NUR 2520 PRACTICE EXAM 1 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027 UPDATED COMPREHE…
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
NUR 2520 Practice Exam 1
Questions & Answers
2026/2027 Updated
Comprehensive Nursing
Assessment (Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 59 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 59 comprehensive nursing assessment questions, each with the
correct answer and detailed rationales, covering mental health nursing. It is directly suitable
for students to study, review course material, and prepare for certification exams by
understanding the provided answers and their explanations.
TOPICS
Psychosocial Assessment & Communication Q1–Q23
Physical Health Assessment Q24–Q25
Specific Mental Health Conditions & Disorders Q26–Q31
Mental Health History & Treatment Q32–Q41
Pharmacology & Medication Management Q42–Q49
Health Promotion & Safety Q50–Q59
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 59
A client grieving the recent loss of a spouse asks, "Am I becoming mentally ill? I feel so sad."
Which is the nurse's best response?
A). Try not to worry about that right now, you never know what the future brings
B). Were you generally dissatisfied with your relationship before your husband's death
C). You are not mentally ill. This is an expected reaction to the loss you have experienced
D. You may have a temporary mental illness because you are experiencing so much pain
RESPONSE
C). You are not mentally ill. This is an expected reaction to the loss you have experienced
RATIONALE
Grief is a natural psychological response to loss, characterized by intense sadness and emotional
distress. Reassuring the client that their feelings are a normal part of the grieving process validates
their experience and helps prevent unnecessary anxiety about mental illness. This approach
promotes coping rather than pathologizing a common human experience.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 59
The nurse is creating a plan of care for a client experiencing a situational crisis. Which is the
most measurable and obtainable goal for the client to achieve?
A). The client will identify possible causes for the crisis.
B). The client will discover a new sense of self-sufficiency in coping.
C). The client will resume the precrisis level of functioning.
D). The client will express anger regarding the crisis event.
RESPONSE
C). The client will resume the precrisis level of functioning.
RATIONALE
Situational crises disrupt a client's usual coping mechanisms. The primary goal in crisis
intervention is to help the individual regain their baseline functioning as quickly as possible.
Therefore, aiming for a return to the precrisis level of functioning is the most concrete and
achievable objective.
Page 2
, Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 59
A client has just been told they have cervical cancer. When asked about how this is
impacting them, they state, "It's just an infection; it will clear up." Which does this statement
by the client indicate to the nurse?
A). Needs education on cervical cancer.
B). Is unable to express her true emotions.
C). Should be immediately referred to a cancer support group.
D). The client is using denial to protect herself from an emotionally painful thought.
RESPONSE
D). The client is using denial to protect herself from an emotionally painful thought.
RATIONALE
The client's statement minimizes the diagnosis by comparing it to a self-limiting infection, which is
a common defense mechanism. This reaction indicates the use of denial to shield oneself from the
overwhelming emotional distress associated with a serious diagnosis like cancer.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 59
An adolescent client defies the nurse's repeated requests to turn off the video game and go
to sleep. The client says angrily. "You sound just like my parents!" and continues to play the
video game. Which does the nurse identify this statement indicates?
A). The need of stricter discipline at home.
B). Early signs of oppositional defiant disorder.
C). The presence of transference
D). Expression of developing autonomy.
RESPONSE
C). The presence of transference
RATIONALE
Transference occurs when a client unconsciously redirects feelings and attitudes from significant
people in their past onto a healthcare provider. The adolescent's angry comparison of the nurse to
their parents, despite the nurse's request, reflects this redirection of past emotional responses.
This behavior is a manifestation of unresolved feelings toward parental figures being projected
onto the nurse.
Page 3
, Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 59
The nurse is assessing a client who is talking about the client's child's recent death but
shows no emotion of any kind. The client describes the physiologic events that occurred as
the son died. The nurse identifies that the client is using which defense mechanism?
A). Dissociation
B). Displacement
C). Intellectualization
D). Suppression
RESPONSE
C). Intellectualization
RATIONALE
This defense mechanism involves focusing on the factual, objective aspects of a distressing
situation to avoid experiencing the associated emotions. The client's detailed description of
physiological events, devoid of emotional affect, exemplifies this detachment from feelings related
to their child's death. This cognitive distancing serves to manage overwhelming emotional pain.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 59
The nurse observes the client experiencing a panic attack in the day room in the behavioral
health unit. Which is the priority action by the nurse?
A). Stay with the client and maintain a safe environment.
B). Take the client for a walk around the unit.
C). Redirect the client to an activity or task.
D). Educate the client in ways to prevent a future panic attack.
RESPONSE
A). Stay with the client and maintain a safe environment.
RATIONALE
During a panic attack, a client's perception of safety is severely compromised, and they may exhibit
unpredictable behavior. The priority is to ensure their immediate physical safety and provide a
calming presence. This direct observation and environmental control are paramount before
attempting other interventions.
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
NUR 2520 Practice Exam 1
Questions & Answers
2026/2027 Updated
Comprehensive Nursing
Assessment (Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 59 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 59 comprehensive nursing assessment questions, each with the
correct answer and detailed rationales, covering mental health nursing. It is directly suitable
for students to study, review course material, and prepare for certification exams by
understanding the provided answers and their explanations.
TOPICS
Psychosocial Assessment & Communication Q1–Q23
Physical Health Assessment Q24–Q25
Specific Mental Health Conditions & Disorders Q26–Q31
Mental Health History & Treatment Q32–Q41
Pharmacology & Medication Management Q42–Q49
Health Promotion & Safety Q50–Q59
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 59
A client grieving the recent loss of a spouse asks, "Am I becoming mentally ill? I feel so sad."
Which is the nurse's best response?
A). Try not to worry about that right now, you never know what the future brings
B). Were you generally dissatisfied with your relationship before your husband's death
C). You are not mentally ill. This is an expected reaction to the loss you have experienced
D. You may have a temporary mental illness because you are experiencing so much pain
RESPONSE
C). You are not mentally ill. This is an expected reaction to the loss you have experienced
RATIONALE
Grief is a natural psychological response to loss, characterized by intense sadness and emotional
distress. Reassuring the client that their feelings are a normal part of the grieving process validates
their experience and helps prevent unnecessary anxiety about mental illness. This approach
promotes coping rather than pathologizing a common human experience.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 59
The nurse is creating a plan of care for a client experiencing a situational crisis. Which is the
most measurable and obtainable goal for the client to achieve?
A). The client will identify possible causes for the crisis.
B). The client will discover a new sense of self-sufficiency in coping.
C). The client will resume the precrisis level of functioning.
D). The client will express anger regarding the crisis event.
RESPONSE
C). The client will resume the precrisis level of functioning.
RATIONALE
Situational crises disrupt a client's usual coping mechanisms. The primary goal in crisis
intervention is to help the individual regain their baseline functioning as quickly as possible.
Therefore, aiming for a return to the precrisis level of functioning is the most concrete and
achievable objective.
Page 2
, Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 59
A client has just been told they have cervical cancer. When asked about how this is
impacting them, they state, "It's just an infection; it will clear up." Which does this statement
by the client indicate to the nurse?
A). Needs education on cervical cancer.
B). Is unable to express her true emotions.
C). Should be immediately referred to a cancer support group.
D). The client is using denial to protect herself from an emotionally painful thought.
RESPONSE
D). The client is using denial to protect herself from an emotionally painful thought.
RATIONALE
The client's statement minimizes the diagnosis by comparing it to a self-limiting infection, which is
a common defense mechanism. This reaction indicates the use of denial to shield oneself from the
overwhelming emotional distress associated with a serious diagnosis like cancer.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 59
An adolescent client defies the nurse's repeated requests to turn off the video game and go
to sleep. The client says angrily. "You sound just like my parents!" and continues to play the
video game. Which does the nurse identify this statement indicates?
A). The need of stricter discipline at home.
B). Early signs of oppositional defiant disorder.
C). The presence of transference
D). Expression of developing autonomy.
RESPONSE
C). The presence of transference
RATIONALE
Transference occurs when a client unconsciously redirects feelings and attitudes from significant
people in their past onto a healthcare provider. The adolescent's angry comparison of the nurse to
their parents, despite the nurse's request, reflects this redirection of past emotional responses.
This behavior is a manifestation of unresolved feelings toward parental figures being projected
onto the nurse.
Page 3
, Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 59
The nurse is assessing a client who is talking about the client's child's recent death but
shows no emotion of any kind. The client describes the physiologic events that occurred as
the son died. The nurse identifies that the client is using which defense mechanism?
A). Dissociation
B). Displacement
C). Intellectualization
D). Suppression
RESPONSE
C). Intellectualization
RATIONALE
This defense mechanism involves focusing on the factual, objective aspects of a distressing
situation to avoid experiencing the associated emotions. The client's detailed description of
physiological events, devoid of emotional affect, exemplifies this detachment from feelings related
to their child's death. This cognitive distancing serves to manage overwhelming emotional pain.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 59
The nurse observes the client experiencing a panic attack in the day room in the behavioral
health unit. Which is the priority action by the nurse?
A). Stay with the client and maintain a safe environment.
B). Take the client for a walk around the unit.
C). Redirect the client to an activity or task.
D). Educate the client in ways to prevent a future panic attack.
RESPONSE
A). Stay with the client and maintain a safe environment.
RATIONALE
During a panic attack, a client's perception of safety is severely compromised, and they may exhibit
unpredictable behavior. The priority is to ensure their immediate physical safety and provide a
calming presence. This direct observation and environmental control are paramount before
attempting other interventions.
Page 4
