NUR 253 Exams 1 – 4 | Mental Health ()
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SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
Q1. Which statement best defines mental health?
A. The absence of diagnosed mental illness
B. A state of well-being in which individuals reach their own potential, cope with normal
stresses, work productively, and contribute to the community
C. The ability to function independently without any assistance
D. A condition characterized by altered thinking, mood, and behavior
Answer: B – Mental health is defined as a state of well-being where individuals can
realize their abilities, cope with normal life stresses, work productively, and make
contributions to their community. It exists on a continuum rather than simply being the
absence of illness.
Q2. A nurse is explaining the difference between mental health and mental illness.
Which response is most accurate?
A. "Mental health and mental illness are the same concept."
B. "Mental health exists on a continuum, and mental illness represents one end of that
continuum."
C. "Mental illness is a choice, while mental health is not."
D. "Only people with mental illness need mental health support."
, Answer: B – Mental health and mental illness exist on a continuum. At one end is well-
being with adequate functioning; at the other end is significant impairment in
functioning requiring intervention.
Q3. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which need must be met FIRST?
A. Love and belonging
B. Self-esteem
C. Physiological needs
D. Self-actualization
Answer: C – Maslow's hierarchy places physiological needs (food, water, shelter,
oxygen) at the foundation. These basic survival needs must be met before higher-level
needs can be addressed.
Q4. Which factor is considered a protective factor for mental health?
A. Chronic poverty
B. Strong social support system
C. Childhood trauma
D. Substance abuse
Answer: B – Protective factors buffer the impact of stress and reduce the risk of mental
illness. Strong social support, resilience, and healthy coping skills are key protective
factors.
Q5. A nurse is teaching nursing students about mental health. Which statement by
a student indicates correct understanding?
, A. "Mental health is the absence of mental illness."
B. "Mental health is the ability to cope with stress and function effectively in society."
C. "Mental health is a state of complete happiness at all times."
D. "Mental health is determined solely by genetic factors."
Answer: B – Mental health is defined as successful adaptation to stressors, evidenced by
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are age-appropriate and congruent with cultural
norms. It is not merely the absence of illness nor constant happiness.
SECTION 2: THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION
Q6. A nurse demonstrates active listening by:
A. Interrupting the patient to ask clarifying questions
B. Maintaining eye contact, nodding, and using verbal prompts such as "go on" or "tell
me more"
C. Giving advice about what the patient should do
D. Changing the subject when the patient becomes emotional
Answer: B – Active listening involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding,
and remembering what the patient says. It includes non-verbal cues (eye contact,
nodding) and minimal verbal prompts.
Q7. Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question?
A. "Are you feeling sad today?"
B. "Did you take your medication this morning?"
C. "Can you tell me more about how you've been feeling lately?"
D. "Is your anxiety better than yesterday?"
, Answer: C – Open-ended questions cannot be answered with "yes" or "no." They
encourage the patient to share more information and elaborate.
Q8. The patient says, "I'm so angry that my family never visits." The nurse
responds, "You feel angry because your family hasn't visited." This is an example
of:
A. Paraphrasing/reflection
B. False reassurance
C. Giving advice
D. Changing the subject
Answer: A – This response uses reflection/restating, which acknowledges the client's
feelings and encourages further discussion without judgment.
Q9. A client diagnosed with depression following a suicide attempt says, "I should
have died. I've always been a failure. Nothing ever goes right for me." Which
nurse response is most therapeutic?
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?"
Answer: D – This response uses restating and exploring, encouraging the client to
elaborate without judgment. Option A gives false reassurance, Option B is
confrontational, and Option C is overly general.
PDF | Galen College of Nursing/ GUARANTEED
SUCCESS!!
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
Q1. Which statement best defines mental health?
A. The absence of diagnosed mental illness
B. A state of well-being in which individuals reach their own potential, cope with normal
stresses, work productively, and contribute to the community
C. The ability to function independently without any assistance
D. A condition characterized by altered thinking, mood, and behavior
Answer: B – Mental health is defined as a state of well-being where individuals can
realize their abilities, cope with normal life stresses, work productively, and make
contributions to their community. It exists on a continuum rather than simply being the
absence of illness.
Q2. A nurse is explaining the difference between mental health and mental illness.
Which response is most accurate?
A. "Mental health and mental illness are the same concept."
B. "Mental health exists on a continuum, and mental illness represents one end of that
continuum."
C. "Mental illness is a choice, while mental health is not."
D. "Only people with mental illness need mental health support."
, Answer: B – Mental health and mental illness exist on a continuum. At one end is well-
being with adequate functioning; at the other end is significant impairment in
functioning requiring intervention.
Q3. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which need must be met FIRST?
A. Love and belonging
B. Self-esteem
C. Physiological needs
D. Self-actualization
Answer: C – Maslow's hierarchy places physiological needs (food, water, shelter,
oxygen) at the foundation. These basic survival needs must be met before higher-level
needs can be addressed.
Q4. Which factor is considered a protective factor for mental health?
A. Chronic poverty
B. Strong social support system
C. Childhood trauma
D. Substance abuse
Answer: B – Protective factors buffer the impact of stress and reduce the risk of mental
illness. Strong social support, resilience, and healthy coping skills are key protective
factors.
Q5. A nurse is teaching nursing students about mental health. Which statement by
a student indicates correct understanding?
, A. "Mental health is the absence of mental illness."
B. "Mental health is the ability to cope with stress and function effectively in society."
C. "Mental health is a state of complete happiness at all times."
D. "Mental health is determined solely by genetic factors."
Answer: B – Mental health is defined as successful adaptation to stressors, evidenced by
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are age-appropriate and congruent with cultural
norms. It is not merely the absence of illness nor constant happiness.
SECTION 2: THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION
Q6. A nurse demonstrates active listening by:
A. Interrupting the patient to ask clarifying questions
B. Maintaining eye contact, nodding, and using verbal prompts such as "go on" or "tell
me more"
C. Giving advice about what the patient should do
D. Changing the subject when the patient becomes emotional
Answer: B – Active listening involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding,
and remembering what the patient says. It includes non-verbal cues (eye contact,
nodding) and minimal verbal prompts.
Q7. Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question?
A. "Are you feeling sad today?"
B. "Did you take your medication this morning?"
C. "Can you tell me more about how you've been feeling lately?"
D. "Is your anxiety better than yesterday?"
, Answer: C – Open-ended questions cannot be answered with "yes" or "no." They
encourage the patient to share more information and elaborate.
Q8. The patient says, "I'm so angry that my family never visits." The nurse
responds, "You feel angry because your family hasn't visited." This is an example
of:
A. Paraphrasing/reflection
B. False reassurance
C. Giving advice
D. Changing the subject
Answer: A – This response uses reflection/restating, which acknowledges the client's
feelings and encourages further discussion without judgment.
Q9. A client diagnosed with depression following a suicide attempt says, "I should
have died. I've always been a failure. Nothing ever goes right for me." Which
nurse response is most therapeutic?
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?"
Answer: D – This response uses restating and exploring, encouraging the client to
elaborate without judgment. Option A gives false reassurance, Option B is
confrontational, and Option C is overly general.
