RASMUSSEN MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2
2025/2026 CORRECT AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
WITH DIRECT FEEDBACK GRADED A+
1) A patient with schizophrenia begins to talks about "volmers" hiding in the warehouse at work.
The term "volmers" should be documented as: a. neologism
b. concrete thinking
c. thought insertion
d. idea of reference
ANS: A
Feedback:
,- A neologism is a newly coined word having special meaning to the patient. "Volmer" is not a
known common noun.
- Concrete thinking refers to the inability to think abstractly.
- Thought insertion refers to thoughts of others that are implanted in one's mind.
- An idea of reference is a type of delusion in which trivial events are given personal
significance.
2) A patient with suicidal impulses is placed on the highest level of suicide precautions. Which
measures should be incorporated into the plan of care by the nurse caring for the patient? (More
than one answer is correct.)
a. Maintain arm’s-length, one-on-one nursing observation around the clock.
b. Allow no glass or metal on meal trays.
c. Keep patient within visual range while awake. Check every 15 to 30 minutes while the patient
is sleeping.
d. Check the patient’s whereabouts every 15 minutes and make frequent verbal contacts.
e. Check whereabouts every hour. Make verbal contact at least three times each shift.
f. Remove all potentially harmful objects from the patient’s possession.
ANS: A, B, F Feedback:
One-on-one observation is necessary for anyone who has limited control over suicidal impulses.
- Plastic dishes on trays and the removal of potentially harmful objects from the patient's
possession are measures included in any-level suicide precautions.
The remaining options are used in less stringent levels of suicide precautions.
3) A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia anxiously says, “I can see the left side of my body
merging with the wall, then my face appears and disappears in the mirror.” While listening, the
nurse should:
a. sit close to the patient.
,b. place an arm protectively around the patient’s shoulders.
c. place a hand on the patient’s arm and exert light pressure.
d. maintain a normal social interaction distance from the patient.
ANS: D
Feedback:
The patient is describing phenomena that indicate personal boundary difficulties. The nurse
should maintain an appropriate social distance and not touch the patient, because the patient is
anxious about the inability to maintain ego boundaries and merging with or being swallowed by
the environment. Physical closeness or touch could precipitate panic.
4) Which statement indicates a patient with major depression is most likely outlook on life
during the acute phase of the illness?
During an acute phase of major depression, the client may feel worthless and deserve bad things
to happen personally.
5) A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is in the maintenance phase of treatment. The
patient asks, “Do I have to keep taking this lithium even though my mood is stable now?” Select
the nurse’s appropriate response.
a. “You will be able to stop the medication in about 1 month.”
b. “Taking the medication every day helps reduce the risk of a relapse.”
c. “Usually patients take medication for approximately 6 months after discharge.”
d. “It’s unusual that the health care provider hasn’t already stopped your medication.”
ANS: B
Feedback:
Patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be maintained on lithium indefinitely to prevent
recurrences. Helping the patient understand this need will promote medication compliance.
, 6) A person has had difficulty keeping a job because of arguing with co-workers and accusing
them of conspiracy. Today the person shouts, “They’re all plotting to destroy me. Isn’t that true?”
Select the nurse’s most therapeutic response.
a.”Everyone here is trying to help you. No one wants to harm you.”
b. “Feeling that people want to destroy you must be very frightening.”
c. “That is not true. People here are trying to help you if you will let them.”
d. “Staff members are health care professionals who are qualified to help you.”
ANS: B
Feedback
Resist focusing on content; instead, focus on the feelings the patient is expressing. This strategy
prevents arguing about the reality of delusional beliefs. Such arguments increase patient anxiety
and the tenacity with which the patient holds to the delusion. The other options focus on content
and provide opportunity for argument.
7) A patient is undergoing a series of diagnostic tests. The patient says, "Nothing is wrong with
me except a stubborn chest cold." The spouse reports the patient smokes and coughs a lot, has
lost 15 pounds, and is easily fatigued. Which defense mechanism is the patient using? a.
Regression
b. Displacement
c. Denial
d. Projection
ANS: C
Feedback
Denial is an unconscious blocking of threatening or painful information or feelings. Regression
involves using behaviors appropriate at an earlier stage of psychosexual development.
Displacement shifts feelings to a more neutral person or object. Projection attributes one's own
unacceptable thoughts or feelings to another
8) A cab driver, stuck in traffic, becomes lightheaded, tremulous, diaphoretic, tachycardia and
dyspneic. A workup in an emergency department reveals no pathology. Which medical diagnosis
should a nurse suspect, and what nursing diagnosis should be the nurse's first priority?
2025/2026 CORRECT AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
WITH DIRECT FEEDBACK GRADED A+
1) A patient with schizophrenia begins to talks about "volmers" hiding in the warehouse at work.
The term "volmers" should be documented as: a. neologism
b. concrete thinking
c. thought insertion
d. idea of reference
ANS: A
Feedback:
,- A neologism is a newly coined word having special meaning to the patient. "Volmer" is not a
known common noun.
- Concrete thinking refers to the inability to think abstractly.
- Thought insertion refers to thoughts of others that are implanted in one's mind.
- An idea of reference is a type of delusion in which trivial events are given personal
significance.
2) A patient with suicidal impulses is placed on the highest level of suicide precautions. Which
measures should be incorporated into the plan of care by the nurse caring for the patient? (More
than one answer is correct.)
a. Maintain arm’s-length, one-on-one nursing observation around the clock.
b. Allow no glass or metal on meal trays.
c. Keep patient within visual range while awake. Check every 15 to 30 minutes while the patient
is sleeping.
d. Check the patient’s whereabouts every 15 minutes and make frequent verbal contacts.
e. Check whereabouts every hour. Make verbal contact at least three times each shift.
f. Remove all potentially harmful objects from the patient’s possession.
ANS: A, B, F Feedback:
One-on-one observation is necessary for anyone who has limited control over suicidal impulses.
- Plastic dishes on trays and the removal of potentially harmful objects from the patient's
possession are measures included in any-level suicide precautions.
The remaining options are used in less stringent levels of suicide precautions.
3) A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia anxiously says, “I can see the left side of my body
merging with the wall, then my face appears and disappears in the mirror.” While listening, the
nurse should:
a. sit close to the patient.
,b. place an arm protectively around the patient’s shoulders.
c. place a hand on the patient’s arm and exert light pressure.
d. maintain a normal social interaction distance from the patient.
ANS: D
Feedback:
The patient is describing phenomena that indicate personal boundary difficulties. The nurse
should maintain an appropriate social distance and not touch the patient, because the patient is
anxious about the inability to maintain ego boundaries and merging with or being swallowed by
the environment. Physical closeness or touch could precipitate panic.
4) Which statement indicates a patient with major depression is most likely outlook on life
during the acute phase of the illness?
During an acute phase of major depression, the client may feel worthless and deserve bad things
to happen personally.
5) A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is in the maintenance phase of treatment. The
patient asks, “Do I have to keep taking this lithium even though my mood is stable now?” Select
the nurse’s appropriate response.
a. “You will be able to stop the medication in about 1 month.”
b. “Taking the medication every day helps reduce the risk of a relapse.”
c. “Usually patients take medication for approximately 6 months after discharge.”
d. “It’s unusual that the health care provider hasn’t already stopped your medication.”
ANS: B
Feedback:
Patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be maintained on lithium indefinitely to prevent
recurrences. Helping the patient understand this need will promote medication compliance.
, 6) A person has had difficulty keeping a job because of arguing with co-workers and accusing
them of conspiracy. Today the person shouts, “They’re all plotting to destroy me. Isn’t that true?”
Select the nurse’s most therapeutic response.
a.”Everyone here is trying to help you. No one wants to harm you.”
b. “Feeling that people want to destroy you must be very frightening.”
c. “That is not true. People here are trying to help you if you will let them.”
d. “Staff members are health care professionals who are qualified to help you.”
ANS: B
Feedback
Resist focusing on content; instead, focus on the feelings the patient is expressing. This strategy
prevents arguing about the reality of delusional beliefs. Such arguments increase patient anxiety
and the tenacity with which the patient holds to the delusion. The other options focus on content
and provide opportunity for argument.
7) A patient is undergoing a series of diagnostic tests. The patient says, "Nothing is wrong with
me except a stubborn chest cold." The spouse reports the patient smokes and coughs a lot, has
lost 15 pounds, and is easily fatigued. Which defense mechanism is the patient using? a.
Regression
b. Displacement
c. Denial
d. Projection
ANS: C
Feedback
Denial is an unconscious blocking of threatening or painful information or feelings. Regression
involves using behaviors appropriate at an earlier stage of psychosexual development.
Displacement shifts feelings to a more neutral person or object. Projection attributes one's own
unacceptable thoughts or feelings to another
8) A cab driver, stuck in traffic, becomes lightheaded, tremulous, diaphoretic, tachycardia and
dyspneic. A workup in an emergency department reveals no pathology. Which medical diagnosis
should a nurse suspect, and what nursing diagnosis should be the nurse's first priority?
