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RASMUSSEN MENTAL HEALTH FINAL EXAM | LATEST EXAM ||
ACTUAL EXAM 100 QUESTIONS CORRECT VERIFIED AND
DETAILED ANSWERS |ALREADY GRADED A+ || 2026
Prepare for the Rasmussen Mental Health Final Exam with practice questions covering
therapeutic communication, psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder,
schizophrenia, personality disorders), mood and affect assessment, psychopharmacology and
medication management, crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, legal and ethical issues in
psychiatric nursing, defense mechanisms, behavioral and cognitive therapies, substance use
disorders, eating disorders, and nursing care plans for mental health patients. This study guide
helps reinforce essential mental health nursing knowledge and supports effective final exam
preparation. Designed to improve clinical judgment and patient-centered care skills while
boosting confidence in managing psychiatric conditions across the lifespan. Suitable for
Rasmussen University nursing students, practical nurses (PN and ADN programs), and
healthcare professionals preparing for mental health nursing examinations.
Mental Health Nursing (Psychiatric Nursing / Rasmussen University)
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with major depressive disorder. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for immediate suicide precautions?
A. "I feel sad and hopeless most of the time."
B. "I have a plan to take all of my pills tonight when my family goes to sleep."
C. "I don't enjoy doing the things I used to love."
D. "I haven't been sleeping or eating well for weeks."
Correct Answer: B. "I have a plan to take all of my pills tonight when my family goes to sleep."
✓
Rationale: A specific plan, means, and timing indicate high suicide risk requiring immediate
intervention. Statements of hopelessness, anhedonia, and appetite changes are concerning but do
not signal imminent risk without a plan.
2. A patient with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA is poisoning my food through the
hospital vents." This statement is an example of:
A. Hallucination
B. Delusion of persecution
, Page 2 of 35
C. Delusion of grandeur
D. Ideas of reference
Correct Answer: B. Delusion of persecution ✓
Rationale: A persecutory delusion involves a false belief that one is being harassed, poisoned, or
conspired against. Hallucinations involve sensory perceptions without stimulus; grandeur
delusions involve inflated self-worth; ideas of reference involve believing neutral events have
personal meaning.
3. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a patient. Which action occurs during
the orientation phase?
A. Identifying problems and setting goals
B. Working through resistance and transference
C. Terminating the relationship and reviewing progress
D. Providing medication education
Correct Answer: A. Identifying problems and setting goals ✓
Rationale: The orientation phase includes establishing trust, setting boundaries, identifying
patient problems, and mutually setting goals. Working through resistance occurs in the working
phase; termination occurs in the termination phase.
4. A patient with bipolar I disorder is experiencing acute mania. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate?
A. Place the patient in a quiet room with low stimulation
B. Encourage group activities to channel energy
C. Provide caffeinated beverages to increase alertness
D. Allow the patient to stay awake all night to reduce energy
Correct Answer: A. Place the patient in a quiet room with low stimulation ✓
Rationale: Manic patients need reduced environmental stimuli (low light, quiet, few people) to
decrease agitation. Group activities and caffeine would worsen mania; sleep is essential, not
deprivation.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which assessment finding
would the nurse expect 6 to 12 hours after last drink?
, Page 3 of 35
A. Seizures
B. Delirium tremens
C. Tremors, anxiety, and diaphoresis
D. Wernicke encephalopathy
Correct Answer: C. Tremors, anxiety, and diaphoresis ✓
Rationale: Early withdrawal (6-12 hours) includes tremors ("shakes"), anxiety, insomnia,
diaphoresis, and tachycardia. Seizures occur at 12-48 hours; delirium tremens at 48-72 hours.
Wernicke encephalopathy is from thiamine deficiency.
6. A patient with borderline personality disorder frequently self-mutilates by cutting. The nurse
understands that this behavior is often a result of:
A. Psychotic delusions
B. Intense anger toward others
C. Emotional dysregulation and relief from dissociative states
D. Medication nonadherence
Correct Answer: C. Emotional dysregulation and relief from dissociative states ✓
Rationale: Self-harm in borderline PD is often used to regulate overwhelming emotions or to end
dissociative feelings (feeling "numb"). It is not typically driven by psychosis or anger toward
others.
7. Which medication is considered first-line treatment for panic disorder?
A. Propranolol
B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
C. Buspirone
D. Clonazepam alone
Correct Answer: B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) ✓
Rationale: SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine, fluoxetine) are first-line for panic disorder.
Benzodiazepines (clonazepam) are second-line due to dependence risk. Propranolol is for
performance anxiety; buspirone for generalized anxiety.
8. A nurse is teaching a patient about lithium therapy. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
, Page 4 of 35
A. "I can take ibuprofen if I get a headache."
B. "I should drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily."
C. "I can stop lithium once I feel better."
D. "A high-sodium diet is dangerous while taking lithium."
Correct Answer: B. "I should drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily." ✓
Rationale: Lithium requires adequate hydration to prevent toxicity. NSAIDs (ibuprofen) increase
lithium levels; stopping abruptly causes relapse; low sodium increases lithium levels, not high
sodium.
9. A patient with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports recurrent nightmares about a
military combat experience. This symptom is related to which cluster of PTSD symptoms?
A. Avoidance
B. Intrusion/re-experiencing
C. Hyperarousal
D. Negative alterations in cognition and mood
Correct Answer: B. Intrusion/re-experiencing ✓
Rationale: Intrusion symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, and distressing memories of the
traumatic event. Avoidance includes avoiding triggers; hyperarousal includes hypervigilance;
negative mood includes distorted blame.
10. A nurse is caring for a patient with anorexia nervosa who refuses to eat. Which intervention
should be prioritized?
A. Allow the patient to negotiate food choices
B. Provide liquid supplements only
C. Implement a behavioral contract with rewards for weight gain
D. Force feed the patient if necessary
Correct Answer: C. Implement a behavioral contract with rewards for weight gain ✓
Rationale: Behavioral contracts with reinforcement for meeting weight goals are standard.
Negotiation may be manipulative; liquid supplements alone are insufficient; force feeding is only
a last resort in life-threatening situations.
RASMUSSEN MENTAL HEALTH FINAL EXAM | LATEST EXAM ||
ACTUAL EXAM 100 QUESTIONS CORRECT VERIFIED AND
DETAILED ANSWERS |ALREADY GRADED A+ || 2026
Prepare for the Rasmussen Mental Health Final Exam with practice questions covering
therapeutic communication, psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder,
schizophrenia, personality disorders), mood and affect assessment, psychopharmacology and
medication management, crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, legal and ethical issues in
psychiatric nursing, defense mechanisms, behavioral and cognitive therapies, substance use
disorders, eating disorders, and nursing care plans for mental health patients. This study guide
helps reinforce essential mental health nursing knowledge and supports effective final exam
preparation. Designed to improve clinical judgment and patient-centered care skills while
boosting confidence in managing psychiatric conditions across the lifespan. Suitable for
Rasmussen University nursing students, practical nurses (PN and ADN programs), and
healthcare professionals preparing for mental health nursing examinations.
Mental Health Nursing (Psychiatric Nursing / Rasmussen University)
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with major depressive disorder. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for immediate suicide precautions?
A. "I feel sad and hopeless most of the time."
B. "I have a plan to take all of my pills tonight when my family goes to sleep."
C. "I don't enjoy doing the things I used to love."
D. "I haven't been sleeping or eating well for weeks."
Correct Answer: B. "I have a plan to take all of my pills tonight when my family goes to sleep."
✓
Rationale: A specific plan, means, and timing indicate high suicide risk requiring immediate
intervention. Statements of hopelessness, anhedonia, and appetite changes are concerning but do
not signal imminent risk without a plan.
2. A patient with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA is poisoning my food through the
hospital vents." This statement is an example of:
A. Hallucination
B. Delusion of persecution
, Page 2 of 35
C. Delusion of grandeur
D. Ideas of reference
Correct Answer: B. Delusion of persecution ✓
Rationale: A persecutory delusion involves a false belief that one is being harassed, poisoned, or
conspired against. Hallucinations involve sensory perceptions without stimulus; grandeur
delusions involve inflated self-worth; ideas of reference involve believing neutral events have
personal meaning.
3. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a patient. Which action occurs during
the orientation phase?
A. Identifying problems and setting goals
B. Working through resistance and transference
C. Terminating the relationship and reviewing progress
D. Providing medication education
Correct Answer: A. Identifying problems and setting goals ✓
Rationale: The orientation phase includes establishing trust, setting boundaries, identifying
patient problems, and mutually setting goals. Working through resistance occurs in the working
phase; termination occurs in the termination phase.
4. A patient with bipolar I disorder is experiencing acute mania. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate?
A. Place the patient in a quiet room with low stimulation
B. Encourage group activities to channel energy
C. Provide caffeinated beverages to increase alertness
D. Allow the patient to stay awake all night to reduce energy
Correct Answer: A. Place the patient in a quiet room with low stimulation ✓
Rationale: Manic patients need reduced environmental stimuli (low light, quiet, few people) to
decrease agitation. Group activities and caffeine would worsen mania; sleep is essential, not
deprivation.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which assessment finding
would the nurse expect 6 to 12 hours after last drink?
, Page 3 of 35
A. Seizures
B. Delirium tremens
C. Tremors, anxiety, and diaphoresis
D. Wernicke encephalopathy
Correct Answer: C. Tremors, anxiety, and diaphoresis ✓
Rationale: Early withdrawal (6-12 hours) includes tremors ("shakes"), anxiety, insomnia,
diaphoresis, and tachycardia. Seizures occur at 12-48 hours; delirium tremens at 48-72 hours.
Wernicke encephalopathy is from thiamine deficiency.
6. A patient with borderline personality disorder frequently self-mutilates by cutting. The nurse
understands that this behavior is often a result of:
A. Psychotic delusions
B. Intense anger toward others
C. Emotional dysregulation and relief from dissociative states
D. Medication nonadherence
Correct Answer: C. Emotional dysregulation and relief from dissociative states ✓
Rationale: Self-harm in borderline PD is often used to regulate overwhelming emotions or to end
dissociative feelings (feeling "numb"). It is not typically driven by psychosis or anger toward
others.
7. Which medication is considered first-line treatment for panic disorder?
A. Propranolol
B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
C. Buspirone
D. Clonazepam alone
Correct Answer: B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) ✓
Rationale: SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine, fluoxetine) are first-line for panic disorder.
Benzodiazepines (clonazepam) are second-line due to dependence risk. Propranolol is for
performance anxiety; buspirone for generalized anxiety.
8. A nurse is teaching a patient about lithium therapy. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
, Page 4 of 35
A. "I can take ibuprofen if I get a headache."
B. "I should drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily."
C. "I can stop lithium once I feel better."
D. "A high-sodium diet is dangerous while taking lithium."
Correct Answer: B. "I should drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily." ✓
Rationale: Lithium requires adequate hydration to prevent toxicity. NSAIDs (ibuprofen) increase
lithium levels; stopping abruptly causes relapse; low sodium increases lithium levels, not high
sodium.
9. A patient with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports recurrent nightmares about a
military combat experience. This symptom is related to which cluster of PTSD symptoms?
A. Avoidance
B. Intrusion/re-experiencing
C. Hyperarousal
D. Negative alterations in cognition and mood
Correct Answer: B. Intrusion/re-experiencing ✓
Rationale: Intrusion symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, and distressing memories of the
traumatic event. Avoidance includes avoiding triggers; hyperarousal includes hypervigilance;
negative mood includes distorted blame.
10. A nurse is caring for a patient with anorexia nervosa who refuses to eat. Which intervention
should be prioritized?
A. Allow the patient to negotiate food choices
B. Provide liquid supplements only
C. Implement a behavioral contract with rewards for weight gain
D. Force feed the patient if necessary
Correct Answer: C. Implement a behavioral contract with rewards for weight gain ✓
Rationale: Behavioral contracts with reinforcement for meeting weight goals are standard.
Negotiation may be manipulative; liquid supplements alone are insufficient; force feeding is only
a last resort in life-threatening situations.
