Rasmussen: Mental Health Exam 2 Latest
Version(Updated 2024) with complete solution
SECTION 1: SCHIZOPHRENIA & PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS
Question 1
A patient with schizophrenia begins to talk about "volmers" or about
"frangularity" hiding in the warehouse at work. The term "volmers" should
be documented as:
A) Concrete thinking
B) Thought insertion
C) Neologism
D) Idea of reference
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A neologism is a newly coined word having special
meaning to the patient, common in schizophrenia. "Volmer" is not a
known common noun. Concrete thinking refers to the inability to
think abstractly; thought insertion refers to thoughts of others
implanted in one's mind; an idea of reference is a type of delusion in
which trivial events are given personal significance.
Question 2
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 Answer: D
Rationale: 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.
Question 3
The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of psychotropic medication on
negative symptoms of psychosis. The nurse looks for a decrease in which
of the following?
A) Affective flattening
B) Bizarre behavior
C) Illogicality
D) Somatic delusions
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Negative symptoms of psychosis involve a diminution or
loss of normal functioning. They include affective flattening, alogia
(restricted thought and speech), avolition/apathy (lack of behavior
initiation), and anhedonia/asociality (inability to experience pleasure
or maintain social contacts). Positive symptoms of psychosis involve
an excess or distortion of normal functioning, including delusions
and disorganization of speech and behavior.
Question 4
The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of an antipsychotic on negative
symptoms of psychosis. Which of the following symptoms would be
classified as negative symptoms of psychosis? (Select all that apply.)
A) Blunted affect
B) Poverty of thought
C) Loss of motivation
D) Inability to experience pleasure or joy
E) Bizarre behavior
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Negative symptoms of psychosis involve a diminution or
loss of normal functioning. They include affective flattening (blunted
affect), alogia (poverty of thought), avolition/apathy (loss of
motivation), and anhedonia/asociality (inability to experience
, pleasure or joy). Bizarre behavior is a positive symptom of
psychosis.
Question 5
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 Answer: B
Rationale: 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.
Version(Updated 2024) with complete solution
SECTION 1: SCHIZOPHRENIA & PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS
Question 1
A patient with schizophrenia begins to talk about "volmers" or about
"frangularity" hiding in the warehouse at work. The term "volmers" should
be documented as:
A) Concrete thinking
B) Thought insertion
C) Neologism
D) Idea of reference
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A neologism is a newly coined word having special
meaning to the patient, common in schizophrenia. "Volmer" is not a
known common noun. Concrete thinking refers to the inability to
think abstractly; thought insertion refers to thoughts of others
implanted in one's mind; an idea of reference is a type of delusion in
which trivial events are given personal significance.
Question 2
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 Answer: D
Rationale: 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.
Question 3
The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of psychotropic medication on
negative symptoms of psychosis. The nurse looks for a decrease in which
of the following?
A) Affective flattening
B) Bizarre behavior
C) Illogicality
D) Somatic delusions
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Negative symptoms of psychosis involve a diminution or
loss of normal functioning. They include affective flattening, alogia
(restricted thought and speech), avolition/apathy (lack of behavior
initiation), and anhedonia/asociality (inability to experience pleasure
or maintain social contacts). Positive symptoms of psychosis involve
an excess or distortion of normal functioning, including delusions
and disorganization of speech and behavior.
Question 4
The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of an antipsychotic on negative
symptoms of psychosis. Which of the following symptoms would be
classified as negative symptoms of psychosis? (Select all that apply.)
A) Blunted affect
B) Poverty of thought
C) Loss of motivation
D) Inability to experience pleasure or joy
E) Bizarre behavior
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Negative symptoms of psychosis involve a diminution or
loss of normal functioning. They include affective flattening (blunted
affect), alogia (poverty of thought), avolition/apathy (loss of
motivation), and anhedonia/asociality (inability to experience
, pleasure or joy). Bizarre behavior is a positive symptom of
psychosis.
Question 5
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 Answer: B
Rationale: 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.
