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NSG 3160 EXAM 2 2026/2027 | HEALTH
ASSESSMENT | 40 VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED
RATIONALES | NGN-ALIGNED | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: MENTAL STATUS ASSESSMENT – Questions 1-10
Q1: Mental Status Definition
A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's mental status. The nurse understands that mental status
refers to which of the following?
A. General intelligence level
B. A patient's emotional and cognitive function
C. The patient's level of consciousness only
D. The patient's perception of reality
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mental status refers to a patient's emotional and cognitive functioning, which includes
mood, thought processes, and overall psychological state. It encompasses both the affective
(emotional) and cognitive (thinking) components of a person's mental state .
Q2: A, B, C, T Framework
In the A, B, C, T framework for mental status assessment, what does the "B" represent?
A. Beliefs
B. Behavior
C. Background
D. Balance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The A, B, C, T framework organizes the mental status examination into four domains:
Appearance, Behavior, Cognition, and Thought. Behavior encompasses the patient's consciousness,
alertness, and observable actions during the interview .
Q3: Recent Memory Assessment
A nurse is assessing a patient's recent memory. Which question would be most appropriate?
A. "What is your first job?"
B. "What did you eat for breakfast today?"
, 2
C. "What does 'people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones' mean?"
D. "What is your mother's maiden name?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recent memory is assessed by asking the patient to recall events from the past 24 hours,
such as what they ate for breakfast. Asking about a first job assesses remote memory. Proverb
interpretation assesses abstract reasoning .
Q4: Attention Span Assessment
A nurse is assessing a patient's attention span. Which technique is most appropriate?
A. Asking about the patient's first job
B. Asking the patient to name the days of the week backward
C. Performing a 24-hour diet recall
D. Assessing the patient's mood
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Attention span is evaluated by observing the patient's ability to focus and follow a
sequence. Asking the patient to name the days of the week backward or repeat a series of digits
tests attention. Proverb interpretation assesses abstract reasoning, and delayed word recall tests
memory .
Q5: PHQ-9 Interpretation
A patient scores a 12 on the PHQ-9 depression screening tool. How should the nurse interpret this
score?
A. None/minimal depression
B. Mild depression
C. Moderate depression
D. Severe depression
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PHQ-9 scoring: 0-4 indicates none/minimal, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-19 moderately
severe, and 20-27 severe. A score of 12 falls in the moderate range .
Q6: CAGE Questionnaire
A nurse is using the CAGE questionnaire to screen a patient for alcohol use disorder. What does the
"C" in CAGE stand for?
A. Control
B. Cut down
C. Consumption
D. Craving
NSG 3160 EXAM 2 2026/2027 | HEALTH
ASSESSMENT | 40 VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED
RATIONALES | NGN-ALIGNED | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: MENTAL STATUS ASSESSMENT – Questions 1-10
Q1: Mental Status Definition
A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's mental status. The nurse understands that mental status
refers to which of the following?
A. General intelligence level
B. A patient's emotional and cognitive function
C. The patient's level of consciousness only
D. The patient's perception of reality
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mental status refers to a patient's emotional and cognitive functioning, which includes
mood, thought processes, and overall psychological state. It encompasses both the affective
(emotional) and cognitive (thinking) components of a person's mental state .
Q2: A, B, C, T Framework
In the A, B, C, T framework for mental status assessment, what does the "B" represent?
A. Beliefs
B. Behavior
C. Background
D. Balance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The A, B, C, T framework organizes the mental status examination into four domains:
Appearance, Behavior, Cognition, and Thought. Behavior encompasses the patient's consciousness,
alertness, and observable actions during the interview .
Q3: Recent Memory Assessment
A nurse is assessing a patient's recent memory. Which question would be most appropriate?
A. "What is your first job?"
B. "What did you eat for breakfast today?"
, 2
C. "What does 'people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones' mean?"
D. "What is your mother's maiden name?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recent memory is assessed by asking the patient to recall events from the past 24 hours,
such as what they ate for breakfast. Asking about a first job assesses remote memory. Proverb
interpretation assesses abstract reasoning .
Q4: Attention Span Assessment
A nurse is assessing a patient's attention span. Which technique is most appropriate?
A. Asking about the patient's first job
B. Asking the patient to name the days of the week backward
C. Performing a 24-hour diet recall
D. Assessing the patient's mood
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Attention span is evaluated by observing the patient's ability to focus and follow a
sequence. Asking the patient to name the days of the week backward or repeat a series of digits
tests attention. Proverb interpretation assesses abstract reasoning, and delayed word recall tests
memory .
Q5: PHQ-9 Interpretation
A patient scores a 12 on the PHQ-9 depression screening tool. How should the nurse interpret this
score?
A. None/minimal depression
B. Mild depression
C. Moderate depression
D. Severe depression
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PHQ-9 scoring: 0-4 indicates none/minimal, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-19 moderately
severe, and 20-27 severe. A score of 12 falls in the moderate range .
Q6: CAGE Questionnaire
A nurse is using the CAGE questionnaire to screen a patient for alcohol use disorder. What does the
"C" in CAGE stand for?
A. Control
B. Cut down
C. Consumption
D. Craving
