NR 326 Mental Health Nursing Exam 4 Study Guide 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a patient with Somatic
Symptom Disorder?
A. Persistent physical symptoms that are distressing and interfere with daily life despite no organic cause
B. A lack of concern about a sudden loss of motor function (la belle indifference)
C. A fear of having a serious disease based on misinterpretation of bodily sensations
D. Intentional production of symptoms to assume a sick role
Answer: A
Rationale: Somatic Symptom Disorder involves persistent physical symptoms that are
distressing and disrupt daily life, without a physical cause. Option A describes Illness
Anxiety; B describes Conversion Disorder; D describes Factitious Disorder.
2. A patient presents with a sudden loss of vision after witnessing a traumatic
event. Diagnostic tests show no physiological reason for the blindness. This is
indicative of:
A. Conversion Disorder
B. Illness Anxiety Disorder
C. Dissociative Fugue
D. Factitious Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: Conversion disorder involves the loss of or change in body function that cannot
be explained by any known medical condition or physiological mechanism, often following
a stressful event.
,3. What is the primary difference between Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia
Nervosa?
A. Bulimia involves purging, whereas Anorexia never does
B. Patients with Anorexia recognize their behavior is abnormal, while Bulimia patients do not
C. Bulimia is more life-threatening than Anorexia
D. Anorexia involves significantly low body weight, while Bulimia patients are often at or above normal
weight
Answer: D
Rationale: The key distinction is body weight. Anorexia is characterized by a BMI under
18.5 (significantly low weight), while those with Bulimia typically maintain a normal or
slightly overweight range.
4. A nurse observes a fine, downy hair growth on the back and arms of a patient
with Anorexia Nervosa. This is documented as:
A. Hypertrichosis
B. Lanugo
C. Alopecia
D. Hirsutism
Answer: B
Rationale: Lanugo is the growth of fine, downy hair on the face and back; it is a
compensatory mechanism by the body to provide insulation due to the lack of body fat.
5. Which physical sign is most likely seen in a patient with long-term Bulimia
Nervosa?
A. Russell’s sign
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypothermia
D. Amenorrhea
Answer: A
, Rationale: Russell’s sign refers to calluses or scars on the knuckles or dorsal hand from
self-induced vomiting. The other options are more common in Anorexia.
6. In patients with Eating Disorders, the nurse should prioritize assessment of
which electrolyte due to the risk of cardiac arrhythmias?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Magnesium
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) is a frequent and dangerous complication of
purging and starvation, leading to potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
7. A patient with Alzheimer’s disease tells the nurse, ‘I spent the morning at the
White House with the President,’ when they were actually in the unit. This is
called:
A. Aphasia
B. Sundowning
C. Confabulation
D. Agnosia
Answer: C
Rationale: Confabulation is a defense mechanism where the patient creates imaginary
events to fill in memory gaps, common in neurocognitive disorders.
8. Which statement distinguishes Delirium from Dementia?
A. Dementia has an abrupt onset; Delirium is gradual
B. Delirium is characterized by a stable level of consciousness
C. Dementia is caused by an underlying medical condition like infection
D. Delirium is often reversible; Dementia is progressive and irreversible
Answer: D
|Chamberlain College
1. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a patient with Somatic
Symptom Disorder?
A. Persistent physical symptoms that are distressing and interfere with daily life despite no organic cause
B. A lack of concern about a sudden loss of motor function (la belle indifference)
C. A fear of having a serious disease based on misinterpretation of bodily sensations
D. Intentional production of symptoms to assume a sick role
Answer: A
Rationale: Somatic Symptom Disorder involves persistent physical symptoms that are
distressing and disrupt daily life, without a physical cause. Option A describes Illness
Anxiety; B describes Conversion Disorder; D describes Factitious Disorder.
2. A patient presents with a sudden loss of vision after witnessing a traumatic
event. Diagnostic tests show no physiological reason for the blindness. This is
indicative of:
A. Conversion Disorder
B. Illness Anxiety Disorder
C. Dissociative Fugue
D. Factitious Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: Conversion disorder involves the loss of or change in body function that cannot
be explained by any known medical condition or physiological mechanism, often following
a stressful event.
,3. What is the primary difference between Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia
Nervosa?
A. Bulimia involves purging, whereas Anorexia never does
B. Patients with Anorexia recognize their behavior is abnormal, while Bulimia patients do not
C. Bulimia is more life-threatening than Anorexia
D. Anorexia involves significantly low body weight, while Bulimia patients are often at or above normal
weight
Answer: D
Rationale: The key distinction is body weight. Anorexia is characterized by a BMI under
18.5 (significantly low weight), while those with Bulimia typically maintain a normal or
slightly overweight range.
4. A nurse observes a fine, downy hair growth on the back and arms of a patient
with Anorexia Nervosa. This is documented as:
A. Hypertrichosis
B. Lanugo
C. Alopecia
D. Hirsutism
Answer: B
Rationale: Lanugo is the growth of fine, downy hair on the face and back; it is a
compensatory mechanism by the body to provide insulation due to the lack of body fat.
5. Which physical sign is most likely seen in a patient with long-term Bulimia
Nervosa?
A. Russell’s sign
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypothermia
D. Amenorrhea
Answer: A
, Rationale: Russell’s sign refers to calluses or scars on the knuckles or dorsal hand from
self-induced vomiting. The other options are more common in Anorexia.
6. In patients with Eating Disorders, the nurse should prioritize assessment of
which electrolyte due to the risk of cardiac arrhythmias?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Magnesium
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) is a frequent and dangerous complication of
purging and starvation, leading to potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
7. A patient with Alzheimer’s disease tells the nurse, ‘I spent the morning at the
White House with the President,’ when they were actually in the unit. This is
called:
A. Aphasia
B. Sundowning
C. Confabulation
D. Agnosia
Answer: C
Rationale: Confabulation is a defense mechanism where the patient creates imaginary
events to fill in memory gaps, common in neurocognitive disorders.
8. Which statement distinguishes Delirium from Dementia?
A. Dementia has an abrupt onset; Delirium is gradual
B. Delirium is characterized by a stable level of consciousness
C. Dementia is caused by an underlying medical condition like infection
D. Delirium is often reversible; Dementia is progressive and irreversible
Answer: D
