1|Page
GALEN NUR 253 EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE 2026: 300
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES |
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
# Table of Contents
| Section | Topic | Question Count |
|---------|-------|----------------|
| 1 | Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient Relationship | 40 |
| 2 | Legal & Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Nursing | 35 |
| 3 | Neurobiology & Psychopharmacology Basics | 35 |
| 4 | Mood Disorders (Depression, Bipolar) | 40 |
| 5 | Anxiety Disorders, OCD, & Trauma-Related Disorders | 40 |
| 6 | Schizophrenia Spectrum & Psychotic Disorders | 35 |
| 7 | Personality Disorders | 25 |
| 8 | Somatic Symptom & Dissociative Disorders | 20 |
| 9 | Eating Disorders | 15 |
| 10 | High-Yield Clinical Case Questions | 15 |
| **Total** | | **300** |
---
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# SECTION 1: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient
Relationship (40 Questions)
**1. Which therapeutic communication technique involves restating the
patient's message in the nurse's own words to verify understanding?**
A. Reflection
B. Restating
C. Paraphrasing (clarification)
D. Confrontation
**Answer: C – Paraphrasing**
*Rationale:* Paraphrasing restates the patient's message to confirm
accuracy. Reflection focuses on feelings. Restating repeats exact words.
**2. A patient says, "I feel like nobody cares about me." Which response
by the nurse is most therapeutic?**
A. "That's not true. Your family loves you."
B. "Why do you feel that way?"
C. "You feel that nobody cares about you?"
D. "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
**Answer: C – "You feel that nobody cares about you?"**
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*Rationale:* Restating/paraphrasing validates the patient's feelings
without judgment. Avoid "why" (defensive), false reassurance, or
minimizing.
**3. Which non-therapeutic communication technique involves giving
advice or telling the patient what to do?**
A. Giving approval
B. Reassuring
C. Advising
D. Requesting an explanation
**Answer: C – Advising**
*Rationale:* Advising implies the nurse knows best and undermines
patient autonomy. Use problem-solving instead.
**4. A patient with depression says, "I'm worthless. I can't do anything
right." The nurse responds, "You've been feeling hopeless about your
abilities." This is an example of:**
A. Validation
B. Interpreting
C. Reflecting (feeling)
D. Paraphrasing content
**Answer: C – Reflecting**
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*Rationale:* Reflection focuses on the underlying emotion (worthless
→ hopeless). Paraphrasing restates content.
**5. Which action by the nurse best establishes trust during the
orientation phase of the therapeutic relationship?**
A. Self-disclosing personal problems
B. Setting clear boundaries and explaining confidentiality
C. Giving advice about life decisions
D. Avoiding eye contact
**Answer: B – Setting clear boundaries and confidentiality**
*Rationale:* Orientation phase: establish trust, explain roles,
confidentiality, time, and termination. Self-disclosure is limited.
**6. A patient asks the nurse, "Do you think I should divorce my
husband?" Which response is most therapeutic?**
A. "Yes, he's been abusive."
B. "No, you should work it out."
C. "What do you think would be best for you?"
D. "I can't answer that question."
**Answer: C – "What do you think would be best for you?"**
GALEN NUR 253 EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE 2026: 300
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES |
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
# Table of Contents
| Section | Topic | Question Count |
|---------|-------|----------------|
| 1 | Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient Relationship | 40 |
| 2 | Legal & Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Nursing | 35 |
| 3 | Neurobiology & Psychopharmacology Basics | 35 |
| 4 | Mood Disorders (Depression, Bipolar) | 40 |
| 5 | Anxiety Disorders, OCD, & Trauma-Related Disorders | 40 |
| 6 | Schizophrenia Spectrum & Psychotic Disorders | 35 |
| 7 | Personality Disorders | 25 |
| 8 | Somatic Symptom & Dissociative Disorders | 20 |
| 9 | Eating Disorders | 15 |
| 10 | High-Yield Clinical Case Questions | 15 |
| **Total** | | **300** |
---
,2|Page
# SECTION 1: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient
Relationship (40 Questions)
**1. Which therapeutic communication technique involves restating the
patient's message in the nurse's own words to verify understanding?**
A. Reflection
B. Restating
C. Paraphrasing (clarification)
D. Confrontation
**Answer: C – Paraphrasing**
*Rationale:* Paraphrasing restates the patient's message to confirm
accuracy. Reflection focuses on feelings. Restating repeats exact words.
**2. A patient says, "I feel like nobody cares about me." Which response
by the nurse is most therapeutic?**
A. "That's not true. Your family loves you."
B. "Why do you feel that way?"
C. "You feel that nobody cares about you?"
D. "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
**Answer: C – "You feel that nobody cares about you?"**
,3|Page
*Rationale:* Restating/paraphrasing validates the patient's feelings
without judgment. Avoid "why" (defensive), false reassurance, or
minimizing.
**3. Which non-therapeutic communication technique involves giving
advice or telling the patient what to do?**
A. Giving approval
B. Reassuring
C. Advising
D. Requesting an explanation
**Answer: C – Advising**
*Rationale:* Advising implies the nurse knows best and undermines
patient autonomy. Use problem-solving instead.
**4. A patient with depression says, "I'm worthless. I can't do anything
right." The nurse responds, "You've been feeling hopeless about your
abilities." This is an example of:**
A. Validation
B. Interpreting
C. Reflecting (feeling)
D. Paraphrasing content
**Answer: C – Reflecting**
, 4|Page
*Rationale:* Reflection focuses on the underlying emotion (worthless
→ hopeless). Paraphrasing restates content.
**5. Which action by the nurse best establishes trust during the
orientation phase of the therapeutic relationship?**
A. Self-disclosing personal problems
B. Setting clear boundaries and explaining confidentiality
C. Giving advice about life decisions
D. Avoiding eye contact
**Answer: B – Setting clear boundaries and confidentiality**
*Rationale:* Orientation phase: establish trust, explain roles,
confidentiality, time, and termination. Self-disclosure is limited.
**6. A patient asks the nurse, "Do you think I should divorce my
husband?" Which response is most therapeutic?**
A. "Yes, he's been abusive."
B. "No, you should work it out."
C. "What do you think would be best for you?"
D. "I can't answer that question."
**Answer: C – "What do you think would be best for you?"**
