NUR 2459 RASMUSSEN MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 1
(MODULES 1-3) COMPLETE TEST QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. A client is learning to identify and change negative thought patterns
that lead to depressive feelings. The nurse correctly identifies this
therapeutic approach as:
A) Behavioral therapy
B) Milieu therapy
C) Cognitive therapy
D) Family therapy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cognitive therapy focuses on an individual's thoughts to
solve current problems, based on the idea that changing the way one
thinks can change their feelings and behaviors. Behavioral therapy
focuses on modifying actions, not thoughts directly.
2. A client on the psychiatric unit is working on developing more
functional reactions to others by sharing common feelings and
receiving feedback from peers. This describes which type of therapy?
A) Milieu therapy
B) Group therapy
C) Cognitive therapy
D) Behavioral therapy
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Group therapy is focused on helping individuals develop
more functional and satisfying reactions within a group setting, using
interaction and feedback from others with common experiences.
3. A client is rewarded with a token for making their bed each
morning. This is an example of which type of therapeutic approach?
A) Cognitive therapy
B) Psychotherapy
C) Behavioral therapy
D) Family therapy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Behavioral therapy aims to modify maladaptive behavior
patterns. The use of a token economy, a system of rewards for desired
behaviors, is a behavioral technique.
4. Which defense mechanism is considered always healthy and
involves dealing with anxiety by reaching out to help others?
A) Sublimation
B) Altruism
C) Compensation
D) Displacement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Altruism is a healthy defense mechanism where anxiety is
dealt with by helping others, which is a constructive and beneficial way
to manage stress.
5. A client is diagnosed with severe depression that has not responded
to multiple medications and psychotherapy. The provider suggests a
treatment that is used as a last resort. Which treatment is being
,considered?
A) Group therapy
B) Milieu therapy
C) Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
D) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: ECT is often used as a last resort for severe depression,
mania, schizophrenia, and psychosis when other treatments like
medication and therapy have been ineffective.
6. The nurse understands that the goal of milieu therapy is to:
A) Provide one-on-one counseling sessions.
B) Modify a client's maladaptive behaviors.
C) Explore the client's childhood experiences.
D) Create a supportive and therapeutic environment.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Milieu therapy aims to create an environment that is
supportive, therapeutic, and safe to benefit clients and promote coping.
7. A woman is angry with her husband but instead expresses her
anger by yelling at her children. This is an example of which defense
mechanism?
A) Projection
B) Displacement
C) Identification
D) Rationalization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Displacement involves shifting feelings related to one object
or person to another less threatening one. The husband is the source of
anger, but the children are a safer target for the emotion.
, 8. A client states, "I don't have a problem with alcohol. I can stop
whenever I want." This statement is an example of which defense
mechanism?
A) Projection
B) Compensation
C) Denial
D) Displacement
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Denial is refusing to acknowledge the existence of a real
situation or the feelings associated with it. The client is clearly denying a
significant problem with alcohol.
9. A therapist works with a client who is afraid of public speaking. The
therapist helps the client learn relaxation techniques and guides them
through imagining giving a speech. This is an example of:
A) Cognitive therapy
B) Family therapy
C) Behavioral therapy
D) Milieu therapy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This is a behavioral therapy technique (e.g., systematic
desensitization) aimed at modifying the maladaptive behavior
(fear/anxiety associated with public speaking) by pairing relaxation with
the feared stimulus.
10. A client is referred for therapy to improve understanding among
family members and learn ways to deal with mental illness in the
family. This is best described as:
A) Group therapy
B) Family therapy
(MODULES 1-3) COMPLETE TEST QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. A client is learning to identify and change negative thought patterns
that lead to depressive feelings. The nurse correctly identifies this
therapeutic approach as:
A) Behavioral therapy
B) Milieu therapy
C) Cognitive therapy
D) Family therapy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cognitive therapy focuses on an individual's thoughts to
solve current problems, based on the idea that changing the way one
thinks can change their feelings and behaviors. Behavioral therapy
focuses on modifying actions, not thoughts directly.
2. A client on the psychiatric unit is working on developing more
functional reactions to others by sharing common feelings and
receiving feedback from peers. This describes which type of therapy?
A) Milieu therapy
B) Group therapy
C) Cognitive therapy
D) Behavioral therapy
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Group therapy is focused on helping individuals develop
more functional and satisfying reactions within a group setting, using
interaction and feedback from others with common experiences.
3. A client is rewarded with a token for making their bed each
morning. This is an example of which type of therapeutic approach?
A) Cognitive therapy
B) Psychotherapy
C) Behavioral therapy
D) Family therapy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Behavioral therapy aims to modify maladaptive behavior
patterns. The use of a token economy, a system of rewards for desired
behaviors, is a behavioral technique.
4. Which defense mechanism is considered always healthy and
involves dealing with anxiety by reaching out to help others?
A) Sublimation
B) Altruism
C) Compensation
D) Displacement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Altruism is a healthy defense mechanism where anxiety is
dealt with by helping others, which is a constructive and beneficial way
to manage stress.
5. A client is diagnosed with severe depression that has not responded
to multiple medications and psychotherapy. The provider suggests a
treatment that is used as a last resort. Which treatment is being
,considered?
A) Group therapy
B) Milieu therapy
C) Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
D) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: ECT is often used as a last resort for severe depression,
mania, schizophrenia, and psychosis when other treatments like
medication and therapy have been ineffective.
6. The nurse understands that the goal of milieu therapy is to:
A) Provide one-on-one counseling sessions.
B) Modify a client's maladaptive behaviors.
C) Explore the client's childhood experiences.
D) Create a supportive and therapeutic environment.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Milieu therapy aims to create an environment that is
supportive, therapeutic, and safe to benefit clients and promote coping.
7. A woman is angry with her husband but instead expresses her
anger by yelling at her children. This is an example of which defense
mechanism?
A) Projection
B) Displacement
C) Identification
D) Rationalization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Displacement involves shifting feelings related to one object
or person to another less threatening one. The husband is the source of
anger, but the children are a safer target for the emotion.
, 8. A client states, "I don't have a problem with alcohol. I can stop
whenever I want." This statement is an example of which defense
mechanism?
A) Projection
B) Compensation
C) Denial
D) Displacement
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Denial is refusing to acknowledge the existence of a real
situation or the feelings associated with it. The client is clearly denying a
significant problem with alcohol.
9. A therapist works with a client who is afraid of public speaking. The
therapist helps the client learn relaxation techniques and guides them
through imagining giving a speech. This is an example of:
A) Cognitive therapy
B) Family therapy
C) Behavioral therapy
D) Milieu therapy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This is a behavioral therapy technique (e.g., systematic
desensitization) aimed at modifying the maladaptive behavior
(fear/anxiety associated with public speaking) by pairing relaxation with
the feared stimulus.
10. A client is referred for therapy to improve understanding among
family members and learn ways to deal with mental illness in the
family. This is best described as:
A) Group therapy
B) Family therapy
