NSG 3450 Mental Health Exam 90 Questions and
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct - Galen College of
Nursing
Which statement made by the nurse demonstrates the best understanding of
nonverbal communication?
a. "the pt.'s verbal and nonverbal communication is often different."
b. "when my pt. responds to my question, I check for congruence between
verbal and nonverbal communication to help validate the response."
c. "is a pt. is slumped in the chair, I can be ire he's angry or depressed."
d. "it's easier to understand verbal communication than nonverbal
communication." - ANSWER---B.
"when my pt. responds to my question, I check for congruence between verbal
and nonverbal communication to help validate the response."
Which nursing statement is an example of reflection?
a. "I think this feeling will pass."
b. "so you are saying that life has no meaning."
c. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
d. "you look sad." - ANSWER---D.
"you look sad."
When should a nurse be most alert to the possibility of communication errors
resulting in harm to the patient?
a. change of shift report
b. admission interviews
c. one-to-one conversations with pt.'s
d. conversations with pt. families - ANSWER---A.
, NSG 3450 Mental Health Exam 90 Questions and
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct - Galen College of
Nursing
change of shift report
What principle about nurse-patient communication should guide a nurse's fear
about "saying the wrong thing" to a patient?
a. Pt.'s tend to appreciate a well-meaning person who conveys genuine
acceptance, respect, and concern for their situation
b. the pt. is more interested in talking to you than listening to what you have to
say and so is not likely to be offended
c. considering the pt.'s history, there is little chance that the comment will do any
actual harm
d. most people with a mental illness have by necessity developed a high tolerance
of forgiveness - ANSWER---A.
Pt.'s tend to appreciate a well-meaning person who conveys genuine acceptance,
respect, and concern for their situation
During an admission assessment and interview, which channels of information
communication should the nurse be monitoring? Select all that apply:
a. auditory
b. visual
c. written
d. tactile
e. olfactory - ANSWER---a, b, d, e
(auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory)
, NSG 3450 Mental Health Exam 90 Questions and
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct - Galen College of
Nursing
You have been working closely with a pt. for the past month. Today he tells you
he is looking forward to meeting with his new psychiatrist but frowns and avoids
eye contact while reporting this to you. Which of the filling responses would most
likely be therapeutic?
a. "A new psychiatrist is a chance to start fresh; I'm sure it will go well for you."
b. "You say that you look forward to the meeting, but you appear anxious or
unhappy."
c. "I notice that you frowned and avoided eye contact just not. Don't you feel
well."
d. "I get the impression you don't really want to see you psychiatrist-- can you tell
me why?" - ANSWER---A.
"A new psychiatrist is a chance to start fresh; I'm sure it will go well for you."
Which student behavior is consistent with therapeutic communication?
a. offering your opinion when asked to convey support.
b. summarizing the essence of the pt.'s comments in your own words.
c. interrupting periods of silence before they become awkward for the pt.
d. telling the pt. he did well when you approve of his statements or actions. -
ANSWER---B.
summarizing the essence of the pt.'s comments in your own words.
James is a 42 y/o pt. with schizophrenia. He approaches you as you arrive for day
shift and anxiously reports, "Last night, demons came to my rook and tried to
rape me." Which response would be most therapeutic?
a. "There are no such things as demons. What you saw were hallucinations."
, NSG 3450 Mental Health Exam 90 Questions and
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct - Galen College of
Nursing
b. "It is not possible for anyone to enter your room at night. You are safe here."
c. "You seem very upset. Please tell me more about what you experienced last
night."
d. "That must have been very frightening, but we'll check on you at night and
you'll be safe." - ANSWER---C.
"You seem very upset. Please tell me more about what you experienced last
night."
Therapeutic communication is the foundation of a patient-centered interview.
which of the following techniques is not considered therapeutic?
a. restating
b. encouraging description of perception
c. summarizing
d. asking "why" questions - ANSWER---D. asking "why" questions
Carolina is surprised when her pt. does not show for a regularly scheduled
appointment. When contacted, the pt.s states, "I don't need to come see you
anymore. I have found a therapy app on my phone that I love." How should
Carolina response tot his news?
a. "that sounds exciting, would you be willing to visit and show me the app?"
b. "at this time, there is no real evidence that the app can replace our therapy."
c. "I am not sure that is a good idea right now, we are so close to progress."
d. "Why would you this the tis a better option than meeting with me?" - ANSWER-
--A. "that sounds exciting, would you be willing to visit and show me the app?"
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct - Galen College of
Nursing
Which statement made by the nurse demonstrates the best understanding of
nonverbal communication?
a. "the pt.'s verbal and nonverbal communication is often different."
b. "when my pt. responds to my question, I check for congruence between
verbal and nonverbal communication to help validate the response."
c. "is a pt. is slumped in the chair, I can be ire he's angry or depressed."
d. "it's easier to understand verbal communication than nonverbal
communication." - ANSWER---B.
"when my pt. responds to my question, I check for congruence between verbal
and nonverbal communication to help validate the response."
Which nursing statement is an example of reflection?
a. "I think this feeling will pass."
b. "so you are saying that life has no meaning."
c. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
d. "you look sad." - ANSWER---D.
"you look sad."
When should a nurse be most alert to the possibility of communication errors
resulting in harm to the patient?
a. change of shift report
b. admission interviews
c. one-to-one conversations with pt.'s
d. conversations with pt. families - ANSWER---A.
, NSG 3450 Mental Health Exam 90 Questions and
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct - Galen College of
Nursing
change of shift report
What principle about nurse-patient communication should guide a nurse's fear
about "saying the wrong thing" to a patient?
a. Pt.'s tend to appreciate a well-meaning person who conveys genuine
acceptance, respect, and concern for their situation
b. the pt. is more interested in talking to you than listening to what you have to
say and so is not likely to be offended
c. considering the pt.'s history, there is little chance that the comment will do any
actual harm
d. most people with a mental illness have by necessity developed a high tolerance
of forgiveness - ANSWER---A.
Pt.'s tend to appreciate a well-meaning person who conveys genuine acceptance,
respect, and concern for their situation
During an admission assessment and interview, which channels of information
communication should the nurse be monitoring? Select all that apply:
a. auditory
b. visual
c. written
d. tactile
e. olfactory - ANSWER---a, b, d, e
(auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory)
, NSG 3450 Mental Health Exam 90 Questions and
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct - Galen College of
Nursing
You have been working closely with a pt. for the past month. Today he tells you
he is looking forward to meeting with his new psychiatrist but frowns and avoids
eye contact while reporting this to you. Which of the filling responses would most
likely be therapeutic?
a. "A new psychiatrist is a chance to start fresh; I'm sure it will go well for you."
b. "You say that you look forward to the meeting, but you appear anxious or
unhappy."
c. "I notice that you frowned and avoided eye contact just not. Don't you feel
well."
d. "I get the impression you don't really want to see you psychiatrist-- can you tell
me why?" - ANSWER---A.
"A new psychiatrist is a chance to start fresh; I'm sure it will go well for you."
Which student behavior is consistent with therapeutic communication?
a. offering your opinion when asked to convey support.
b. summarizing the essence of the pt.'s comments in your own words.
c. interrupting periods of silence before they become awkward for the pt.
d. telling the pt. he did well when you approve of his statements or actions. -
ANSWER---B.
summarizing the essence of the pt.'s comments in your own words.
James is a 42 y/o pt. with schizophrenia. He approaches you as you arrive for day
shift and anxiously reports, "Last night, demons came to my rook and tried to
rape me." Which response would be most therapeutic?
a. "There are no such things as demons. What you saw were hallucinations."
, NSG 3450 Mental Health Exam 90 Questions and
Answers 2026 Update 100% Correct - Galen College of
Nursing
b. "It is not possible for anyone to enter your room at night. You are safe here."
c. "You seem very upset. Please tell me more about what you experienced last
night."
d. "That must have been very frightening, but we'll check on you at night and
you'll be safe." - ANSWER---C.
"You seem very upset. Please tell me more about what you experienced last
night."
Therapeutic communication is the foundation of a patient-centered interview.
which of the following techniques is not considered therapeutic?
a. restating
b. encouraging description of perception
c. summarizing
d. asking "why" questions - ANSWER---D. asking "why" questions
Carolina is surprised when her pt. does not show for a regularly scheduled
appointment. When contacted, the pt.s states, "I don't need to come see you
anymore. I have found a therapy app on my phone that I love." How should
Carolina response tot his news?
a. "that sounds exciting, would you be willing to visit and show me the app?"
b. "at this time, there is no real evidence that the app can replace our therapy."
c. "I am not sure that is a good idea right now, we are so close to progress."
d. "Why would you this the tis a better option than meeting with me?" - ANSWER-
--A. "that sounds exciting, would you be willing to visit and show me the app?"
