Exam 3: NUR256 / NUR 256 (Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Concepts of Mental
Health Nursing Review| Questions & Answers| Grade A| 100% Correct (Verified
Solutions)- Galen
Question 1
A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
(GAD). Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect to find?
A) Flashbacks of a traumatic event
B) Repetitive hand-washing rituals
C) Excessive worry about multiple areas of life for at least 6 months
D) Fear of being in open spaces from which escape might be difficult
E) Periods of intense fear accompanied by palpitations and chest pain
Correct Answer: C) Excessive worry about multiple areas of life for at least 6 months
Rationale: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent, excessive,
and unrealistic worry about everyday things like health, money, or work, occurring more
days than not for at least 6 months. Flashbacks relate to PTSD, hand-washing to OCD, fear
of open spaces to agoraphobia, and intense fear bouts to Panic Disorder.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) who performs a hand-
washing ritual. What is the primary purpose of the compulsion for this client?
A) To maintain physical hygiene
B) To gain attention from the staff
C) To decrease the anxiety associated with the obsession
D) To avoid participating in group therapy
E) To punish themselves for intrusive thoughts
Correct Answer: C) To decrease the anxiety associated with the obsession
Rationale: In OCD, obsessions are intrusive thoughts that cause high anxiety. Compulsions
(the rituals) are repetitive behaviors the client feels driven to perform to neutralize or
reduce that anxiety, even if they realize the behavior is irrational.
Question 3
During a panic attack, a client is hyperventilating and reports feeling like they are "going crazy."
Which nursing intervention is the priority?
A) Administering a PRN dose of Haloperidol
B) Teaching the client how to use a paper bag for breathing
C) Remaining with the client and using a calm, quiet voice
D) Encouraging the client to join a group discussion to distract them
E) Asking the client to explain what triggered the attack
Correct Answer: C) Remaining with the client and using a calm, quiet voice
Rationale: Safety and presence are the priorities during a panic attack. The client’s level of
anxiety makes it impossible for them to process complex information or engage in group
, 2
activities. The nurse’s calm presence provides security and helps ground the client until the
attack subsides.
Question 4
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for Alprazolam. Which
of the following instructions is the most important to include?
A) "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
B) "Stop the medication immediately if you feel dizzy."
/C) "Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medication."
D) "This medication may cause increased energy and insomnia."
E) "It takes 4 to 6 weeks for this medication to become effective."
Correct Answer: C) Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medication.
Rationale: Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine, which is a CNS depressant. Alcohol is also a
CNS depressant. Combining the two can lead to severe respiratory depression, coma, or
death. Stopping the drug abruptly can cause withdrawal seizures (refuting option B), and it
works almost immediately (refuting option E).
Question 5
A client with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) tells the nurse, "I should have died in that
fire instead of my friend." The nurse recognizes this as which characteristic of PTSD?
A) Hypervigilance
B) Depersonalization
C) Survival guilt
D) Derealization
E) Intrusion symptoms
Correct Answer: C) Survival guilt
Rationale: Survival guilt is a common psychological phenomenon in PTSD where
individuals feel responsible or guilty for surviving a traumatic event when others did not. It
is a core feature of the cognitive distortions seen in this disorder.
Question 6
A nurse is evaluating a client who has been diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A) The client is satisfied with their appearance after plastic surgery
B) The client believes their nose is "monstrous" despite it appearing normal
C) The client fears they have a terminal illness despite normal labs
D) The client has lost 25% of their body weight through starvation
E) The client experiences paralysis of the arm with no physical cause
Correct Answer: B) The client believes their nose is "monstrous" despite it appearing
normal
Rationale: Body Dysmorphic Disorder involves a preoccupation with a perceived defect in
, 3
physical appearance that is not observable or appears slight to others. This leads to
significant distress and repetitive behaviors like mirror checking or seeking cosmetic
procedures.
Question 7
A client is admitted for Somatic Symptom Disorder. What is the primary focus of the nurse's
initial assessment?
A) Investigating the underlying physical cause of the symptoms
B) Identifying the secondary gain the client receives from the symptoms
C) Challenging the client's belief that their symptoms are real
D) Assessing for a history of trauma or extreme stress
E) Minimizing the time spent discussing physical complaints
Correct Answer: D) Assessing for a history of trauma or extreme stress
Rationale: Somatic Symptom Disorders are often the psychological manifestation of
unresolved trauma or stress. While the symptoms are real to the client, they have no
physical basis. Initially, the nurse must understand the emotional context (trauma) before
gradually shifting the focus from physical symptoms to emotional expressions.
Question 8
Which of the following is a classic manifestation of Conversion Disorder?
A) Chronic pain in the lower back for 10 years
B) Preoccupation with having a serious heart condition
C) Sudden loss of vision after witnessing a violent crime
D) Multiple surgeries for vague abdominal complaints
E) Purging after eating a large meal
Correct Answer: C) Sudden loss of vision after witnessing a violent crime
Rationale: Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder) involves the
sudden loss of sensory or motor function (blindness, paralysis, seizures) following a
psychological stressor, with no neurological explanation.
Question 9
A client with Illness Anxiety Disorder (formerly Hypochondriasis) presents with a minor
headache and insists they have a brain tumor. What is the most appropriate nursing response?
A) "The doctor already told you that your CT scan was normal."
B) "Why do you think you have a brain tumor?"
C) "It must be frightening to feel like you have a serious illness."
D) "If you keep worrying, you will actually make yourself sick."
E) "Let’s go to the gym and work out to get your mind off this."
Correct Answer: C) "It must be frightening to feel like you have a serious illness."
Rationale: Illness Anxiety Disorder involves the fear of having a serious disease based on
Health Nursing Review| Questions & Answers| Grade A| 100% Correct (Verified
Solutions)- Galen
Question 1
A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
(GAD). Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect to find?
A) Flashbacks of a traumatic event
B) Repetitive hand-washing rituals
C) Excessive worry about multiple areas of life for at least 6 months
D) Fear of being in open spaces from which escape might be difficult
E) Periods of intense fear accompanied by palpitations and chest pain
Correct Answer: C) Excessive worry about multiple areas of life for at least 6 months
Rationale: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent, excessive,
and unrealistic worry about everyday things like health, money, or work, occurring more
days than not for at least 6 months. Flashbacks relate to PTSD, hand-washing to OCD, fear
of open spaces to agoraphobia, and intense fear bouts to Panic Disorder.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) who performs a hand-
washing ritual. What is the primary purpose of the compulsion for this client?
A) To maintain physical hygiene
B) To gain attention from the staff
C) To decrease the anxiety associated with the obsession
D) To avoid participating in group therapy
E) To punish themselves for intrusive thoughts
Correct Answer: C) To decrease the anxiety associated with the obsession
Rationale: In OCD, obsessions are intrusive thoughts that cause high anxiety. Compulsions
(the rituals) are repetitive behaviors the client feels driven to perform to neutralize or
reduce that anxiety, even if they realize the behavior is irrational.
Question 3
During a panic attack, a client is hyperventilating and reports feeling like they are "going crazy."
Which nursing intervention is the priority?
A) Administering a PRN dose of Haloperidol
B) Teaching the client how to use a paper bag for breathing
C) Remaining with the client and using a calm, quiet voice
D) Encouraging the client to join a group discussion to distract them
E) Asking the client to explain what triggered the attack
Correct Answer: C) Remaining with the client and using a calm, quiet voice
Rationale: Safety and presence are the priorities during a panic attack. The client’s level of
anxiety makes it impossible for them to process complex information or engage in group
, 2
activities. The nurse’s calm presence provides security and helps ground the client until the
attack subsides.
Question 4
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for Alprazolam. Which
of the following instructions is the most important to include?
A) "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
B) "Stop the medication immediately if you feel dizzy."
/C) "Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medication."
D) "This medication may cause increased energy and insomnia."
E) "It takes 4 to 6 weeks for this medication to become effective."
Correct Answer: C) Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medication.
Rationale: Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine, which is a CNS depressant. Alcohol is also a
CNS depressant. Combining the two can lead to severe respiratory depression, coma, or
death. Stopping the drug abruptly can cause withdrawal seizures (refuting option B), and it
works almost immediately (refuting option E).
Question 5
A client with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) tells the nurse, "I should have died in that
fire instead of my friend." The nurse recognizes this as which characteristic of PTSD?
A) Hypervigilance
B) Depersonalization
C) Survival guilt
D) Derealization
E) Intrusion symptoms
Correct Answer: C) Survival guilt
Rationale: Survival guilt is a common psychological phenomenon in PTSD where
individuals feel responsible or guilty for surviving a traumatic event when others did not. It
is a core feature of the cognitive distortions seen in this disorder.
Question 6
A nurse is evaluating a client who has been diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A) The client is satisfied with their appearance after plastic surgery
B) The client believes their nose is "monstrous" despite it appearing normal
C) The client fears they have a terminal illness despite normal labs
D) The client has lost 25% of their body weight through starvation
E) The client experiences paralysis of the arm with no physical cause
Correct Answer: B) The client believes their nose is "monstrous" despite it appearing
normal
Rationale: Body Dysmorphic Disorder involves a preoccupation with a perceived defect in
, 3
physical appearance that is not observable or appears slight to others. This leads to
significant distress and repetitive behaviors like mirror checking or seeking cosmetic
procedures.
Question 7
A client is admitted for Somatic Symptom Disorder. What is the primary focus of the nurse's
initial assessment?
A) Investigating the underlying physical cause of the symptoms
B) Identifying the secondary gain the client receives from the symptoms
C) Challenging the client's belief that their symptoms are real
D) Assessing for a history of trauma or extreme stress
E) Minimizing the time spent discussing physical complaints
Correct Answer: D) Assessing for a history of trauma or extreme stress
Rationale: Somatic Symptom Disorders are often the psychological manifestation of
unresolved trauma or stress. While the symptoms are real to the client, they have no
physical basis. Initially, the nurse must understand the emotional context (trauma) before
gradually shifting the focus from physical symptoms to emotional expressions.
Question 8
Which of the following is a classic manifestation of Conversion Disorder?
A) Chronic pain in the lower back for 10 years
B) Preoccupation with having a serious heart condition
C) Sudden loss of vision after witnessing a violent crime
D) Multiple surgeries for vague abdominal complaints
E) Purging after eating a large meal
Correct Answer: C) Sudden loss of vision after witnessing a violent crime
Rationale: Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder) involves the
sudden loss of sensory or motor function (blindness, paralysis, seizures) following a
psychological stressor, with no neurological explanation.
Question 9
A client with Illness Anxiety Disorder (formerly Hypochondriasis) presents with a minor
headache and insists they have a brain tumor. What is the most appropriate nursing response?
A) "The doctor already told you that your CT scan was normal."
B) "Why do you think you have a brain tumor?"
C) "It must be frightening to feel like you have a serious illness."
D) "If you keep worrying, you will actually make yourself sick."
E) "Let’s go to the gym and work out to get your mind off this."
Correct Answer: C) "It must be frightening to feel like you have a serious illness."
Rationale: Illness Anxiety Disorder involves the fear of having a serious disease based on
