NUR2488 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2
FINAL PAPER 2026 TESTED QUESTIONS WITH
FULL SOLUTION GRADED A+
◉ The factor most likely to contribute to a client's escalating anger is
A. watching violence on television.
B. another client's depressed mood.
C. staff telling him he is "inappropriate."
D. staff asking how to be helpful. Answer: c. staff telling him he is
"inappropriate."
◉ Which item of assessment data is the best predictor of violence
for a newly admitted client?
A. A recent assault on a drinking companion.
B. A family history of bipolar disorder.
C. The nurse's subjective feeling that client is cooperative.
D. A childhood history of being quick to anger.. Answer: a. A recent
assault on a drinking companion.
◉ When analyzing assessment data to arrive at nursing diagnoses
for a nonpsychotic client who displays much anger and occasional
aggression, which nursing diagnosis would receive the least initial
consideration?
,A. Social isolation
B. Risk for other-directed violence
C. Ineffective coping: overwhelmed
D. Ineffective coping: maladaptive. Answer: A. Social isolation
◉ Which neurotransmitter imbalance has been shown to have a
relation to impulsive aggression?
A. Low levels of γ-aminobutyric acid
B. Low levels of serotonin
C. High levels of dopamine
D. High levels of acetylcholine. Answer: B. Low levels of serotonin
◉ When working with an angry client it is best to
A. encourage the client to fully explore and express his anger.
B. help the client deny and repress the feelings of anger.
C. help the client reframe the anger-producing situation.
D. ignore the client's anger and change the subject.. Answer: C. help
the client reframe the anger-producing situation.
◉ Which of the following would be the most appropriate response
by the nurse to help a client who is demonstrating escalating anger?
A. Walk the client to his room and help him practice stress-reduction
techniques such as deep breathing or muscle relaxation.
,B. Suggest the client spend some time in the gym with a punching
bag to relieve his stress.
C. Suggest the client spend some time pacing rapidly in the hallway
until he feels less stressed.
D. Sit with the client in the day room so he can vent his anger and
not isolate.. Answer: a. Walk the client to his room and help him
practice stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing or
muscle relaxation.
◉ The more a nurse's intervention is prompted by emotion, the
A. less likely it is to be therapeutic.
B. less likely it is to be aggressive.
C. more likely it is to be effective.
D. more likely it is to be empathetic.. Answer: A. less likely it is to be
therapeutic.
◉ The most restrictive method for dealing with an aggressive client
who is out of control is
A. seclusion.
B. a show of force.
C. verbal intervention.
D. antipsychotic medication.. Answer: a. seclusion.
, ◉ Which client on the mental health unit is at highest risk for
violence directed at others?
A. Mr. A, who has a history of recurrent severe depression
B. Mr. B, who is in an alcohol rehabilitation program
C. Mr. C, who has delusions of persecution and has assaulted his
brother
D. Mr. D, who has somatic symptoms for which no organic basis is
found. Answer: C. Mr. C, who has delusions of persecution and has
assaulted his brother
◉ A client is experiencing manic hyperactivity. In the dining room
she stands up and shouts "This food is garbage! I'll fight anyone who
says it's not! I can fight all of you at one time and win with one hand
tied behind my back!" She is flushed, her fists are clenched, and she
glares challengingly at clients and staff. The nurse's most relevant
assessment is that the client
A. is upset with the quality of the food.
B. is getting rid of tension in a harmless way.
C. is frustrated by limits imposed by hospitalization.
D. has a high potential for other-directed violence.. Answer: d. has a
high potential for other-directed violence.
The client's offers to fight are suggestive of a high potential for
violence. Clients may have coping skills that are adequate for day-to-
day events in their lives but are overwhelmed by the stresses of
FINAL PAPER 2026 TESTED QUESTIONS WITH
FULL SOLUTION GRADED A+
◉ The factor most likely to contribute to a client's escalating anger is
A. watching violence on television.
B. another client's depressed mood.
C. staff telling him he is "inappropriate."
D. staff asking how to be helpful. Answer: c. staff telling him he is
"inappropriate."
◉ Which item of assessment data is the best predictor of violence
for a newly admitted client?
A. A recent assault on a drinking companion.
B. A family history of bipolar disorder.
C. The nurse's subjective feeling that client is cooperative.
D. A childhood history of being quick to anger.. Answer: a. A recent
assault on a drinking companion.
◉ When analyzing assessment data to arrive at nursing diagnoses
for a nonpsychotic client who displays much anger and occasional
aggression, which nursing diagnosis would receive the least initial
consideration?
,A. Social isolation
B. Risk for other-directed violence
C. Ineffective coping: overwhelmed
D. Ineffective coping: maladaptive. Answer: A. Social isolation
◉ Which neurotransmitter imbalance has been shown to have a
relation to impulsive aggression?
A. Low levels of γ-aminobutyric acid
B. Low levels of serotonin
C. High levels of dopamine
D. High levels of acetylcholine. Answer: B. Low levels of serotonin
◉ When working with an angry client it is best to
A. encourage the client to fully explore and express his anger.
B. help the client deny and repress the feelings of anger.
C. help the client reframe the anger-producing situation.
D. ignore the client's anger and change the subject.. Answer: C. help
the client reframe the anger-producing situation.
◉ Which of the following would be the most appropriate response
by the nurse to help a client who is demonstrating escalating anger?
A. Walk the client to his room and help him practice stress-reduction
techniques such as deep breathing or muscle relaxation.
,B. Suggest the client spend some time in the gym with a punching
bag to relieve his stress.
C. Suggest the client spend some time pacing rapidly in the hallway
until he feels less stressed.
D. Sit with the client in the day room so he can vent his anger and
not isolate.. Answer: a. Walk the client to his room and help him
practice stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing or
muscle relaxation.
◉ The more a nurse's intervention is prompted by emotion, the
A. less likely it is to be therapeutic.
B. less likely it is to be aggressive.
C. more likely it is to be effective.
D. more likely it is to be empathetic.. Answer: A. less likely it is to be
therapeutic.
◉ The most restrictive method for dealing with an aggressive client
who is out of control is
A. seclusion.
B. a show of force.
C. verbal intervention.
D. antipsychotic medication.. Answer: a. seclusion.
, ◉ Which client on the mental health unit is at highest risk for
violence directed at others?
A. Mr. A, who has a history of recurrent severe depression
B. Mr. B, who is in an alcohol rehabilitation program
C. Mr. C, who has delusions of persecution and has assaulted his
brother
D. Mr. D, who has somatic symptoms for which no organic basis is
found. Answer: C. Mr. C, who has delusions of persecution and has
assaulted his brother
◉ A client is experiencing manic hyperactivity. In the dining room
she stands up and shouts "This food is garbage! I'll fight anyone who
says it's not! I can fight all of you at one time and win with one hand
tied behind my back!" She is flushed, her fists are clenched, and she
glares challengingly at clients and staff. The nurse's most relevant
assessment is that the client
A. is upset with the quality of the food.
B. is getting rid of tension in a harmless way.
C. is frustrated by limits imposed by hospitalization.
D. has a high potential for other-directed violence.. Answer: d. has a
high potential for other-directed violence.
The client's offers to fight are suggestive of a high potential for
violence. Clients may have coping skills that are adequate for day-to-
day events in their lives but are overwhelmed by the stresses of
