NUR2459 Exam 1 V2 | NUR 2459 Mental and
Behavioral Health Nursing Exam Q&A |
Rasmussen University
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This study guide is intended to provide comprehensive preparation for psychiatric nursing
examinations by focusing on behavioral health disorders, therapeutic interventions, and safe
nursing care management. The content reflects practical mental health nursing concepts
frequently tested in nursing assessments.
This version contains realistic exam-style questions designed to strengthen understanding of
psychiatric assessment findings, communication strategies, and therapeutic nursing interventions.
Detailed expert explanations support deeper understanding and practical clinical application.
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The Exam Covers:
• Psychiatric nursing foundations
• Communication barriers in mental health
• Coping and defense mechanisms
• Therapeutic nurse-patient relationships
• Anxiety and stress disorders
• Crisis intervention basics
• Documentation in psychiatric nursing
• Mental health promotion strategies
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1. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who reports hearing voices telling them to
‘hurt the people around them.’ Which is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer an as-needed (PRN) sedative immediately.
B. Initiate one-to-one observation to ensure safety.
,C. Ask the client to describe what the voices are saying in detail.
D. Tell the client that the voices are not real and to ignore them.
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Patient safety is the absolute priority when a patient experiences
command hallucinations that suggest violence. Initiating one-to-one observation provides
immediate monitoring and intervention capability to prevent harm to others. The nurse
must maintain a safe milieu while further assessing the client’s internal stimuli.
2. A client is prescribed phenelzine for depression. Which food item should the nurse instruct
the client to avoid?
A. Fresh green leafy vegetables
B. Whole grain bread
C. Grilled chicken breast
D. Aged cheddar cheese
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Phenelzine is a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) that interacts
dangerously with tyramine-rich foods. Aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented products
can trigger a hypertensive crisis in patients taking MAOIs. Educating the client on a low-
tyramine diet is essential for preventing life-threatening cardiovascular events.
, 3. During a mental status examination, a client repeats every word the nurse says. The nurse
documents this finding as:
A. Echolalia
B. Neologisms
C. Word salad
D. Clang association
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Echolalia is the pathological repeating of another’s words or phrases,
often seen in schizophrenia or autism. This differs from word salad, which is a jumble of
meaningless words, or neologisms, which are made-up words. Identifying specific speech
patterns helps the healthcare team determine the severity of thought process disturbances.
4. A client with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase and is moving rapidly around the unit.
What is the most appropriate nutritional intervention?
A. Providing high-calorie finger foods
B. Serving a three-course meal in the dining room
C. Restricting fluids until the client sits down
D. Ordering a soft diet to prevent choking
Correct Answer: A
Behavioral Health Nursing Exam Q&A |
Rasmussen University
────────────────────────────────────
This study guide is intended to provide comprehensive preparation for psychiatric nursing
examinations by focusing on behavioral health disorders, therapeutic interventions, and safe
nursing care management. The content reflects practical mental health nursing concepts
frequently tested in nursing assessments.
This version contains realistic exam-style questions designed to strengthen understanding of
psychiatric assessment findings, communication strategies, and therapeutic nursing interventions.
Detailed expert explanations support deeper understanding and practical clinical application.
════════════════════════════════════
The Exam Covers:
• Psychiatric nursing foundations
• Communication barriers in mental health
• Coping and defense mechanisms
• Therapeutic nurse-patient relationships
• Anxiety and stress disorders
• Crisis intervention basics
• Documentation in psychiatric nursing
• Mental health promotion strategies
════════════════════════════════════
1. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who reports hearing voices telling them to
‘hurt the people around them.’ Which is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer an as-needed (PRN) sedative immediately.
B. Initiate one-to-one observation to ensure safety.
,C. Ask the client to describe what the voices are saying in detail.
D. Tell the client that the voices are not real and to ignore them.
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Patient safety is the absolute priority when a patient experiences
command hallucinations that suggest violence. Initiating one-to-one observation provides
immediate monitoring and intervention capability to prevent harm to others. The nurse
must maintain a safe milieu while further assessing the client’s internal stimuli.
2. A client is prescribed phenelzine for depression. Which food item should the nurse instruct
the client to avoid?
A. Fresh green leafy vegetables
B. Whole grain bread
C. Grilled chicken breast
D. Aged cheddar cheese
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Phenelzine is a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) that interacts
dangerously with tyramine-rich foods. Aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented products
can trigger a hypertensive crisis in patients taking MAOIs. Educating the client on a low-
tyramine diet is essential for preventing life-threatening cardiovascular events.
, 3. During a mental status examination, a client repeats every word the nurse says. The nurse
documents this finding as:
A. Echolalia
B. Neologisms
C. Word salad
D. Clang association
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Echolalia is the pathological repeating of another’s words or phrases,
often seen in schizophrenia or autism. This differs from word salad, which is a jumble of
meaningless words, or neologisms, which are made-up words. Identifying specific speech
patterns helps the healthcare team determine the severity of thought process disturbances.
4. A client with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase and is moving rapidly around the unit.
What is the most appropriate nutritional intervention?
A. Providing high-calorie finger foods
B. Serving a three-course meal in the dining room
C. Restricting fluids until the client sits down
D. Ordering a soft diet to prevent choking
Correct Answer: A
