NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 1 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
Q&A 2026/2027 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which statement best describes mental health?
A. The absence of mental illness only
B. The ability to cope effectively with daily life and maintain
well-being
C. Never experiencing stress or anxiety
D. Living without emotional challenges
Correct Answer: B. The ability to cope effectively with daily life
and maintain well-being.
Rationale: Mental health includes emotional, psychological,
and social well-being, allowing individuals to cope with normal
stresses.
2. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with
depression?
A. Dopamine only
B. Serotonin
C. Histamine
D. Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: B. Serotonin.
,Rationale: Low serotonin levels are strongly associated with
depressive disorders.
3. Which therapeutic communication technique encourages a
client to continue talking?
A. Giving advice
B. Asking "Why?" questions
C. Using broad openings
D. Changing the subject
Correct Answer: C. Using broad openings.
Rationale: Broad openings allow clients to direct the
conversation and express concerns.
4. Which action demonstrates empathy?
A. "I know exactly how you feel."
B. "Tell me more about how this affects you."
C. "Everything will be okay."
D. "Don't worry."
Correct Answer: B. "Tell me more about how this affects you."
Rationale: Empathy involves understanding another person's
feelings without assuming identical experiences.
5. Which is an example of a defense mechanism?
,A. Learning
B. Projection
C. Reflection
D. Assessment
Correct Answer: B. Projection.
Rationale: Projection occurs when unacceptable feelings are
attributed to someone else.
6. Which defense mechanism involves refusing to
acknowledge reality?
A. Rationalization
B. Denial
C. Sublimation
D. Compensation
Correct Answer: B. Denial.
Rationale: Denial blocks awareness of painful realities.
7. Which priority should the nurse assess first when caring for
a psychiatric patient?
A. Sleep pattern
B. Nutrition
C. Safety
D. Education level
, Correct Answer: C. Safety.
Rationale: Safety is always the highest nursing priority.
8. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in
schizophrenia?
A. Dopamine
B. Calcium
C. Sodium
D. Melatonin
Correct Answer: A. Dopamine.
Rationale: Excess dopamine activity contributes to
schizophrenia symptoms.
9. Which statement is a therapeutic response?
A. "Why did you do that?"
B. "Tell me what happened."
C. "You shouldn't feel that way."
D. "Everything is fine."
Correct Answer: B. "Tell me what happened."
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage expression.
10. Which patient statement indicates anxiety?
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
Q&A 2026/2027 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which statement best describes mental health?
A. The absence of mental illness only
B. The ability to cope effectively with daily life and maintain
well-being
C. Never experiencing stress or anxiety
D. Living without emotional challenges
Correct Answer: B. The ability to cope effectively with daily life
and maintain well-being.
Rationale: Mental health includes emotional, psychological,
and social well-being, allowing individuals to cope with normal
stresses.
2. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with
depression?
A. Dopamine only
B. Serotonin
C. Histamine
D. Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: B. Serotonin.
,Rationale: Low serotonin levels are strongly associated with
depressive disorders.
3. Which therapeutic communication technique encourages a
client to continue talking?
A. Giving advice
B. Asking "Why?" questions
C. Using broad openings
D. Changing the subject
Correct Answer: C. Using broad openings.
Rationale: Broad openings allow clients to direct the
conversation and express concerns.
4. Which action demonstrates empathy?
A. "I know exactly how you feel."
B. "Tell me more about how this affects you."
C. "Everything will be okay."
D. "Don't worry."
Correct Answer: B. "Tell me more about how this affects you."
Rationale: Empathy involves understanding another person's
feelings without assuming identical experiences.
5. Which is an example of a defense mechanism?
,A. Learning
B. Projection
C. Reflection
D. Assessment
Correct Answer: B. Projection.
Rationale: Projection occurs when unacceptable feelings are
attributed to someone else.
6. Which defense mechanism involves refusing to
acknowledge reality?
A. Rationalization
B. Denial
C. Sublimation
D. Compensation
Correct Answer: B. Denial.
Rationale: Denial blocks awareness of painful realities.
7. Which priority should the nurse assess first when caring for
a psychiatric patient?
A. Sleep pattern
B. Nutrition
C. Safety
D. Education level
, Correct Answer: C. Safety.
Rationale: Safety is always the highest nursing priority.
8. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in
schizophrenia?
A. Dopamine
B. Calcium
C. Sodium
D. Melatonin
Correct Answer: A. Dopamine.
Rationale: Excess dopamine activity contributes to
schizophrenia symptoms.
9. Which statement is a therapeutic response?
A. "Why did you do that?"
B. "Tell me what happened."
C. "You shouldn't feel that way."
D. "Everything is fine."
Correct Answer: B. "Tell me what happened."
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage expression.
10. Which patient statement indicates anxiety?
