NUR2459 Exam 4 Actual Exam Style V2 |
NUR 2459 Mental and Behavioral Health
Nursing | Rasmussen
1. A nurse is assessing an elderly patient who is experiencing a sudden onset of confusion,
fluctuating levels of consciousness, and visual hallucinations. Which condition should the
nurse suspect first?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Vascular Dementia
C. Depression
D. Delirium
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset and fluctuating levels of
consciousness. It is often reversible once the underlying medical cause is treated. In
contrast, dementia involves a slow, progressive decline in cognition.
2. An adolescent patient is admitted with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. Which of the
following physical findings should the nurse expect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Lanugo
,D. Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Lanugo is the growth of fine, downy hair on the face and back as the
body attempts to insulate itself. It is a common physiological response to extreme weight
loss and malnutrition. Other signs include bradycardia and hypotension rather than
tachycardia and hypertension.
3. A client with Alzheimer’s disease is unable to recognize familiar objects such as a hairbrush
or a spoon. What is the correct medical term for this deficit?
A. Agnosia
B. Apraxia
C. Aphasia
D. Amnesia
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Agnosia is the inability to recognize or identify objects despite intact
sensory function. This occurs as the disease damages the associative areas of the brain. It
can lead to safety risks because the patient may misuse objects.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder who is using the defense
mechanism of ‘splitting.’ Which behavior by the client demonstrates this?
A. The client mimics the nurse’s behavior.
, B. The client experiences physical pain with no medical cause.
C. The client refuses to participate in group therapy.
D. The client tells a nurse that they are the only ‘good’ nurse while calling others ‘evil.’
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Splitting is a primitive defense mechanism where individuals view
others as either all good or all bad. This helps the person manage the anxiety resulting from
their inability to integrate positive and negative aspects of others. It often causes significant
conflict within the healthcare team.
5. A client is prescribed donepezil (Aricept) for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. What is
the primary therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Reversing the damage to the neurons.
B. Eliminating the need for long-term care.
C. Curing the underlying disease process.
D. Slowing the rate of cognitive decline.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor that increases the availability
of acetylcholine in the brain. While it does not cure Alzheimer’s or reverse neuronal
damage, it can improve or stabilize cognitive function for a period. Nurses should monitor
for side effects like nausea and diarrhea.
NUR 2459 Mental and Behavioral Health
Nursing | Rasmussen
1. A nurse is assessing an elderly patient who is experiencing a sudden onset of confusion,
fluctuating levels of consciousness, and visual hallucinations. Which condition should the
nurse suspect first?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Vascular Dementia
C. Depression
D. Delirium
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset and fluctuating levels of
consciousness. It is often reversible once the underlying medical cause is treated. In
contrast, dementia involves a slow, progressive decline in cognition.
2. An adolescent patient is admitted with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. Which of the
following physical findings should the nurse expect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Lanugo
,D. Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Lanugo is the growth of fine, downy hair on the face and back as the
body attempts to insulate itself. It is a common physiological response to extreme weight
loss and malnutrition. Other signs include bradycardia and hypotension rather than
tachycardia and hypertension.
3. A client with Alzheimer’s disease is unable to recognize familiar objects such as a hairbrush
or a spoon. What is the correct medical term for this deficit?
A. Agnosia
B. Apraxia
C. Aphasia
D. Amnesia
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Agnosia is the inability to recognize or identify objects despite intact
sensory function. This occurs as the disease damages the associative areas of the brain. It
can lead to safety risks because the patient may misuse objects.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder who is using the defense
mechanism of ‘splitting.’ Which behavior by the client demonstrates this?
A. The client mimics the nurse’s behavior.
, B. The client experiences physical pain with no medical cause.
C. The client refuses to participate in group therapy.
D. The client tells a nurse that they are the only ‘good’ nurse while calling others ‘evil.’
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Splitting is a primitive defense mechanism where individuals view
others as either all good or all bad. This helps the person manage the anxiety resulting from
their inability to integrate positive and negative aspects of others. It often causes significant
conflict within the healthcare team.
5. A client is prescribed donepezil (Aricept) for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. What is
the primary therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Reversing the damage to the neurons.
B. Eliminating the need for long-term care.
C. Curing the underlying disease process.
D. Slowing the rate of cognitive decline.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor that increases the availability
of acetylcholine in the brain. While it does not cure Alzheimer’s or reverse neuronal
damage, it can improve or stabilize cognitive function for a period. Nurses should monitor
for side effects like nausea and diarrhea.
