieving the recent loss of her husband asks the nurse if she
is becoming mentally ill because she feels so sad. What is the nurse's best
response?
A. You should see a psychiatrist for medication immediately.
B. Grief is a normal response to loss and is not considered a mental illness.
C. You may be developing major depressive disorder.
D. Everyone feels this way after a loss, so you should not worry.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Grief is a normal response to loss and is not considered a
mental illness.
Rationale: Grief is a normal, expected response to loss. The DSM-5-TR
distinguishes between normal grief and persistent complex bereavement disorder
based on duration and severity. This response validates the client's experience
without pathologizing a normal process.
Question 4: Which of the following is a basic-level function in psychiatric-mental
health nursing?
A. Psychotherapy
B. Prescriptive authority
C. Milieu therapy
D. Program development
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Milieu therapy
Rationale: Basic-level functions include counseling, milieu therapy, self-care
activities, psychobiologic interventions, health teaching, and case management.
Psychotherapy, prescriptive authority, and program development are advanced-
level functions requiring additional education and certification.
,Question 5: A nurse is assessing a client who states, "The federal guards were
sent to kill me." Which is the best response by the nurse?
A. I don't believe this is true.
B. The guards are not out to kill you.
C. Do you feel afraid that people are trying to hurt you?
D. What makes you think the guards were sent to hurt you?
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Do you feel afraid that people are trying to hurt you?
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client's feelings without validating the
delusion. Options A and B are confrontational and may damage the therapeutic
relationship. Option D may reinforce the delusional thinking by asking the client
to elaborate on the delusion.
Question 6: A client diagnosed with terminal cancer says to the nurse, "I'm
going to die, and I wish my family would stop hoping for a cure! I get so angry
when they carry on like this." Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. Have you shared your feelings with your family?
B. I think we should talk more about your anger with your family.
C. You're feeling angry that your family continues to hope for you to be cured?
D. You are probably very depressed, which is understandable with such a
diagnosis.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. You're feeling angry that your family continues to hope
for you to be cured?
Rationale: This response uses restatement and reflection to validate the client's
feelings. Options A and B may be premature by directing the client to act on
feelings before fully exploring them. Option D labels the client's emotions, which
is nontherapeutic.
Question 7: When reviewing the admission assessment, the nurse notes that a
client was admitted to the mental health unit involuntarily. Based on this type
of admission, the nurse should provide which intervention for this client?
, A. Monitor closely for harm to self or others.
B. Assist in completing an application for admission.
C. Supply the client with written information about his or her mental illness.
D. Provide an opportunity for the family to discuss why they felt the admission
was needed.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Monitor closely for harm to self or others.
Rationale: Involuntary admission implies that the client poses a danger to self or
others. Close monitoring for safety is the priority nursing intervention. Options B,
C, and D are not specific to the involuntary admission status.
Question 8: A client with a diagnosis of depression who has attempted suicide
says to the nurse, "I should have died. I've always been a failure. Nothing ever
goes right for me." Which response by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic
communication?
A. You have everything to live for.
B. Why do you see yourself as a failure?
C. Feeling like this is all part of being depressed.
D. You've been feeling like a failure for a while?
CORRECT ANSWER: D. You've been feeling like a failure for a while?
Rationale: This response uses the therapeutic technique of restating and
reflecting feelings, encouraging the client to explore their emotions further.
Options A and C offer false reassurance or minimize the client's feelings. Option B
asks "why," which can be perceived as confrontational.
Question 9: Besides antianxiety agents, which classification of drugs is also
commonly given to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders?
A. Antipsychotics
B. Mood stabilizers
C. Antidepressants
