RASMUSSEN MENTAL HEALTH EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS|100% PASS|LATEST 2025
Stress -CORRECT ANSWER-"Fight or flight response"
In times of stress the sympathetic nervous system assumes control and sends signals to the
adrenal glands, releasing epinephrine (adrenaline). The circulating adrenaline causes these
expected effects:
Increases heart rate
Increases respiration rate
Increases blood pressure
Increases blood flow to skeletal muscles
Increases muscle tension
Apprehension
Unhappiness or sorrow
Decreased appetite
Increased metabolism and glucose use
Depressed immune system
Prolonged stress -CORRECT ANSWER-Maladaptive response
,When stress is prolonged or people are not able to relax, they remain in chronic low levels of
stress. The body stays alert for a prolonged period of time. A sustained increase in the
chemicals produced by the stress response (cortisol, adrenaline, and other catecholamines)
can have damaging effects on the body, causing physical diseases including a substantial
negative effect on the immune system, leaving individuals vulnerable to autoimmune
diseases.
Prolonged stress causes:
-Chronic anxiety or panic attacks
-Depression, chronic pain, sleep disturbances
-Weight gain or loss
-Increased risk for MI and stroke
-Poor diabetes control, hypertension, fatigue, irritability, decreased ability to concentrate
-Increased risk for infection
Nursing interventions for stress -CORRECT ANSWER-**Cognitave behavioral therapy and
SSRI's are first line of treatment
Do not abruptly discontinue medication; can cause suicidal ideations
Assess risk for suicide and implement safety precautions
Monitor pt's ability to perform ADL's and encourage independence
Therapeutic communication develop nurse-client relationship
Counseling
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) -CORRECT ANSWER-People who experience/witness
any traumatic event. Will feel extraordinary helplessness or powerlessness in the face of
,stressors; lack of energy; sad with blunted affect; poor grooming/lack of hygiene; slow
speech, decreased verbalization, delayed responses.
Four cardinal symptoms of PTSD -CORRECT ANSWER-• Intrusive reexperiencing of the initial
trauma (flashbacks, nightmares, unwanted distressing memories of the event, feelings of
unreality)
• Avoidance (avoid all memories and feelings as well as people or places that might recall
the event)
• Persistent negative alterations in cognitions and mood (distorted cognitions about
themselves and others [fear, guilt] and feelings of detachment)
• Alteration and arousal and activity (irritability, angry outbursts, self-destructive behavior,
exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, sleep difficulties)
Optimal outcomes for PTSD patients -CORRECT ANSWER-• Patient and others will remain
safe.
• Patient will receive treatment for co-occurring conditions.
• Patient will attend support group meetings.
• Patient will expand social support network.
• Patient will exhibit an increase in restful sleep periods.
• Patient will have fewer nightmares and flashbacks.
• Patient will express decreased irritability.
, • Patient will be able to demonstrate effective anxiety reduction techniques
Pharmacotherapy for PTSD -CORRECT ANSWER-Depression -> Antidepressants
Flashbacks -> SSRI antidepressants (fluoxetine), buspirone augmentation of SSRI, second-
generation antipsychotics
Panic attacks -> Antidepressants, MAOI's, high-potency benzodiazepines
Hyperarousal -> Antidepressants, benzodiazepines, α2-adrenergic agonists, anticonvulsants
Nightmares -> prazosin (Minipress)
Nursing diagnosis for PTSD -CORRECT ANSWER-Disturbed thought process
Sleep deprivation r/t nightmares associated with traumatic event
Post-trauma syndrome r/t exposure to traumatic event
***Prioritize nursing diagnoses for PTSD related to safety/violence and self-harm
Cognitive behavioral therapy -CORRECT ANSWER-Uses cognitive reframing to help the
patient identify negative thoughts that produce anxiety, examine the cause, and develop
supportive ideas that replace negative self-talk.
Stress management techniques -CORRECT ANSWER-Relaxation techniques
-Meditation
-Guided imagery
ANSWERS|100% PASS|LATEST 2025
Stress -CORRECT ANSWER-"Fight or flight response"
In times of stress the sympathetic nervous system assumes control and sends signals to the
adrenal glands, releasing epinephrine (adrenaline). The circulating adrenaline causes these
expected effects:
Increases heart rate
Increases respiration rate
Increases blood pressure
Increases blood flow to skeletal muscles
Increases muscle tension
Apprehension
Unhappiness or sorrow
Decreased appetite
Increased metabolism and glucose use
Depressed immune system
Prolonged stress -CORRECT ANSWER-Maladaptive response
,When stress is prolonged or people are not able to relax, they remain in chronic low levels of
stress. The body stays alert for a prolonged period of time. A sustained increase in the
chemicals produced by the stress response (cortisol, adrenaline, and other catecholamines)
can have damaging effects on the body, causing physical diseases including a substantial
negative effect on the immune system, leaving individuals vulnerable to autoimmune
diseases.
Prolonged stress causes:
-Chronic anxiety or panic attacks
-Depression, chronic pain, sleep disturbances
-Weight gain or loss
-Increased risk for MI and stroke
-Poor diabetes control, hypertension, fatigue, irritability, decreased ability to concentrate
-Increased risk for infection
Nursing interventions for stress -CORRECT ANSWER-**Cognitave behavioral therapy and
SSRI's are first line of treatment
Do not abruptly discontinue medication; can cause suicidal ideations
Assess risk for suicide and implement safety precautions
Monitor pt's ability to perform ADL's and encourage independence
Therapeutic communication develop nurse-client relationship
Counseling
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) -CORRECT ANSWER-People who experience/witness
any traumatic event. Will feel extraordinary helplessness or powerlessness in the face of
,stressors; lack of energy; sad with blunted affect; poor grooming/lack of hygiene; slow
speech, decreased verbalization, delayed responses.
Four cardinal symptoms of PTSD -CORRECT ANSWER-• Intrusive reexperiencing of the initial
trauma (flashbacks, nightmares, unwanted distressing memories of the event, feelings of
unreality)
• Avoidance (avoid all memories and feelings as well as people or places that might recall
the event)
• Persistent negative alterations in cognitions and mood (distorted cognitions about
themselves and others [fear, guilt] and feelings of detachment)
• Alteration and arousal and activity (irritability, angry outbursts, self-destructive behavior,
exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, sleep difficulties)
Optimal outcomes for PTSD patients -CORRECT ANSWER-• Patient and others will remain
safe.
• Patient will receive treatment for co-occurring conditions.
• Patient will attend support group meetings.
• Patient will expand social support network.
• Patient will exhibit an increase in restful sleep periods.
• Patient will have fewer nightmares and flashbacks.
• Patient will express decreased irritability.
, • Patient will be able to demonstrate effective anxiety reduction techniques
Pharmacotherapy for PTSD -CORRECT ANSWER-Depression -> Antidepressants
Flashbacks -> SSRI antidepressants (fluoxetine), buspirone augmentation of SSRI, second-
generation antipsychotics
Panic attacks -> Antidepressants, MAOI's, high-potency benzodiazepines
Hyperarousal -> Antidepressants, benzodiazepines, α2-adrenergic agonists, anticonvulsants
Nightmares -> prazosin (Minipress)
Nursing diagnosis for PTSD -CORRECT ANSWER-Disturbed thought process
Sleep deprivation r/t nightmares associated with traumatic event
Post-trauma syndrome r/t exposure to traumatic event
***Prioritize nursing diagnoses for PTSD related to safety/violence and self-harm
Cognitive behavioral therapy -CORRECT ANSWER-Uses cognitive reframing to help the
patient identify negative thoughts that produce anxiety, examine the cause, and develop
supportive ideas that replace negative self-talk.
Stress management techniques -CORRECT ANSWER-Relaxation techniques
-Meditation
-Guided imagery
