NUR2488 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 4
2026 CERTIFICATION EVALUATION EXAMS
BUNDLED EXAMS FULL SOLUTION
◉ A patient tells members of a therapy group, "I hear voices saying
my doctor is poisoning me." Another patient replies, "I used to hear
voices too. They sounded real, but I found out later they were not.
The voices you hear are not real either." Which therapeutic factor is
exemplified in this interchange?
a. Catharsis
b. Universality
c. Imitative behavior
d. Interpersonal learning. Answer: ANS: D
Here a member gains insight into his own experiences from hearing
about the experiences of others through interpersonal learning.
Catharsis refers to a therapeutic discharge of emotions. Universality
refers to members realizing their feelings are common to most
people and not abnormal. Imitative behavior involves copying or
borrowing the adaptive behavior of others.
◉ An adult outpatient diagnosed with major depression has a
history of several suicide attempts by overdose. Given this patient's
history and diagnosis, which antidepressant medication would the
nurse expect to be prescribed?
,a. Amitriptyline (Elavil), a sedating tricyclic medication
b. Fluoxetine (Prozac), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
c. Desipramine (Norpramin), a stimulating tricyclic medication
d. Tranylcypromine sulfate (Parnate), a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor. Answer: b. Fluoxetine (Prozac), a selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitor
◉ The client diagnosed with a major depressive disorder asks the
nurse, "Why did my psychiatrist prescribe an SSRI medication rather
than one of the other types of anti-depressants?" Which statement
by the nurse would be most appropriate?
1. "Probably it is the medication that your insurance will pay for"
2. "You should ask your psychiatrist why the SSRI was ordered"
3. "SSRIs have fewer side effects than the other classifications"
4. "The SSRI medications work faster than the other medications".
Answer: 3. "SSRIs have fewer side effects than the other
classifications."
SSRIs have the same efficacy as MAO inhibitors and tricyclics, but
SSRIs are safer because they do not have the sympathomimetic
effects (tachycardia and hypertension) and anticholinergic effects
(dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, and constipation) of
the MAO inhibitors and tricyclics.
,◉ Buspirone (BuSpar). Answer: Secondary type of Anti-Anxiety
med. NOT A BENZO!
This med does NOT give the tranquilizer effect that the
benzodiazepines do.
BuSpar's action is unknown.
*Takes 2 weeks to take effect
*Side effects are slurred speech and dizziness
◉ Four individuals have given information about their suicide plans.
Which plan evidences the highest suicide risk?
a. Turning on the oven and letting gas escape into the apartment
during the night
b. Cutting the wrists in the bathroom while the spouse reads in the
next room
c. Overdosing on aspirin with codeine while the spouse is out with
friends
d. Jumping from a railroad bridge located in a deserted area late at
night. Answer: d. Jumping from a railroad bridge located in a
deserted area late at night
◉ A leader plans to start a new self-esteem building group. Which
intervention would be most helpful for assuring mutual respect
within the group?
a. Describe the importance of mutual respect in the first session and
make it a group norm.
, b. Exclude potential members whose behavior suggests they are
likely to be disrespectful.
c. Give members a brochure describing the purpose, norms, and
expectations of the group.
d. Explain that mutual respect is expected and confront those who
are not respectful.. Answer: ANS: A
It is helpful to motivate members to behave respectfully by
describing how mutual respect benefits all members and is
necessary for the group to be fully therapeutic. Setting a tone and
expectation of mutual respect from the outset is the most helpful
intervention listed. Excluding members because of how they might
behave could exclude members who would have been appropriate,
depriving them of the potential benefits of the group. Conveying
expectations by brochure is less effective than doing so orally,
because it lacks the connection to each member a skilled leader can
create to motivate members and impart the expectation of respect.
Confronting inappropriate behavior is therapeutic but only
addresses existing behavior rather than preventing all such
undesired behavior.
◉ Continuous substance use results in actual changes in _____ _____
and function of an area of the brain referred to as the reward or
pleasure center.. Answer: Brain Structure
◉ _____ use disorder is the pathological use of a substance that leads
to a disorder of use, intoxication, and, often, withdrawal if taken
away. Answer: Substance
2026 CERTIFICATION EVALUATION EXAMS
BUNDLED EXAMS FULL SOLUTION
◉ A patient tells members of a therapy group, "I hear voices saying
my doctor is poisoning me." Another patient replies, "I used to hear
voices too. They sounded real, but I found out later they were not.
The voices you hear are not real either." Which therapeutic factor is
exemplified in this interchange?
a. Catharsis
b. Universality
c. Imitative behavior
d. Interpersonal learning. Answer: ANS: D
Here a member gains insight into his own experiences from hearing
about the experiences of others through interpersonal learning.
Catharsis refers to a therapeutic discharge of emotions. Universality
refers to members realizing their feelings are common to most
people and not abnormal. Imitative behavior involves copying or
borrowing the adaptive behavior of others.
◉ An adult outpatient diagnosed with major depression has a
history of several suicide attempts by overdose. Given this patient's
history and diagnosis, which antidepressant medication would the
nurse expect to be prescribed?
,a. Amitriptyline (Elavil), a sedating tricyclic medication
b. Fluoxetine (Prozac), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
c. Desipramine (Norpramin), a stimulating tricyclic medication
d. Tranylcypromine sulfate (Parnate), a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor. Answer: b. Fluoxetine (Prozac), a selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitor
◉ The client diagnosed with a major depressive disorder asks the
nurse, "Why did my psychiatrist prescribe an SSRI medication rather
than one of the other types of anti-depressants?" Which statement
by the nurse would be most appropriate?
1. "Probably it is the medication that your insurance will pay for"
2. "You should ask your psychiatrist why the SSRI was ordered"
3. "SSRIs have fewer side effects than the other classifications"
4. "The SSRI medications work faster than the other medications".
Answer: 3. "SSRIs have fewer side effects than the other
classifications."
SSRIs have the same efficacy as MAO inhibitors and tricyclics, but
SSRIs are safer because they do not have the sympathomimetic
effects (tachycardia and hypertension) and anticholinergic effects
(dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, and constipation) of
the MAO inhibitors and tricyclics.
,◉ Buspirone (BuSpar). Answer: Secondary type of Anti-Anxiety
med. NOT A BENZO!
This med does NOT give the tranquilizer effect that the
benzodiazepines do.
BuSpar's action is unknown.
*Takes 2 weeks to take effect
*Side effects are slurred speech and dizziness
◉ Four individuals have given information about their suicide plans.
Which plan evidences the highest suicide risk?
a. Turning on the oven and letting gas escape into the apartment
during the night
b. Cutting the wrists in the bathroom while the spouse reads in the
next room
c. Overdosing on aspirin with codeine while the spouse is out with
friends
d. Jumping from a railroad bridge located in a deserted area late at
night. Answer: d. Jumping from a railroad bridge located in a
deserted area late at night
◉ A leader plans to start a new self-esteem building group. Which
intervention would be most helpful for assuring mutual respect
within the group?
a. Describe the importance of mutual respect in the first session and
make it a group norm.
, b. Exclude potential members whose behavior suggests they are
likely to be disrespectful.
c. Give members a brochure describing the purpose, norms, and
expectations of the group.
d. Explain that mutual respect is expected and confront those who
are not respectful.. Answer: ANS: A
It is helpful to motivate members to behave respectfully by
describing how mutual respect benefits all members and is
necessary for the group to be fully therapeutic. Setting a tone and
expectation of mutual respect from the outset is the most helpful
intervention listed. Excluding members because of how they might
behave could exclude members who would have been appropriate,
depriving them of the potential benefits of the group. Conveying
expectations by brochure is less effective than doing so orally,
because it lacks the connection to each member a skilled leader can
create to motivate members and impart the expectation of respect.
Confronting inappropriate behavior is therapeutic but only
addresses existing behavior rather than preventing all such
undesired behavior.
◉ Continuous substance use results in actual changes in _____ _____
and function of an area of the brain referred to as the reward or
pleasure center.. Answer: Brain Structure
◉ _____ use disorder is the pathological use of a substance that leads
to a disorder of use, intoxication, and, often, withdrawal if taken
away. Answer: Substance
