NU160 – Mental Health Nursing Exam 3 (Galen
College) COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <BRAND NEW VERSION
2025>
Description:
This NU160 Mental Health Nursing Exam 3 study guide from Galen College includes a
complete set of verified questions with 100% correct answers and detailed rationales. It covers
key mental health topics including psychiatric conditions, therapeutic communication
techniques, nursing interventions, psychopharmacology, and crisis management. Perfect for
nursing students preparing to succeed in their third mental health exam with confidence.
Keywords:
NU160 exam 3
mental health nursing Galen
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crisis management in nursing
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NU160 study guide 2025
1.
Q: What are the key symptoms of schizophrenia, and how do they differ between positive and
negative symptoms?
A: Schizophrenia symptoms are divided into positive (hallucinations, delusions, disorganized
speech) and negative (flat affect, social withdrawal, anhedonia). Positive symptoms reflect an
excess of normal function, while negative symptoms indicate a decrease or loss of normal
function, affecting emotional expression and social interaction.
2.
Q: How does therapeutic communication differ from social communication in mental health
nursing?
A: Therapeutic communication is purposeful, goal-directed, and patient-centered, focusing on
the client’s needs. It uses active listening, empathy, and reflection. Social communication, on the
other hand, is mutual and often informal, centered around personal interest rather than client care
goals.
3.
Q: Describe the phases of the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship.
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A: The four phases are: Preinteraction (planning), Orientation (building trust, setting goals),
Working (problem-solving and active treatment), and Termination (evaluating progress and
ending the relationship). Each phase plays a critical role in developing rapport and promoting
healing in mental health care.
4.
Q: What is the purpose of a Mental Status Examination (MSE) and what are its components?
A: An MSE assesses a client’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Key
components include appearance, behavior, mood/affect, speech, thought processes, cognition,
insight, and judgment. It helps clinicians establish a baseline and guide diagnosis and treatment
planning.
5.
Q: How should a nurse respond to a client experiencing auditory hallucinations?
A: The nurse should acknowledge the hallucination without validating it (e.g., "I don't hear
voices, but I understand you do"). Ensure safety, maintain calm presence, and assess for
commands or threats. Reorienting the patient to reality and using distraction are also helpful.
6.
Q: What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and how is it used in mental health nursing?
A: CBT is a structured, time-limited therapy focusing on identifying and changing negative
thought patterns and behaviors. In nursing, it helps clients manage anxiety, depression, and other
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disorders by challenging irrational beliefs and developing coping strategies for healthier
responses.
7.
Q: What are signs and nursing interventions for a manic episode in bipolar disorder?
A: Signs include elevated mood, hyperactivity, reduced need for sleep, and impulsivity. Nursing
interventions involve ensuring safety, setting firm limits, reducing stimulation, promoting rest
and nutrition, and administering prescribed mood stabilizers like lithium or valproate.
8.
Q: Define therapeutic milieu and its importance in psychiatric settings.
A: A therapeutic milieu is a structured environment promoting safety, healing, and personal
growth. It includes supportive staff, routines, group activities, and peer interaction. It provides a
sense of order and security, fostering recovery and healthy behavior modeling.
9.
Q: What are priority nursing actions for a client at risk of suicide?
A: Conduct a thorough risk assessment, including history, plan, means, and intent. Ensure
constant supervision if necessary, remove harmful objects, establish a safety plan, involve the
care team and family, and administer prescribed antidepressants or mood stabilizers as ordered.