NSG 3160 / NSG3160 Exam 2 – Health Assessment |
Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200 Practice Questions &
Detailed Answers | Galen College | A+ Guide
Section 1: Mental Status Assessment (Questions 1–30)
1. Mental status is defined as:
A) The patient's emotional state only
B) The patient's cognitive and emotional function
C) The patient's general intelligence
D) The patient's perception of reality
Answer: B) The patient's cognitive and emotional function
Explanation: Mental status is defined as a person's emotional and cognitive function. It encompasses a
broad range of mental abilities including orientation, memory, mood, and thought processes.
2. A mental disorder is best defined as:
A) Presence of a phobia
B) A lack of rational thought and abstract reasoning
C) Extreme behavior that is usually associated with stress
D) Remote memory from years ago may be impacted
Answer: C) Extreme behavior that is usually associated with stress
,Explanation: A mental disorder is best defined as extreme behavior that is usually associated with stress.
This reflects the behavioral manifestation of psychological distress.
3. The A, B, C, and T of the mental health assessment stands for:
A) Attitude, behavior, cleanliness, talk/speech
B) Appearance, behavior, cognition, and thought
C) Airway, breathing, circulation
D) Ability, beliefs, culture, traditions
Answer: B) Appearance, behavior, cognition, and thought
Explanation: The ABC&T framework for mental health assessment includes Appearance, Behavior,
Cognition, and Thought processes. This provides a structured approach to evaluating mental status.
4. Which of the following best describes a patient's appearance during a mental status assessment?
A) Posture is erect and body movement is voluntary
B) Patient is oriented x3
C) Patient is awake, alert, and aware and responds appropriately
D) GAD score > 3
Answer: A) Posture is erect and body movement is voluntary
,Explanation: Appearance in a mental status exam includes observation of posture, body movements,
dress, grooming, and hygiene. An erect posture with voluntary movements indicates normal
appearance.
5. One method a nurse can use to assess recent memory is:
A) Assess a patient's ability to complete a thought without wandering
B) Ask the patient for a 24hour diet recall
C) Ask about the patient's first job
D) Perform a 4 unrelated words test
Answer: B) Ask the patient for a 24hour diet recall
Explanation: Recent memory can be assessed by asking the patient to recall what they ate in the last 24
hours or what they did earlier that day. This evaluates shortterm memory function.
6. Recent memory deficit can occur with:
A) Delirium only
B) Dementia only
C) Both delirium and dementia
D) Neither delirium nor dementia
Answer: C) Both delirium and dementia
, Explanation: Recent memory deficits can occur with both delirium and dementia. Delirium typically has
an acute onset with fluctuating course, while dementia has a gradual, progressive decline.
7. A nurse can assess a patient's attention span by:
A) Asking the patient to spell "world" backward
B) Giving a series of directions to follow and noting the correct sequence performed
C) Asking the patient to recall three objects after 5 minutes
D) Observing the patient's ability to maintain eye contact
Answer: B) Giving a series of directions to follow and noting the correct sequence performed
Explanation: Attention span can be assessed by giving the patient a series of directions to follow and
observing if they perform them in the correct sequence. This evaluates the ability to focus and sustain
attention.
8. To assess for new learning using 4 unrelated words, after 5 minutes, ask for the recall of:
A) 5 words
B) 10 words
C) 4 words
D) 8 words
Answer: C) 4 words
Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200 Practice Questions &
Detailed Answers | Galen College | A+ Guide
Section 1: Mental Status Assessment (Questions 1–30)
1. Mental status is defined as:
A) The patient's emotional state only
B) The patient's cognitive and emotional function
C) The patient's general intelligence
D) The patient's perception of reality
Answer: B) The patient's cognitive and emotional function
Explanation: Mental status is defined as a person's emotional and cognitive function. It encompasses a
broad range of mental abilities including orientation, memory, mood, and thought processes.
2. A mental disorder is best defined as:
A) Presence of a phobia
B) A lack of rational thought and abstract reasoning
C) Extreme behavior that is usually associated with stress
D) Remote memory from years ago may be impacted
Answer: C) Extreme behavior that is usually associated with stress
,Explanation: A mental disorder is best defined as extreme behavior that is usually associated with stress.
This reflects the behavioral manifestation of psychological distress.
3. The A, B, C, and T of the mental health assessment stands for:
A) Attitude, behavior, cleanliness, talk/speech
B) Appearance, behavior, cognition, and thought
C) Airway, breathing, circulation
D) Ability, beliefs, culture, traditions
Answer: B) Appearance, behavior, cognition, and thought
Explanation: The ABC&T framework for mental health assessment includes Appearance, Behavior,
Cognition, and Thought processes. This provides a structured approach to evaluating mental status.
4. Which of the following best describes a patient's appearance during a mental status assessment?
A) Posture is erect and body movement is voluntary
B) Patient is oriented x3
C) Patient is awake, alert, and aware and responds appropriately
D) GAD score > 3
Answer: A) Posture is erect and body movement is voluntary
,Explanation: Appearance in a mental status exam includes observation of posture, body movements,
dress, grooming, and hygiene. An erect posture with voluntary movements indicates normal
appearance.
5. One method a nurse can use to assess recent memory is:
A) Assess a patient's ability to complete a thought without wandering
B) Ask the patient for a 24hour diet recall
C) Ask about the patient's first job
D) Perform a 4 unrelated words test
Answer: B) Ask the patient for a 24hour diet recall
Explanation: Recent memory can be assessed by asking the patient to recall what they ate in the last 24
hours or what they did earlier that day. This evaluates shortterm memory function.
6. Recent memory deficit can occur with:
A) Delirium only
B) Dementia only
C) Both delirium and dementia
D) Neither delirium nor dementia
Answer: C) Both delirium and dementia
, Explanation: Recent memory deficits can occur with both delirium and dementia. Delirium typically has
an acute onset with fluctuating course, while dementia has a gradual, progressive decline.
7. A nurse can assess a patient's attention span by:
A) Asking the patient to spell "world" backward
B) Giving a series of directions to follow and noting the correct sequence performed
C) Asking the patient to recall three objects after 5 minutes
D) Observing the patient's ability to maintain eye contact
Answer: B) Giving a series of directions to follow and noting the correct sequence performed
Explanation: Attention span can be assessed by giving the patient a series of directions to follow and
observing if they perform them in the correct sequence. This evaluates the ability to focus and sustain
attention.
8. To assess for new learning using 4 unrelated words, after 5 minutes, ask for the recall of:
A) 5 words
B) 10 words
C) 4 words
D) 8 words
Answer: C) 4 words
