RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY MENTAL HEALTH FINAL
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
NUR 2459 / NUR2459 Mental Health Nursing
Latest 2026/2027 Academic Year Update | 100+ Practice Questions
with Correct Verified Answers | Pre-Evaluated A+ | Brand New!!
SECTION 1: THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & NURSING
FOUNDATIONS
Question 1:
A nursing student new to psychiatric-mental health nursing asks a peer what
resources he can use to figure out which symptoms are present in a specific
psychiatric disorder. The best answer would be:
a. Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC)
b. Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)
c. NANDA-I nursing diagnoses
d. DSM-5
Answer: d. DSM-5
Question 2:
Epidemiological studies contribute to improvements in care for individuals with
mental disorders by:
a. Providing information about effective nursing techniques.
b. Identifying risk factors that contribute to the development of a disorder.
c. Identifying individuals in the general population who will develop a specific
disorder.
d. Identifying which individuals will respond favourably to a specific treatment.
Answer: b. Identifying risk factors that contribute to the development of a
disorder.
,Question 3:
Besides antianxiety agents, which classification of drugs is also commonly
given to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders?
a. Antipsychotics
b. Mood stabilizers
c. Antidepressants
d. Cholinesterase inhibitors
Answer: c. Antidepressants
Question 4:
What assessment question will provide the nurse with information regarding the
effects of a woman's circadian rhythms on her quality of life?
a. "How much sleep do you usually get each night?"
b. "Does your heart ever seem to skip a beat?"
c. "When was the last time you had a fever?"
d. "Do you have problems urinating?"
Answer: a. "How much sleep do you usually get each night?"
Question 5:
Which statement made by the nurse demonstrates the best understanding of
nonverbal communication?
a. "The patient's verbal and nonverbal communication is often different."
b. "When my patient responds to my question, I check for congruence between
verbal and nonverbal communication to help validate the response."
c. "If a patient is slumped in the chair, I can be sure he's angry or depressed."
d. "It's easier to understand verbal communication than nonverbal
communication."
Answer: b. "When my patient responds to my question, I check for
congruence between verbal and nonverbal communication to help validate
the response."
,Question 6:
Which nursing statement is an example of reflection?
a. "I think this feeling will pass."
b. "So you are saying that life has no meaning."
c. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
d. "You look sad."
Answer: b. "So you are saying that life has no meaning."
Question 7:
When should a nurse be most alert to the possibility of communication errors
resulting in harm to the patient?
a. Change of shift report
b. Admission interviews
c. One-to-one conversations with patients
d. Conversations with patient families
Answer: a. Change of shift report
Question 8:
During an admission assessment and interview, which channels of information
communication should the nurse be monitoring? Select all that apply.
a. Auditory
b. Visual
c. Written
d. Tactile
e. Olfactory
Answer: a, b, d, e (Auditory, Visual, Tactile, Olfactory)
Question 9:
What principle about nurse-patient communication should guide a nurse's fear
about "saying the wrong thing" to a patient?
, a. Patients tend to appreciate a well-meaning person who conveys genuine
acceptance, respect, and concern for their situation.
b. The patient is more interested in talking to you than listening to what you
have to say and so is not likely to be offended.
c. Considering the patient's history, there is little chance that the comment will
do any actual harm.
d. Most people with a mental illness have by necessity developed a high
tolerance of forgiveness.
Answer: a. Patients tend to appreciate a well-meaning person who conveys
genuine acceptance, respect, and concern for their situation.
Question 10:
You have been working closely with a patient for the past month. Today he tells
you he is looking forward to meeting with his new psychiatrist but frowns and
avoids eye contact while reporting this to you. Which of the following responses
would most likely be therapeutic?
a. "A new psychiatrist is a chance to start fresh; I'm sure it will go well for you."
b. "You say you look forward to the meeting, but you appear anxious or
unhappy."
c. "I notice that you frowned and avoided eye contact just now. Don't you feel
well?"
d. "I get the impression you don't really want to see your psychiatrist—can you
tell me why?"
Answer: b. "You say you look forward to the meeting, but you appear
anxious or unhappy."
Question 11:
Which student behavior is consistent with therapeutic communication?
a. Offering your opinion when asked to convey support.
b. Summarizing the essence of the patient's comments in your own words.
c. Interrupting periods of silence before they become awkward for the patient.
d. Telling the patient he did well when you approve of his statements or actions.
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
NUR 2459 / NUR2459 Mental Health Nursing
Latest 2026/2027 Academic Year Update | 100+ Practice Questions
with Correct Verified Answers | Pre-Evaluated A+ | Brand New!!
SECTION 1: THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & NURSING
FOUNDATIONS
Question 1:
A nursing student new to psychiatric-mental health nursing asks a peer what
resources he can use to figure out which symptoms are present in a specific
psychiatric disorder. The best answer would be:
a. Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC)
b. Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)
c. NANDA-I nursing diagnoses
d. DSM-5
Answer: d. DSM-5
Question 2:
Epidemiological studies contribute to improvements in care for individuals with
mental disorders by:
a. Providing information about effective nursing techniques.
b. Identifying risk factors that contribute to the development of a disorder.
c. Identifying individuals in the general population who will develop a specific
disorder.
d. Identifying which individuals will respond favourably to a specific treatment.
Answer: b. Identifying risk factors that contribute to the development of a
disorder.
,Question 3:
Besides antianxiety agents, which classification of drugs is also commonly
given to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders?
a. Antipsychotics
b. Mood stabilizers
c. Antidepressants
d. Cholinesterase inhibitors
Answer: c. Antidepressants
Question 4:
What assessment question will provide the nurse with information regarding the
effects of a woman's circadian rhythms on her quality of life?
a. "How much sleep do you usually get each night?"
b. "Does your heart ever seem to skip a beat?"
c. "When was the last time you had a fever?"
d. "Do you have problems urinating?"
Answer: a. "How much sleep do you usually get each night?"
Question 5:
Which statement made by the nurse demonstrates the best understanding of
nonverbal communication?
a. "The patient's verbal and nonverbal communication is often different."
b. "When my patient responds to my question, I check for congruence between
verbal and nonverbal communication to help validate the response."
c. "If a patient is slumped in the chair, I can be sure he's angry or depressed."
d. "It's easier to understand verbal communication than nonverbal
communication."
Answer: b. "When my patient responds to my question, I check for
congruence between verbal and nonverbal communication to help validate
the response."
,Question 6:
Which nursing statement is an example of reflection?
a. "I think this feeling will pass."
b. "So you are saying that life has no meaning."
c. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
d. "You look sad."
Answer: b. "So you are saying that life has no meaning."
Question 7:
When should a nurse be most alert to the possibility of communication errors
resulting in harm to the patient?
a. Change of shift report
b. Admission interviews
c. One-to-one conversations with patients
d. Conversations with patient families
Answer: a. Change of shift report
Question 8:
During an admission assessment and interview, which channels of information
communication should the nurse be monitoring? Select all that apply.
a. Auditory
b. Visual
c. Written
d. Tactile
e. Olfactory
Answer: a, b, d, e (Auditory, Visual, Tactile, Olfactory)
Question 9:
What principle about nurse-patient communication should guide a nurse's fear
about "saying the wrong thing" to a patient?
, a. Patients tend to appreciate a well-meaning person who conveys genuine
acceptance, respect, and concern for their situation.
b. The patient is more interested in talking to you than listening to what you
have to say and so is not likely to be offended.
c. Considering the patient's history, there is little chance that the comment will
do any actual harm.
d. Most people with a mental illness have by necessity developed a high
tolerance of forgiveness.
Answer: a. Patients tend to appreciate a well-meaning person who conveys
genuine acceptance, respect, and concern for their situation.
Question 10:
You have been working closely with a patient for the past month. Today he tells
you he is looking forward to meeting with his new psychiatrist but frowns and
avoids eye contact while reporting this to you. Which of the following responses
would most likely be therapeutic?
a. "A new psychiatrist is a chance to start fresh; I'm sure it will go well for you."
b. "You say you look forward to the meeting, but you appear anxious or
unhappy."
c. "I notice that you frowned and avoided eye contact just now. Don't you feel
well?"
d. "I get the impression you don't really want to see your psychiatrist—can you
tell me why?"
Answer: b. "You say you look forward to the meeting, but you appear
anxious or unhappy."
Question 11:
Which student behavior is consistent with therapeutic communication?
a. Offering your opinion when asked to convey support.
b. Summarizing the essence of the patient's comments in your own words.
c. Interrupting periods of silence before they become awkward for the patient.
d. Telling the patient he did well when you approve of his statements or actions.
