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RASMUSSEN MENTAL HEALTH FINAL EXAM LATEST REAL EXAM ALL
150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS|A+GRADE 2025/2026
If a cruel and abusive person rationalizes the behavior, which comment would be most
characteristic? - ......ANSWER........That person shouldn't have provoked me."
At a unit meeting, staff discusses decor for a special bedroom for manic patients- Which is
the best suggestion related to caring for an acutely manic patient?
- ......ANSWER........Neutral walls with pale, simple accessories
Two days ago, a client was admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of
PTSD and a history of violence. Currently, he continues to have sleep problems, trouble
with concentration, and has been feeling increased anger toward another patient who
reminds him of a former colleague. The priority nursing diagnosis would be:
- ......ANSWER........Risk for violence
A nurse is providing teaching for a client who has a new prescription for clozapine
(Clozaril). Which of the following client statements indicates a need for further teaching?
- ......ANSWER........This medication will help prevent seizures."
You are the nurse responsible for assessing for extrapyramidal side effects in a patient who
has been taking chlorpromazine. Which of the following may be side effects for this
medication? (Select all that apply.) - ......ANSWER........A.acute dystonia
B. akathisia
E. Tardive dyskinesia
F. Parkinsonism
A nurse answers a suicide crisis line. A caller says, "I live alone in a home several miles
from my nearest neighbors. I have been considering suicide for 2 months. I have had
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several drinks and now my gun is loaded. I'm going to shoot myself in the heart." How
would the nurse assess the lethality of this plan? - ......ANSWER........High level
A nurse provided medication education for a patient who takes phenelzine (Nardi) for
depression. Which behavior indicates effective learning? The patient:
- ......ANSWER........c. consults the pharmacist when selecting over-the-counter
medications.
Which statement indicates a patient with major depression is most likely outlook on life
during the acute phase of the illness? - ......ANSWER........During an acute phase of major
depression, the client may feel worthless and deserve bad things to happen personally.
When assessing a patient's plan for suicide, what aspect has priority?
- ......ANSWER........Availability of means and lethality of method
A nurse receives this laboratory result: lithium level 1.7 mEq/L. How should the nurse
interpret this lab value? A nurse receives this laboratory result for a patient diagnosed with
bipolar disorder: lithium level 1 mEq/L. This result is: - ......ANSWER........within therapeutic
limits
A patient diagnosed with major depression refuses solid foods. To meet nutritional needs,
which beverage will the nurse offer to this patient? - ......ANSWER........Milk
A patient says to the nurse, "My life doesn't have any happiness in it anymore. I once
enjoyed going out with friends, but now I don't care if they even invite me." Which term best
describes this patient's feelings? - ......ANSWER........anhedonia.
A patient receiving lithium should be assessed for which evidence of complications?
- ......ANSWER........Diaphoresis, weakness, and nausea
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The nurse knows that sedation is a side effect of many antipsychotics. Which of the
following medications should the nurse question if ordered for a patient taking
antipsychotics? - ......ANSWER........Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder commands other patients, "Get me a book. Take
this stuff out of here," and other similar demands. The nurse wants to interrupt this
behavior without entering a power struggle. Select the best initial approach by the nurse.
- ......ANSWER........Distraction: "Let's go to the dining room for a snack."
Which statement made by a client who has agoraphobia and does not leave her home
identifies the thinking typical of a client with this disorder? - ......ANSWER........Being afraid
to go out seems ridiculous, but I can't go out the door."
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. - ......ANSWER........b. "Taking the medication
every day helps reduce the risk of a relapse."
50) An adult with depression has been treated with medication and cognitive behavioral
therapy. The patient now verbalizes that being passive and letting others make decisions
for her contributed to the depression. What referrals could the nurse make to help this
patient prevent recurrence of depression? Which intervention should the nurse suggest?
- ......ANSWER........Social skills training
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. - ......ANSWER........b. "Feeling that
people want to destroy you must be very frightening."
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
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lot, has lost 15 pounds, and is easily fatigued. Which defense mechanism is the patient
using? - ......ANSWER........Denial
8) A cab driver, stuck in traffic, becomes lightheaded, tremulous, diaphoretic, tachycardia
and dyspneic. A workup in an emergency department reveals no pathology. Which medical
diagnosis should a nurse suspect, and what nursing diagnosis should be the nurse's
priority? - ......ANSWER........panic disorder and a nursing diagnosis of anxiety
The nurse is providing health teaching for a patient who has been prescribed Phenelzine
(Nardi) for depression and provides a written list of foods that should not be eaten while
taking this medication. What is the potential problem if the patient is not compliant with
these dietary restrictions? - ......ANSWER........hypertensive crisis
A 39-year-old woman is recently divorced and is learning to cope with additional stressors.
Which of the following best demonstrate(s) that she utilizes positive coping strategies to
manage her stress? (Select all that apply.) - ......ANSWER........-Starting an exercise
program
-Using Cognitive Behavioral techniques
-States that she has been feeling less stressed at work
A client admitted with general anxiety disorder (GAD) becomes increasingly confused and
agitated over 3 hours. What is the priority action by the nurse? - ......ANSWER........ -Assess
the client to determine the possible cause
A client asks the nurse "What is the difference between post-traumatic stress disorder and
acute stress disorder?" Which response by the nurse is accurate?
- ......ANSWER........hypervigilance and flashbacks are less frequent in acute stress
disorder
A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder is considering cognitive behavioral
therapy. The client asks the nurse how this therapy would help alleviate depressive
RASMUSSEN MENTAL HEALTH FINAL EXAM LATEST REAL EXAM ALL
150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS|A+GRADE 2025/2026
If a cruel and abusive person rationalizes the behavior, which comment would be most
characteristic? - ......ANSWER........That person shouldn't have provoked me."
At a unit meeting, staff discusses decor for a special bedroom for manic patients- Which is
the best suggestion related to caring for an acutely manic patient?
- ......ANSWER........Neutral walls with pale, simple accessories
Two days ago, a client was admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of
PTSD and a history of violence. Currently, he continues to have sleep problems, trouble
with concentration, and has been feeling increased anger toward another patient who
reminds him of a former colleague. The priority nursing diagnosis would be:
- ......ANSWER........Risk for violence
A nurse is providing teaching for a client who has a new prescription for clozapine
(Clozaril). Which of the following client statements indicates a need for further teaching?
- ......ANSWER........This medication will help prevent seizures."
You are the nurse responsible for assessing for extrapyramidal side effects in a patient who
has been taking chlorpromazine. Which of the following may be side effects for this
medication? (Select all that apply.) - ......ANSWER........A.acute dystonia
B. akathisia
E. Tardive dyskinesia
F. Parkinsonism
A nurse answers a suicide crisis line. A caller says, "I live alone in a home several miles
from my nearest neighbors. I have been considering suicide for 2 months. I have had
,2 of 39
several drinks and now my gun is loaded. I'm going to shoot myself in the heart." How
would the nurse assess the lethality of this plan? - ......ANSWER........High level
A nurse provided medication education for a patient who takes phenelzine (Nardi) for
depression. Which behavior indicates effective learning? The patient:
- ......ANSWER........c. consults the pharmacist when selecting over-the-counter
medications.
Which statement indicates a patient with major depression is most likely outlook on life
during the acute phase of the illness? - ......ANSWER........During an acute phase of major
depression, the client may feel worthless and deserve bad things to happen personally.
When assessing a patient's plan for suicide, what aspect has priority?
- ......ANSWER........Availability of means and lethality of method
A nurse receives this laboratory result: lithium level 1.7 mEq/L. How should the nurse
interpret this lab value? A nurse receives this laboratory result for a patient diagnosed with
bipolar disorder: lithium level 1 mEq/L. This result is: - ......ANSWER........within therapeutic
limits
A patient diagnosed with major depression refuses solid foods. To meet nutritional needs,
which beverage will the nurse offer to this patient? - ......ANSWER........Milk
A patient says to the nurse, "My life doesn't have any happiness in it anymore. I once
enjoyed going out with friends, but now I don't care if they even invite me." Which term best
describes this patient's feelings? - ......ANSWER........anhedonia.
A patient receiving lithium should be assessed for which evidence of complications?
- ......ANSWER........Diaphoresis, weakness, and nausea
,3 of 39
The nurse knows that sedation is a side effect of many antipsychotics. Which of the
following medications should the nurse question if ordered for a patient taking
antipsychotics? - ......ANSWER........Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder commands other patients, "Get me a book. Take
this stuff out of here," and other similar demands. The nurse wants to interrupt this
behavior without entering a power struggle. Select the best initial approach by the nurse.
- ......ANSWER........Distraction: "Let's go to the dining room for a snack."
Which statement made by a client who has agoraphobia and does not leave her home
identifies the thinking typical of a client with this disorder? - ......ANSWER........Being afraid
to go out seems ridiculous, but I can't go out the door."
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. - ......ANSWER........b. "Taking the medication
every day helps reduce the risk of a relapse."
50) An adult with depression has been treated with medication and cognitive behavioral
therapy. The patient now verbalizes that being passive and letting others make decisions
for her contributed to the depression. What referrals could the nurse make to help this
patient prevent recurrence of depression? Which intervention should the nurse suggest?
- ......ANSWER........Social skills training
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. - ......ANSWER........b. "Feeling that
people want to destroy you must be very frightening."
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
, 4 of 39
lot, has lost 15 pounds, and is easily fatigued. Which defense mechanism is the patient
using? - ......ANSWER........Denial
8) A cab driver, stuck in traffic, becomes lightheaded, tremulous, diaphoretic, tachycardia
and dyspneic. A workup in an emergency department reveals no pathology. Which medical
diagnosis should a nurse suspect, and what nursing diagnosis should be the nurse's
priority? - ......ANSWER........panic disorder and a nursing diagnosis of anxiety
The nurse is providing health teaching for a patient who has been prescribed Phenelzine
(Nardi) for depression and provides a written list of foods that should not be eaten while
taking this medication. What is the potential problem if the patient is not compliant with
these dietary restrictions? - ......ANSWER........hypertensive crisis
A 39-year-old woman is recently divorced and is learning to cope with additional stressors.
Which of the following best demonstrate(s) that she utilizes positive coping strategies to
manage her stress? (Select all that apply.) - ......ANSWER........-Starting an exercise
program
-Using Cognitive Behavioral techniques
-States that she has been feeling less stressed at work
A client admitted with general anxiety disorder (GAD) becomes increasingly confused and
agitated over 3 hours. What is the priority action by the nurse? - ......ANSWER........ -Assess
the client to determine the possible cause
A client asks the nurse "What is the difference between post-traumatic stress disorder and
acute stress disorder?" Which response by the nurse is accurate?
- ......ANSWER........hypervigilance and flashbacks are less frequent in acute stress
disorder
A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder is considering cognitive behavioral
therapy. The client asks the nurse how this therapy would help alleviate depressive
