NSG 3160 Exam 2 | Questions with 100% Verified Answers |
Latest Update 2026/2027
Question: A full mental status examination should be completed if the
patient
a. develops dysphagia.
b. has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
c. complains of insomnia.
d. has a change in behavior and the family is concerned.
Answer: d. has a change in behavior and the family is concerned.
A full mental status examination is indicated if there is any abnormality in affect or
behavior and in the following situations: family members concerned about a person's
behavioral changes; brain lesions; aphasia; or symptoms of psychiatric mental illness,
especially with acute onset. A full mental status examination is not indicated for
dysphagia or difficulty with swallowing. A full mental status examination is not indicated
for a medical problem such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. A full mental status examination is
not indicated for a symptom such as insomnia.
Question: Aphasia is best described as
a. a disturbance in executive functioning (planning, organizing,
sequencing, abstracting).
b. a language disturbance in speaking, writing, or
understanding.
c. the impaired ability to recognize or identify objects despite
intact sensory function.
d. the impaired ability to carry out motor activities despite
intact motor function.
Answer: b. a language disturbance in speaking, writing, or understanding.
Aphasia is a language disturbance. Apraxia is an impaired ability to carry out motor
activities despite intact motor function. Agnosia is an impaired ability to identify objects
correctly despite intact sensory function. A disturbance in executive functioning is a
cognitive disturbance. Dementia is the development of multiple cognitive deficits with
both memory impairment and a cognitive disturbance.
Question: A patient in whom a seizure disorder was recently diagnosed
plans to continue a career as a pilot. At this time in the
interview, the nurse begins to question the patient's
a. thought process.
b. intellect.
c. judgment.
d. perception.
Answer: c. judgment.
To assess judgment in the interview, the nurse should notice what the person says about
job plans, social or family obligations, and plans for the future. Job and future plans
should be realistic and should take into account the person's health situation. Thought
processes should be consistent, coherent, relevant, and logical. Perceptions should be
congruent; the person should be consistently aware of reality. Intellectual functioning is
measured by problem-solving and reasoning abilities.
,Question: A major characteristic of dementia is
a. hallucinations.
b. sudden onset of symptoms.
c. cognitive deficits that are substance-induced.
d. impaired short-term and long-term memory.
Answer: d. impaired short-term and long-term memory.
Dementia is the presence of cognitive deficits; the deficits include memory impairment
(impaired ability to learn new information or to recall previously learned information).
Hallucinations are a form of delirium. Delirium is a disturbance that develops over a short
period of time. Delirium may be substance-induced.
Question: Mental status assessment documents
a. schizophrenia and other mental health disorders.
b. artistic or writing ability in the mentally ill person.
c. emotional and cognitive functioning.
d. intelligence and educational level.
Answer: c. emotional and cognitive functioning.
Mental status assessment is a systematic check of emotional and cognitive functioning.
Intelligence testing measures problem-solving and reasoning abilities; results of
intelligence testing should be assessed considering educational and cultural
background. Mental status assessment evaluates appearance, behavior, cognition, and
thought processes, not artistic or writing ability. Abnormalities in mood and affect may
indicate schizophrenia and other mental health disorders.
Question: Although a full mental status examination may not be required
for every patient, the health care provider must address the
four main components during a health history and physical
examination. The four components are
a. language, orientation, attention, and abstract reasoning.
b. mood, affect, consciousness, and orientation.
c. appearance, behavior, cognition, and thought processes.
d. memory, attention, thought content, and perceptions.
Answer: c. appearance, behavior, cognition, and thought processes.
The four main components of a full mental status examination are appearance, behavior,
cognition, and thought processes. Select behaviors that are assessed with a mental status
examination include memory, attention, thought content, and perceptions. Select
behaviors that are assessed with a mental status examination include language,
orientation, attention, and abstract reasoning. Select behaviors that are assessed with a
mental status examination include mood, affect, consciousness, and orientation.
, Question: An older adult
a. has a slower response time.
b. has diminished recent and remote memory recall.
c. experiences a 10-point decrease in intelligence.
d. has difficulty with problem-solving.
Answer: a. has a slower response time.
Response time is slower in an aging adult; it may take longer for the brain to process
information and react. Timed intelligence testing may be lower for an aging adult;
intelligence has not declined, but it may take longer to respond to questions. Recent
memory requires processing and may decrease with aging. Remote memory is not
affected by the aging process. Aging does not usually have an impact on mental status
(e.g., intelligence, reasoning abilities, and problem solving).
Question: Which of the following statements about mental status testing
of children is correct?
a. The behavioral checklist is useful to assess children who are
3 to 5 years old.
b. Input from parents and caregivers is discouraged when
assessing psychosocial development.
c. The results of the Denver II screening test are valid for
white, middle-class children only.
d. Abnormal findings are usually r/t not achieving an expected
developmental milestone.
Answer: d. Abnormal findings are usually r/t not achieving an expected developmental
milestone.
Abnormalities in mental status in children are often problems of omission; the child does
not achieve a milestone that is expected. The validity of the Denver II screening test is
based on more than 2000 children in Colorado; the sample represented a broad
spectrum of children and was representative of the U.S. population with only minor
demographic differences. The behavioral checklist is useful as a mental status assessment
for school-age children (7 to 11 years old). A child's psychosocial development and
mental status assessment is mostly based on information obtained from the parent.
Question: The mental status examination
a. should be completed at the end of the physical
examination.
b. assesses mental health strengths and coping skills and
screens for any dysfunction.
c. is usually not assessed in children younger than 2 years of
age.
d. will not be affected if the patient has a language
impairment.
Answer: b. assesses mental health strengths and coping skills and screens for any dysfunction.
The purpose of the mental status examination is to assess mental health strengths and
coping skills and to screen for any dysfunction. The mental status assessment usually can
be completed during the context of the entire health history interview. If basic functions
(e.g., language) are abnormal, other assessments (of new learning or abstract reasoning)
may be erroneous. A mental status examination can be performed on all patients.
Latest Update 2026/2027
Question: A full mental status examination should be completed if the
patient
a. develops dysphagia.
b. has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
c. complains of insomnia.
d. has a change in behavior and the family is concerned.
Answer: d. has a change in behavior and the family is concerned.
A full mental status examination is indicated if there is any abnormality in affect or
behavior and in the following situations: family members concerned about a person's
behavioral changes; brain lesions; aphasia; or symptoms of psychiatric mental illness,
especially with acute onset. A full mental status examination is not indicated for
dysphagia or difficulty with swallowing. A full mental status examination is not indicated
for a medical problem such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. A full mental status examination is
not indicated for a symptom such as insomnia.
Question: Aphasia is best described as
a. a disturbance in executive functioning (planning, organizing,
sequencing, abstracting).
b. a language disturbance in speaking, writing, or
understanding.
c. the impaired ability to recognize or identify objects despite
intact sensory function.
d. the impaired ability to carry out motor activities despite
intact motor function.
Answer: b. a language disturbance in speaking, writing, or understanding.
Aphasia is a language disturbance. Apraxia is an impaired ability to carry out motor
activities despite intact motor function. Agnosia is an impaired ability to identify objects
correctly despite intact sensory function. A disturbance in executive functioning is a
cognitive disturbance. Dementia is the development of multiple cognitive deficits with
both memory impairment and a cognitive disturbance.
Question: A patient in whom a seizure disorder was recently diagnosed
plans to continue a career as a pilot. At this time in the
interview, the nurse begins to question the patient's
a. thought process.
b. intellect.
c. judgment.
d. perception.
Answer: c. judgment.
To assess judgment in the interview, the nurse should notice what the person says about
job plans, social or family obligations, and plans for the future. Job and future plans
should be realistic and should take into account the person's health situation. Thought
processes should be consistent, coherent, relevant, and logical. Perceptions should be
congruent; the person should be consistently aware of reality. Intellectual functioning is
measured by problem-solving and reasoning abilities.
,Question: A major characteristic of dementia is
a. hallucinations.
b. sudden onset of symptoms.
c. cognitive deficits that are substance-induced.
d. impaired short-term and long-term memory.
Answer: d. impaired short-term and long-term memory.
Dementia is the presence of cognitive deficits; the deficits include memory impairment
(impaired ability to learn new information or to recall previously learned information).
Hallucinations are a form of delirium. Delirium is a disturbance that develops over a short
period of time. Delirium may be substance-induced.
Question: Mental status assessment documents
a. schizophrenia and other mental health disorders.
b. artistic or writing ability in the mentally ill person.
c. emotional and cognitive functioning.
d. intelligence and educational level.
Answer: c. emotional and cognitive functioning.
Mental status assessment is a systematic check of emotional and cognitive functioning.
Intelligence testing measures problem-solving and reasoning abilities; results of
intelligence testing should be assessed considering educational and cultural
background. Mental status assessment evaluates appearance, behavior, cognition, and
thought processes, not artistic or writing ability. Abnormalities in mood and affect may
indicate schizophrenia and other mental health disorders.
Question: Although a full mental status examination may not be required
for every patient, the health care provider must address the
four main components during a health history and physical
examination. The four components are
a. language, orientation, attention, and abstract reasoning.
b. mood, affect, consciousness, and orientation.
c. appearance, behavior, cognition, and thought processes.
d. memory, attention, thought content, and perceptions.
Answer: c. appearance, behavior, cognition, and thought processes.
The four main components of a full mental status examination are appearance, behavior,
cognition, and thought processes. Select behaviors that are assessed with a mental status
examination include memory, attention, thought content, and perceptions. Select
behaviors that are assessed with a mental status examination include language,
orientation, attention, and abstract reasoning. Select behaviors that are assessed with a
mental status examination include mood, affect, consciousness, and orientation.
, Question: An older adult
a. has a slower response time.
b. has diminished recent and remote memory recall.
c. experiences a 10-point decrease in intelligence.
d. has difficulty with problem-solving.
Answer: a. has a slower response time.
Response time is slower in an aging adult; it may take longer for the brain to process
information and react. Timed intelligence testing may be lower for an aging adult;
intelligence has not declined, but it may take longer to respond to questions. Recent
memory requires processing and may decrease with aging. Remote memory is not
affected by the aging process. Aging does not usually have an impact on mental status
(e.g., intelligence, reasoning abilities, and problem solving).
Question: Which of the following statements about mental status testing
of children is correct?
a. The behavioral checklist is useful to assess children who are
3 to 5 years old.
b. Input from parents and caregivers is discouraged when
assessing psychosocial development.
c. The results of the Denver II screening test are valid for
white, middle-class children only.
d. Abnormal findings are usually r/t not achieving an expected
developmental milestone.
Answer: d. Abnormal findings are usually r/t not achieving an expected developmental
milestone.
Abnormalities in mental status in children are often problems of omission; the child does
not achieve a milestone that is expected. The validity of the Denver II screening test is
based on more than 2000 children in Colorado; the sample represented a broad
spectrum of children and was representative of the U.S. population with only minor
demographic differences. The behavioral checklist is useful as a mental status assessment
for school-age children (7 to 11 years old). A child's psychosocial development and
mental status assessment is mostly based on information obtained from the parent.
Question: The mental status examination
a. should be completed at the end of the physical
examination.
b. assesses mental health strengths and coping skills and
screens for any dysfunction.
c. is usually not assessed in children younger than 2 years of
age.
d. will not be affected if the patient has a language
impairment.
Answer: b. assesses mental health strengths and coping skills and screens for any dysfunction.
The purpose of the mental status examination is to assess mental health strengths and
coping skills and to screen for any dysfunction. The mental status assessment usually can
be completed during the context of the entire health history interview. If basic functions
(e.g., language) are abnormal, other assessments (of new learning or abstract reasoning)
may be erroneous. A mental status examination can be performed on all patients.
