1
RASMUSSEN MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS\LATEST
2026 UPDATE
NOTE: THIS STUDY GUIDE IS SPECIFIC TO REAL EXAM
1) A patient with schizophrenia begins to talks about "volmers" hiding
in the warehouse at work. The term "volmers" should be documented as:
a. neologism
b. concrete thinking
c. thought insertion
d. idea of reference - correct answer- ANS: A
- A neologism is a newly coined word having special meaning to the
patient. "Volmer" is not a known common noun.
- Concrete thinking refers to the inability to think abstractly.
- Thought insertion refers to thoughts of others that are
implanted in one's mind.
- An idea of reference is a type of delusion in which trivial
events are given personal significance.
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.)
,2
a. Maintain arm's-length, one-on-one nursing observation around the clock.
b. Allow no glass or metal on meal trays.
c. Keep patient within visual range while awake. Check every 15 to
30 minutes while the patient is sleeping.
d. Check the patient's whereabouts every 15 minutes and make frequent
verbal contacts.
e. Check whereabouts every hour. Make verbal contact at least three times
each shift.
f.Remove all potentially harmful objects from the correct
patient's possession. - answer- ANS: A, B, F
One-on-one observation is necessary for anyone who has limited control
over suicidal impulses.
- Plastic dishes on trays and the removal of potentially harmful objects
from the patient's possession are measures included in any-level suicide
precautions.
The remaining options are used in less stringent levels of suicide
precautions.
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:
,3
a. sit close to the patient.
b. place an arm protectively around the patient's shoulders.
c. place a hand on the patient's arm and exert light pressure.
d. maintain a normal social interaction distance from correct
the patient. - answer- ANS: D
The patient is describing phenomena that indicate personal boundary
difficulties. The nurse should maintain an appropriate social distance
and not touch the patient, because the patient is anxious about the
inability to maintain ego boundaries and merging with or being
swallowed by the environment. Physical closeness or touch could
precipitate panic.
4) Which statement indicates a patient with major depression is most
likely outlook on life during the acute phase of the illness?
- correct 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.
a. "You will be able to stop the medication in about 1 month."
b. "Taking the medication every day helps reduce the risk of a relapse."
, 4
c. "Usually patients take medication for approximately 6 months after
discharge."
d. "It's unusual that the health care provider hasn't
already stopped your medication." - correct answer- ANS:
B
Patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be maintained on lithium
indefinitely to prevent recurrences. Helping the patient understand this
need will promote medication compliance.
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.
a. "Everyone here is trying to help you. No one wants to harm you."
b. "Feeling that people want to destroy you must be very frightening."
c. "That is not true. People here are trying to help you if you will let them."
d."Staff members are health care professionals who are
qualified to help you." - correct answer- ANS: B
Resist focusing on content; instead, focus on the feelings the patient is
expressing. This strategy prevents arguing about the reality of delusional
beliefs. Such arguments increase patient anxiety and the tenacity with
which the patient holds to the
RASMUSSEN MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS\LATEST
2026 UPDATE
NOTE: THIS STUDY GUIDE IS SPECIFIC TO REAL EXAM
1) A patient with schizophrenia begins to talks about "volmers" hiding
in the warehouse at work. The term "volmers" should be documented as:
a. neologism
b. concrete thinking
c. thought insertion
d. idea of reference - correct answer- ANS: A
- A neologism is a newly coined word having special meaning to the
patient. "Volmer" is not a known common noun.
- Concrete thinking refers to the inability to think abstractly.
- Thought insertion refers to thoughts of others that are
implanted in one's mind.
- An idea of reference is a type of delusion in which trivial
events are given personal significance.
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.)
,2
a. Maintain arm's-length, one-on-one nursing observation around the clock.
b. Allow no glass or metal on meal trays.
c. Keep patient within visual range while awake. Check every 15 to
30 minutes while the patient is sleeping.
d. Check the patient's whereabouts every 15 minutes and make frequent
verbal contacts.
e. Check whereabouts every hour. Make verbal contact at least three times
each shift.
f.Remove all potentially harmful objects from the correct
patient's possession. - answer- ANS: A, B, F
One-on-one observation is necessary for anyone who has limited control
over suicidal impulses.
- Plastic dishes on trays and the removal of potentially harmful objects
from the patient's possession are measures included in any-level suicide
precautions.
The remaining options are used in less stringent levels of suicide
precautions.
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:
,3
a. sit close to the patient.
b. place an arm protectively around the patient's shoulders.
c. place a hand on the patient's arm and exert light pressure.
d. maintain a normal social interaction distance from correct
the patient. - answer- ANS: D
The patient is describing phenomena that indicate personal boundary
difficulties. The nurse should maintain an appropriate social distance
and not touch the patient, because the patient is anxious about the
inability to maintain ego boundaries and merging with or being
swallowed by the environment. Physical closeness or touch could
precipitate panic.
4) Which statement indicates a patient with major depression is most
likely outlook on life during the acute phase of the illness?
- correct 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.
a. "You will be able to stop the medication in about 1 month."
b. "Taking the medication every day helps reduce the risk of a relapse."
, 4
c. "Usually patients take medication for approximately 6 months after
discharge."
d. "It's unusual that the health care provider hasn't
already stopped your medication." - correct answer- ANS:
B
Patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be maintained on lithium
indefinitely to prevent recurrences. Helping the patient understand this
need will promote medication compliance.
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.
a. "Everyone here is trying to help you. No one wants to harm you."
b. "Feeling that people want to destroy you must be very frightening."
c. "That is not true. People here are trying to help you if you will let them."
d."Staff members are health care professionals who are
qualified to help you." - correct answer- ANS: B
Resist focusing on content; instead, focus on the feelings the patient is
expressing. This strategy prevents arguing about the reality of delusional
beliefs. Such arguments increase patient anxiety and the tenacity with
which the patient holds to the
