RASMUSSEN: MENTAL HEALTH EXAM
2 AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED
| UPDATED 2026
1) A patient with schizophrenia begins to talks about "volmers" hiding in
the warehouse at work. The term "volmers" should be documented as:
a. neologism
b. concrete thinking
c. thought insertion
d. idea of reference - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
- A neologism is a newly coined word having special meaning to the
patient. "Volmer" is not a known common noun.
- Concrete thinking refers to the inability to think abstractly.
- Thought insertion refers to thoughts of others that are implanted in one's
mind.
- An idea of reference is a type of delusion in which trivial events are
given personal significance.
2) A patient with suicidal impulses is placed on the highest level of
suicide precautions. Which measures should be incorporated into the plan
of care by the nurse caring for the patient? (More than one answer is
correct.)
a. Maintain arm's-length, one-on-one nursing observation around the clock.
b. Allow no glass or metal on meal trays.
c. Keep patient within visual range while awake. Check every 15 to 30
minutes while the patient is sleeping.
d. Check the patient's whereabouts every 15 minutes and make
frequent verbal contacts.
e. Check whereabouts every hour. Make verbal contact at least three times
each shift.
f. Remove all potentially harmful objects from the patient's possession. -
CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A, B, F
,One-on-one observation is necessary for anyone who has limited control over
suicidal impulses.
- Plastic dishes on trays and the removal of potentially harmful objects from
the patient's possession are measures included in any-level suicide
precautions.
The remaining options are used in less stringent levels of suicide precautions.
3) A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia anxiously says, "I can see the
left side of my body merging with the wall, then my face appears and
disappears in the mirror." While listening, the nurse should:
a. sit close to the patient.
b. place an arm protectively around the patient's shoulders.
c. place a hand on the patient's arm and exert light pressure.
d. maintain a normal social interaction distance from the patient. -
CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: D
, The patient is describing phenomena that indicate personal boundary
difficulties. The nurse should maintain an appropriate social distance and not
touch the patient, because the patient is anxious about the inability to
maintain ego boundaries and merging with or being swallowed by the
environment. Physical closeness or touch could precipitate panic.
4) Which
statement indicates a patient with major depression is most likely outlook
on life during the acute phase of the illness? - CORRECT ANSWERS
During an acute phase of major depression, the client may feel worthless
and deserve bad things to happen personally.
5) A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is in the maintenance
phase of treatment. The patient asks, "Do I have to keep taking this
lithium even though my mood is stable now?" Select the nurse's
appropriate response.
a. "You will be able to stop the medication in about 1 month."
b. "Taking the medication every day helps reduce the risk of a relapse."
c. "Usually patients take medication for approximately 6 months after
discharge."
d. "It's unusual that the health care provider hasn't already stopped your
medication." - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be maintained on lithium
indefinitely to prevent recurrences. Helping the patient understand this need
will promote medication compliance.
6) A person has had difficulty keeping a job because of arguing with co-
workers and accusing them of conspiracy. Today the person shouts,
"They're all plotting to destroy me. Isn't that true?" Select the nurse's
most therapeutic response.
a. "Everyone here is trying to help you. No one wants to harm you."
b. "Feeling that people want to destroy you must be very frightening."
c. "That is not true. People here are trying to help you if you will let them."
d. "Staff members are health care professionals who are qualified to
help you." - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Resist focusing on content; instead, focus on the feelings the patient is
expressing. This strategy prevents arguing about the reality of delusional
beliefs. Such arguments increase patient anxiety and the tenacity with which
the patient holds to the delusion.
The other options focus on content and provide opportunity for argument.
7) A patient is undergoing a series of diagnostic tests. The patient says,
"Nothing is wrong with me except a stubborn chest cold." The spouse
reports the patient smokes and coughs a lot, has lost 15 pounds, and is
easily fatigued. Which defense mechanism is the patient using?
2 AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED
| UPDATED 2026
1) A patient with schizophrenia begins to talks about "volmers" hiding in
the warehouse at work. The term "volmers" should be documented as:
a. neologism
b. concrete thinking
c. thought insertion
d. idea of reference - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
- A neologism is a newly coined word having special meaning to the
patient. "Volmer" is not a known common noun.
- Concrete thinking refers to the inability to think abstractly.
- Thought insertion refers to thoughts of others that are implanted in one's
mind.
- An idea of reference is a type of delusion in which trivial events are
given personal significance.
2) A patient with suicidal impulses is placed on the highest level of
suicide precautions. Which measures should be incorporated into the plan
of care by the nurse caring for the patient? (More than one answer is
correct.)
a. Maintain arm's-length, one-on-one nursing observation around the clock.
b. Allow no glass or metal on meal trays.
c. Keep patient within visual range while awake. Check every 15 to 30
minutes while the patient is sleeping.
d. Check the patient's whereabouts every 15 minutes and make
frequent verbal contacts.
e. Check whereabouts every hour. Make verbal contact at least three times
each shift.
f. Remove all potentially harmful objects from the patient's possession. -
CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A, B, F
,One-on-one observation is necessary for anyone who has limited control over
suicidal impulses.
- Plastic dishes on trays and the removal of potentially harmful objects from
the patient's possession are measures included in any-level suicide
precautions.
The remaining options are used in less stringent levels of suicide precautions.
3) A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia anxiously says, "I can see the
left side of my body merging with the wall, then my face appears and
disappears in the mirror." While listening, the nurse should:
a. sit close to the patient.
b. place an arm protectively around the patient's shoulders.
c. place a hand on the patient's arm and exert light pressure.
d. maintain a normal social interaction distance from the patient. -
CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: D
, The patient is describing phenomena that indicate personal boundary
difficulties. The nurse should maintain an appropriate social distance and not
touch the patient, because the patient is anxious about the inability to
maintain ego boundaries and merging with or being swallowed by the
environment. Physical closeness or touch could precipitate panic.
4) Which
statement indicates a patient with major depression is most likely outlook
on life during the acute phase of the illness? - CORRECT ANSWERS
During an acute phase of major depression, the client may feel worthless
and deserve bad things to happen personally.
5) A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is in the maintenance
phase of treatment. The patient asks, "Do I have to keep taking this
lithium even though my mood is stable now?" Select the nurse's
appropriate response.
a. "You will be able to stop the medication in about 1 month."
b. "Taking the medication every day helps reduce the risk of a relapse."
c. "Usually patients take medication for approximately 6 months after
discharge."
d. "It's unusual that the health care provider hasn't already stopped your
medication." - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be maintained on lithium
indefinitely to prevent recurrences. Helping the patient understand this need
will promote medication compliance.
6) A person has had difficulty keeping a job because of arguing with co-
workers and accusing them of conspiracy. Today the person shouts,
"They're all plotting to destroy me. Isn't that true?" Select the nurse's
most therapeutic response.
a. "Everyone here is trying to help you. No one wants to harm you."
b. "Feeling that people want to destroy you must be very frightening."
c. "That is not true. People here are trying to help you if you will let them."
d. "Staff members are health care professionals who are qualified to
help you." - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Resist focusing on content; instead, focus on the feelings the patient is
expressing. This strategy prevents arguing about the reality of delusional
beliefs. Such arguments increase patient anxiety and the tenacity with which
the patient holds to the delusion.
The other options focus on content and provide opportunity for argument.
7) A patient is undergoing a series of diagnostic tests. The patient says,
"Nothing is wrong with me except a stubborn chest cold." The spouse
reports the patient smokes and coughs a lot, has lost 15 pounds, and is
easily fatigued. Which defense mechanism is the patient using?
