Rasmussen Mental Health Questions with CORRECT Answers (Verified Update)
Q1: A medical-surgical nurse works with a patient diagnosed with a somatic system disorder.
Care planning is facilitated by understanding that the patient will probably
A. Readily seek psychiatric counseling.
B. Be resistant to accepting psychiatric help.
C. Attend psychotherapy sessions without encouragement.
D. Be eager to discover the true reasons for physical symptoms. - b.Be resistant to accepting
psychiatric help.
Answer: A. Readily seek psychiatric counseling.
Q2: A patient has blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder but is
unconcerned about this problem. Which understanding should guide the nurse's planning for
this patient? The patient is
A. suppressing accurate feelings regarding the problem.
B. relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
C. meeting needs through hospitalization.
D. refusing to disclose genuine fears.
Answer: B. relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
Q3: planning for this patient? The patient is
A. suppressing accurate feelings regarding the problem.
B. relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
C. meeting needs through hospitalization.
D. refusing to disclose genuine fears.
Answer: B. relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
Q4: A patient has blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder. To help the
patient eat, the nurse should
A. establish a "buddy" system with other patients who can feed the patient at each meal.
B. expect the patient to feed him- or herself after explaining the arrangement of the food on
the tray.
C. direct the patient to locate items on the tray independently and feed self unassisted.
D. address the needs of other patients in the dining room, and then feed this patient.
Answer: B. expect the patient to feed him- or herself after explaining the arrangement of the food
on the tray.
,Q5: A patient with blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder says, "All
the doctors and nurses in this hospital stop by often to check on me. Too bad people outside
the hospital don't find me interesting." Which nursing diagnosis is most relevant?
A. Social isolation
B. Chronic low self-esteem
C. Interrupted family processes
D. Ineffective health maintenance
Answer: B. Chronic low self-esteem
Q6: To assist a patient with a somatic system disorder, a nursing intervention of high priority is to
A. imply that somatic symptoms are not real.
B. help the patient suppress feelings of anger.
C. shift the focus from somatic symptoms to feelings.
D. investigate each physical symptom as it is offered.
Answer: C. shift the focus from somatic symptoms to feelings.
Q7: A patient who fears serious heart disease was referred to the mental health center by a
cardiologist after extensive diagnostic evaluation showed no physical illness. The patient
says, "I have tightness in my chest and my heart misses beats. I'm frequently absent from
work. I don't go out much because I need to rest." Which health problem is most likely?
A. Dysthymic disorder
B. Antisocial personality disorder
C. Simple somatic symptom disorder
D. Prominent health anxiety (hypochondriasis)
Answer: D. Prominent health anxiety (hypochondriasis)
Q8: A nurse assessing a patient with a somatic system disorder is most likely to note that the
patient
A. Readily sees a relationship between symptoms and interpersonal conflicts.
B. Rarely derives personal benefit from the symptoms.
C. Has little difficulty communicating emotional needs.
D. Has altered comfort and activity needs.
Answer: D. Has altered comfort and activity needs.
Q9: To plan effective care for patients with somatic system disorders, the nurse should
understand that patients have difficulty giving up the symptoms because the symptoms
A. Are generally chronic.
B. Have a physiological basis.
C. Can be voluntarily controlled.
D. Provide relief from health anxiety.
Answer: D. Provide relief from health anxiety.
,Q10: A patient with a somatic symptom disorder has the nursing diagnosis: Interrupted family
processes, related to patient's disabling symptoms as evidenced by spouse and children
assuming roles and tasks that previously belonged to patient. An appropriate outcome is that
the patient will
A. Assume roles and functions of the other family members.
B. Demonstrate a resumption of former roles and tasks.
C. Focus energy on problems occurring in the family.
D. Rely on family members to meet his or her personal needs.
Answer: B. Demonstrate a resumption of former roles and tasks.
Q11: Which health problem is likely?
A. Dissociative fugue
B. Prominent pain disorder
C. Body dysmorphic disorder
D. Depersonalization disorder
Answer: C. Body dysmorphic disorder
Q12: Which assessment finding best supports dissociative fugue? The patient states
A. "I cannot recall why I'm living in this town."
B. "I feel as if I'm living in a fuzzy dream state."
C. "I feel like different parts of my body are at war."
D. "I feel very anxious and worried about my problems."
Answer: A. "I cannot recall why I'm living in this town."
Q13: A college student observes a roommate going out wearing uncharacteristically seductive
clothing, returning 12 to 24 hours later and sleeping for 8 to 12 hours. At other times, the
roommate sits on the floor speaking like a young child. Which health problem should be
considered?
A. Functional neurological (conversion) disorder
B. Dissociative identity disorder
C. Depersonalization disorder
D. Body dysmorphic disorder
Answer: B. Dissociative identity disorder
, Q14: A nurse assesses a patient diagnosed with functional neurological (conversion) disorder.
Which comment is most likely from this patient?
A. "Since my father died, I've been short of breath and had sharp pains that go down my left
arm, but I think it's just indigestion."
B. "I have daily problems with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. My skin is very dry and I think
I'm getting seriously dehydrated."
C. "Sexual intercourse is painful. I pretend as if I'm asleep so I can avoid it. I think it's starting
to cause problems with my marriage."
D. "I get choked very easily and have trouble swallowing when I eat. I think I might have
cancer of the esophagus."
Answer: A. "Since my father died, I've been short of breath and had sharp pains that go down my left
arm, but I think it's just indigestion."
Q15: Which comment is most likely from this patient?
A. "Since my father died, I've been short of breath and had sharp pains that go down my left
arm, but I think it's just indigestion."
B. "I have daily problems with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. My skin is very dry and I think
I'm getting seriously dehydrated."
C. "Sexual intercourse is painful. I pretend as if I'm asleep so I can avoid it. I think it's starting
to cause problems with my marriage."
D. "I get choked very easily and have trouble swallowing when I eat. I think I might have
cancer of the esophagus."
Answer: A. "Since my father died, I've been short of breath and had sharp pains that go down my left
arm, but I think it's just indigestion."
Q16: A nurse counsels a patient diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder. Which nursing
diagnosis would be a priority for the plan of care?
A. Anxiety
B. Risk for suicide
C. Disturbed body image
D. Ineffective role performance
Answer: B. Risk for suicide
Q17: diagnosis would be a priority for the plan of care?
A. Anxiety
B. Risk for suicide
C. Disturbed body image
D. Ineffective role performance
Answer: B. Risk for suicide
Q1: A medical-surgical nurse works with a patient diagnosed with a somatic system disorder.
Care planning is facilitated by understanding that the patient will probably
A. Readily seek psychiatric counseling.
B. Be resistant to accepting psychiatric help.
C. Attend psychotherapy sessions without encouragement.
D. Be eager to discover the true reasons for physical symptoms. - b.Be resistant to accepting
psychiatric help.
Answer: A. Readily seek psychiatric counseling.
Q2: A patient has blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder but is
unconcerned about this problem. Which understanding should guide the nurse's planning for
this patient? The patient is
A. suppressing accurate feelings regarding the problem.
B. relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
C. meeting needs through hospitalization.
D. refusing to disclose genuine fears.
Answer: B. relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
Q3: planning for this patient? The patient is
A. suppressing accurate feelings regarding the problem.
B. relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
C. meeting needs through hospitalization.
D. refusing to disclose genuine fears.
Answer: B. relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
Q4: A patient has blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder. To help the
patient eat, the nurse should
A. establish a "buddy" system with other patients who can feed the patient at each meal.
B. expect the patient to feed him- or herself after explaining the arrangement of the food on
the tray.
C. direct the patient to locate items on the tray independently and feed self unassisted.
D. address the needs of other patients in the dining room, and then feed this patient.
Answer: B. expect the patient to feed him- or herself after explaining the arrangement of the food
on the tray.
,Q5: A patient with blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder says, "All
the doctors and nurses in this hospital stop by often to check on me. Too bad people outside
the hospital don't find me interesting." Which nursing diagnosis is most relevant?
A. Social isolation
B. Chronic low self-esteem
C. Interrupted family processes
D. Ineffective health maintenance
Answer: B. Chronic low self-esteem
Q6: To assist a patient with a somatic system disorder, a nursing intervention of high priority is to
A. imply that somatic symptoms are not real.
B. help the patient suppress feelings of anger.
C. shift the focus from somatic symptoms to feelings.
D. investigate each physical symptom as it is offered.
Answer: C. shift the focus from somatic symptoms to feelings.
Q7: A patient who fears serious heart disease was referred to the mental health center by a
cardiologist after extensive diagnostic evaluation showed no physical illness. The patient
says, "I have tightness in my chest and my heart misses beats. I'm frequently absent from
work. I don't go out much because I need to rest." Which health problem is most likely?
A. Dysthymic disorder
B. Antisocial personality disorder
C. Simple somatic symptom disorder
D. Prominent health anxiety (hypochondriasis)
Answer: D. Prominent health anxiety (hypochondriasis)
Q8: A nurse assessing a patient with a somatic system disorder is most likely to note that the
patient
A. Readily sees a relationship between symptoms and interpersonal conflicts.
B. Rarely derives personal benefit from the symptoms.
C. Has little difficulty communicating emotional needs.
D. Has altered comfort and activity needs.
Answer: D. Has altered comfort and activity needs.
Q9: To plan effective care for patients with somatic system disorders, the nurse should
understand that patients have difficulty giving up the symptoms because the symptoms
A. Are generally chronic.
B. Have a physiological basis.
C. Can be voluntarily controlled.
D. Provide relief from health anxiety.
Answer: D. Provide relief from health anxiety.
,Q10: A patient with a somatic symptom disorder has the nursing diagnosis: Interrupted family
processes, related to patient's disabling symptoms as evidenced by spouse and children
assuming roles and tasks that previously belonged to patient. An appropriate outcome is that
the patient will
A. Assume roles and functions of the other family members.
B. Demonstrate a resumption of former roles and tasks.
C. Focus energy on problems occurring in the family.
D. Rely on family members to meet his or her personal needs.
Answer: B. Demonstrate a resumption of former roles and tasks.
Q11: Which health problem is likely?
A. Dissociative fugue
B. Prominent pain disorder
C. Body dysmorphic disorder
D. Depersonalization disorder
Answer: C. Body dysmorphic disorder
Q12: Which assessment finding best supports dissociative fugue? The patient states
A. "I cannot recall why I'm living in this town."
B. "I feel as if I'm living in a fuzzy dream state."
C. "I feel like different parts of my body are at war."
D. "I feel very anxious and worried about my problems."
Answer: A. "I cannot recall why I'm living in this town."
Q13: A college student observes a roommate going out wearing uncharacteristically seductive
clothing, returning 12 to 24 hours later and sleeping for 8 to 12 hours. At other times, the
roommate sits on the floor speaking like a young child. Which health problem should be
considered?
A. Functional neurological (conversion) disorder
B. Dissociative identity disorder
C. Depersonalization disorder
D. Body dysmorphic disorder
Answer: B. Dissociative identity disorder
, Q14: A nurse assesses a patient diagnosed with functional neurological (conversion) disorder.
Which comment is most likely from this patient?
A. "Since my father died, I've been short of breath and had sharp pains that go down my left
arm, but I think it's just indigestion."
B. "I have daily problems with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. My skin is very dry and I think
I'm getting seriously dehydrated."
C. "Sexual intercourse is painful. I pretend as if I'm asleep so I can avoid it. I think it's starting
to cause problems with my marriage."
D. "I get choked very easily and have trouble swallowing when I eat. I think I might have
cancer of the esophagus."
Answer: A. "Since my father died, I've been short of breath and had sharp pains that go down my left
arm, but I think it's just indigestion."
Q15: Which comment is most likely from this patient?
A. "Since my father died, I've been short of breath and had sharp pains that go down my left
arm, but I think it's just indigestion."
B. "I have daily problems with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. My skin is very dry and I think
I'm getting seriously dehydrated."
C. "Sexual intercourse is painful. I pretend as if I'm asleep so I can avoid it. I think it's starting
to cause problems with my marriage."
D. "I get choked very easily and have trouble swallowing when I eat. I think I might have
cancer of the esophagus."
Answer: A. "Since my father died, I've been short of breath and had sharp pains that go down my left
arm, but I think it's just indigestion."
Q16: A nurse counsels a patient diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder. Which nursing
diagnosis would be a priority for the plan of care?
A. Anxiety
B. Risk for suicide
C. Disturbed body image
D. Ineffective role performance
Answer: B. Risk for suicide
Q17: diagnosis would be a priority for the plan of care?
A. Anxiety
B. Risk for suicide
C. Disturbed body image
D. Ineffective role performance
Answer: B. Risk for suicide
