NUR 256 Exam 1 Mental Health Nursing
(2026) PDF | Galen College of Nursing
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Expert-Verified Expert Explanation
2025\2026 update
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Questions and Ansẉers
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Expert-Verified Expert Explanation
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1. A nurse is performing a preoperative assessment on a client who states, "I
have changed my mind; I do not want to have this surgery." Which ethical
principle is the client exercising?
A. Nonmaleficence
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: B. Autonomy
Expert Explanation: Autonomy is the client's right to make independent
decisions about their own healthcare, including refusing treatment or surgery.
This principle respects the client's self-determination and bodily integrity.
Nonmaleficence means "do no harm" and would involve the nurse avoiding
actions that cause harm. Justice refers to fairness and equitable distribution of
resources. Fidelity involves keeping promises and being loyal to commitments
made to the client. In this scenario, the client is exercising control over their
own body and care plan, which is the essence of autonomy. The nurse's role is
to respect this decision, ensure the client has been fully informed of risks and
benefits, and document the refusal appropriately. Even if the surgery could be
life-saving, a competent adult has the legal and ethical right to refuse .
2. A nurse is collecting data from a client who reports, "I have a dry cough every
morning when I wake up." Which type of data is the nurse collecting?
A. Subjective
B. Social determinants of health
C. Objective
D. Olfactory
Correct Answer: A. Subjective
Expert Explanation: Subjective data are verbal statements made by the client
about their feelings, symptoms, or experiences. This information cannot be
observed or measured by others and is considered the client's perspective. In
,this case, the client's report of a dry cough is subjective data. Objective data are
observable or measurable findings that the nurse detects through assessment
techniques such as inspection, auscultation, or palpation—for example, actually
hearing the cough or measuring oxygen saturation. Social determinants of
health relate to the client's environment, socioeconomic status, education, and
living conditions. Olfactory refers to the sense of smell, which is a method of
gathering objective data. Collecting subjective data is essential because it
provides insight into the client's condition that cannot be obtained through
physical examination alone .
3. A nurse is performing a pre-admission assessment and uses nonverbal
communication. Which action demonstrates a nonverbal communication
technique?
A. Asking the client to clarify a statement
B. Asking open-ended questions
C. Maintaining appropriate distance between self and client
D. Stating name and credentials upon entering the room
Correct Answer: C. Maintaining appropriate distance between self and client
Expert Explanation: Nonverbal communication includes body language,
facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, posture, and proxemics (use of
space). Maintaining an appropriate physical distance respects the client's
personal space and conveys openness or respect without spoken words. This is
a form of nonverbal communication. Asking a client to clarify a statement (A) is
a verbal therapeutic communication technique. Asking open-ended questions
(B) is also verbal. Stating name and credentials (D) is a verbal introduction. The
nurse should be aware of their own nonverbal cues and also observe the client's
nonverbal behavior, as these often communicate emotions more accurately than
words .
4. A nurse is preparing to irrigate a client's leg wound. Which personal
protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse wear? (Select all that apply)
A. Surgical cap
B. Gown
C. Goggles
D. Gloves
E. N95 mask
Correct Answer: B. Gown, C. Goggles, D. Gloves
, Expert Explanation: Irrigating wounds may produce splashes of bodily fluids,
so standard and transmission-based precautions require specific PPE. Gloves
protect the hands from direct contact with blood and body fluids. A gown
protects the nurse's skin and clothing from splashes. Goggles protect the eyes
from splashes. An N95 respirator is used for airborne precautions (e.g.,
tuberculosis, COVID-19) and is not indicated for wound irrigation. A surgical
cap is typically used in operating rooms to maintain a sterile field, not for
general wound irrigation. The correct PPE selection is based on anticipated
exposure risk, and for irrigation, splash protection is the priority .
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is crying after receiving news that they
need surgery. Which action demonstrates empathy?
A. Telling the client everything will be fine
B. Changing the subject while the client is discussing feelings
C. Showing interest in the client's feelings by acknowledging they are upset
D. Sharing a personal story about a similar surgery
Correct Answer: C. Showing interest in the client's feelings by acknowledging
they are upset
Expert Explanation: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the
feelings of another person from their perspective. It involves acknowledging the
client's emotional state without judgment and conveying that the nurse
understands what the client is experiencing. Showing interest and
acknowledging that the client is upset demonstrates empathy. Telling the client
everything will be fine (A) is false reassurance and dismisses the client's
feelings. Changing the subject (B) is avoidance and blocks further
communication. Sharing a personal story (D) shifts the focus to the nurse rather
than the client (self-disclosure may be inappropriate). Empathy builds trust and
therapeutic rapport .
6. A nurse is collecting data on a client who is being admitted for surgery. The
client's partner asks to speak privately with the nurse. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Ask the partner to wait until after the assessment
B. Tell the partner that all information must be shared with the client
C. Invite the partner to share information during the assessment
D. Speak privately with the partner after documenting the client's information
(2026) PDF | Galen College of Nursing
Questions and Ansẉers with
Expert-Verified Expert Explanation
2025\2026 update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified Expert Explanation
, Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
1. A nurse is performing a preoperative assessment on a client who states, "I
have changed my mind; I do not want to have this surgery." Which ethical
principle is the client exercising?
A. Nonmaleficence
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: B. Autonomy
Expert Explanation: Autonomy is the client's right to make independent
decisions about their own healthcare, including refusing treatment or surgery.
This principle respects the client's self-determination and bodily integrity.
Nonmaleficence means "do no harm" and would involve the nurse avoiding
actions that cause harm. Justice refers to fairness and equitable distribution of
resources. Fidelity involves keeping promises and being loyal to commitments
made to the client. In this scenario, the client is exercising control over their
own body and care plan, which is the essence of autonomy. The nurse's role is
to respect this decision, ensure the client has been fully informed of risks and
benefits, and document the refusal appropriately. Even if the surgery could be
life-saving, a competent adult has the legal and ethical right to refuse .
2. A nurse is collecting data from a client who reports, "I have a dry cough every
morning when I wake up." Which type of data is the nurse collecting?
A. Subjective
B. Social determinants of health
C. Objective
D. Olfactory
Correct Answer: A. Subjective
Expert Explanation: Subjective data are verbal statements made by the client
about their feelings, symptoms, or experiences. This information cannot be
observed or measured by others and is considered the client's perspective. In
,this case, the client's report of a dry cough is subjective data. Objective data are
observable or measurable findings that the nurse detects through assessment
techniques such as inspection, auscultation, or palpation—for example, actually
hearing the cough or measuring oxygen saturation. Social determinants of
health relate to the client's environment, socioeconomic status, education, and
living conditions. Olfactory refers to the sense of smell, which is a method of
gathering objective data. Collecting subjective data is essential because it
provides insight into the client's condition that cannot be obtained through
physical examination alone .
3. A nurse is performing a pre-admission assessment and uses nonverbal
communication. Which action demonstrates a nonverbal communication
technique?
A. Asking the client to clarify a statement
B. Asking open-ended questions
C. Maintaining appropriate distance between self and client
D. Stating name and credentials upon entering the room
Correct Answer: C. Maintaining appropriate distance between self and client
Expert Explanation: Nonverbal communication includes body language,
facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, posture, and proxemics (use of
space). Maintaining an appropriate physical distance respects the client's
personal space and conveys openness or respect without spoken words. This is
a form of nonverbal communication. Asking a client to clarify a statement (A) is
a verbal therapeutic communication technique. Asking open-ended questions
(B) is also verbal. Stating name and credentials (D) is a verbal introduction. The
nurse should be aware of their own nonverbal cues and also observe the client's
nonverbal behavior, as these often communicate emotions more accurately than
words .
4. A nurse is preparing to irrigate a client's leg wound. Which personal
protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse wear? (Select all that apply)
A. Surgical cap
B. Gown
C. Goggles
D. Gloves
E. N95 mask
Correct Answer: B. Gown, C. Goggles, D. Gloves
, Expert Explanation: Irrigating wounds may produce splashes of bodily fluids,
so standard and transmission-based precautions require specific PPE. Gloves
protect the hands from direct contact with blood and body fluids. A gown
protects the nurse's skin and clothing from splashes. Goggles protect the eyes
from splashes. An N95 respirator is used for airborne precautions (e.g.,
tuberculosis, COVID-19) and is not indicated for wound irrigation. A surgical
cap is typically used in operating rooms to maintain a sterile field, not for
general wound irrigation. The correct PPE selection is based on anticipated
exposure risk, and for irrigation, splash protection is the priority .
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is crying after receiving news that they
need surgery. Which action demonstrates empathy?
A. Telling the client everything will be fine
B. Changing the subject while the client is discussing feelings
C. Showing interest in the client's feelings by acknowledging they are upset
D. Sharing a personal story about a similar surgery
Correct Answer: C. Showing interest in the client's feelings by acknowledging
they are upset
Expert Explanation: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the
feelings of another person from their perspective. It involves acknowledging the
client's emotional state without judgment and conveying that the nurse
understands what the client is experiencing. Showing interest and
acknowledging that the client is upset demonstrates empathy. Telling the client
everything will be fine (A) is false reassurance and dismisses the client's
feelings. Changing the subject (B) is avoidance and blocks further
communication. Sharing a personal story (D) shifts the focus to the nurse rather
than the client (self-disclosure may be inappropriate). Empathy builds trust and
therapeutic rapport .
6. A nurse is collecting data on a client who is being admitted for surgery. The
client's partner asks to speak privately with the nurse. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Ask the partner to wait until after the assessment
B. Tell the partner that all information must be shared with the client
C. Invite the partner to share information during the assessment
D. Speak privately with the partner after documenting the client's information
