NUR2459/NUR 2459 Exam 1 V3 | Mental
and Behavioral Health Nursing Q&A with
Rationale | Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is undergoing a mental status examination (MSE). The
nurse asks the patient to explain the meaning of the proverb ‘Don’t cry over spilled milk.’
What is the nurse assessing?
A. Memory
B. Judgment
C. Orientation
D. Abstract thinking
Answer: D
Rationale: Assessing the interpretation of proverbs is a common way to evaluate abstract
thinking. If a patient provides a literal explanation, it indicates concrete thinking, which can
be seen in various psychiatric disorders. This assessment helps the nurse understand the
patient’s cognitive processing abilities and potential limitations.
2. Which ethical principle is the nurse practicing when they ensure that a patient has been
fully informed about the risks and benefits of a new medication?
A. Justice
B. Veracity
,C. Beneficence
D. Autonomy
Answer: D
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to make their own decisions about their
healthcare. By providing complete information, the nurse empowers the patient to give
informed consent. This principle respects the individual’s independence and personal
agency in the clinical setting.
3. A patient becomes angry during a session and starts yelling at the nurse, ‘You’re just like
my mother, always telling me what to do!’ This is an example of:
A. Reaction formation
B. Countertransference
C. Transference
D. Displacement
Answer: C
Rationale: Transference occurs when a patient displaces feelings related to a significant
person from their past onto the healthcare provider. In this scenario, the patient is
projecting feelings about their mother onto the nurse. Recognizing transference is crucial
for maintaining professional boundaries and therapeutic progress.
, 4. During the working phase of a therapeutic relationship, which of the following actions is
most appropriate for the nurse?
A. Setting boundaries and establishing trust
B. Identifying initial patient goals
C. Promoting the patient’s problem-solving skills
D. Discussing the timing of the end of the relationship
Answer: C
Rationale: The working phase focuses on active problem-solving and implementing
changes to improve the patient’s mental health. The nurse supports the patient in exploring
stressors and developing new coping mechanisms. This phase is characterized by intense
work toward the goals established earlier in the relationship.
5. A nurse is evaluating a patient for involuntary admission. Which of the following criteria is
necessary for this type of admission?
A. The patient presents an immediate danger to self or others
B. The patient is unable to pay for private outpatient care
C. The patient refuses to take prescribed medications
D. The patient has a diagnosed personality disorder
Answer: A
and Behavioral Health Nursing Q&A with
Rationale | Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is undergoing a mental status examination (MSE). The
nurse asks the patient to explain the meaning of the proverb ‘Don’t cry over spilled milk.’
What is the nurse assessing?
A. Memory
B. Judgment
C. Orientation
D. Abstract thinking
Answer: D
Rationale: Assessing the interpretation of proverbs is a common way to evaluate abstract
thinking. If a patient provides a literal explanation, it indicates concrete thinking, which can
be seen in various psychiatric disorders. This assessment helps the nurse understand the
patient’s cognitive processing abilities and potential limitations.
2. Which ethical principle is the nurse practicing when they ensure that a patient has been
fully informed about the risks and benefits of a new medication?
A. Justice
B. Veracity
,C. Beneficence
D. Autonomy
Answer: D
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to make their own decisions about their
healthcare. By providing complete information, the nurse empowers the patient to give
informed consent. This principle respects the individual’s independence and personal
agency in the clinical setting.
3. A patient becomes angry during a session and starts yelling at the nurse, ‘You’re just like
my mother, always telling me what to do!’ This is an example of:
A. Reaction formation
B. Countertransference
C. Transference
D. Displacement
Answer: C
Rationale: Transference occurs when a patient displaces feelings related to a significant
person from their past onto the healthcare provider. In this scenario, the patient is
projecting feelings about their mother onto the nurse. Recognizing transference is crucial
for maintaining professional boundaries and therapeutic progress.
, 4. During the working phase of a therapeutic relationship, which of the following actions is
most appropriate for the nurse?
A. Setting boundaries and establishing trust
B. Identifying initial patient goals
C. Promoting the patient’s problem-solving skills
D. Discussing the timing of the end of the relationship
Answer: C
Rationale: The working phase focuses on active problem-solving and implementing
changes to improve the patient’s mental health. The nurse supports the patient in exploring
stressors and developing new coping mechanisms. This phase is characterized by intense
work toward the goals established earlier in the relationship.
5. A nurse is evaluating a patient for involuntary admission. Which of the following criteria is
necessary for this type of admission?
A. The patient presents an immediate danger to self or others
B. The patient is unable to pay for private outpatient care
C. The patient refuses to take prescribed medications
D. The patient has a diagnosed personality disorder
Answer: A
