NUR 253 Exam 1 (Mental Health Nursing)
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1. A nurse is assessing a patient who states, "I can handle stress well and
maintain productive relationships." This statement best reflects which concept?
A. Mental illness
B. Mental health
C. Emotional crisis
D. Psychopathology
Answer: B
Explanation: Mental health is defined as a state of well-being where an
individual realizes their own potential, copes with normal life stresses, works
productively, and contributes to their community .
2. Which factor is considered a protective factor for mental health?
A. Childhood trauma
B. Substance abuse
C. Strong social support
D. Chronic poverty
Answer: C
Explanation: Resilience and strong social support systems are protective factors
that buffer against mental health challenges, while the other options are risk
factors .
3. A patient with schizophrenia believes the television is sending personal
messages. This is an example of:
A. Hallucination
B. Delusion
C. Illusion
D. Disorganized thinking
Answer: B
Explanation: A delusion is a fixed false belief not based in reality. Believing the
TV sends personal messages is a persecutory or referential delusion, distinct
from hallucinations (false sensory perceptions) .
4. The nurse-patient relationship is based on which of the following principles?
A. Social friendship
B. Therapeutic alliance
, C. Personal intimacy
D. Family dynamics
Answer: B
Explanation: The nurse-patient relationship in mental health is a professional,
therapeutic alliance focused on the patient's needs and goals, not social or
personal relationships .
5. Which communication technique demonstrates empathy?
A. "I know exactly how you feel."
B. "That must be very difficult for you."
C. "You should not feel that way."
D. "Let me tell you about my experience."
Answer: B
Explanation: Empathy involves understanding and acknowledging the patient's
feelings without imposing personal experiences or judgments. "That must be
very difficult" validates their experience .
6. A patient states, "Nobody cares about me." Which is the most therapeutic
response?
A. "That's not true; your family visits."
B. "Tell me more about feeling uncared for."
C. "You should be grateful for what you have."
D. "I care about you."
Answer: B
Explanation: Therapeutic communication encourages the patient to explore
feelings further. Open-ended statements like "Tell me more" facilitate deeper
expression without being dismissive .
7. Which statement about stigma is accurate?
A. Stigma improves treatment outcomes
B. Stigma is a negative stereotype leading to discrimination
C. Stigma only affects patients with severe mental illness
D. Stigma has no impact on healthcare delivery
Answer: B
Explanation: Stigma refers to negative attitudes and beliefs that lead to
discrimination against people with mental illness, affecting all levels of care and
all diagnoses .
8. A nurse maintains consistent boundaries and avoids self-disclosure. This
demonstrates:
A. Avoidance behavior
B. Professionalism in therapeutic relationships
C. Lack of empathy
D. Authoritarian nursing style
Galen 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
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
1. A nurse is assessing a patient who states, "I can handle stress well and
maintain productive relationships." This statement best reflects which concept?
A. Mental illness
B. Mental health
C. Emotional crisis
D. Psychopathology
Answer: B
Explanation: Mental health is defined as a state of well-being where an
individual realizes their own potential, copes with normal life stresses, works
productively, and contributes to their community .
2. Which factor is considered a protective factor for mental health?
A. Childhood trauma
B. Substance abuse
C. Strong social support
D. Chronic poverty
Answer: C
Explanation: Resilience and strong social support systems are protective factors
that buffer against mental health challenges, while the other options are risk
factors .
3. A patient with schizophrenia believes the television is sending personal
messages. This is an example of:
A. Hallucination
B. Delusion
C. Illusion
D. Disorganized thinking
Answer: B
Explanation: A delusion is a fixed false belief not based in reality. Believing the
TV sends personal messages is a persecutory or referential delusion, distinct
from hallucinations (false sensory perceptions) .
4. The nurse-patient relationship is based on which of the following principles?
A. Social friendship
B. Therapeutic alliance
, C. Personal intimacy
D. Family dynamics
Answer: B
Explanation: The nurse-patient relationship in mental health is a professional,
therapeutic alliance focused on the patient's needs and goals, not social or
personal relationships .
5. Which communication technique demonstrates empathy?
A. "I know exactly how you feel."
B. "That must be very difficult for you."
C. "You should not feel that way."
D. "Let me tell you about my experience."
Answer: B
Explanation: Empathy involves understanding and acknowledging the patient's
feelings without imposing personal experiences or judgments. "That must be
very difficult" validates their experience .
6. A patient states, "Nobody cares about me." Which is the most therapeutic
response?
A. "That's not true; your family visits."
B. "Tell me more about feeling uncared for."
C. "You should be grateful for what you have."
D. "I care about you."
Answer: B
Explanation: Therapeutic communication encourages the patient to explore
feelings further. Open-ended statements like "Tell me more" facilitate deeper
expression without being dismissive .
7. Which statement about stigma is accurate?
A. Stigma improves treatment outcomes
B. Stigma is a negative stereotype leading to discrimination
C. Stigma only affects patients with severe mental illness
D. Stigma has no impact on healthcare delivery
Answer: B
Explanation: Stigma refers to negative attitudes and beliefs that lead to
discrimination against people with mental illness, affecting all levels of care and
all diagnoses .
8. A nurse maintains consistent boundaries and avoids self-disclosure. This
demonstrates:
A. Avoidance behavior
B. Professionalism in therapeutic relationships
C. Lack of empathy
D. Authoritarian nursing style
