Galen NUR 253 Exams 1-4 – Mental Health
(2026) Actual Questions and Answers (PDF),
Exams of Nursing
Section 1: Exam 1 – Foundations of Mental Health Nursing (Questions 1-75)
Scenario 1: A nursing instructor is teaching students about the concepts of
mental health and mental illness.
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
Rationale: 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.
Which factors are considered personal risk factors for mental illness? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Genetic predisposition
B. Prenatal exposure to alcohol
C. Oxygen deprivation at birth
D. Peer group influences
E. Cultural beliefs
Answer: A, B, C
,Rationale: Personal risk factors include biological and genetic factors
such as genetic predisposition, prenatal exposure to alcohol, and
oxygen deprivation at birth. Peer group influences and cultural beliefs
are social/environmental factors.
The nurse is applying the QSEN competencies in mental health practice.
Which actions demonstrate these competencies? (Select all that apply.)
A. Involving the client in treatment decisions
B. Using the best research evidence to guide care
C. Working in isolation from other healthcare team members
D. Monitoring outcomes of care for quality improvement
E. Using technology to communicate and manage knowledge
Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: QSEN competencies include patient-centered care,
teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality
improvement, safety, and informatics. Working in isolation
contradicts teamwork.
A nursing student asks the instructor to explain 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
Rationale: Mental health and mental illness exist on a continuum. At
one end is well-being with adequate functioning; at the other end is
,mental illness characterized by altered thinking, mood, and behavior
causing significant impairment.
The nurse is caring for a client who has a comorbid condition. What does
this term mean?
A. The client has only one disorder
B. The client has two or more disorders occurring simultaneously
C. The client has a physical illness only
D. The client has a substance use disorder only
Answer: B
Rationale: Comorbidity refers to the presence of two or more
disorders occurring at the same time (e.g., schizophrenia comorbid
with diabetes due to antipsychotic side effects).
The nurse is explaining the purpose of the DSM-5 to a client's family. Which
statement is accurate?
A. "The DSM-5 identifies disorders based on specific criteria."
B. "The DSM-5 is used only in inpatient psychiatric settings."
C. "The DSM-5 provides treatment protocols for all mental health disorders."
D. "The DSM-5 is primarily used for billing purposes."
Answer: A
Rationale: The DSM-5 identifies disorders based on specific criteria
and is used in various settings including inpatient, outpatient, private
practice, primary care, and community settings.
The nurse is caring for a client who believes they are "flawed" and
experiences social shunning from family members. What concept is this
client experiencing?
A. Stigma
, B. Transference
C. Countertransference
D. Projection
Answer: A
Rationale: Stigma is the belief that the overall person is flawed,
characterized by social shunning, disgrace, and shame.
Which statement about stigma and mental illness is accurate?
A. Stigma has no impact on treatment outcomes
B. Stigma can prevent individuals from seeking mental health treatment
C. Only healthcare providers contribute to stigma
D. Stigma only affects individuals with severe mental illness
Answer: B
Rationale: Stigma surrounding mental illness can prevent individuals
from seeking needed mental health treatment due to fear of being
labeled, shunned, or discriminated against.
The nurse is teaching a client about the importance of primary prevention in
mental health. Which example best represents primary prevention?
A. Administering antipsychotic medication to a client experiencing acute
psychosis
B. Teaching coping strategies to individuals at risk for developing mental
illness
C. Providing rehabilitation services to a client with chronic schizophrenia
D. Screening clients for depression in a primary care setting
Answer: B
(2026) Actual Questions and Answers (PDF),
Exams of Nursing
Section 1: Exam 1 – Foundations of Mental Health Nursing (Questions 1-75)
Scenario 1: A nursing instructor is teaching students about the concepts of
mental health and mental illness.
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
Rationale: 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.
Which factors are considered personal risk factors for mental illness? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Genetic predisposition
B. Prenatal exposure to alcohol
C. Oxygen deprivation at birth
D. Peer group influences
E. Cultural beliefs
Answer: A, B, C
,Rationale: Personal risk factors include biological and genetic factors
such as genetic predisposition, prenatal exposure to alcohol, and
oxygen deprivation at birth. Peer group influences and cultural beliefs
are social/environmental factors.
The nurse is applying the QSEN competencies in mental health practice.
Which actions demonstrate these competencies? (Select all that apply.)
A. Involving the client in treatment decisions
B. Using the best research evidence to guide care
C. Working in isolation from other healthcare team members
D. Monitoring outcomes of care for quality improvement
E. Using technology to communicate and manage knowledge
Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: QSEN competencies include patient-centered care,
teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality
improvement, safety, and informatics. Working in isolation
contradicts teamwork.
A nursing student asks the instructor to explain 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
Rationale: Mental health and mental illness exist on a continuum. At
one end is well-being with adequate functioning; at the other end is
,mental illness characterized by altered thinking, mood, and behavior
causing significant impairment.
The nurse is caring for a client who has a comorbid condition. What does
this term mean?
A. The client has only one disorder
B. The client has two or more disorders occurring simultaneously
C. The client has a physical illness only
D. The client has a substance use disorder only
Answer: B
Rationale: Comorbidity refers to the presence of two or more
disorders occurring at the same time (e.g., schizophrenia comorbid
with diabetes due to antipsychotic side effects).
The nurse is explaining the purpose of the DSM-5 to a client's family. Which
statement is accurate?
A. "The DSM-5 identifies disorders based on specific criteria."
B. "The DSM-5 is used only in inpatient psychiatric settings."
C. "The DSM-5 provides treatment protocols for all mental health disorders."
D. "The DSM-5 is primarily used for billing purposes."
Answer: A
Rationale: The DSM-5 identifies disorders based on specific criteria
and is used in various settings including inpatient, outpatient, private
practice, primary care, and community settings.
The nurse is caring for a client who believes they are "flawed" and
experiences social shunning from family members. What concept is this
client experiencing?
A. Stigma
, B. Transference
C. Countertransference
D. Projection
Answer: A
Rationale: Stigma is the belief that the overall person is flawed,
characterized by social shunning, disgrace, and shame.
Which statement about stigma and mental illness is accurate?
A. Stigma has no impact on treatment outcomes
B. Stigma can prevent individuals from seeking mental health treatment
C. Only healthcare providers contribute to stigma
D. Stigma only affects individuals with severe mental illness
Answer: B
Rationale: Stigma surrounding mental illness can prevent individuals
from seeking needed mental health treatment due to fear of being
labeled, shunned, or discriminated against.
The nurse is teaching a client about the importance of primary prevention in
mental health. Which example best represents primary prevention?
A. Administering antipsychotic medication to a client experiencing acute
psychosis
B. Teaching coping strategies to individuals at risk for developing mental
illness
C. Providing rehabilitation services to a client with chronic schizophrenia
D. Screening clients for depression in a primary care setting
Answer: B
