NEUROCOGNITIVE DISORDERS,
MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2 2025/26
WIRH CORRECT ANSWERS, NUR
2459 / NUR2459 MENTAL AND
BEHAVIORAL RASMUSSEN COLLEGE
What’s included;
Exam-Style Questions & Correct Answers –
Practice with structured questions and verified
answers to strengthen exam preparation
High-Yield Mental Health Nursing Content –
Reviews key topics commonly emphasized in
NUR2459 Mental and Behavioral Health courses
Created for NUR2459 Students – Tailored for
nursing students preparing for Mental and
Behavioral Health examinations with a focus on
neurocognitive disorders
Focused Neurocognitive Disorders Review –
Covers essential concepts related to delirium,
dementia, Alzheimer's disease, vascular
neurocognitive disorders, and nursing interventions
,1. A geriatric nurse is teaching the client's family about the possible cause of delirium.
Which statement by the nurse is most accurate?
1. "Taking multiple medications may lead to adverse interactions or toxicity."
2. "Age-related cognitive changes may lead to alterations in mental status."
3. "Lack of rigorous exercise may lead to decreased cerebral blood flow." 4. "Decreased
social interaction may lead to profound isolation and psy-
chosis." :ANSWER1
The nurse should identify that taking multiple medications that may lead to adverse
reactions or toxicity is a risk factor for the development of delirium in older adults.
2. A client diagnosed with vascular neurocognitive disorder (NCD) is discharged to home
under the care of his wife. Which information should cause the nurse to question the
client's safety?
1. His wife works from home in telecommunication.
2. The client has worked the nightshift his entire career.
3. His wife has minimal family support.
4. The client smokes one pack of cigarettes per day. :ANSWER :4
The nurse should question the client's safety at home if the client smokes cigarettes.
Patients with this disorder become confused and are at risk for injury.
3. A client diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) can no longer ambulate, does not
recognize family members, and communicates with agitated behaviors and incoherent
verbalizations. The nurse recognizes these symptoms as indicative of which stage of the
illness? 1. Stage 4Mild-to-Moderate Cognitive Decline
2. Stage 5Moderate Cognitive Decline
3. Stage 6Moderate-to-Severe Cognitive Decline
4. Stage 7Severe Cognitive Decline :ANSWER :4
The nurse should recognize that a client exhibiting these symptoms is in the severe
cognitive decline, seventh stage, of AD.
4. A client is diagnosed in stage 7 of AD. To address the client's symptoms, which nursing
intervention should take priority?
,1. Improve cognitive status by encouraging involvement in social activities.
2. Decrease social isolation by providing group therapies.
3. Promote dignity by providing comfort, safety, and self-care measures.
4. Facilitate communication by providing assistive devices. :ANSWER3
The most appropriate intervention in the seventh stage of AD is to promote the client's
dignity by providing comfort, safety, and self-care measures. Stage 7 is characterized by
severe cognitive decline in which the client is unable to recognize family members and is
most commonly bedfast and aphasic.
5. Which is the reason for the proliferation of the diagnosis of NCDs?
1. Increased numbers of neurotransmitters have been implicated in the proliferation of
NCD.
2. Similar symptoms of NCD and depression lead to misdiagnoses, increasing numbers
of NCD.
3. Societal stress contributes to the increase in this diagnosis.
4. More people now survive into the high-risk period for neurocognitive
disorders. :ANSWER :ANSWER4
The proliferation of NCD has occurred because more people now survive into the high-
risk period for neurocognitive disorder, which is middle age and beyond. Previously,
many more people died in their 50s, 60s, and early 70s.
6. A client diagnosed recently with AD is prescribed donepezil (Aricept). The client's
spouse inquires, "How does this work? Will this cure him?" Which is the appropriate
nursing response?
1. "This medication delays the destruction of acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain
necessary for memory processes. Although most effective in the early stages, it serves to
delay, but not stop, the progression of the disease." 2. "This medication encourages
production of acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain necessary for memory processes. It
delays the progression of the disease."
3. "This medication delays the destruction of dopamine, a chemical in the brain
necessary for memory processes. Although most effective in the early stages, it serves
, to delay, but not stop, the progression of the disease." 4. "This medication encourages
production of dopamine, a chemical in the brain necessary for memory processes. It
delays the progres :ANSWER :ANSWER1
The most appropriate response by the nurse is to explain that donepezil delays the
destruction of acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain necessary for memory processes.
Although most effective in the early stages, it serves to delay, but not stop, the
progression of the AD. Some side effects include dizziness, headache, gastrointestinal
upset, and elevated transaminase.
7. A client diagnosed with AD exhibits progressive memory loss, diminished cognitive
functioning, and verbal aggression upon experiencing frustration.
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
1. Organize a group activity to present reality.
2. Minimize environmental lighting.
3. Schedule structured daily routines.
4. Explain the consequences for aggressive behaviors. :ANSWER :ANSWER3
The most appropriate nursing intervention for this client is to schedule structured daily
routines. A structured routine will reduce frustration and thereby reduce verbal
aggression.
8. After one week of continuous mental confusion, an older African American client is
admitted with a preliminary diagnosis of AD. What should cause the nurse to question
this diagnosis?
1. AD does not typically occur in African American clients.
2. The symptoms presented are more indicative of Parkinsonism.
3. AD does not develop suddenly.
4. There has been no T3- or T4-level evaluation ordered. :ANSWER :ANSWER3
The nurse should recognize that AD does not develop suddenly and should question this
diagnosis. The onset of AD symptoms is slow and insidious. The disease is generally
progressive and deteriorating.
MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2 2025/26
WIRH CORRECT ANSWERS, NUR
2459 / NUR2459 MENTAL AND
BEHAVIORAL RASMUSSEN COLLEGE
What’s included;
Exam-Style Questions & Correct Answers –
Practice with structured questions and verified
answers to strengthen exam preparation
High-Yield Mental Health Nursing Content –
Reviews key topics commonly emphasized in
NUR2459 Mental and Behavioral Health courses
Created for NUR2459 Students – Tailored for
nursing students preparing for Mental and
Behavioral Health examinations with a focus on
neurocognitive disorders
Focused Neurocognitive Disorders Review –
Covers essential concepts related to delirium,
dementia, Alzheimer's disease, vascular
neurocognitive disorders, and nursing interventions
,1. A geriatric nurse is teaching the client's family about the possible cause of delirium.
Which statement by the nurse is most accurate?
1. "Taking multiple medications may lead to adverse interactions or toxicity."
2. "Age-related cognitive changes may lead to alterations in mental status."
3. "Lack of rigorous exercise may lead to decreased cerebral blood flow." 4. "Decreased
social interaction may lead to profound isolation and psy-
chosis." :ANSWER1
The nurse should identify that taking multiple medications that may lead to adverse
reactions or toxicity is a risk factor for the development of delirium in older adults.
2. A client diagnosed with vascular neurocognitive disorder (NCD) is discharged to home
under the care of his wife. Which information should cause the nurse to question the
client's safety?
1. His wife works from home in telecommunication.
2. The client has worked the nightshift his entire career.
3. His wife has minimal family support.
4. The client smokes one pack of cigarettes per day. :ANSWER :4
The nurse should question the client's safety at home if the client smokes cigarettes.
Patients with this disorder become confused and are at risk for injury.
3. A client diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) can no longer ambulate, does not
recognize family members, and communicates with agitated behaviors and incoherent
verbalizations. The nurse recognizes these symptoms as indicative of which stage of the
illness? 1. Stage 4Mild-to-Moderate Cognitive Decline
2. Stage 5Moderate Cognitive Decline
3. Stage 6Moderate-to-Severe Cognitive Decline
4. Stage 7Severe Cognitive Decline :ANSWER :4
The nurse should recognize that a client exhibiting these symptoms is in the severe
cognitive decline, seventh stage, of AD.
4. A client is diagnosed in stage 7 of AD. To address the client's symptoms, which nursing
intervention should take priority?
,1. Improve cognitive status by encouraging involvement in social activities.
2. Decrease social isolation by providing group therapies.
3. Promote dignity by providing comfort, safety, and self-care measures.
4. Facilitate communication by providing assistive devices. :ANSWER3
The most appropriate intervention in the seventh stage of AD is to promote the client's
dignity by providing comfort, safety, and self-care measures. Stage 7 is characterized by
severe cognitive decline in which the client is unable to recognize family members and is
most commonly bedfast and aphasic.
5. Which is the reason for the proliferation of the diagnosis of NCDs?
1. Increased numbers of neurotransmitters have been implicated in the proliferation of
NCD.
2. Similar symptoms of NCD and depression lead to misdiagnoses, increasing numbers
of NCD.
3. Societal stress contributes to the increase in this diagnosis.
4. More people now survive into the high-risk period for neurocognitive
disorders. :ANSWER :ANSWER4
The proliferation of NCD has occurred because more people now survive into the high-
risk period for neurocognitive disorder, which is middle age and beyond. Previously,
many more people died in their 50s, 60s, and early 70s.
6. A client diagnosed recently with AD is prescribed donepezil (Aricept). The client's
spouse inquires, "How does this work? Will this cure him?" Which is the appropriate
nursing response?
1. "This medication delays the destruction of acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain
necessary for memory processes. Although most effective in the early stages, it serves to
delay, but not stop, the progression of the disease." 2. "This medication encourages
production of acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain necessary for memory processes. It
delays the progression of the disease."
3. "This medication delays the destruction of dopamine, a chemical in the brain
necessary for memory processes. Although most effective in the early stages, it serves
, to delay, but not stop, the progression of the disease." 4. "This medication encourages
production of dopamine, a chemical in the brain necessary for memory processes. It
delays the progres :ANSWER :ANSWER1
The most appropriate response by the nurse is to explain that donepezil delays the
destruction of acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain necessary for memory processes.
Although most effective in the early stages, it serves to delay, but not stop, the
progression of the AD. Some side effects include dizziness, headache, gastrointestinal
upset, and elevated transaminase.
7. A client diagnosed with AD exhibits progressive memory loss, diminished cognitive
functioning, and verbal aggression upon experiencing frustration.
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
1. Organize a group activity to present reality.
2. Minimize environmental lighting.
3. Schedule structured daily routines.
4. Explain the consequences for aggressive behaviors. :ANSWER :ANSWER3
The most appropriate nursing intervention for this client is to schedule structured daily
routines. A structured routine will reduce frustration and thereby reduce verbal
aggression.
8. After one week of continuous mental confusion, an older African American client is
admitted with a preliminary diagnosis of AD. What should cause the nurse to question
this diagnosis?
1. AD does not typically occur in African American clients.
2. The symptoms presented are more indicative of Parkinsonism.
3. AD does not develop suddenly.
4. There has been no T3- or T4-level evaluation ordered. :ANSWER :ANSWER3
The nurse should recognize that AD does not develop suddenly and should question this
diagnosis. The onset of AD symptoms is slow and insidious. The disease is generally
progressive and deteriorating.
