MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 1 2025 to 2026
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS NCLEX STYLE REVIEW and
DETAILED RATIONALES
The admitting physician would use axis IV to record psychosocial and
environmental problems pertinent to the patient's situation, providing
another source of information for the nurse. Persistent questioning may
cause the patient to withdraw. The other distracters demonstrate violation
of the patient's privacy rights and are not an effective solution. -CORRECT
ANSWER-A newly admitted patient is uncommunicative about recent life
events. The nurse suspects marital and economic problems, but the social
worker's assessment is not yet available. Select the nurse's best action.
a. Focus assessment questions on these two topics.
b. Ask another patient who shares a room with this patient.
c. Avoid seeking information on these topics at this time.
d. Refer to axis IV of the DSM-IV-TR in the medical record.
d
The DSM-IV-TR classifies disorders people have rather than people
themselves. The terminology of the tool reflects this distinction by referring
to individuals with a disorder rather than as a "schizophrenic" or
"alcoholic," for example. Deviant behavior is not generally considered a
mental disorder. Present disability or distress is only one aspect of the
diagnosis. -CORRECT ANSWER-The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental Disorders classifies:
,a. deviant behaviors.
b. people with mental disorders.
c. present disability or distress.
d. mental disorders people have.
d
The prevalence for Alzheimer's disease is 10% for persons older than 65 and
50% for persons older than 85. The prevalence of schizophrenia is 1.1% per
year. The prevalence of bipolar disorder is 2.6%. It is important for the
nurse to provide information rather than probe the reason for the person's
question. -CORRECT ANSWER-A nurse participating in a community
health fair is asked, "What is the most prevalent mental disorder in the
United States?" Select the nurse's best response.
a. Schizophrenia
b. "Why do you ask?"
c. Bipolar disorder
d. Alzheimer's disease
a
The question asks about risk. Hearing voices is generally associated with
mental illness, but in charismatic religious groups, hearing the voice of God
or a prophet is a desirable event. Cultural norms vary, which makes it more
difficult to make an accurate diagnosis. The individuals described in the
other options are less likely to be labeled mentally ill. -CORRECT
ANSWER-In the majority culture of the United States, which individual
has the greatest risk to be labeled mentally ill? One who:
a. describes hearing God's voice speaking.
,b. is usually pessimistic but strives to meet personal goals.
c. is wealthy and gives away $20 bills to needy individuals.
d. always has an optimistic viewpoint about life and having own needs met.
d
The patient is unable to maintain personal hygiene, oral intake, or verbal
communication. The patient is a danger to self because of not eating. The
distracters represent higher levels of functioning. -CORRECT ANSWER-
A patient is depressed, mute, and motionless. According to family
members, the patient has refused to bathe or eat for a week. The patient's
global assessment of functioning score is:
a. 100
b. 50
c. 25
d. 10
d
A nurse who understands that a patient's symptoms are influenced by
culture will be able to advocate for the patient to a greater degree than a
nurse who believes that culture is of little relevance. The distracters are
untrue statements. -CORRECT ANSWER-Which belief will best support
a nurse's efforts to provide patient advocacy during a multidisciplinary
patient care planning session?
a. All mental illnesses are culturally determined.
b. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are cross-cultural disorders.
c. Symptoms of mental disorders are unchanged from culture to culture.
, d. Assessment findings in mental disorders reflect a person's cultural
patterns.
d
Many of the most prevalent and disabling mental disorders have strong
biological influences. Genetics are only one part of biological factors.
Empathy does not address increasing the spouse's level of knowledge about
the cause of the disorder. The other distracters are not established facts. -
CORRECT ANSWER-The spouse of a patient with schizophrenia says, "I
don't understand how nurturing or toilet training in childhood has anything
to do with this incredibly disabling illness." Which response by the nurse
will best help the spouse understand this disorder?
a. "This illness is the result of genetic factors."
b. "Psychological stress is at the root of most mental disorders."
c. "It must be frustrating for you that your spouse is sick so much of the
time."
d. "New findings show that this condition more likely has biological rather
than psychological origins."
a
The patient sees self as needing multiple explanations of new tasks at work
and allows the parents to make decisions, even though she is 40 years old.
These behaviors indicate a poorly developed self-concept. -CORRECT
ANSWER-A 40-year-old who lives with parents and works at an
unchallenging job says, "I'm as happy as anyone else, even though I don't
socialize much outside of work. My work is routine, but when new things
come up, my boss explains things a few times to make sure I catch on. At
home, my parents make decisions for me, and I go along with their ideas."
The nurse should identify interventions to improve this patient's:
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS NCLEX STYLE REVIEW and
DETAILED RATIONALES
The admitting physician would use axis IV to record psychosocial and
environmental problems pertinent to the patient's situation, providing
another source of information for the nurse. Persistent questioning may
cause the patient to withdraw. The other distracters demonstrate violation
of the patient's privacy rights and are not an effective solution. -CORRECT
ANSWER-A newly admitted patient is uncommunicative about recent life
events. The nurse suspects marital and economic problems, but the social
worker's assessment is not yet available. Select the nurse's best action.
a. Focus assessment questions on these two topics.
b. Ask another patient who shares a room with this patient.
c. Avoid seeking information on these topics at this time.
d. Refer to axis IV of the DSM-IV-TR in the medical record.
d
The DSM-IV-TR classifies disorders people have rather than people
themselves. The terminology of the tool reflects this distinction by referring
to individuals with a disorder rather than as a "schizophrenic" or
"alcoholic," for example. Deviant behavior is not generally considered a
mental disorder. Present disability or distress is only one aspect of the
diagnosis. -CORRECT ANSWER-The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental Disorders classifies:
,a. deviant behaviors.
b. people with mental disorders.
c. present disability or distress.
d. mental disorders people have.
d
The prevalence for Alzheimer's disease is 10% for persons older than 65 and
50% for persons older than 85. The prevalence of schizophrenia is 1.1% per
year. The prevalence of bipolar disorder is 2.6%. It is important for the
nurse to provide information rather than probe the reason for the person's
question. -CORRECT ANSWER-A nurse participating in a community
health fair is asked, "What is the most prevalent mental disorder in the
United States?" Select the nurse's best response.
a. Schizophrenia
b. "Why do you ask?"
c. Bipolar disorder
d. Alzheimer's disease
a
The question asks about risk. Hearing voices is generally associated with
mental illness, but in charismatic religious groups, hearing the voice of God
or a prophet is a desirable event. Cultural norms vary, which makes it more
difficult to make an accurate diagnosis. The individuals described in the
other options are less likely to be labeled mentally ill. -CORRECT
ANSWER-In the majority culture of the United States, which individual
has the greatest risk to be labeled mentally ill? One who:
a. describes hearing God's voice speaking.
,b. is usually pessimistic but strives to meet personal goals.
c. is wealthy and gives away $20 bills to needy individuals.
d. always has an optimistic viewpoint about life and having own needs met.
d
The patient is unable to maintain personal hygiene, oral intake, or verbal
communication. The patient is a danger to self because of not eating. The
distracters represent higher levels of functioning. -CORRECT ANSWER-
A patient is depressed, mute, and motionless. According to family
members, the patient has refused to bathe or eat for a week. The patient's
global assessment of functioning score is:
a. 100
b. 50
c. 25
d. 10
d
A nurse who understands that a patient's symptoms are influenced by
culture will be able to advocate for the patient to a greater degree than a
nurse who believes that culture is of little relevance. The distracters are
untrue statements. -CORRECT ANSWER-Which belief will best support
a nurse's efforts to provide patient advocacy during a multidisciplinary
patient care planning session?
a. All mental illnesses are culturally determined.
b. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are cross-cultural disorders.
c. Symptoms of mental disorders are unchanged from culture to culture.
, d. Assessment findings in mental disorders reflect a person's cultural
patterns.
d
Many of the most prevalent and disabling mental disorders have strong
biological influences. Genetics are only one part of biological factors.
Empathy does not address increasing the spouse's level of knowledge about
the cause of the disorder. The other distracters are not established facts. -
CORRECT ANSWER-The spouse of a patient with schizophrenia says, "I
don't understand how nurturing or toilet training in childhood has anything
to do with this incredibly disabling illness." Which response by the nurse
will best help the spouse understand this disorder?
a. "This illness is the result of genetic factors."
b. "Psychological stress is at the root of most mental disorders."
c. "It must be frustrating for you that your spouse is sick so much of the
time."
d. "New findings show that this condition more likely has biological rather
than psychological origins."
a
The patient sees self as needing multiple explanations of new tasks at work
and allows the parents to make decisions, even though she is 40 years old.
These behaviors indicate a poorly developed self-concept. -CORRECT
ANSWER-A 40-year-old who lives with parents and works at an
unchallenging job says, "I'm as happy as anyone else, even though I don't
socialize much outside of work. My work is routine, but when new things
come up, my boss explains things a few times to make sure I catch on. At
home, my parents make decisions for me, and I go along with their ideas."
The nurse should identify interventions to improve this patient's:
