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INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD. Galen College of Nursing NUR256 Final Exam Concepts of Mental Health Nursing study resource featuring high-yield questions with verified answers and detailed rationales. Designed to help nursing students review key mental health concepts, strengthen clinical reasoning, and confidently prepare for the final exam. NUR256 Final Exam Galen College, NUR256 Mental Health Nursing Final Exam, NUR256 Exam Questions and Answers, Galen NUR256 Study Guide, NUR256 Concepts of Mental Health Nursing, NUR256 Test Bank Galen College, NUR256 Final Exam Practice Questions, Mental Health Nursing Exam Questions, NUR256 Final Exam Review Guide, NUR256 Q&A PDF Download, Galen College Nursing Exam Prep, NUR256 Exam Solutions, NUR256 Study Notes Mental Health, NUR256 Practice Test Final Exam, NUR256 Nursing Questions with Rationales, NUR256 Mental Health Exam Prep
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NUR 256 Exam 4 Mental Health Nursing (Galen
College) including 50 high-yield questions
written to mirror actual course exams. Covers
core Mental Health concepts with clear, accurate,
and student-friendly explanations. Perfect for mastering high-
priority topics and boosting exam confidence.
1. The nurse is providing support to the family of a recently deceased client. A family member states, "My father took me fishing all the time. He can't physically take me anymore, but he will be watching over me. I really miss him." The nurse recognizes the family member is experiencing?
A. Mourning B. Anticipatory grief C. Disenfranchised Grief D. Bereavement
Correct Answer: A. Mourning
Rationale: Mourning is the outward expression of grief and sorrow following a loss, often culturally influenced. The statement reflects a family member processing the loss, acknowledging continuing emotional attachment consistent with mourning. Anticipatory grief (B) occurs before the loss, disenfranchised grief (C) refers to grief not socially recognized, and bereavement (D) is the state of having experienced loss, which is broader than the expressed feelings here.
2. The nurse educator is providing an in-service for nursing staff on a unit with a recent increase in client deaths. The nurse educator knows the priority recommendation for nurses who are struggling to cope with all the loss is:
A. Creating sustainable practice of self-care and balance B. Working additional shifts to provide support for each other
4. The nurse is caring for a client who is dying and in severe pain. Which of the following interventions should the nurse consider as the priority?
A. Teach the client the end stages of grief. B. Enhance the client's quality of life. C. Encourage the client to speak to a grief counselor. D. Support the client’s family in grieving.
Correct Answer: B. Enhance the client's quality of life.
Rationale: The priority for a dying client in severe pain is symptom management to improve comfort and quality of life. While grief work and family support are important, intervention must focus first on alleviating suffering.
5. The nurse is caring for a terminally ill client. Which of the following statements by the nurse best demonstrates the art of presence?
A. "Would you like to talk about what this experience is like for you?" B. "I am going to sit here and read a book, just pretend I am not here." C. "I am going to the other room so you can be alone and reflect on your life; please call out if you need me." D. "Are you feeling guilty about leaving your wife and kids behind?"
Correct Answer: A. "Would you like to talk about what this experience is like for you? "
Rationale: The art of presence involves active, empathetic listening and inviting the client to share their experience, creating connection and support. Options B and C are distancing, D is intrusive and assumes feelings.
6. The home health nurse is caring for a client dying from AIDS. The client is incompetent and requests assisted suicide. The nurse tells the client they will not assist with the request. Which ethical principle is the nurse demonstrating?
A. Autonomy B. Nonmaleficence C. Individual liberty D. Beneficence
Correct Answer: B. Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence means “do no harm.” Assisting in suicide conflicts with this principle, especially where illegal or ethically impermissible. Autonomy (A) relates to client self-determination but is limited by legal and ethical standards. Beneficence involves doing good, and individual liberty is not an established nursing ethical principle.
D. Anger
Correct Answer: D. Anger
Rationale: The statement reflects frustration and resentment common in the anger stage of grief. Denial involves refusing to accept reality, depression manifests as deep sadness, and bargaining includes attempts to negotiate the outcome.
9. The nurse is preparing referrals to hospice. Which of the following clients meets admission criteria?
A. 50-year-old with early-stage cervical cancer scheduled for hysterectomy. B. 70-year-old with COPD and two years to live. C. 92-year-old with acute pneumonia and late-stage Alzheimer's disease with no insurance. D. 35-year-old with MS and severe muscle spasm pain.
Correct Answer: C. 92-year-old with acute pneumonia and late-stage Alzheimer's disease with no insurance.
Rationale: Hospice criteria typically include life expectancy of six months or less. Pneumonia in a frail elderly client with late-stage Alzheimer's fits this. Early-stage cancers and chronic diseases with longer prognosis do not.
10. The nurse is caring for a client with a terminal diagnosis who asks if physician-assisted suicide is allowed in every state. Which response is appropriate?
A. "I don't know but I personally find it immoral. Aren't you religious? " B. "Yes, the federal government now allows providers in every state to facilitate physician-assisted suicide. I'll get your provider to discuss it." C. "No, physician-assisted suicide is determined by state legislature. Tell me more about what you are thinking." D. "Yes, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization has advocated for nurses to help clients with the last request."
Correct Answer: C. "No, physician-assisted suicide is determined by state legislature. Tell me more about what you are thinking."
Rationale: Physician-assisted suicide laws vary state by state. This answer provides accurate information and opens dialogue for further exploration of client feelings, maintaining professionalism and client-centered care.
11. A school nurse is teaching parents about warning signs of eating disorders. A parent asks, "Are poor grades a common warning sign for anorexia in children?" Which response is appropriate?
A. "Has your child gained a lot of weight lately?" B. "Does your child have a problem paying attention in class too?" C. "No, children at risk for anorexia often strive for academic excellence." D. "Yes, declining grades are often an early sign of anorexia."
13. The nurse is caring for a client experiencing alcohol withdrawal prescribed naltrexone. What should the nurse teach the client about this medication?
A. "You may experience nausea, but it should resolve in 2 weeks." B. "You must be opiate-free for at least 10 days before starting this medication." C. "You may notice increased activity levels while on this medication." D. "Take one pill sublingually every 12 hours."
Correct Answer: B. "You must be opiate-free for at least 10 days before starting this medication."
Rationale: Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist. Starting it while opioids are still in the system risks precipitated withdrawal. The medication is oral or injectable (not sublingual), and nausea usually resolves within days.
14. The nurse is admitting a client from the emergency department to the mental health unit. Chart review indicates symptoms of diaphoresis, tremors, and anxiety. The nurse suspects:
A. Intoxication B. Withdrawal C. Overdose D. Panic
Correct Answer: B. Withdrawal
Rationale: Diaphoresis, tremors, and anxiety are classic signs of withdrawal syndromes, particularly from substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines.
15. A nurse is caring for a 17-year-old female client discharged with anorexia diagnosis. The family asks about recommended therapy. The nurse responds:
A. "Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective therapy." B. "There are no therapies recommended for anorexia." C. "Your daughter is cured, but we recommend a few social groups." D. "A combination of group and individualized therapy is recommended."
Correct Answer: D. "A combination of group and individualized therapy is recommended."
Rationale: Evidence supports integrated individualized and group psychotherapy for anorexia. ECT (A) is not indicated except in rare comorbid severe depression.
16. The new nurse preceptee notes an inconsistency in a client’s chart: history of anorexia but admitted for bulimia. The preceptor responds:
A. "Let's notify the charge nurse so she can follow up." B. "We will leave a note for the admitting nurse to correct it next shift."
A. "It is administered at a higher dose for bulimia than for depression." B. "It is approved for treating both bulimia and anorexia." C. "It is one of several FDA-approved medications for bulimia." D. "It is a benzodiazepine."
Correct Answer: A. "It is administered at a higher dose for bulimia than for depression."
Rationale: Fluoxetine is FDA-approved for bulimia at higher doses ( mg/day) than typical doses for depression. It is not approved for anorexia. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), not a benzodiazepine.
19. The nurse is caring for a client hospitalized with binge-purge bulimia. What is the priority action?
A. Complete the client's electrocardiogram (ECG) B. Determine the client's perception of the problem C. Obtain the client’s daily weight D. Monitor daily food and fluid intake
Correct Answer: A. Complete the client's electrocardiogram (ECG)
Rationale: Electrolyte imbalances common in bulimia can cause cardiac arrhythmias, necessitating ECG monitoring as the priority safety measure.
20. A school nurse teaching about dangers of inhalant abuse should include:
A. Inhalant abuse may cause a coma to occur B. Inhalant abuse initially causes a heightened sense of awareness C. Treatment involves taking naltrexone D. Inhalant abuse may cause severe anemia
Correct Answer: A. Inhalant abuse may cause a coma to occur
Rationale: Inhalants can depress the central nervous system severely, leading to coma and sudden death. Naltrexone is not used for inhalant abuse.
21. The nurse caring for a client sober for 12 months attending support meetings recognizes the client is in which stage of change?
A. Maintenance stage B. Maturation stage C. Preparation stage D. Precontemplation stage
Correct Answer: A. Maintenance stage
Rationale: Maintenance involves sustaining behavior change and preventing relapse, fitting sobriety with regular support after initial change.
B. "I am feeling diaphoretic and short of breath." C. "I don't want to drink because I am nauseated and can't keep anything down." D. "I am having trouble sleeping at night because I am so hot all the time."
Correct Answer: B. "I am feeling diaphoretic and short of breath."
Rationale: Diaphoresis and shortness of breath in a client with alcohol history may indicate severe withdrawal (delirium tremens), a medical emergency needing prompt intervention.
24. During a DSM-5 review, the nurse preceptor should follow up if the new nurse identifies which substance as psychoactive?
A. Beta-blockers B. Tobacco C. Caffeine D. Sedatives
Correct Answer: A. Beta-blockers
Rationale: Beta-blockers are cardiovascular agents without psychoactive properties. Tobacco, caffeine, and sedatives have psychoactive effects by impacting the central nervous system.
25. The nurse is caring for a client who is trying to stop smoking. The client tells the nurse they are very interested in hypnosis. Which of the following is the most appropriate response for the nurse to make? A. "Hypnosis may work for some people, but it is not considered a real treatment." B. "Don't waste your money on things like hypnosis, medication is your best bet." C. "There is no research to support that hypnosis works for quitting smoking." D. "Hypnosis can be successful, is this something you would like to consider? "
Correct Answer: D Rationale: Hypnosis has been shown to assist some individuals in smoking cessation. While not universally effective, it is an evidence-supported complementary therapy option. Respecting client autonomy and exploring their interests encourages engagement in treatment.
26. The nurse manager is teaching nursing staff about identifying opioid intoxication. Which symptoms from the box should be included in the teaching?
28. The nurse is teaching a client who is being discharged after several weeks of inpatient hospitalization to treat opioid use disorder. The nurse determines client teaching has been effective when the client states: A. "I have oral surgery next week and will tell the dentist to refrain from prescribing a narcotic to manage my pain." B. "I have found a social group that wants to try to help each other quit and plan to hang out with them for a while." C. "I will get my methadone prescription filled once a month." D. "Thank you so much for curing me."
Correct Answer: A Rationale: Clients with opioid use disorder should proactively communicate with healthcare providers to avoid opioid prescriptions that may trigger relapse or overdose. This demonstrates understanding of relapse prevention.
29. The nurse has attended a staff development conference about family violence. Which of the following statements by the nurse demonstrates correct understanding about family violence? A. Family violence in the most common form is neglect. B. Family violence is the highest in the Hispanic population. C. Family violence is decreased if children are the result of unwanted pregnancies. D. Family violence occurs most frequently in children over the age of 12.
Correct Answer: A Rationale: Neglect is the most common form of family violence, affecting all age groups and populations. Cultural assumptions should be avoided; all ethnicities are at risk.
30. The nurse is caring for a client who has apparent facial and body bruising. The nurse should first focus on which of the following to meet the client's needs? A. Asking the client how the bruises occurred B. Establishing trust and building rapport C. Documenting the client's injuries D. Calling the sexual abuse examiner (SANE)
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Establishing trust is critical before asking sensitive questions about possible abuse. Building rapport ensures the client feels safe and may facilitate disclosure of abuse.
31. The nurse is conducting an interview with a victim of spousal abuse in the ED. Which of the following is most appropriate by the nurse? A. What did you do to your partner to make this occur? B. You seem like you are defending your partner. C. How do you and your partner resolve disagreements? D. I was abused by someone, so I understand how you feel.
