NUR 253 Exam 1 | Actual Exam Questions & 100% Correct
Answers | Latest Update 2026 | Nursing Exam Prep
1. What is the primary purpose of therapeutic communication techniques in
mental health nursing?
To conduct physical assessments.
To administer medication to patients.
To diagnose mental illnesses.
To facilitate understanding, trust, and rapport between the nurse
and patient.
2. What are the three main models of mental illness discussed in mental health
nursing?
social, environmental, and genetic models
developmental, neurobiological, and psychodynamic models
cognitive, behavioral, and existential models
biological, psychological, and sociocultural models
3. The nurse is educating a coworker on the ethical principle of beneficence.
The nurse judges the teaching to be effective when her coworker states:
"Beneficence is the duty to actively do good for patients."
"Beneficence is the duty to do no harm."
"Beneficence involves treating all patients equally."
"Beneficence involves allowing patient to make their own health care
decisions."
,4. In a scenario where a nurse encounters a patient from a different cultural
background, what should the nurse prioritize to ensure effective
communication?
Ignoring cultural differences to maintain a standard approach
Understanding the patient's cultural background and adapting
communication accordingly
Focusing solely on the patient's medical history without considering
cultural context
Using medical jargon to explain treatment options
5. Uses what if or similar to assist clients in exploring feelings.
Projective questions
Presupposition questions
open ended questions
closed ended questions
6. Describe the significance of monitoring patients for adverse effects when
they are treated with lithium.
Monitoring is only needed for the first week of treatment.
Monitoring is crucial because adverse effects like tremor and
arrhythmias can indicate toxicity and require prompt intervention.
Monitoring is only important for patients with a history of heart
disease.
Monitoring is not necessary as lithium is a safe medication.
7. Which of the following statements best describes mental health stigma?
, stigma explains why people with mental illness deserve better health
care services than people without mental health needs
stigma makes it easier for a person with a mental illness to access care
stigma is when someone, including the patient views a person in a
negative way because they have a mental health condition
stigma is the rationale that identifies that the patient is at least partly
responsible for having a mental illness
8. In a scenario where a patient is visibly upset but not verbally expressing their
feelings, how should a nurse utilize nonverbal communication to support the
patient?
The nurse should ask the patient to articulate their feelings
immediately.
The nurse should use empathetic body language and maintain eye
contact to show understanding.
The nurse should provide a detailed explanation of treatment options.
The nurse should ignore the patient's nonverbal cues and focus on
verbal communication.
9. Describe the common side effects associated with tricyclic antidepressants.
Common side effects include increased energy and improved mood.
Common side effects include insomnia and anxiety.
Common side effects include anticholinergic effects and the risk of
potential fatal overdose.
Common side effects include nausea and weight gain.
10. What is one effect of using silence in therapeutic communication?
, Encourages the patient to talk
Creates discomfort for the patient
Reduces the effectiveness of communication
Distracts the patient from their feelings
11. Describe how the exploring technique enhances the therapeutic relationship
between a nurse and a patient.
The exploring technique focuses solely on the nurse's experiences.
The exploring technique creates distance between the nurse and the
patient to maintain professionalism.
The exploring technique is used to redirect the conversation away
from sensitive topics.
The exploring technique enhances the therapeutic relationship by
allowing deeper understanding and connection through the
examination of the patient's thoughts and feelings.
12. Describe the conditions under which a patient may be held for involuntary
admission in mental health care.
Involuntary admission occurs when a patient refuses treatment for a
minor issue.
A patient can be admitted involuntarily if they have a chronic illness.
A patient may be held for involuntary admission if they are deemed
a danger to themselves or others and are unable to leave
voluntarily.
A patient is admitted involuntarily if they have no family to care for
them.
Answers | Latest Update 2026 | Nursing Exam Prep
1. What is the primary purpose of therapeutic communication techniques in
mental health nursing?
To conduct physical assessments.
To administer medication to patients.
To diagnose mental illnesses.
To facilitate understanding, trust, and rapport between the nurse
and patient.
2. What are the three main models of mental illness discussed in mental health
nursing?
social, environmental, and genetic models
developmental, neurobiological, and psychodynamic models
cognitive, behavioral, and existential models
biological, psychological, and sociocultural models
3. The nurse is educating a coworker on the ethical principle of beneficence.
The nurse judges the teaching to be effective when her coworker states:
"Beneficence is the duty to actively do good for patients."
"Beneficence is the duty to do no harm."
"Beneficence involves treating all patients equally."
"Beneficence involves allowing patient to make their own health care
decisions."
,4. In a scenario where a nurse encounters a patient from a different cultural
background, what should the nurse prioritize to ensure effective
communication?
Ignoring cultural differences to maintain a standard approach
Understanding the patient's cultural background and adapting
communication accordingly
Focusing solely on the patient's medical history without considering
cultural context
Using medical jargon to explain treatment options
5. Uses what if or similar to assist clients in exploring feelings.
Projective questions
Presupposition questions
open ended questions
closed ended questions
6. Describe the significance of monitoring patients for adverse effects when
they are treated with lithium.
Monitoring is only needed for the first week of treatment.
Monitoring is crucial because adverse effects like tremor and
arrhythmias can indicate toxicity and require prompt intervention.
Monitoring is only important for patients with a history of heart
disease.
Monitoring is not necessary as lithium is a safe medication.
7. Which of the following statements best describes mental health stigma?
, stigma explains why people with mental illness deserve better health
care services than people without mental health needs
stigma makes it easier for a person with a mental illness to access care
stigma is when someone, including the patient views a person in a
negative way because they have a mental health condition
stigma is the rationale that identifies that the patient is at least partly
responsible for having a mental illness
8. In a scenario where a patient is visibly upset but not verbally expressing their
feelings, how should a nurse utilize nonverbal communication to support the
patient?
The nurse should ask the patient to articulate their feelings
immediately.
The nurse should use empathetic body language and maintain eye
contact to show understanding.
The nurse should provide a detailed explanation of treatment options.
The nurse should ignore the patient's nonverbal cues and focus on
verbal communication.
9. Describe the common side effects associated with tricyclic antidepressants.
Common side effects include increased energy and improved mood.
Common side effects include insomnia and anxiety.
Common side effects include anticholinergic effects and the risk of
potential fatal overdose.
Common side effects include nausea and weight gain.
10. What is one effect of using silence in therapeutic communication?
, Encourages the patient to talk
Creates discomfort for the patient
Reduces the effectiveness of communication
Distracts the patient from their feelings
11. Describe how the exploring technique enhances the therapeutic relationship
between a nurse and a patient.
The exploring technique focuses solely on the nurse's experiences.
The exploring technique creates distance between the nurse and the
patient to maintain professionalism.
The exploring technique is used to redirect the conversation away
from sensitive topics.
The exploring technique enhances the therapeutic relationship by
allowing deeper understanding and connection through the
examination of the patient's thoughts and feelings.
12. Describe the conditions under which a patient may be held for involuntary
admission in mental health care.
Involuntary admission occurs when a patient refuses treatment for a
minor issue.
A patient can be admitted involuntarily if they have a chronic illness.
A patient may be held for involuntary admission if they are deemed
a danger to themselves or others and are unable to leave
voluntarily.
A patient is admitted involuntarily if they have no family to care for
them.
