Page 1 of 173
Rasmussen: Mental Health Exam 2 Latest Version(Updated
2025/26)300 questions with complete solution
1) A patient with schizophrenia begins to talks about "volmers" or about "frangularity" hiding in the
warehouse at work. The term "volmers" should be documented as - Answer: - A neologism
2) A patient with suicidal impulses is placed on the highest level of suicide precautions. Which measures
should be incorporated into the plan of care by the nurse caring for the patient? (More than one answer
is correct.) - Answer: A.Maintain arm's-length, one-on-one nursing observation around the clock.
b. Allow no glass or metal on meal trays.
f. Remove all potentially harmful objects from the patient's possession.
3) A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia anxiously says, "I can see the left side of my body merging
with the wall, then my face appears and disappears in the mirror." While listening, the nurse should: -
Answer: maintain a normal social interaction distance from the patient.
4) Which statement indicates a patient with major depression is most likely outlook on life during the
acute phase of the illness? - Answer: During an acute phase of major depression, the client may feel
worthless and deserve bad things to happen personally.
5) A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is in the maintenance phase of treatment. The patient asks,
"Do I have to keep taking this lithium even though my mood is stable now?" Select the nurse's
appropriate response. - Answer: b. "Taking the medication every day helps reduce the risk of a relapse."
6) A person has had difficulty keeping a job because of arguing with co-workers and accusing them of
conspiracy. Today the person shouts, "They're all plotting to destroy me. Isn't that true?" Select the
nurse's most therapeutic response. - Answer: b. "Feeling that people want to destroy you must be very
frightening."
7) A patient is undergoing a series of diagnostic tests. The patient says, "Nothing is wrong with me
except a stubborn chest cold." The spouse reports the patient smokes and coughs a lot, has lost 15
pounds, and is easily fatigued. Which defense mechanism is the patient using? - Answer: Denial
,Page 2 of 173
8) A cab driver, stuck in traffic, becomes lightheaded, tremulous, diaphoretic, tachycardia and dyspneic.
A workup in an emergency department reveals no pathology. Which medical diagnosis should a nurse
suspect, and what nursing diagnosis should be the nurse's first priority? - Answer: Panic disorder and a
nursing diagnosis of anxiety
9) The nurse is providing health teaching for a patient who has been prescribed Phenelzine (Nardil) for
depression and provides a written list of foods that should not be eaten while taking this medication.
What is the potential problem if the patient is not compliant with these dietary restrictions? - Answer:
hypertensive crisis
foods with tyramine in it - Answer: Aged meats or aged cheeses, protein extracts, sour cream, alcohol,
anchovies, liver, sausages, overripe figs, bananas, avocados, chocolate, soy sauce, be an curd, natural
yogurt, fava beans—tyramine-containing foods—may precipitate hypertensive crisis. Avoid chocolate or
caffeine.
Herbal: Ginseng, ephedra, ma huang, St. John's wort may cause hypertensive crisis.
For depression that is refractory to TCAs. Avoid certain foods such as - Answer: cheese, sour cream,
wine, beer, figs, anchovies, shrimp, bananas, and chocolate, and avoid drugs (e.g., TCAs).
Risk for hypertensive crisis:
Avoid self-medication. WHY? - Answer: OTC preparations containing dextromethorphan,
sympathomimetic agents, or antihistamines (e.g., cough, cold, and hay fever remedies, appetite
suppressants) can precipitate severe hypertensive reactions if taken during therapy or within 2-3 wk
after discontinuation of an MAO inhibitor.
10) Which piece of subjective data obtained during the nurse's psychosocial assessment of a client
experiencing severe anxiety would indicate the possibility of obsessive -compulsive disorder? - Answer:
a. "I have to keep checking to see where my car keys are."
11) The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of psychotropic medication on negative symptoms of
psychosis. The nurse looks for a decrease in which of the following? - Answer: A: Affective flattening.
11) The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of an antipsychotic on negative symptoms of psychosis.
Which of the following symptoms would be classified as negative symptoms of psychosis? - Answer:
Blunted affect
,Page 3 of 173
Poverty of thought
Loss of motivation
Inability to experience pleasure or joy
12) A 39-year-old woman is recently divorced and is learning to cope with additional stressors. Which of
the following best demonstrate(s) that she is utilizing positive coping strategies to manage her stress?
(Select all that apply). - Answer: 3. control stress by increased physical activity.
4. change her reactions to stress with cognitive behavioral
therapy.
13) Which nursing diagnosis is likely to apply to an individual with severe and persistent men tal illness
who is homeless - Answer: Chronic low self-esteem
14) A patient with depression is receiving imipramine (Tofranil) 200 mg every night at bedtime. Which
assessment finding would prompt the nurse to collaborate with the health care provider regarding
potentially hazardous side effects of this - Answer: Urinary retention
15) Which individual in the emergency department should be considered at the highest risk for
completing suicide? - Answer: d. A 79-year-old single white man with cancer of the prostate gland.
16) The nurse is caring for a patient who takes antipsychotic medications and has developed muscle
rigidity, hyperpyrexia, diaphoresis, and drooling. Which of the following adverse effects of antipsychotic
educations is most likely causing these symptoms? - Answer: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
17) A patient with catatonic schizophrenia exhibits little spontaneous movement and demonstrates
waxy flexibility. Which patient needs are of priority importance - Answer: Physiologic
18) A nurse works with a patient with paranoid schizophrenia regarding the importance of medication
management. The patient repeatedly says, "I don't like taking pills." Family members say they feel
helpless to foster compliance. Which treatment strategy should the nurse discuss with the health care
provider? - Answer: Use of a long-acting antipsychotic preparation
, Page 4 of 173
19) Which documentation indicates that the treatment plan for a patient diagnosed with acute mania
has been effective? - Answer: Converses with few interruptions; clothing matches; participates in
activities."
20) A priority nursing intervention for a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder is - Answer:
carefully and inconspicuously observing the patient around the clock.
21) A nurse plans health teaching for a patient with generalized anxiety disorder who begins a new
prescription for lorazepam (Ativan). What information should be included? (Select all that apply). -
Answer: a. Caution in use of machinery
c. The importance of caffeine restriction
d. Avoidance of alcohol and other sedatives
22) A patient is experiencing moderate anxiety. The nurse encourages the patient to talk about feelings
and concerns. What is the rationale for this intervention? - Answer: b. Concerns stated aloud become
less overwhelming and help problem solving begin.
23) A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder begins selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
(SSRI) antidepressant therapy. Priority information given to the patient and family should include a
directive to: - Answer: report increased suicidal thoughts.
24) A veteran of the lraq War describes that he is having intrusive thoughts of missiles, screaming,
explosions, and the same feelings of terror first experienced in combat. Which of the following clinical
disorders would this patient most likely be describing symptoms of? - Answer: ANS: Post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)
25) A patient with acute mania approaches the nurse, waves a newspaper, and says, "I want the phone
right now. I need to call this store while their sale is going on. I need ten dresses and four pairs of
shoes." Select the nurse's best intervention. - Answer: . Distracting the patient can avoid power
struggles.
26) A patient tells the nurse, "I wanted my health care provider to prescribe diazepam (Valium) for my
anxiety disorder, but buspirone (BuSpar) was prescribed instead. Why?" The nurse's reply should be
based on the knowledge that buspirone: - Answer: does not cause dependence.
Rasmussen: Mental Health Exam 2 Latest Version(Updated
2025/26)300 questions with complete solution
1) A patient with schizophrenia begins to talks about "volmers" or about "frangularity" hiding in the
warehouse at work. The term "volmers" should be documented as - Answer: - A neologism
2) A patient with suicidal impulses is placed on the highest level of suicide precautions. Which measures
should be incorporated into the plan of care by the nurse caring for the patient? (More than one answer
is correct.) - Answer: A.Maintain arm's-length, one-on-one nursing observation around the clock.
b. Allow no glass or metal on meal trays.
f. Remove all potentially harmful objects from the patient's possession.
3) A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia anxiously says, "I can see the left side of my body merging
with the wall, then my face appears and disappears in the mirror." While listening, the nurse should: -
Answer: maintain a normal social interaction distance from the patient.
4) Which statement indicates a patient with major depression is most likely outlook on life during the
acute phase of the illness? - Answer: During an acute phase of major depression, the client may feel
worthless and deserve bad things to happen personally.
5) A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is in the maintenance phase of treatment. The patient asks,
"Do I have to keep taking this lithium even though my mood is stable now?" Select the nurse's
appropriate response. - Answer: b. "Taking the medication every day helps reduce the risk of a relapse."
6) A person has had difficulty keeping a job because of arguing with co-workers and accusing them of
conspiracy. Today the person shouts, "They're all plotting to destroy me. Isn't that true?" Select the
nurse's most therapeutic response. - Answer: b. "Feeling that people want to destroy you must be very
frightening."
7) A patient is undergoing a series of diagnostic tests. The patient says, "Nothing is wrong with me
except a stubborn chest cold." The spouse reports the patient smokes and coughs a lot, has lost 15
pounds, and is easily fatigued. Which defense mechanism is the patient using? - Answer: Denial
,Page 2 of 173
8) A cab driver, stuck in traffic, becomes lightheaded, tremulous, diaphoretic, tachycardia and dyspneic.
A workup in an emergency department reveals no pathology. Which medical diagnosis should a nurse
suspect, and what nursing diagnosis should be the nurse's first priority? - Answer: Panic disorder and a
nursing diagnosis of anxiety
9) The nurse is providing health teaching for a patient who has been prescribed Phenelzine (Nardil) for
depression and provides a written list of foods that should not be eaten while taking this medication.
What is the potential problem if the patient is not compliant with these dietary restrictions? - Answer:
hypertensive crisis
foods with tyramine in it - Answer: Aged meats or aged cheeses, protein extracts, sour cream, alcohol,
anchovies, liver, sausages, overripe figs, bananas, avocados, chocolate, soy sauce, be an curd, natural
yogurt, fava beans—tyramine-containing foods—may precipitate hypertensive crisis. Avoid chocolate or
caffeine.
Herbal: Ginseng, ephedra, ma huang, St. John's wort may cause hypertensive crisis.
For depression that is refractory to TCAs. Avoid certain foods such as - Answer: cheese, sour cream,
wine, beer, figs, anchovies, shrimp, bananas, and chocolate, and avoid drugs (e.g., TCAs).
Risk for hypertensive crisis:
Avoid self-medication. WHY? - Answer: OTC preparations containing dextromethorphan,
sympathomimetic agents, or antihistamines (e.g., cough, cold, and hay fever remedies, appetite
suppressants) can precipitate severe hypertensive reactions if taken during therapy or within 2-3 wk
after discontinuation of an MAO inhibitor.
10) Which piece of subjective data obtained during the nurse's psychosocial assessment of a client
experiencing severe anxiety would indicate the possibility of obsessive -compulsive disorder? - Answer:
a. "I have to keep checking to see where my car keys are."
11) The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of psychotropic medication on negative symptoms of
psychosis. The nurse looks for a decrease in which of the following? - Answer: A: Affective flattening.
11) The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of an antipsychotic on negative symptoms of psychosis.
Which of the following symptoms would be classified as negative symptoms of psychosis? - Answer:
Blunted affect
,Page 3 of 173
Poverty of thought
Loss of motivation
Inability to experience pleasure or joy
12) A 39-year-old woman is recently divorced and is learning to cope with additional stressors. Which of
the following best demonstrate(s) that she is utilizing positive coping strategies to manage her stress?
(Select all that apply). - Answer: 3. control stress by increased physical activity.
4. change her reactions to stress with cognitive behavioral
therapy.
13) Which nursing diagnosis is likely to apply to an individual with severe and persistent men tal illness
who is homeless - Answer: Chronic low self-esteem
14) A patient with depression is receiving imipramine (Tofranil) 200 mg every night at bedtime. Which
assessment finding would prompt the nurse to collaborate with the health care provider regarding
potentially hazardous side effects of this - Answer: Urinary retention
15) Which individual in the emergency department should be considered at the highest risk for
completing suicide? - Answer: d. A 79-year-old single white man with cancer of the prostate gland.
16) The nurse is caring for a patient who takes antipsychotic medications and has developed muscle
rigidity, hyperpyrexia, diaphoresis, and drooling. Which of the following adverse effects of antipsychotic
educations is most likely causing these symptoms? - Answer: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
17) A patient with catatonic schizophrenia exhibits little spontaneous movement and demonstrates
waxy flexibility. Which patient needs are of priority importance - Answer: Physiologic
18) A nurse works with a patient with paranoid schizophrenia regarding the importance of medication
management. The patient repeatedly says, "I don't like taking pills." Family members say they feel
helpless to foster compliance. Which treatment strategy should the nurse discuss with the health care
provider? - Answer: Use of a long-acting antipsychotic preparation
, Page 4 of 173
19) Which documentation indicates that the treatment plan for a patient diagnosed with acute mania
has been effective? - Answer: Converses with few interruptions; clothing matches; participates in
activities."
20) A priority nursing intervention for a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder is - Answer:
carefully and inconspicuously observing the patient around the clock.
21) A nurse plans health teaching for a patient with generalized anxiety disorder who begins a new
prescription for lorazepam (Ativan). What information should be included? (Select all that apply). -
Answer: a. Caution in use of machinery
c. The importance of caffeine restriction
d. Avoidance of alcohol and other sedatives
22) A patient is experiencing moderate anxiety. The nurse encourages the patient to talk about feelings
and concerns. What is the rationale for this intervention? - Answer: b. Concerns stated aloud become
less overwhelming and help problem solving begin.
23) A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder begins selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
(SSRI) antidepressant therapy. Priority information given to the patient and family should include a
directive to: - Answer: report increased suicidal thoughts.
24) A veteran of the lraq War describes that he is having intrusive thoughts of missiles, screaming,
explosions, and the same feelings of terror first experienced in combat. Which of the following clinical
disorders would this patient most likely be describing symptoms of? - Answer: ANS: Post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)
25) A patient with acute mania approaches the nurse, waves a newspaper, and says, "I want the phone
right now. I need to call this store while their sale is going on. I need ten dresses and four pairs of
shoes." Select the nurse's best intervention. - Answer: . Distracting the patient can avoid power
struggles.
26) A patient tells the nurse, "I wanted my health care provider to prescribe diazepam (Valium) for my
anxiety disorder, but buspirone (BuSpar) was prescribed instead. Why?" The nurse's reply should be
based on the knowledge that buspirone: - Answer: does not cause dependence.
