NUR 384 Exam 2 – Mental Health Nursing –
(2026) Actual Questions & Answers
(Concordia) 100% Guarantee Pass
SECTION 1: ANGER, AGGRESSION & DE-ESCALATION
1. A child is prescribed a mood-stabilizing medication to manage recurrent
violent outbursts. Which condition is the child most likely experiencing?
• A) Communication disorder
• B) Intermittent explosive disorder
• C) Oppositional defiant disorder
• D) Posttraumatic stress disorder
Answer: B) Intermittent explosive disorder
Rationale: Intermittent explosive disorder involves recurrent, disproportionate
aggressive outbursts caused by failure to control impulses. Mood stabilizers or
other medications may be used when aggression is severe, along with
psychotherapy and coping-skills training .
2. An 11-year-old child with oppositional defiant disorder begins shouting about
the rules of a residential treatment program. Which action should the nurse take
first to help de-escalate the situation?
• A) Begin developing a formal behavioral contract during the outburst
• B) Administer an anxiolytic medication immediately
• C) Calmly redirect the child to a supervised physical activity in a low-
stimulation area
, • D) Debate the rules until the child understands why they are necessary
Answer: C) Calmly redirect the child to a supervised physical activity in a low-
stimulation area
Rationale: Nonconfrontational redirection can interrupt escalating behavior and
help the child regain self-control. A behavioral contract may be useful later, but it
should not be negotiated during an active outburst .
3. A nurse is teaching the parents of a child with intermittent explosive disorder.
Which intervention should the nurse recommend?
• A) Use corporal punishment after every outburst
• B) Provide and practice age-appropriate coping and anger-management
strategies
• C) Correct the child using a threatening tone
• D) Ask the teacher to shame the child following explosive behavior
Answer: B) Provide and practice age-appropriate coping and anger-management
strategies
Rationale: The child should learn to recognize triggers, communicate feelings, use
relaxation skills, and leave escalating situations safely. Harsh punishment and
threatening communication can increase anger and aggression .
4. Which manifestations may occur in a child with intermittent explosive
disorder? (Select all that apply)
• A) Increasing internal tension before an outburst
• B) Episodes of extreme anger
• C) Racing thoughts or a sense of mental acceleration
• D) Temper tantrums or aggressive outbursts
, • E) Remorse or embarrassment after an episode
Answer: A, B, C, D, and E
Rationale: Clients with intermittent explosive disorder may experience increasing
tension, irritability, rage, racing thoughts, and impulsive outbursts. Remorse or
embarrassment following an episode is also common .
5. Which of the following is a key risk factor for potential violence among acute
psychiatric inpatients?
• A) Female gender
• B) Absence of substance use
• C) Past history of violence
• D) Diagnosis of anxiety disorder
Answer: C) Past history of violence
Rationale: Elements identified as key risk factors for potential violence among
acute psychiatric inpatients include male gender, substance use, past history of
violence, and a diagnosis of schizophrenia .
6. What is the goal of anger management?
• A) To eliminate all feelings of anger
• B) To reduce both emotional feelings and physiological arousal that anger
engenders
• C) To punish aggressive behavior
• D) To avoid all anger-provoking situations
Answer: B) To reduce both emotional feelings and physiological arousal that
anger engenders
, Rationale: Anger management involves various techniques and strategies to
control responses to anger-provoking situations. The goal is to reduce both the
emotional feelings and the physiological arousal that anger engenders. Prevention
is key in management .
7. A nurse is caring for a patient who is exhibiting escalating anger. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
• A) Apply physical restraints
• B) Administer a PRN antipsychotic medication
• C) Remain calm and set verbal limits
• D) Call a violence code
Answer: C) Remain calm and set verbal limits
Rationale: For ineffective coping, interventions include remaining calm, setting
verbal limits, encouraging use of coping strategies such as writing in a diary,
avoiding physical touch, providing alternative ways to release tension, and role
modeling .
8. When a patient loses control and requires restraint or seclusion, what is the
appropriate follow-up intervention?
• A) Document the incident and move on
• B) Debrief with the patient and staff about the situation
• C) Discharge the patient immediately
• D) Increase the patient's medication without discussion
Answer: B) Debrief with the patient and staff about the situation
Rationale: When a patient loses control, it is important for staff to follow up with a
discussion about the situation. This discussion should occur among staff to review
(2026) Actual Questions & Answers
(Concordia) 100% Guarantee Pass
SECTION 1: ANGER, AGGRESSION & DE-ESCALATION
1. A child is prescribed a mood-stabilizing medication to manage recurrent
violent outbursts. Which condition is the child most likely experiencing?
• A) Communication disorder
• B) Intermittent explosive disorder
• C) Oppositional defiant disorder
• D) Posttraumatic stress disorder
Answer: B) Intermittent explosive disorder
Rationale: Intermittent explosive disorder involves recurrent, disproportionate
aggressive outbursts caused by failure to control impulses. Mood stabilizers or
other medications may be used when aggression is severe, along with
psychotherapy and coping-skills training .
2. An 11-year-old child with oppositional defiant disorder begins shouting about
the rules of a residential treatment program. Which action should the nurse take
first to help de-escalate the situation?
• A) Begin developing a formal behavioral contract during the outburst
• B) Administer an anxiolytic medication immediately
• C) Calmly redirect the child to a supervised physical activity in a low-
stimulation area
, • D) Debate the rules until the child understands why they are necessary
Answer: C) Calmly redirect the child to a supervised physical activity in a low-
stimulation area
Rationale: Nonconfrontational redirection can interrupt escalating behavior and
help the child regain self-control. A behavioral contract may be useful later, but it
should not be negotiated during an active outburst .
3. A nurse is teaching the parents of a child with intermittent explosive disorder.
Which intervention should the nurse recommend?
• A) Use corporal punishment after every outburst
• B) Provide and practice age-appropriate coping and anger-management
strategies
• C) Correct the child using a threatening tone
• D) Ask the teacher to shame the child following explosive behavior
Answer: B) Provide and practice age-appropriate coping and anger-management
strategies
Rationale: The child should learn to recognize triggers, communicate feelings, use
relaxation skills, and leave escalating situations safely. Harsh punishment and
threatening communication can increase anger and aggression .
4. Which manifestations may occur in a child with intermittent explosive
disorder? (Select all that apply)
• A) Increasing internal tension before an outburst
• B) Episodes of extreme anger
• C) Racing thoughts or a sense of mental acceleration
• D) Temper tantrums or aggressive outbursts
, • E) Remorse or embarrassment after an episode
Answer: A, B, C, D, and E
Rationale: Clients with intermittent explosive disorder may experience increasing
tension, irritability, rage, racing thoughts, and impulsive outbursts. Remorse or
embarrassment following an episode is also common .
5. Which of the following is a key risk factor for potential violence among acute
psychiatric inpatients?
• A) Female gender
• B) Absence of substance use
• C) Past history of violence
• D) Diagnosis of anxiety disorder
Answer: C) Past history of violence
Rationale: Elements identified as key risk factors for potential violence among
acute psychiatric inpatients include male gender, substance use, past history of
violence, and a diagnosis of schizophrenia .
6. What is the goal of anger management?
• A) To eliminate all feelings of anger
• B) To reduce both emotional feelings and physiological arousal that anger
engenders
• C) To punish aggressive behavior
• D) To avoid all anger-provoking situations
Answer: B) To reduce both emotional feelings and physiological arousal that
anger engenders
, Rationale: Anger management involves various techniques and strategies to
control responses to anger-provoking situations. The goal is to reduce both the
emotional feelings and the physiological arousal that anger engenders. Prevention
is key in management .
7. A nurse is caring for a patient who is exhibiting escalating anger. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
• A) Apply physical restraints
• B) Administer a PRN antipsychotic medication
• C) Remain calm and set verbal limits
• D) Call a violence code
Answer: C) Remain calm and set verbal limits
Rationale: For ineffective coping, interventions include remaining calm, setting
verbal limits, encouraging use of coping strategies such as writing in a diary,
avoiding physical touch, providing alternative ways to release tension, and role
modeling .
8. When a patient loses control and requires restraint or seclusion, what is the
appropriate follow-up intervention?
• A) Document the incident and move on
• B) Debrief with the patient and staff about the situation
• C) Discharge the patient immediately
• D) Increase the patient's medication without discussion
Answer: B) Debrief with the patient and staff about the situation
Rationale: When a patient loses control, it is important for staff to follow up with a
discussion about the situation. This discussion should occur among staff to review
