NR 326 MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2
COMPLEX ADULT HEALTH 2026 EXAM
STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE REVIEW SET
WITH QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
⩥ Anna states that Lucky was her closest friend, and since his death, no
one can ever replace the relationship they had. According to Maslow's
hierarchy of needs, which level of need is not being met?
a. Physiological needs
b. Self-esteem needs
c. Safety and security needs
d. Love and belonging needs. Answer: d. Love and belonging needs
⩥ Anna's daughter notices that Anna appears to be listening to another
voice when just the two of them are in a room together. When
questioned, Anna admits that she hears someone telling her that she was
a horrible caretaker for Lucky and did not deserve to ever have a pet.
Which of the following best describes what Anna is experiencing?
a. Neurosis
b. Psychosis
c. Depression
d. Bereavement. Answer: b. Psychosis
,⩥ Anna, who is 72 years old, is at the age when she may have
experienced several losses in a short time. What is this called?
a. Bereavement overload
b. Normal mourning
c. Isolation
d. Cultural relativity. Answer: a. Bereavement overload
⩥ Anna has been grieving the death of Lucky for 3 years. She is unable
to take care of her normal activities because she insists on visiting
Lucky's grave daily. What is the most likely reason that Anna's daughter
has put off seeking help for Anna?
Women are less likely than men to seek help for emotional problems.
b. Relatives often try to normalize behavior rather than label it mental
illness.
c. She knows that all older people are expected to be a little depressed.
d. She is afraid that the neighbors will think her mother is "crazy."
Answer: b. Relatives often try to normalize behavior rather than label it
mental illness.
⩥ 6. Lucky's accident occurred when he got away from Anna while they
were taking a walk. He ran into the street and was hit by a car. Anna
cannot remember the circumstances of his death. This is an example of
what defense mechanism?
a. Rationalization
b. Suppression
,c. Denial
d. Repression. Answer: d. Repression
⩥ A client with a history of schizophrenia is brought to the emergency
department by police who report that she was knocking down food
displays at a grocery store and yelling that the food is all poisoned. The
client reports to the nurse the she has no idea why she was brought to the
emergency department because "there is nothing wrong with me."
Which of these actions by the nurse demonstrates good clinical
judgment?
a. Instruct the police officer that this client should be incarcerated
because there is nothing that can be done in an emergency department.
b. Document that the client is manifesting suspicious ideation and
anosognosia.
c. Ask the doctor to order gastric lavage because the client reports
having been poisoned.
d. Instruct the client that the food is not poisoned and there is something
very wrong with her. Answer: b. Document that the client is manifesting
suspicious ideation and anosognosia.
⩥ 8. During a primary care physician appointment, a client who has
been a widow for 7 years reports to the nurse that she does not want to
wake up in the morning and feels there is nothing left for her. Which of
these actions by the nurse is a priority?
a. Listen empathically and encourage the client to find some activities to
increase socialization.
, b. Encourage the client to discuss this with her physician.
c. Assess the client for symptoms of depression and suicide risk.
d. Instruct the client that grief takes a long time to resolve but that she
will be feeling better soon. Answer: c. Assess the client for symptoms of
depression and suicide risk.
⩥ A client who has arrived at the health clinic for diabetic education is
perspiring, wringing his hands, and states, "I'm so anxious about giving
myself shots I can hardly breathe. I don't know what to do." Which of
these actions by the nurse demonstrates good clinical judgment?
a. Assist the client in relaxation exercises before commencing diabetes
education.
b. Instruct the client that it is not hard to give oneself a shot and
commence teaching.
c. Assess the client further for symptoms of anxiety.
d. Cancel diabetic education and encourage the client to reschedule
when he feels less anxious. Answer: a. Assist the client in relaxation
exercises before commencing diabetes education.
⩥ 10. A client who was admitted to the psychiatric unit for major
depressive disorder reports to the nurse, "Ever since my daughter died
by suicide 10 years ago, I can't stand to be around my friends. They just
don't get it!" Which of these actions by the nurse demonstrates good
clinical judgment?
a. Affirm that other people cannot possibly provide adequate support in
circumstances like these.
COMPLEX ADULT HEALTH 2026 EXAM
STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE REVIEW SET
WITH QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
⩥ Anna states that Lucky was her closest friend, and since his death, no
one can ever replace the relationship they had. According to Maslow's
hierarchy of needs, which level of need is not being met?
a. Physiological needs
b. Self-esteem needs
c. Safety and security needs
d. Love and belonging needs. Answer: d. Love and belonging needs
⩥ Anna's daughter notices that Anna appears to be listening to another
voice when just the two of them are in a room together. When
questioned, Anna admits that she hears someone telling her that she was
a horrible caretaker for Lucky and did not deserve to ever have a pet.
Which of the following best describes what Anna is experiencing?
a. Neurosis
b. Psychosis
c. Depression
d. Bereavement. Answer: b. Psychosis
,⩥ Anna, who is 72 years old, is at the age when she may have
experienced several losses in a short time. What is this called?
a. Bereavement overload
b. Normal mourning
c. Isolation
d. Cultural relativity. Answer: a. Bereavement overload
⩥ Anna has been grieving the death of Lucky for 3 years. She is unable
to take care of her normal activities because she insists on visiting
Lucky's grave daily. What is the most likely reason that Anna's daughter
has put off seeking help for Anna?
Women are less likely than men to seek help for emotional problems.
b. Relatives often try to normalize behavior rather than label it mental
illness.
c. She knows that all older people are expected to be a little depressed.
d. She is afraid that the neighbors will think her mother is "crazy."
Answer: b. Relatives often try to normalize behavior rather than label it
mental illness.
⩥ 6. Lucky's accident occurred when he got away from Anna while they
were taking a walk. He ran into the street and was hit by a car. Anna
cannot remember the circumstances of his death. This is an example of
what defense mechanism?
a. Rationalization
b. Suppression
,c. Denial
d. Repression. Answer: d. Repression
⩥ A client with a history of schizophrenia is brought to the emergency
department by police who report that she was knocking down food
displays at a grocery store and yelling that the food is all poisoned. The
client reports to the nurse the she has no idea why she was brought to the
emergency department because "there is nothing wrong with me."
Which of these actions by the nurse demonstrates good clinical
judgment?
a. Instruct the police officer that this client should be incarcerated
because there is nothing that can be done in an emergency department.
b. Document that the client is manifesting suspicious ideation and
anosognosia.
c. Ask the doctor to order gastric lavage because the client reports
having been poisoned.
d. Instruct the client that the food is not poisoned and there is something
very wrong with her. Answer: b. Document that the client is manifesting
suspicious ideation and anosognosia.
⩥ 8. During a primary care physician appointment, a client who has
been a widow for 7 years reports to the nurse that she does not want to
wake up in the morning and feels there is nothing left for her. Which of
these actions by the nurse is a priority?
a. Listen empathically and encourage the client to find some activities to
increase socialization.
, b. Encourage the client to discuss this with her physician.
c. Assess the client for symptoms of depression and suicide risk.
d. Instruct the client that grief takes a long time to resolve but that she
will be feeling better soon. Answer: c. Assess the client for symptoms of
depression and suicide risk.
⩥ A client who has arrived at the health clinic for diabetic education is
perspiring, wringing his hands, and states, "I'm so anxious about giving
myself shots I can hardly breathe. I don't know what to do." Which of
these actions by the nurse demonstrates good clinical judgment?
a. Assist the client in relaxation exercises before commencing diabetes
education.
b. Instruct the client that it is not hard to give oneself a shot and
commence teaching.
c. Assess the client further for symptoms of anxiety.
d. Cancel diabetic education and encourage the client to reschedule
when he feels less anxious. Answer: a. Assist the client in relaxation
exercises before commencing diabetes education.
⩥ 10. A client who was admitted to the psychiatric unit for major
depressive disorder reports to the nurse, "Ever since my daughter died
by suicide 10 years ago, I can't stand to be around my friends. They just
don't get it!" Which of these actions by the nurse demonstrates good
clinical judgment?
a. Affirm that other people cannot possibly provide adequate support in
circumstances like these.
