Rasmussen – Mental Health Exam 2 | Latest
Exam Prep Q&A (2025/2026 Update)
ANS: A
- 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. - correct answer1) 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, B, F
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. - correct
answer2) 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: D
,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. - correct answer3) 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.
During an acute phase of major depression, the client may feel worthless and deserve
bad things to happen personally. - correct answer4) Which statement indicates a patient
with major depression is most likely outlook on life during the acute phase of the illness?
ANS: B
Patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be maintained on lithium indefinitely to
prevent recurrences. Helping the patient understand this need will promote medication
compliance. - correct answer5) 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
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. - correct
answer6) 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: C
, 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 - correct answer7) 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: D
The nurse should suspect that the client has exhibited signs/symptoms of a panic
disorder. The priority nursing diagnosis should be anxiety. Panic disorder is
characterized by recurrent, sudden onset panic attacks in which the person feels
intense fear, apprehension, or terror. - correct answer8) 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?
1. Generalized anxiety disorder and a nursing diagnosis of fear
2. Altered sensory perception and a nursing diagnosis of panic disorder
3. Pain disorder and a nursing diagnosis of altered role performance
4. Panic disorder and a nursing diagnosis of anxiety
hypertensive crisis - correct answer9) The nurse is providing health teaching for a
patient who has been prescribed Phenelzine (Nardil) for depression and provides a
written list of foods that should not be eaten while taking this medication. What is the
potential problem if the patient is not compliant with these dietary restrictions?
Aged meats or aged cheeses, protein extracts, sour cream, alcohol, anchovies, liver,
sausages, overripe figs, bananas, avocados, chocolate, soy sauce, bean curd, natural
yogurt, fava beans—tyramine-containing foods—may precipitate hypertensive crisis.
Avoid chocolate or caffeine.
Herbal: Ginseng, ephedra, ma huang, St. John's wort may cause hypertensive crisis. -
correct answerfoods with tyramine in it
cheese, sour cream, wine, beer, figs, anchovies, shrimp, bananas, and chocolate, and
avoid drugs (e.g., TCAs). - correct answerFor depression that is refractory to TCAs.
Avoid certain foods such as
Exam Prep Q&A (2025/2026 Update)
ANS: A
- 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. - correct answer1) 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, B, F
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. - correct
answer2) 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: D
,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. - correct answer3) 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.
During an acute phase of major depression, the client may feel worthless and deserve
bad things to happen personally. - correct answer4) Which statement indicates a patient
with major depression is most likely outlook on life during the acute phase of the illness?
ANS: B
Patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be maintained on lithium indefinitely to
prevent recurrences. Helping the patient understand this need will promote medication
compliance. - correct answer5) 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
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. - correct
answer6) 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: C
, 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 - correct answer7) 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: D
The nurse should suspect that the client has exhibited signs/symptoms of a panic
disorder. The priority nursing diagnosis should be anxiety. Panic disorder is
characterized by recurrent, sudden onset panic attacks in which the person feels
intense fear, apprehension, or terror. - correct answer8) 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?
1. Generalized anxiety disorder and a nursing diagnosis of fear
2. Altered sensory perception and a nursing diagnosis of panic disorder
3. Pain disorder and a nursing diagnosis of altered role performance
4. Panic disorder and a nursing diagnosis of anxiety
hypertensive crisis - correct answer9) The nurse is providing health teaching for a
patient who has been prescribed Phenelzine (Nardil) for depression and provides a
written list of foods that should not be eaten while taking this medication. What is the
potential problem if the patient is not compliant with these dietary restrictions?
Aged meats or aged cheeses, protein extracts, sour cream, alcohol, anchovies, liver,
sausages, overripe figs, bananas, avocados, chocolate, soy sauce, bean curd, natural
yogurt, fava beans—tyramine-containing foods—may precipitate hypertensive crisis.
Avoid chocolate or caffeine.
Herbal: Ginseng, ephedra, ma huang, St. John's wort may cause hypertensive crisis. -
correct answerfoods with tyramine in it
cheese, sour cream, wine, beer, figs, anchovies, shrimp, bananas, and chocolate, and
avoid drugs (e.g., TCAs). - correct answerFor depression that is refractory to TCAs.
Avoid certain foods such as
