Mental Health Final Exam
Mental Health Final Exam Study Guide
Questions and Answers Graded A 2025
Three years ago, Anna's dog Lucky, whom she had for 16 years, was run over by a car
and killed. Anna's daughter reports that since that time Anna doesn't do a thing for
herself anymore. She has lost weight, rarely leaves her home, and just sits and talks
about Lucky. Anna's behavior would be considered maladaptive because:
a) it has been more than 3 years since lucky died
b) her grief is too intense over just the loss of a dog
c) her grief is interfering with her functioning
d) people in this culture would not comprehend such behavior over the loss of a pet -
Correct Answer ✔c) her grief is interfering with her functioning
Based on the information about Anna and her dog Lucky, Anna's grieving behavior
would most likely be considered to be:
a) delayed
b) inhibited
c) prolonged
d) distorted -Correct Answer ✔c) prolonged
Anna, who is 72 years old, is of the age when she may have experienced many losses
coming close together: what is this called?
a) bereavement overload
b) normal mourning
c) isolation
d) cultural relativity -Correct Answer ✔a) bereavement overload
Anna is diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. She is most likely fixed in which
stage of the grief process?
a) denial
b) anger
c) depression
d) anger -Correct Answer ✔b) anger
Anna, age 72, has been grieving the death of her dog, Lucky, for 3 years. She is not
able to take care of her activities of daily living, and wants only to make daily visits to
Lucky's grave. Her daughter has likely put off seeking help for Anna because:
a) women are less likely than men to seek help from emotional problems
b) relatives often try to "normalize" the behavior rather than label it as mental illness
c) she knows that all older people are expected to be a little depressed
d) she is afraid that the neighbors "will think her mother is crazy" -Correct Answer ✔b)
relatives often try to "normalize" the behavior rather than label it as mental illness
Mental Health Final Exam
,Mental Health Final Exam
Anna's dog lucky got away from her while they were taking a walk. He ran into the street
and was hit by a car. Anna cannot remember any of these circumstances of his death.
This is an example of what defense mechanism?
a) rationalization
b) suppression
c) denial
d) repression -Correct Answer ✔d) repression
Lucky sometimes refused to obey Anna, and indeed did not come back to her when she
called to him on the day he was killed. But Anna continues to insist "He was the very
best dog. He always minded me. He always did everything I told him to do." This
represents the defense mechanism of:
a) sublimation
b) compensation
c) reaction formation
d) undoing -Correct Answer ✔c) reaction formation
Anna has been a widow for 20 years. Her maladaptive grief response to the loss of her
dog may be attributed to which of the following? Select all that apply.
a) unresolved grief over loss of her husband
b) loss of several relatives and friends over the last few years
c) repressed feelings of guilt over the way in which Lucky died
d) inability to prepare in advance for the loss -Correct Answer ✔a) unresolved grief over
loss of her husband
b) loss of several relatives and friends over the last few years
c) repressed feelings of guilt over the way in which Lucky died
d) inability to prepare in advance for the loss
For what reason would Anna's illness be considered neurosis rather than psychosis?
a) she is unaware that her behavior is maladaptive
b) she exhibits inappropriate affect
c) she experiences no loss of contact with reality
d) she tells the nurse, "There is nothing wrong with me!" -Correct Answer ✔c) she
experiences no loss of contact with reality
Which of the following statements by Anna might suggest that she is achieving
resolution of her grief over Lucky's death?
a) "I don't cry anymore when I think about Lucky."
b) "It's true. Lucky didn't always mind me. Sometimes he ignored my commands."
c) "I remember how it happened now. I should have held tighter to his leash!"
d) "I won't ever have another dog. It's just too painful to lose them." -Correct Answer
✔b) "It's true. Lucky didn't always mind me. Sometimes he ignored my commands."
John is on the Alcohol Treatment Unit. He walks into the dayroom where other clients
are watching
Mental Health Final Exam
,Mental Health Final Exam
a program on TV. He picks up the remote and changes the channel and says, "That's a
stupid
program! I want to watch something else!" In what stage of development is John fixed
according to
Sullivan's interpersonal theory?
a) Juvenile. He is learning to form satisfactory peer relationships.
b) Childhood. He has not learned to delay gratification.
c) Early adolescence. He is struggling to form an identity.
d) Late adolescence. He is working to develop a lasting relationship. -Correct Answer
✔b) Childhood. He has not learned to delay gratification.
Adam has antisocial personality disorder. He says to the nurse, "I'm not crazy. I'm just
fun-loving. I believe
in looking out for myself. Who cares what anyone thinks? If it feels good, do it!" Which of
the following
describes the psychoanalytical structure of Adam's personality?
a) Weak id, strong ego, weak superego
b) Strong id, weak ego, weak superego
c) Weak id, weak ego, punitive superego
d) Strong id, weak ego, punitive superego -Correct Answer ✔b) Strong id, weak ego,
weak superego
Larry, who has antisocial personality disorder, feels no guilt about violating the rights of
others. He
does as he pleases without thought to possible consequences. In which of Peplau's
stages of development would you place Larry?
a) Learning to count on others
b)Learning to delay gratification
c) Identifying oneself
d) Developing skills in participation -Correct Answer ✔b) Learning to delay gratification
Danny has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. On the unit he appears very anxious,
paces back and
forth, and darts his head from side to side in a continuous scanning of the area. He has
refused to eat,
making some barely audible comment related to "being poisoned." In planning care for
Danny, which
of the following would be the primary focus for nursing?
a) To decrease anxiety and develop trust
b) To set limits on his behavior
c) To ensure that he gets to group therapy
d) To attend to his hygiene needs -Correct Answer ✔a) To decrease anxiety and
develop trust
The nurse has just admitted Nancy to the psychiatric unit. The psychiatrist has
diagnosed Nancy with
Mental Health Final Exam
, Mental Health Final Exam
major depressive disorder. The nurse says to Nancy, "Please tell me what it was like
when you were
growing up." Which nursing role described by Peplau is the nurse fulfilling in this
instance?
a) Surrogate
b) Resource person
c) Counselor
d) Technical Expert -Correct Answer ✔c) Counselor
The nurse has just admitted Nancy to the psychiatric unit. The psychiatrist has
diagnosed Nancy with
major depressive disorder. The nurse says to Nancy, "What questions do you have
about being here on
the unit?" Which nursing role described by Peplau is the nurse fulfilling in this instance?
a) Resource person
b) Counselor
c) Surrogate
d) Technical Expert -Correct Answer ✔a) Resource person
The nurse has just admitted Nancy to the psychiatric unit. The psychiatrist has
diagnosed Nancy with
major depressive disorder. The nurse says to Nancy, "Some changes will have to be
made in your
behavior. I care about what happens to you." Which nursing role described by Peplau is
the nurse
fulfilling in this instance?
a) Counselor
b) Surrogate
c) Technical Expert
d) Resource Person -Correct Answer ✔b) Surrogate
Which of the following parts of the brain is associated with multiple feelings and
behaviors and is sometimes referred to as the "emotional brain?"
a. Frontal lobe
b. Thalamus
c. Hypothalamus
d. Limbic system -Correct Answer ✔d) Limbic system
Which of the following parts of the brain is concerned with visual reception and
interpretation?
a. Frontal lobe
b. Parietal lobe
c. Temporal lobe
d. Occipital lobe -Correct Answer ✔d) Occipital lobe
Mental Health Final Exam
Mental Health Final Exam Study Guide
Questions and Answers Graded A 2025
Three years ago, Anna's dog Lucky, whom she had for 16 years, was run over by a car
and killed. Anna's daughter reports that since that time Anna doesn't do a thing for
herself anymore. She has lost weight, rarely leaves her home, and just sits and talks
about Lucky. Anna's behavior would be considered maladaptive because:
a) it has been more than 3 years since lucky died
b) her grief is too intense over just the loss of a dog
c) her grief is interfering with her functioning
d) people in this culture would not comprehend such behavior over the loss of a pet -
Correct Answer ✔c) her grief is interfering with her functioning
Based on the information about Anna and her dog Lucky, Anna's grieving behavior
would most likely be considered to be:
a) delayed
b) inhibited
c) prolonged
d) distorted -Correct Answer ✔c) prolonged
Anna, who is 72 years old, is of the age when she may have experienced many losses
coming close together: what is this called?
a) bereavement overload
b) normal mourning
c) isolation
d) cultural relativity -Correct Answer ✔a) bereavement overload
Anna is diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. She is most likely fixed in which
stage of the grief process?
a) denial
b) anger
c) depression
d) anger -Correct Answer ✔b) anger
Anna, age 72, has been grieving the death of her dog, Lucky, for 3 years. She is not
able to take care of her activities of daily living, and wants only to make daily visits to
Lucky's grave. Her daughter has likely put off seeking help for Anna because:
a) women are less likely than men to seek help from emotional problems
b) relatives often try to "normalize" the behavior rather than label it as mental illness
c) she knows that all older people are expected to be a little depressed
d) she is afraid that the neighbors "will think her mother is crazy" -Correct Answer ✔b)
relatives often try to "normalize" the behavior rather than label it as mental illness
Mental Health Final Exam
,Mental Health Final Exam
Anna's dog lucky got away from her while they were taking a walk. He ran into the street
and was hit by a car. Anna cannot remember any of these circumstances of his death.
This is an example of what defense mechanism?
a) rationalization
b) suppression
c) denial
d) repression -Correct Answer ✔d) repression
Lucky sometimes refused to obey Anna, and indeed did not come back to her when she
called to him on the day he was killed. But Anna continues to insist "He was the very
best dog. He always minded me. He always did everything I told him to do." This
represents the defense mechanism of:
a) sublimation
b) compensation
c) reaction formation
d) undoing -Correct Answer ✔c) reaction formation
Anna has been a widow for 20 years. Her maladaptive grief response to the loss of her
dog may be attributed to which of the following? Select all that apply.
a) unresolved grief over loss of her husband
b) loss of several relatives and friends over the last few years
c) repressed feelings of guilt over the way in which Lucky died
d) inability to prepare in advance for the loss -Correct Answer ✔a) unresolved grief over
loss of her husband
b) loss of several relatives and friends over the last few years
c) repressed feelings of guilt over the way in which Lucky died
d) inability to prepare in advance for the loss
For what reason would Anna's illness be considered neurosis rather than psychosis?
a) she is unaware that her behavior is maladaptive
b) she exhibits inappropriate affect
c) she experiences no loss of contact with reality
d) she tells the nurse, "There is nothing wrong with me!" -Correct Answer ✔c) she
experiences no loss of contact with reality
Which of the following statements by Anna might suggest that she is achieving
resolution of her grief over Lucky's death?
a) "I don't cry anymore when I think about Lucky."
b) "It's true. Lucky didn't always mind me. Sometimes he ignored my commands."
c) "I remember how it happened now. I should have held tighter to his leash!"
d) "I won't ever have another dog. It's just too painful to lose them." -Correct Answer
✔b) "It's true. Lucky didn't always mind me. Sometimes he ignored my commands."
John is on the Alcohol Treatment Unit. He walks into the dayroom where other clients
are watching
Mental Health Final Exam
,Mental Health Final Exam
a program on TV. He picks up the remote and changes the channel and says, "That's a
stupid
program! I want to watch something else!" In what stage of development is John fixed
according to
Sullivan's interpersonal theory?
a) Juvenile. He is learning to form satisfactory peer relationships.
b) Childhood. He has not learned to delay gratification.
c) Early adolescence. He is struggling to form an identity.
d) Late adolescence. He is working to develop a lasting relationship. -Correct Answer
✔b) Childhood. He has not learned to delay gratification.
Adam has antisocial personality disorder. He says to the nurse, "I'm not crazy. I'm just
fun-loving. I believe
in looking out for myself. Who cares what anyone thinks? If it feels good, do it!" Which of
the following
describes the psychoanalytical structure of Adam's personality?
a) Weak id, strong ego, weak superego
b) Strong id, weak ego, weak superego
c) Weak id, weak ego, punitive superego
d) Strong id, weak ego, punitive superego -Correct Answer ✔b) Strong id, weak ego,
weak superego
Larry, who has antisocial personality disorder, feels no guilt about violating the rights of
others. He
does as he pleases without thought to possible consequences. In which of Peplau's
stages of development would you place Larry?
a) Learning to count on others
b)Learning to delay gratification
c) Identifying oneself
d) Developing skills in participation -Correct Answer ✔b) Learning to delay gratification
Danny has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. On the unit he appears very anxious,
paces back and
forth, and darts his head from side to side in a continuous scanning of the area. He has
refused to eat,
making some barely audible comment related to "being poisoned." In planning care for
Danny, which
of the following would be the primary focus for nursing?
a) To decrease anxiety and develop trust
b) To set limits on his behavior
c) To ensure that he gets to group therapy
d) To attend to his hygiene needs -Correct Answer ✔a) To decrease anxiety and
develop trust
The nurse has just admitted Nancy to the psychiatric unit. The psychiatrist has
diagnosed Nancy with
Mental Health Final Exam
, Mental Health Final Exam
major depressive disorder. The nurse says to Nancy, "Please tell me what it was like
when you were
growing up." Which nursing role described by Peplau is the nurse fulfilling in this
instance?
a) Surrogate
b) Resource person
c) Counselor
d) Technical Expert -Correct Answer ✔c) Counselor
The nurse has just admitted Nancy to the psychiatric unit. The psychiatrist has
diagnosed Nancy with
major depressive disorder. The nurse says to Nancy, "What questions do you have
about being here on
the unit?" Which nursing role described by Peplau is the nurse fulfilling in this instance?
a) Resource person
b) Counselor
c) Surrogate
d) Technical Expert -Correct Answer ✔a) Resource person
The nurse has just admitted Nancy to the psychiatric unit. The psychiatrist has
diagnosed Nancy with
major depressive disorder. The nurse says to Nancy, "Some changes will have to be
made in your
behavior. I care about what happens to you." Which nursing role described by Peplau is
the nurse
fulfilling in this instance?
a) Counselor
b) Surrogate
c) Technical Expert
d) Resource Person -Correct Answer ✔b) Surrogate
Which of the following parts of the brain is associated with multiple feelings and
behaviors and is sometimes referred to as the "emotional brain?"
a. Frontal lobe
b. Thalamus
c. Hypothalamus
d. Limbic system -Correct Answer ✔d) Limbic system
Which of the following parts of the brain is concerned with visual reception and
interpretation?
a. Frontal lobe
b. Parietal lobe
c. Temporal lobe
d. Occipital lobe -Correct Answer ✔d) Occipital lobe
Mental Health Final Exam
