Mental Health Final Exam 2026 | Rasmussen University | Complete
Study Guide & Practice Test | Verified Questions & Answers
Prepare for the Rasmussen University Mental Health Final Exam with this comprehensive
practice test featuring verified questions, answers, and detailed explanations. This study guide
covers essential mental health nursing concepts including therapeutic communication,
psychiatric assessment, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders,
substance use disorders, crisis intervention, psychopharmacology, and evidence-based nursing
care. Designed to reinforce key course concepts and improve exam readiness, the material
reflects the competencies and learning objectives commonly assessed throughout the Mental
Health nursing curriculum. Ideal for Rasmussen University nursing students seeking a reliable
resource to strengthen their understanding, build confidence, and achieve success on the final
examination.
What type of patients go to memory care? - CORRECT ANSWER Dementia or
Alzheimers
QUESTION :What type of environment is a memory care unit? - CORRECT ANSWER
Locked unit, 24-7 supervision.
QUESTION :What type of activities do you implement to interact with memory care
patients? - CORRECT ANSWER Activities that help them to recall their past-show old
photos, ask questions like what was your first job? where did you grow up? what was
your parents names?
QUESTION :If a patient is not engaged in a group of people sharing photos what might
they be feeling? - CORRECT ANSWER Depressed, Isolated, Angry
QUESTION :Can a social worker make a decision about placement for an elderly
person if that person has living family members, a POA? - CORRECT ANSWER No,
they cannot make the decision. Nurses must educate family about decisions.
QUESTION :What does agnosia mean? - CORRECT ANSWER Inability to interpret
sensations and hence to recognize things, typically as a result of brain damage.
QUESTION :Example of something that could cause agnosia? - CORRECT ANSWER
TBI, vascular dementia.
QUESTION :Characteristics of delirium. - CORRECT ANSWER Rapid in onset, 24-
72 hours, related to infection, NOT common with aging.
QUESTION :What is an important intervention for patients with delirium? - CORRECT
ANSWER Reorient them.
, QUESTION :What are the primary characteristics of borderline personality disorder? -
CORRECT ANSWER splitting people (Pitting a group against each other). Self-
defeating cycle of behavior.
QUESTION :What do you give a patient who has overdosed on PCP? - CORRECT
ANSWER Benzodiazepine
QUESTION :Example of a benzodiazpine antidote? - CORRECT ANSWER
Flumazenil
QUESTION :What type of personality disorder might a patient who still lives at home at
30 and depends on their mother for everything, have? - CORRECT ANSWER
dependent personality disorder
QUESTION :Give an example of a positive statement made by a recovering alcohol
that made signal that they are getting better? - CORRECT ANSWER I will identify
things that trigger my cravings
QUESTION :Symptoms of patient with suspected opioid abuse/overdose? - CORRECT
ANSWER Contracted pupils, increased HR, shallow Resp., increased temp (but not
always).
QUESTION :What do you give a opioid overdose patient? - CORRECT ANSWER
Narcan (Naloxone)
QUESTION :S/S of acute alcohol withdrawal? - CORRECT ANSWER Everything is
increased! RR, BP, Temp, HR, delerium
QUESTION :Characteristics of histrionic personality disorder? - CORRECT ANSWER
Mania, melodramatic, manipulative, emotional attention seeking behavior, often
seductive and flirtatious.
QUESTION :Interventions for histrionic personality disorder patient - CORRECT
ANSWER They are very manipulative. Set fine lines, do not offer relationship advice,
avoid situations where they are the center of attention.
QUESTION :Possible fatal complications of patient withdrawing from CNS stimulant -
CORRECT ANSWER Respiratory failure, suicide, and depression.
QUESTION :What is a hypochondriac? - CORRECT ANSWER Someone who thinks
that everything is wrong with them. Ex. their acute headache is caused by a brain
tumor.
QUESTION :How does cocaine stimulate the body? What do cocaine users use to
combat these effects? - CORRECT ANSWER It is an upper. Alcohol-allows them to
sleep.
,QUESTION :Characteristics of borderline personality disorder - CORRECT ANSWER
Split people apart and are very manipulative.
QUESTION :Interventions for nurses dealing with borderline personality disorder
patients - CORRECT ANSWER Keep all the staff on the same page. Set limits and
rules.
QUESTION :What is a personality disorder in general? What type of issues do these
patients have? - CORRECT ANSWER When people rely on others to make
decisions. They have difficulties in their social life, work, relationships, family problems.
Place the blame on others. Many go undiagnosed.
QUESTION :What is conversion disorder?` - CORRECT ANSWER Something
psychological happens and it then manifests somatically. Ex. Someone has fake
blindness
QUESTION :What is the difference between objective and subjective data? -
CORRECT ANSWER Subjective is what the patient tells you, objective is what you
see and obtain from the physical assessment of the patient.
QUESTION :What is somatoform disorder? - CORRECT ANSWER A mental illness
that causes bodily symptoms that cannot be tracked back to any specific cause.
QUESTION :Are the symptoms real for a patient with somatoform disorder? -
CORRECT ANSWER Yes, the symptoms are real. It is frustrating because many
doctors will perform tests but find nothing. Many go undiagnosed.
QUESTION :What are younger patients with body image problems at risk for? -
CORRECT ANSWER Suicide
QUESTION :A nurse caring for a patient with borderline personality disorder should try
to find out what? - CORRECT ANSWER What the patients secondary gains are.
What are they trying to get? Attention? Money? Pain pills?
QUESTION :Characteristics of an antisocial personality disorder patient in a locked
setting with other clients? - CORRECT ANSWER Manipulative, aggressive, angry,
yelling.
QUESTION :What is a main cause of death for anorexia nervosa patients? -
CORRECT ANSWER Cardiac problems d/t potassium imbalances *hypokalemia
QUESTION :What is re-feeding syndrome? - CORRECT ANSWER Occurs when
malnourished patient begins to receive nourishment again. Severe change in intake and
electrolyte increases cause heart to work harder and can cause dysrhythmias.
, QUESTION :What is the difference between bulimia and anorexia? - CORRECT
ANSWER Bulimia is the binging of food and then purging. Anorexia is starving self
from food.
QUESTION :If you're throwing up and or taking a laxative? What electrolyte might be
out of balance? - CORRECT ANSWER Potassium
QUESTION :What are hallucinations? - CORRECT ANSWER Experiences that are
real to the patient but are not actually real.,
QUESTION :What should you do for a patient that is having hallucinations? -
CORRECT ANSWER Make sure they have everything they need (Glasses, hearing
aid etc), keep lights on in room, do not place large clocks or calendars on the walls.
QUESTION :What type of med would a dr. give a cognitive impaired elderly client who
pulled out all of her tubes? - CORRECT ANSWER Atypical antipsychotic
QUESTION :How long til we see complications with patients withdrawing from alcohol?
- CORRECT ANSWER 24 to 48 hours.
QUESTION :When giving narcan, what should you monitor closely? - CORRECT
ANSWER VS, at least every 15 min. Stay with patient!
QUESTION :What would you give a patient with a heroin overdose? What would we
expect to improve? - CORRECT ANSWER Narcan. HR and Resp
QUESTION :OD heroin patient receives narcan, 1 hr. later present with abd cramps,
goose bumps. What is going on? - CORRECT ANSWER Symptom of narcotic
absence. "withdrawal"
QUESTION :What should the nurse do for a sexual assault victim? - CORRECT
ANSWER Make sure counseling is available for them, set up an appointment
QUESTION :Who is at the highest risk for physically abusing a nurse? - CORRECT
ANSWER A patient with dementia or a delusional patient
QUESTION :What type of meds do ADHD patients receive? - CORRECT ANSWER
CNS stimulant
QUESTION :Early signs of autism in kids? - CORRECT ANSWER Isolation, not
loving towards people, nonverbal, doesn't like to be touched, difficult relationship with
parents
QUESTION :Can restraints be PRN? - CORRECT ANSWER NO!! Must clarify with
doctor.
Study Guide & Practice Test | Verified Questions & Answers
Prepare for the Rasmussen University Mental Health Final Exam with this comprehensive
practice test featuring verified questions, answers, and detailed explanations. This study guide
covers essential mental health nursing concepts including therapeutic communication,
psychiatric assessment, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders,
substance use disorders, crisis intervention, psychopharmacology, and evidence-based nursing
care. Designed to reinforce key course concepts and improve exam readiness, the material
reflects the competencies and learning objectives commonly assessed throughout the Mental
Health nursing curriculum. Ideal for Rasmussen University nursing students seeking a reliable
resource to strengthen their understanding, build confidence, and achieve success on the final
examination.
What type of patients go to memory care? - CORRECT ANSWER Dementia or
Alzheimers
QUESTION :What type of environment is a memory care unit? - CORRECT ANSWER
Locked unit, 24-7 supervision.
QUESTION :What type of activities do you implement to interact with memory care
patients? - CORRECT ANSWER Activities that help them to recall their past-show old
photos, ask questions like what was your first job? where did you grow up? what was
your parents names?
QUESTION :If a patient is not engaged in a group of people sharing photos what might
they be feeling? - CORRECT ANSWER Depressed, Isolated, Angry
QUESTION :Can a social worker make a decision about placement for an elderly
person if that person has living family members, a POA? - CORRECT ANSWER No,
they cannot make the decision. Nurses must educate family about decisions.
QUESTION :What does agnosia mean? - CORRECT ANSWER Inability to interpret
sensations and hence to recognize things, typically as a result of brain damage.
QUESTION :Example of something that could cause agnosia? - CORRECT ANSWER
TBI, vascular dementia.
QUESTION :Characteristics of delirium. - CORRECT ANSWER Rapid in onset, 24-
72 hours, related to infection, NOT common with aging.
QUESTION :What is an important intervention for patients with delirium? - CORRECT
ANSWER Reorient them.
, QUESTION :What are the primary characteristics of borderline personality disorder? -
CORRECT ANSWER splitting people (Pitting a group against each other). Self-
defeating cycle of behavior.
QUESTION :What do you give a patient who has overdosed on PCP? - CORRECT
ANSWER Benzodiazepine
QUESTION :Example of a benzodiazpine antidote? - CORRECT ANSWER
Flumazenil
QUESTION :What type of personality disorder might a patient who still lives at home at
30 and depends on their mother for everything, have? - CORRECT ANSWER
dependent personality disorder
QUESTION :Give an example of a positive statement made by a recovering alcohol
that made signal that they are getting better? - CORRECT ANSWER I will identify
things that trigger my cravings
QUESTION :Symptoms of patient with suspected opioid abuse/overdose? - CORRECT
ANSWER Contracted pupils, increased HR, shallow Resp., increased temp (but not
always).
QUESTION :What do you give a opioid overdose patient? - CORRECT ANSWER
Narcan (Naloxone)
QUESTION :S/S of acute alcohol withdrawal? - CORRECT ANSWER Everything is
increased! RR, BP, Temp, HR, delerium
QUESTION :Characteristics of histrionic personality disorder? - CORRECT ANSWER
Mania, melodramatic, manipulative, emotional attention seeking behavior, often
seductive and flirtatious.
QUESTION :Interventions for histrionic personality disorder patient - CORRECT
ANSWER They are very manipulative. Set fine lines, do not offer relationship advice,
avoid situations where they are the center of attention.
QUESTION :Possible fatal complications of patient withdrawing from CNS stimulant -
CORRECT ANSWER Respiratory failure, suicide, and depression.
QUESTION :What is a hypochondriac? - CORRECT ANSWER Someone who thinks
that everything is wrong with them. Ex. their acute headache is caused by a brain
tumor.
QUESTION :How does cocaine stimulate the body? What do cocaine users use to
combat these effects? - CORRECT ANSWER It is an upper. Alcohol-allows them to
sleep.
,QUESTION :Characteristics of borderline personality disorder - CORRECT ANSWER
Split people apart and are very manipulative.
QUESTION :Interventions for nurses dealing with borderline personality disorder
patients - CORRECT ANSWER Keep all the staff on the same page. Set limits and
rules.
QUESTION :What is a personality disorder in general? What type of issues do these
patients have? - CORRECT ANSWER When people rely on others to make
decisions. They have difficulties in their social life, work, relationships, family problems.
Place the blame on others. Many go undiagnosed.
QUESTION :What is conversion disorder?` - CORRECT ANSWER Something
psychological happens and it then manifests somatically. Ex. Someone has fake
blindness
QUESTION :What is the difference between objective and subjective data? -
CORRECT ANSWER Subjective is what the patient tells you, objective is what you
see and obtain from the physical assessment of the patient.
QUESTION :What is somatoform disorder? - CORRECT ANSWER A mental illness
that causes bodily symptoms that cannot be tracked back to any specific cause.
QUESTION :Are the symptoms real for a patient with somatoform disorder? -
CORRECT ANSWER Yes, the symptoms are real. It is frustrating because many
doctors will perform tests but find nothing. Many go undiagnosed.
QUESTION :What are younger patients with body image problems at risk for? -
CORRECT ANSWER Suicide
QUESTION :A nurse caring for a patient with borderline personality disorder should try
to find out what? - CORRECT ANSWER What the patients secondary gains are.
What are they trying to get? Attention? Money? Pain pills?
QUESTION :Characteristics of an antisocial personality disorder patient in a locked
setting with other clients? - CORRECT ANSWER Manipulative, aggressive, angry,
yelling.
QUESTION :What is a main cause of death for anorexia nervosa patients? -
CORRECT ANSWER Cardiac problems d/t potassium imbalances *hypokalemia
QUESTION :What is re-feeding syndrome? - CORRECT ANSWER Occurs when
malnourished patient begins to receive nourishment again. Severe change in intake and
electrolyte increases cause heart to work harder and can cause dysrhythmias.
, QUESTION :What is the difference between bulimia and anorexia? - CORRECT
ANSWER Bulimia is the binging of food and then purging. Anorexia is starving self
from food.
QUESTION :If you're throwing up and or taking a laxative? What electrolyte might be
out of balance? - CORRECT ANSWER Potassium
QUESTION :What are hallucinations? - CORRECT ANSWER Experiences that are
real to the patient but are not actually real.,
QUESTION :What should you do for a patient that is having hallucinations? -
CORRECT ANSWER Make sure they have everything they need (Glasses, hearing
aid etc), keep lights on in room, do not place large clocks or calendars on the walls.
QUESTION :What type of med would a dr. give a cognitive impaired elderly client who
pulled out all of her tubes? - CORRECT ANSWER Atypical antipsychotic
QUESTION :How long til we see complications with patients withdrawing from alcohol?
- CORRECT ANSWER 24 to 48 hours.
QUESTION :When giving narcan, what should you monitor closely? - CORRECT
ANSWER VS, at least every 15 min. Stay with patient!
QUESTION :What would you give a patient with a heroin overdose? What would we
expect to improve? - CORRECT ANSWER Narcan. HR and Resp
QUESTION :OD heroin patient receives narcan, 1 hr. later present with abd cramps,
goose bumps. What is going on? - CORRECT ANSWER Symptom of narcotic
absence. "withdrawal"
QUESTION :What should the nurse do for a sexual assault victim? - CORRECT
ANSWER Make sure counseling is available for them, set up an appointment
QUESTION :Who is at the highest risk for physically abusing a nurse? - CORRECT
ANSWER A patient with dementia or a delusional patient
QUESTION :What type of meds do ADHD patients receive? - CORRECT ANSWER
CNS stimulant
QUESTION :Early signs of autism in kids? - CORRECT ANSWER Isolation, not
loving towards people, nonverbal, doesn't like to be touched, difficult relationship with
parents
QUESTION :Can restraints be PRN? - CORRECT ANSWER NO!! Must clarify with
doctor.
