RASMUSSEN: MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2 EXAM
300 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE LATEST UPDATE
ALREADY GRADED A+
This comprehensive Rasmussen Mental Health Exam 2 practice guide
features 300 unique, multiple-choice questions designed to mirror nursing
mental health examination content. Each question includes the correct answer
and a detailed rationale explaining underlying psychiatric principles,
pharmacotherapeutics, therapeutic communication techniques, and nursing
interventions. The questions comprehensively cover major mental health
topics including schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality
disorders, PTSD, OCD, suicide risk assessment, and psychotropic
medications. No questions are repeated, ensuring a thorough review of diverse
psychiatric scenarios. This resource is ideal for nursing students preparing for
mental health examinations, offering rigorous self-assessment and knowledge
reinforcement across the full spectrum of psychiatric-mental health nursing
practice.
Question 1
A patient with schizophrenia begins talking about "volmers" hiding in the
warehouse at work. The term "volmers" should be documented as which of the
following?
A) Neologism
B) Concrete thinking
C) Thought insertion
D) Idea of reference
Answer: A) Neologism
Rationale: A neologism is a newly coined word that has special meaning only to
the patient. "Volmer" is not a known common noun and represents a made-up word
characteristic of schizophrenia. Concrete thinking refers to the inability to think
abstractly. Thought insertion is the delusion that others are implanting thoughts in
,one's mind. An idea of reference is a delusion in which trivial events are given
personal significance .
---
Question 2
A patient with suicidal impulses is placed on the highest level of suicide
precautions. Which measures should be incorporated into the plan of care? Select
all that apply.
A) Maintain arm's-length, one-on-one nursing observation around the clock
B) Allow no glass or metal on meal trays
C) Keep patient within visual range while awake and check every 15 to 30 minutes
while sleeping
D) Check the patient's whereabouts every 15 minutes and make frequent verbal
contacts
E) Check whereabouts every hour and make verbal contact at least three times per
shift
F) Remove all potentially harmful objects from the patient's possession
Answer: A, B, F
Rationale: One-on-one observation is necessary for anyone who has limited control
over suicidal impulses. Plastic dishes on trays and the removal of potentially
harmful objects from the patient's possession are measures included in any-level
suicide precautions. The remaining options are used in less stringent levels of
suicide precautions .
---
Question 3
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
Answer: D) Maintain a normal social interaction distance from the patient
,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 4
Which statement best reflects the outlook of a patient with major depression during
the acute phase of the illness?
A) "I know things will get better soon."
B) "I feel worthless and deserve bad things to happen to me."
C) "I am just tired and need more rest."
D) "Other people are the cause of my problems."
Answer: B) "I feel worthless and deserve bad things to happen to me."
Rationale: During an acute phase of major depression, the client may feel
worthless and believe they deserve bad things to happen personally. This reflects
the negative cognitive distortions characteristic of major depressive disorder .
---
Question 5
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?" Which response is most appropriate?
A) "You will be able to stop the medication in about 1 month."
B) "Taking the medication every day helps reduce the risk of a relapse."
C) "Usually patients take medication for approximately 6 months after discharge."
D) "It's unusual that the healthcare provider hasn't already stopped your
medication."
Answer: B) "Taking the medication every day helps reduce the risk of a relapse."
Rationale: Patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be maintained on lithium
indefinitely to prevent recurrences. Helping the patient understand this need will
promote medication compliance .
, ---
Question 6
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?" Which is 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 healthcare professionals who are qualified to help you."
Answer: B) "Feeling that people want to destroy you must be very frightening."
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 .
---
Question 7
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 lot, has lost 15 pounds, and is easily fatigued. Which defense
mechanism is the patient using?
A) Regression
B) Displacement
C) Denial
D) Projection
Answer: C) Denial
Rationale: Denial is an unconscious blocking of threatening or painful information
or feelings. Regression involves using behaviors appropriate at an earlier stage of
psychosexual development. Displacement shifts feelings to a more neutral person
or object. Projection attributes one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to
another .
---
300 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE LATEST UPDATE
ALREADY GRADED A+
This comprehensive Rasmussen Mental Health Exam 2 practice guide
features 300 unique, multiple-choice questions designed to mirror nursing
mental health examination content. Each question includes the correct answer
and a detailed rationale explaining underlying psychiatric principles,
pharmacotherapeutics, therapeutic communication techniques, and nursing
interventions. The questions comprehensively cover major mental health
topics including schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality
disorders, PTSD, OCD, suicide risk assessment, and psychotropic
medications. No questions are repeated, ensuring a thorough review of diverse
psychiatric scenarios. This resource is ideal for nursing students preparing for
mental health examinations, offering rigorous self-assessment and knowledge
reinforcement across the full spectrum of psychiatric-mental health nursing
practice.
Question 1
A patient with schizophrenia begins talking about "volmers" hiding in the
warehouse at work. The term "volmers" should be documented as which of the
following?
A) Neologism
B) Concrete thinking
C) Thought insertion
D) Idea of reference
Answer: A) Neologism
Rationale: A neologism is a newly coined word that has special meaning only to
the patient. "Volmer" is not a known common noun and represents a made-up word
characteristic of schizophrenia. Concrete thinking refers to the inability to think
abstractly. Thought insertion is the delusion that others are implanting thoughts in
,one's mind. An idea of reference is a delusion in which trivial events are given
personal significance .
---
Question 2
A patient with suicidal impulses is placed on the highest level of suicide
precautions. Which measures should be incorporated into the plan of care? Select
all that apply.
A) Maintain arm's-length, one-on-one nursing observation around the clock
B) Allow no glass or metal on meal trays
C) Keep patient within visual range while awake and check every 15 to 30 minutes
while sleeping
D) Check the patient's whereabouts every 15 minutes and make frequent verbal
contacts
E) Check whereabouts every hour and make verbal contact at least three times per
shift
F) Remove all potentially harmful objects from the patient's possession
Answer: A, B, F
Rationale: One-on-one observation is necessary for anyone who has limited control
over suicidal impulses. Plastic dishes on trays and the removal of potentially
harmful objects from the patient's possession are measures included in any-level
suicide precautions. The remaining options are used in less stringent levels of
suicide precautions .
---
Question 3
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
Answer: D) Maintain a normal social interaction distance from the patient
,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 4
Which statement best reflects the outlook of a patient with major depression during
the acute phase of the illness?
A) "I know things will get better soon."
B) "I feel worthless and deserve bad things to happen to me."
C) "I am just tired and need more rest."
D) "Other people are the cause of my problems."
Answer: B) "I feel worthless and deserve bad things to happen to me."
Rationale: During an acute phase of major depression, the client may feel
worthless and believe they deserve bad things to happen personally. This reflects
the negative cognitive distortions characteristic of major depressive disorder .
---
Question 5
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?" Which response is most appropriate?
A) "You will be able to stop the medication in about 1 month."
B) "Taking the medication every day helps reduce the risk of a relapse."
C) "Usually patients take medication for approximately 6 months after discharge."
D) "It's unusual that the healthcare provider hasn't already stopped your
medication."
Answer: B) "Taking the medication every day helps reduce the risk of a relapse."
Rationale: Patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be maintained on lithium
indefinitely to prevent recurrences. Helping the patient understand this need will
promote medication compliance .
, ---
Question 6
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?" Which is 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 healthcare professionals who are qualified to help you."
Answer: B) "Feeling that people want to destroy you must be very frightening."
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 .
---
Question 7
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 lot, has lost 15 pounds, and is easily fatigued. Which defense
mechanism is the patient using?
A) Regression
B) Displacement
C) Denial
D) Projection
Answer: C) Denial
Rationale: Denial is an unconscious blocking of threatening or painful information
or feelings. Regression involves using behaviors appropriate at an earlier stage of
psychosexual development. Displacement shifts feelings to a more neutral person
or object. Projection attributes one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to
another .
---
