NUR 253 Exam 2 Mental Health| NUR 253 Exam 2
Mental Health (2026) PDF | Practice Questions &
Rationales | Galen
,NUR 253 – EXAM 2 (MENTAL HEALTH)
15 TOUGHEST & MOST-TESTED LONG, CASE-BASED QUESTIONS
1. Major Depressive Disorder – Suicide Risk
A patient hospitalized for major depressive disorder has been withdrawn for several days. Today the
patient is suddenly calm, eating meals, and giving away personal belongings.
What is the nurse’s priority concern?
A. Improvement in mood
B. Medication effectiveness
C. Imminent suicide risk
D. Social withdrawal
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Sudden calmness + giving away belongings = classic pre-suicide warning signs.
2. Suicide Assessment – Direct Questioning
A patient states, “Sometimes I think everyone would be better off without me.”
What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “You shouldn’t think that way.”
B. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
C. “Many people feel this way when depressed.”
D. “Let’s talk about something positive.”
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Direct questioning does NOT increase suicide risk and is required for safety assessment.
3. Panic Disorder – Priority Intervention
A patient arrives in the ED hyperventilating, trembling, and stating, “I’m dying!”
What should the nurse do first?
A. Teach slow breathing
B. Administer PRN benzodiazepine
, C. Stay with the patient and speak calmly
D. Ask about recent stressors
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
During panic, presence and reassurance are priority; teaching comes later.
4. Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Clinical Feature
Which finding is most consistent with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A. Sudden episodes of intense fear
B. Persistent worry for at least 6 months
C. Flashbacks related to trauma
D. Compulsive rituals
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
GAD is defined by chronic, excessive worry lasting ≥6 months.
5. Phobias – Nursing Care
A patient with a severe fear of elevators refuses to enter one.
What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Force exposure to the elevator
B. Avoid elevators completely
C. Gradual, controlled exposure
D. Use restraints
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Systematic desensitization is effective for phobias.
6. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – Priority Goal
A patient with OCD spends hours performing hand-washing rituals.
What is the priority nursing goal?
A. Eliminate compulsions immediately
B. Reduce ritual time gradually
Mental Health (2026) PDF | Practice Questions &
Rationales | Galen
,NUR 253 – EXAM 2 (MENTAL HEALTH)
15 TOUGHEST & MOST-TESTED LONG, CASE-BASED QUESTIONS
1. Major Depressive Disorder – Suicide Risk
A patient hospitalized for major depressive disorder has been withdrawn for several days. Today the
patient is suddenly calm, eating meals, and giving away personal belongings.
What is the nurse’s priority concern?
A. Improvement in mood
B. Medication effectiveness
C. Imminent suicide risk
D. Social withdrawal
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Sudden calmness + giving away belongings = classic pre-suicide warning signs.
2. Suicide Assessment – Direct Questioning
A patient states, “Sometimes I think everyone would be better off without me.”
What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “You shouldn’t think that way.”
B. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
C. “Many people feel this way when depressed.”
D. “Let’s talk about something positive.”
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Direct questioning does NOT increase suicide risk and is required for safety assessment.
3. Panic Disorder – Priority Intervention
A patient arrives in the ED hyperventilating, trembling, and stating, “I’m dying!”
What should the nurse do first?
A. Teach slow breathing
B. Administer PRN benzodiazepine
, C. Stay with the patient and speak calmly
D. Ask about recent stressors
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
During panic, presence and reassurance are priority; teaching comes later.
4. Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Clinical Feature
Which finding is most consistent with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A. Sudden episodes of intense fear
B. Persistent worry for at least 6 months
C. Flashbacks related to trauma
D. Compulsive rituals
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
GAD is defined by chronic, excessive worry lasting ≥6 months.
5. Phobias – Nursing Care
A patient with a severe fear of elevators refuses to enter one.
What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Force exposure to the elevator
B. Avoid elevators completely
C. Gradual, controlled exposure
D. Use restraints
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Systematic desensitization is effective for phobias.
6. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – Priority Goal
A patient with OCD spends hours performing hand-washing rituals.
What is the priority nursing goal?
A. Eliminate compulsions immediately
B. Reduce ritual time gradually
