NUR 253 Mental Health Exam 2 Galen College 2026 | Real
Exam Questions & Verified Answers | Complete Nursing
Prep
1. The nurse identifies a short term goal for a client who has moderate anxiety
attacks: 'Client will gain mastery over anxiety episodes.' What would the
nurse's most therapeutic verbal intervention related to this goal?
'Can you tell me what you were feeling just before your attack?'
'What is it that you would like me to do to help you?'
'How long have you had this problem?'
'What medications usually help you?'
2. Lithium is used for:
Maintenance therapy for preventing relapse of bipolar disorder
All of the choices listed are correct
Treatment of the depression phase of bipolar disorder
Treatment of the mania phase of bipolar disorder
3. What is a significant risk of using benzodiazepines?
Enhanced memory
Increased energy
Weight gain
Addiction
4. After a disaster, a nurse leads a discussion designed to assist rescuers to talk
about their feelings and reactions as well as to support their coping skills.
What level of crisis intervention is represented by this action?
, Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
5. What are situational crises?
Family-only based disasters
Arise from events that are extraordinary, external, and often
unanticipated
A bad break up with a husband
None of the answers are correct
6. How does the concept of universality contribute to the therapeutic process
in mental health care?
It encourages competition among individuals with mental health
issues.
It suggests that mental health problems are solely personal
challenges.
It helps individuals feel connected and supported by others who
share similar experiences.
It isolates individuals by highlighting their unique struggles.
7. A patient with anxiety is prescribed Hydroxyzine. What is the primary reason
for choosing this medication over a benzodiazepine?
To enhance the patient's mood immediately.
To treat acute psychotic episodes.
To reduce the risk of dependence and sedation associated with
benzodiazepines.
, To increase the effectiveness of benzodiazepines.
8. Describe how negative symptoms of schizophrenia differ from positive
symptoms.
Negative symptoms are related to mood disturbances, while positive
symptoms are related to cognitive disturbances.
Negative symptoms reflect a decrease or loss of normal functions,
while positive symptoms involve the presence of abnormal
experiences.
Negative symptoms only occur in chronic cases of schizophrenia.
Negative symptoms are always more severe than positive symptoms.
9. Which of the following best defines hallucinations?
Excessive worry about everyday situations
Perceptions of things that are not present
Persistent feelings of sadness
Involuntary muscle movements
10. In a clinical setting, how should a nurse approach a patient exhibiting
delusions?
By prescribing medication without further assessment.
By providing supportive care and validating the patient's feelings
while gently guiding them towards reality.
By ignoring the delusions to avoid confrontation.
By confronting the patient and insisting they accept the truth.
, 11. Which medication is a nonbenzodiazepine used to treat anxiety?
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Diazepam (Valium)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Buspirone (BuSpar)
12. Describe how distorted perceptions can manifest in individuals experiencing
Panic Anxiety.
Distorted perceptions result in a complete lack of awareness of
reality.
Distorted perceptions are unrelated to emotional states.
Distorted perceptions can lead individuals to misinterpret their
surroundings or their own bodily sensations, often increasing
feelings of fear.
Distorted perceptions only occur during sleep.
13. The two most prominent negative symptom features in schizophrenia are:
avolition and diminished emotional expression.
asociality and diminished emotional expression.
anhedonia and alogia
avolition and anhedonia.
14. In a group therapy session, how might a facilitator use the concept of
universality to enhance participants' engagement?
By emphasizing the differences in participants' experiences.
Exam Questions & Verified Answers | Complete Nursing
Prep
1. The nurse identifies a short term goal for a client who has moderate anxiety
attacks: 'Client will gain mastery over anxiety episodes.' What would the
nurse's most therapeutic verbal intervention related to this goal?
'Can you tell me what you were feeling just before your attack?'
'What is it that you would like me to do to help you?'
'How long have you had this problem?'
'What medications usually help you?'
2. Lithium is used for:
Maintenance therapy for preventing relapse of bipolar disorder
All of the choices listed are correct
Treatment of the depression phase of bipolar disorder
Treatment of the mania phase of bipolar disorder
3. What is a significant risk of using benzodiazepines?
Enhanced memory
Increased energy
Weight gain
Addiction
4. After a disaster, a nurse leads a discussion designed to assist rescuers to talk
about their feelings and reactions as well as to support their coping skills.
What level of crisis intervention is represented by this action?
, Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
5. What are situational crises?
Family-only based disasters
Arise from events that are extraordinary, external, and often
unanticipated
A bad break up with a husband
None of the answers are correct
6. How does the concept of universality contribute to the therapeutic process
in mental health care?
It encourages competition among individuals with mental health
issues.
It suggests that mental health problems are solely personal
challenges.
It helps individuals feel connected and supported by others who
share similar experiences.
It isolates individuals by highlighting their unique struggles.
7. A patient with anxiety is prescribed Hydroxyzine. What is the primary reason
for choosing this medication over a benzodiazepine?
To enhance the patient's mood immediately.
To treat acute psychotic episodes.
To reduce the risk of dependence and sedation associated with
benzodiazepines.
, To increase the effectiveness of benzodiazepines.
8. Describe how negative symptoms of schizophrenia differ from positive
symptoms.
Negative symptoms are related to mood disturbances, while positive
symptoms are related to cognitive disturbances.
Negative symptoms reflect a decrease or loss of normal functions,
while positive symptoms involve the presence of abnormal
experiences.
Negative symptoms only occur in chronic cases of schizophrenia.
Negative symptoms are always more severe than positive symptoms.
9. Which of the following best defines hallucinations?
Excessive worry about everyday situations
Perceptions of things that are not present
Persistent feelings of sadness
Involuntary muscle movements
10. In a clinical setting, how should a nurse approach a patient exhibiting
delusions?
By prescribing medication without further assessment.
By providing supportive care and validating the patient's feelings
while gently guiding them towards reality.
By ignoring the delusions to avoid confrontation.
By confronting the patient and insisting they accept the truth.
, 11. Which medication is a nonbenzodiazepine used to treat anxiety?
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Diazepam (Valium)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Buspirone (BuSpar)
12. Describe how distorted perceptions can manifest in individuals experiencing
Panic Anxiety.
Distorted perceptions result in a complete lack of awareness of
reality.
Distorted perceptions are unrelated to emotional states.
Distorted perceptions can lead individuals to misinterpret their
surroundings or their own bodily sensations, often increasing
feelings of fear.
Distorted perceptions only occur during sleep.
13. The two most prominent negative symptom features in schizophrenia are:
avolition and diminished emotional expression.
asociality and diminished emotional expression.
anhedonia and alogia
avolition and anhedonia.
14. In a group therapy session, how might a facilitator use the concept of
universality to enhance participants' engagement?
By emphasizing the differences in participants' experiences.
