ESTUDYR
NUR2459 MENTAL HEALTH UPDATED EXAM WITH MOST
TESTED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | ASSURED
SUCCESS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
Somatic Symptom & Related Disorders
1. The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder focused on severe
back pain. The most therapeutic intervention is:
A. Explain alternative interventions are available for back pain
B. Confront the client with the negative findings that have been determined
C. Allow the client to discuss physical concerns and redirect to coping skills for stress
D. Tell the client that there is no cause for the pain except for emotional concerns
Rationale: Validates feelings while shifting focus to adaptive coping skills.
ADHD & Safety Interventions
2. A teenage client with ADHD and high self-harm risk due to impulsivity needs priority
intervention:
A. Develop a no-harm contract and encourage participation in all unit activities
B. Schedule a daily nurse-client session to discuss goals
C. Have the client sit within direct line of sight only during mealtimes
D. Assign a staff member for 1:1 observation at all times
Rationale: Continuous observation prevents impulsive self-harm.
Professional Boundaries
3. Which statement by a pediatric psych nurse is a concern?
A. Since I’ve cared for this child, he’s become less agitated.
B. When a child becomes violent, I also need to protect the other children.
C. I know exactly how the child feels since I went through the same thing.
D. I have to be careful not to show favoritism.
Rationale: Overidentification (“I know exactly…”) breaches professional boundaries.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
4. A child with ODD yells at staff when asked to leave group therapy. The most appropriate nursing
action is:
A. Accompany the child to a quiet area to decrease external stimuli
,ESTUDYR
B. Institute seclusion per protocol
C. Allow the child to remain in group and monitor
D. Assist the child in separating feelings from reactions
Rationale: Removal to a low-stimulus area helps de-escalate aggression.
5. When planning care for a 6-year-old with ODD, include:
A. Mindfulness exercises
B. Cognitive therapy
C. Behavior modification
D. Emotive therapy
Rationale: Reinforcing positive behaviors and consequences improves compliance.
Conduct Disorder
6. A 16-year-old with conduct disorder often manifests:
A. Physical aggression in violation of others
B. Compassion
C. Yelling and name-calling
D. Physical aggression in violation of others
Rationale: Conduct disorder is characterized by violating rights and aggression.
ADHD Medication Side Effects
7. A child on methylphenidate—monitor for (select all that apply):
A. Sedation
B. Headache
C. Decreased appetite
D. Decreased blood pressure
E. Insomnia
Rationale: Stimulants commonly cause headache, appetite loss, and sleep disturbance.
Grief & Loss
8. A female client feels she didn’t do enough to prevent her father’s death. The best nursing
intervention is:
A. Explain this is a pathological defense preventing grief stages
B. Encourage her to remain strong for family
C. Review circumstances and reality that it couldn’t be prevented
, ESTUDYR
D. Role-play events to understand her decisions
Rationale: Reality orientation and factual review reduce guilt and promote adaptive grieving.
Eating Disorders
9. A client with anorexia nervosa does repeated sit-ups. The most therapeutic nurse response is:
A. Allow continued exercise
B. Interrupt the routine and offer to walk with her
C. Tell her exercise is not allowed
D. Restrict her to her room
Rationale: Redirects energy to safe activity and builds rapport.
Anxiety Disorders
10. A client with panic disorder reports trembling and palpitations. The most therapeutic nursing
intervention is:
A. Teach diaphragmatic breathing
B. Stay with the client and use calm, reassuring tone
C. Leave the client alone until symptoms pass
D. Criticize the client for “overreacting”
Rationale: Presence and reassurance reduce panic and sense of isolation.
Major Depressive Disorder
11. A client with depression refuses to eat. The priority nursing action is:
A. Encourage more time alone
B. Allow choice of neglected foods
C. Offer small, frequent, high-calorie snacks
D. Insist on hospital meal tray
Rationale: Meets nutritional needs in manageable portions.
12. Teaching for SSRIs should include:
A. Expect immediate mood lift
B. Therapeutic effects take 2–4 weeks
C. Stop medication when feeling better
D. Avoid sunlight
Rationale: Onset of antidepressant effect requires several weeks.
NUR2459 MENTAL HEALTH UPDATED EXAM WITH MOST
TESTED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | ASSURED
SUCCESS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
Somatic Symptom & Related Disorders
1. The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder focused on severe
back pain. The most therapeutic intervention is:
A. Explain alternative interventions are available for back pain
B. Confront the client with the negative findings that have been determined
C. Allow the client to discuss physical concerns and redirect to coping skills for stress
D. Tell the client that there is no cause for the pain except for emotional concerns
Rationale: Validates feelings while shifting focus to adaptive coping skills.
ADHD & Safety Interventions
2. A teenage client with ADHD and high self-harm risk due to impulsivity needs priority
intervention:
A. Develop a no-harm contract and encourage participation in all unit activities
B. Schedule a daily nurse-client session to discuss goals
C. Have the client sit within direct line of sight only during mealtimes
D. Assign a staff member for 1:1 observation at all times
Rationale: Continuous observation prevents impulsive self-harm.
Professional Boundaries
3. Which statement by a pediatric psych nurse is a concern?
A. Since I’ve cared for this child, he’s become less agitated.
B. When a child becomes violent, I also need to protect the other children.
C. I know exactly how the child feels since I went through the same thing.
D. I have to be careful not to show favoritism.
Rationale: Overidentification (“I know exactly…”) breaches professional boundaries.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
4. A child with ODD yells at staff when asked to leave group therapy. The most appropriate nursing
action is:
A. Accompany the child to a quiet area to decrease external stimuli
,ESTUDYR
B. Institute seclusion per protocol
C. Allow the child to remain in group and monitor
D. Assist the child in separating feelings from reactions
Rationale: Removal to a low-stimulus area helps de-escalate aggression.
5. When planning care for a 6-year-old with ODD, include:
A. Mindfulness exercises
B. Cognitive therapy
C. Behavior modification
D. Emotive therapy
Rationale: Reinforcing positive behaviors and consequences improves compliance.
Conduct Disorder
6. A 16-year-old with conduct disorder often manifests:
A. Physical aggression in violation of others
B. Compassion
C. Yelling and name-calling
D. Physical aggression in violation of others
Rationale: Conduct disorder is characterized by violating rights and aggression.
ADHD Medication Side Effects
7. A child on methylphenidate—monitor for (select all that apply):
A. Sedation
B. Headache
C. Decreased appetite
D. Decreased blood pressure
E. Insomnia
Rationale: Stimulants commonly cause headache, appetite loss, and sleep disturbance.
Grief & Loss
8. A female client feels she didn’t do enough to prevent her father’s death. The best nursing
intervention is:
A. Explain this is a pathological defense preventing grief stages
B. Encourage her to remain strong for family
C. Review circumstances and reality that it couldn’t be prevented
, ESTUDYR
D. Role-play events to understand her decisions
Rationale: Reality orientation and factual review reduce guilt and promote adaptive grieving.
Eating Disorders
9. A client with anorexia nervosa does repeated sit-ups. The most therapeutic nurse response is:
A. Allow continued exercise
B. Interrupt the routine and offer to walk with her
C. Tell her exercise is not allowed
D. Restrict her to her room
Rationale: Redirects energy to safe activity and builds rapport.
Anxiety Disorders
10. A client with panic disorder reports trembling and palpitations. The most therapeutic nursing
intervention is:
A. Teach diaphragmatic breathing
B. Stay with the client and use calm, reassuring tone
C. Leave the client alone until symptoms pass
D. Criticize the client for “overreacting”
Rationale: Presence and reassurance reduce panic and sense of isolation.
Major Depressive Disorder
11. A client with depression refuses to eat. The priority nursing action is:
A. Encourage more time alone
B. Allow choice of neglected foods
C. Offer small, frequent, high-calorie snacks
D. Insist on hospital meal tray
Rationale: Meets nutritional needs in manageable portions.
12. Teaching for SSRIs should include:
A. Expect immediate mood lift
B. Therapeutic effects take 2–4 weeks
C. Stop medication when feeling better
D. Avoid sunlight
Rationale: Onset of antidepressant effect requires several weeks.
