Mental Health exam 1 Rasmussen|UPDATED 2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |100% PASS
A fully developed outcome for a client goal would include: ✔️time sensitive
measurable term
attainable for client
The nurse understands a client could be at risk for serotonin syndrome when taking which of the following medications in addition to over the
counter medications or herbal supplements? ✔️sertraline (SSRI)
A 4-year old child grabs toys from siblings, saying, "I want that toy now!" The siblings cry and the child's parent becomes upset with the
behavior. Using Freudian theory, a nurse can interpret the child's behavior as a product of impulses originating in the: ✔️Id
Which expected client outcome should a nurse identify as being correctly formulated? ✔️Client will initiate interaction with one peer during free
time within 2 days.
A voluntarily hospitalized patient tells the nurse, "Get me the forms for discharge against medical advice so I can leave now." Which is the
nurse's best response? ✔️"I will get them for you, but let's talk about your decision to leave treatment."
The client is being admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit. The nurse conducts a mental status examination. Which of the following items are
included in the examination? ✔️Appearance
Mood and Affect
Thought
Cognition
A client with schizophrenia has recently begun a new medication, clozapine (Clozaril). Which signs and symptoms of a potentially fatal side
effect with the nurse teach the client about? ✔️Sore throat, fever, and malaise
Which information suggests that caution is necessary in prescribing a benzodiazepine to an anxious client? ✔️The client has a history of alcohol
dependence.
A brother calls to speak to his sister who has been admitted to the psychiatric unit. The nurse connects him to the community phone and the
sister is summoned. Later the nurse realizes that the brother was not on the client's approved call list. What law has the nurse broken? ✔️The
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
The client attempted suicide by overdosing on pain medication. Once the client ingested the medication, she decided that she did not want to
die and she sought immediate treatment. Once the client recovered from the physical effects of overdose, the client voluntarily south inpatient
mental health treatment. Which statement is true of voluntary admission? ✔️The client retains the right to request release.
A nurse says to a client, "Things will look better tomorrow after a good night's sleep." This is an example of which communication technique?
✔️The nontherapeutic technique of giving reassurance. (false reassurance)
A patient is involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric unit after calling a friend and saying, "I've got a gun and I'm going to shoot myself." Which of
the following rights has the patient lost temporarily? ✔️The right to leave the hospital without medical approval.
A depressed client states, "I have a chemical imbalance in my brain. I have no control over my behavior. Medications are my only hope to feel
normal again." Which nursing response is appropriate? ✔️"Medications are one way to address chemical imbalances. Environmental and
interpersonal factors can also have an impact on biological factors."
During an intake interview, which question would assist the nurse in gathering data about the client's judgment? ✔️"If you found a stamped,
addressed envelope in the street, what would you do?"
A nursing instructor asks a student to describe the nursing process when initiating care of a client. The student nurse understands the nursing
process order to be correctly identified as: ✔️Assessment, Nursing diagnosis, Outcomes, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
During an intake assessment, a nurse asks both physiological and psychosocial questions. The client angrily responds, "I'm here for my heart,
not my head problems." Which is the nurse's best response? ✔️Psychological factors, like excessive stress, have been found to affect medical
conditions."
, A mother rescues two of her four children from a house fire. In an emergency department, she cries, "I should have gone back in to get them. I
should have died, not them." Which of the following responses by the nurse is an example of reflection? ✔️"You're feeling guilty because you
weren't able to save your children."
An entry level registered nurse works with patients in a community setting. Which groups should this nurse expect to lead? ✔️Symptom
management
Medication education
Self-care
A client has been involuntarily admitted to an inpatient behavioral health unit. During this admission, which of the following rights does the
client still retain? ✔️The right to refuse medications
The right to informed consent
A mother who is notified that her child was killed in a tragic car accident states, "I can't bear to go on with my life." Which nursing statement
conveys empathy? ✔️"It must be horrible to lose a child, and I'll stay with you until your husband arrives."
During the implementation phase of the nursing process, a nurse is teaching an adult depressed patient with a cochlear implant about
medications. Which modification in the teaching plan would be the most appropriate for this client? ✔️Speaking directly face-to-face
A 22 year old college student is admitted to hospital following a suicide attempt and states, "No one will ever love a loser like me." According to
Erikson's theory of personality development, a nurse should recognize a deficit in which developmental stage? ✔️Intimacy vs Isolation
A nursing instructor is teaching about the monoamine category of neurotransmitters. Which student statement indicates that learning about
the function of norepinephrine has occurred? ✔️Norepinephrine functions to regulate mood, cognition, and perception.
A nurse is educating a patient about the difference between mental health and mental illness. Which statement by the patient reflects an
accurate understanding of mental health? ✔️Mental health is successful adaptation to stressors in the internal external environment.
The nurse understands a client taking which medication could place a client at high risk for life-threatening hypertensive crisis if tyramine is
ingested? ✔️A client taking tranylcypromine (Parnate)
A client taking isocarboxazid (Marplan)
A client taking phenelzine (Nardil)
A client was recently admitted to the inpatient unit after a suicide attempt and has not responded to SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants. The
client asks the nurse, "I heard about MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). Why can't they be added to what I am on now? Wouldn't adding
one help?" Which is the appropriate nursing response? ✔️"Combined use can lead to a life-threatening condition called hypertensive crisis."
A 29-year-old client living with parents has few interpersonal relationships. The client states, "I have trouble trusting people." Based on
Erikson's developmental theory, which should the nurse recognize as true statements about the client? ✔️The client has not progressed beyond
the trust vs. mistrust development stage.
Developmental deficits in earlier life stages have impaired the client's adult functioning.
A patient discloses several concerns and associated feelings. If the nurse wishes to seek clarification, which comment would be most
appropriate? ✔️"Am I correct in understanding that..."
The health care provider prescribes an antidepressant for an elderly client, but nurse notices that the dosage is greater than the usual adult
dosage. Which of the following best describes what action the nurse should take? ✔️Hold the medication until clarification with the health care
provider.
Which intervention by a psychiatric nurse best utilizes the ethical principle of autonomy? The nurse: ✔️Explores alternative solutions with a
patient, who then makes a choice.
Which of the following should the nurse plan to include in the assessment of an older adult client? ✔️Identify any age related physical needs and
necessary accommodations for this client.
A fully developed outcome for a client goal would include: ✔️time sensitive
measurable term
attainable for client
The nurse understands a client could be at risk for serotonin syndrome when taking which of the following medications in addition to over the
counter medications or herbal supplements? ✔️sertraline (SSRI)
A 4-year old child grabs toys from siblings, saying, "I want that toy now!" The siblings cry and the child's parent becomes upset with the
behavior. Using Freudian theory, a nurse can interpret the child's behavior as a product of impulses originating in the: ✔️Id
Which expected client outcome should a nurse identify as being correctly formulated? ✔️Client will initiate interaction with one peer during free
time within 2 days.
A voluntarily hospitalized patient tells the nurse, "Get me the forms for discharge against medical advice so I can leave now." Which is the
nurse's best response? ✔️"I will get them for you, but let's talk about your decision to leave treatment."
The client is being admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit. The nurse conducts a mental status examination. Which of the following items are
included in the examination? ✔️Appearance
Mood and Affect
Thought
Cognition
A client with schizophrenia has recently begun a new medication, clozapine (Clozaril). Which signs and symptoms of a potentially fatal side
effect with the nurse teach the client about? ✔️Sore throat, fever, and malaise
Which information suggests that caution is necessary in prescribing a benzodiazepine to an anxious client? ✔️The client has a history of alcohol
dependence.
A brother calls to speak to his sister who has been admitted to the psychiatric unit. The nurse connects him to the community phone and the
sister is summoned. Later the nurse realizes that the brother was not on the client's approved call list. What law has the nurse broken? ✔️The
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
The client attempted suicide by overdosing on pain medication. Once the client ingested the medication, she decided that she did not want to
die and she sought immediate treatment. Once the client recovered from the physical effects of overdose, the client voluntarily south inpatient
mental health treatment. Which statement is true of voluntary admission? ✔️The client retains the right to request release.
A nurse says to a client, "Things will look better tomorrow after a good night's sleep." This is an example of which communication technique?
✔️The nontherapeutic technique of giving reassurance. (false reassurance)
A patient is involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric unit after calling a friend and saying, "I've got a gun and I'm going to shoot myself." Which of
the following rights has the patient lost temporarily? ✔️The right to leave the hospital without medical approval.
A depressed client states, "I have a chemical imbalance in my brain. I have no control over my behavior. Medications are my only hope to feel
normal again." Which nursing response is appropriate? ✔️"Medications are one way to address chemical imbalances. Environmental and
interpersonal factors can also have an impact on biological factors."
During an intake interview, which question would assist the nurse in gathering data about the client's judgment? ✔️"If you found a stamped,
addressed envelope in the street, what would you do?"
A nursing instructor asks a student to describe the nursing process when initiating care of a client. The student nurse understands the nursing
process order to be correctly identified as: ✔️Assessment, Nursing diagnosis, Outcomes, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
During an intake assessment, a nurse asks both physiological and psychosocial questions. The client angrily responds, "I'm here for my heart,
not my head problems." Which is the nurse's best response? ✔️Psychological factors, like excessive stress, have been found to affect medical
conditions."
, A mother rescues two of her four children from a house fire. In an emergency department, she cries, "I should have gone back in to get them. I
should have died, not them." Which of the following responses by the nurse is an example of reflection? ✔️"You're feeling guilty because you
weren't able to save your children."
An entry level registered nurse works with patients in a community setting. Which groups should this nurse expect to lead? ✔️Symptom
management
Medication education
Self-care
A client has been involuntarily admitted to an inpatient behavioral health unit. During this admission, which of the following rights does the
client still retain? ✔️The right to refuse medications
The right to informed consent
A mother who is notified that her child was killed in a tragic car accident states, "I can't bear to go on with my life." Which nursing statement
conveys empathy? ✔️"It must be horrible to lose a child, and I'll stay with you until your husband arrives."
During the implementation phase of the nursing process, a nurse is teaching an adult depressed patient with a cochlear implant about
medications. Which modification in the teaching plan would be the most appropriate for this client? ✔️Speaking directly face-to-face
A 22 year old college student is admitted to hospital following a suicide attempt and states, "No one will ever love a loser like me." According to
Erikson's theory of personality development, a nurse should recognize a deficit in which developmental stage? ✔️Intimacy vs Isolation
A nursing instructor is teaching about the monoamine category of neurotransmitters. Which student statement indicates that learning about
the function of norepinephrine has occurred? ✔️Norepinephrine functions to regulate mood, cognition, and perception.
A nurse is educating a patient about the difference between mental health and mental illness. Which statement by the patient reflects an
accurate understanding of mental health? ✔️Mental health is successful adaptation to stressors in the internal external environment.
The nurse understands a client taking which medication could place a client at high risk for life-threatening hypertensive crisis if tyramine is
ingested? ✔️A client taking tranylcypromine (Parnate)
A client taking isocarboxazid (Marplan)
A client taking phenelzine (Nardil)
A client was recently admitted to the inpatient unit after a suicide attempt and has not responded to SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants. The
client asks the nurse, "I heard about MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). Why can't they be added to what I am on now? Wouldn't adding
one help?" Which is the appropriate nursing response? ✔️"Combined use can lead to a life-threatening condition called hypertensive crisis."
A 29-year-old client living with parents has few interpersonal relationships. The client states, "I have trouble trusting people." Based on
Erikson's developmental theory, which should the nurse recognize as true statements about the client? ✔️The client has not progressed beyond
the trust vs. mistrust development stage.
Developmental deficits in earlier life stages have impaired the client's adult functioning.
A patient discloses several concerns and associated feelings. If the nurse wishes to seek clarification, which comment would be most
appropriate? ✔️"Am I correct in understanding that..."
The health care provider prescribes an antidepressant for an elderly client, but nurse notices that the dosage is greater than the usual adult
dosage. Which of the following best describes what action the nurse should take? ✔️Hold the medication until clarification with the health care
provider.
Which intervention by a psychiatric nurse best utilizes the ethical principle of autonomy? The nurse: ✔️Explores alternative solutions with a
patient, who then makes a choice.
Which of the following should the nurse plan to include in the assessment of an older adult client? ✔️Identify any age related physical needs and
necessary accommodations for this client.
