NUR 256 Exam 3 Mental Health Nursing
(2026) PDF | Galen College of Nursing
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Expert-Verified Explanation 2026\2027
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Questions and Ansẉers
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───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
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A nurse tells a patient, “I know you’re anxious, but you need to join the group.”
Which therapeutic communication technique is the nurse using?
A) False reassurance
B) Giving advice
C) Encouraging comparison
D) Recognizing feelings
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Recognizing feelings involves identifying and reflecting
the patient’s emotional state. The nurse acknowledges anxiety, which validates
the patient’s experience. False reassurance minimizes concerns, advice giving
imposes solutions, and comparison asks the patient to contrast situations. This
technique builds trust and encourages expression.
A patient with major depressive disorder says, “Life is pointless.” Which
response is most therapeutic?
A) “You have so much to live for.”
B) “Tell me more about what feels pointless.”
C) “Everyone feels down sometimes.”
D) “Let’s focus on the positive things.”
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Exploring the patient’s statement encourages
expression of feelings and risk assessment for suicide. Option A is false
reassurance; C minimizes the patient’s pain; D dismisses their reality. Open-
ended exploration validates the patient and provides data for safety planning.
A patient with bipolar I disorder is in a manic phase and states, “I’m going to
buy ten cars today.” Which nursing intervention is priority?
A) Allow the patient to make plans independently.
B) Set limits on spending and redirect to a structured activity.
, C) Challenge the grandiosity by stating it’s unrealistic.
D) Ignore the statement to avoid confrontation.
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Limit setting protects the patient from harmful
consequences (e.g., financial ruin) while providing structure. Arguing (C) may
escalate mania; ignoring (D) neglects safety; allowing independent action (A) is
unsafe. Redirection to simple, repetitive tasks reduces agitation.
A patient with panic disorder begins hyperventilating and reports chest pain.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask.
B) Encourage the patient to breathe into a paper bag.
C) Stay with the patient and coach slow, deep breathing.
D) Obtain an EKG to rule out myocardial infarction.
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Staying with the patient provides reassurance and
prevents abandonment. Coached breathing reduces hyperventilation and panic.
Paper bags are no longer recommended due to hypoxia risk. Oxygen is not
first-line; EKG may be done later if symptoms persist, but panic is the likely
cause.
A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder spends two hours daily washing
hands. The nurse understands this behavior serves to:
A) Reduce anxiety related to a specific obsession.
B) Gain attention from staff.
C) Manipulate the unit schedule.
D) Express anger toward caregivers.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Compulsions (e.g., washing) are ritualistic behaviors
performed to neutralize obsessions (e.g., contamination fears) and temporarily
reduce anxiety. They are ego-dystonic and not attention-seeking or
manipulative. Understanding this guides therapy like exposure and response
prevention.
A nurse is assessing a patient with post-traumatic stress disorder. Which
symptom is characteristic of re-experiencing?
A) Avoiding crowded places
B) Hypervigilance while sleeping
C) Intrusive nightmares of the trauma
(2026) PDF | Galen College of Nursing
Questions and Ansẉers with
Expert-Verified Explanation 2026\2027
update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
, Expert-Verified Explanation
Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
A nurse tells a patient, “I know you’re anxious, but you need to join the group.”
Which therapeutic communication technique is the nurse using?
A) False reassurance
B) Giving advice
C) Encouraging comparison
D) Recognizing feelings
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Recognizing feelings involves identifying and reflecting
the patient’s emotional state. The nurse acknowledges anxiety, which validates
the patient’s experience. False reassurance minimizes concerns, advice giving
imposes solutions, and comparison asks the patient to contrast situations. This
technique builds trust and encourages expression.
A patient with major depressive disorder says, “Life is pointless.” Which
response is most therapeutic?
A) “You have so much to live for.”
B) “Tell me more about what feels pointless.”
C) “Everyone feels down sometimes.”
D) “Let’s focus on the positive things.”
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Exploring the patient’s statement encourages
expression of feelings and risk assessment for suicide. Option A is false
reassurance; C minimizes the patient’s pain; D dismisses their reality. Open-
ended exploration validates the patient and provides data for safety planning.
A patient with bipolar I disorder is in a manic phase and states, “I’m going to
buy ten cars today.” Which nursing intervention is priority?
A) Allow the patient to make plans independently.
B) Set limits on spending and redirect to a structured activity.
, C) Challenge the grandiosity by stating it’s unrealistic.
D) Ignore the statement to avoid confrontation.
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Limit setting protects the patient from harmful
consequences (e.g., financial ruin) while providing structure. Arguing (C) may
escalate mania; ignoring (D) neglects safety; allowing independent action (A) is
unsafe. Redirection to simple, repetitive tasks reduces agitation.
A patient with panic disorder begins hyperventilating and reports chest pain.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask.
B) Encourage the patient to breathe into a paper bag.
C) Stay with the patient and coach slow, deep breathing.
D) Obtain an EKG to rule out myocardial infarction.
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Staying with the patient provides reassurance and
prevents abandonment. Coached breathing reduces hyperventilation and panic.
Paper bags are no longer recommended due to hypoxia risk. Oxygen is not
first-line; EKG may be done later if symptoms persist, but panic is the likely
cause.
A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder spends two hours daily washing
hands. The nurse understands this behavior serves to:
A) Reduce anxiety related to a specific obsession.
B) Gain attention from staff.
C) Manipulate the unit schedule.
D) Express anger toward caregivers.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Compulsions (e.g., washing) are ritualistic behaviors
performed to neutralize obsessions (e.g., contamination fears) and temporarily
reduce anxiety. They are ego-dystonic and not attention-seeking or
manipulative. Understanding this guides therapy like exposure and response
prevention.
A nurse is assessing a patient with post-traumatic stress disorder. Which
symptom is characteristic of re-experiencing?
A) Avoiding crowded places
B) Hypervigilance while sleeping
C) Intrusive nightmares of the trauma
