NR 326 Mental Health Nursing Exam 5 Study Guide 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. A client is admitted for alcohol detoxification. Which medication is the nurse
most likely to administer to manage withdrawal symptoms?
A. Disulfiram
B. Methadone
C. Chlordiazepoxide
D. Fluoxetine
Answer: C
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide or lorazepam are the gold standard for
preventing seizures and delirium tremens during alcohol withdrawal.
2. A patient with Anorexia Nervosa has a BMI of 15. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Encouraging the patient to express feelings about body image
B. Initiating a high-intensity exercise program
C. Teaching the patient about healthy calorie intake
D. Monitoring electrolyte levels and cardiac rhythm
Answer: D
Rationale: Physiological stability is the priority. Severe malnutrition leads to electrolyte
imbalances (hypokalemia) and life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
,3. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pattern of intense and
unstable relationships, impulsivity, and fear of abandonment?
A. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
B. Borderline Personality Disorder
C. Antisocial Personality Disorder
D. Avoidant Personality Disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: Borderline Personality Disorder is marked by instability in affect, identity, and
relationships, often involving ‘splitting’ and self-harm behaviors.
4. A nurse is caring for a child with ADHD. Which side effect is most common
with methylphenidate therapy?
A. Weight loss and insomnia
B. Excessive sleepiness
C. Increased appetite
D. Bradycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: Stimulants like methylphenidate commonly cause appetite suppression
(leading to weight loss) and difficulty sleeping if taken too late in the day.
5. A patient is prescribed Disulfiram. Which statement by the patient indicates a
need for further teaching?
A. I will avoid drinking beer and wine.
B. I can start drinking alcohol again 24 hours after my last dose.
C. I need to check labels on cough syrups and mouthwashes.
D. I might experience severe vomiting if I consume alcohol.
Answer: B
Rationale: The effects of Disulfiram can last in the body for up to 2 weeks after the last
dose; patients must remain abstinent during this period to avoid a reaction.
, 6. In a patient with Alzheimer’s disease, ‘sundowning’ refers to which behavior?
A. Increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon or evening
B. Improved cognition in the morning
C. Sleeping throughout the day and staying awake at night
D. Loss of ability to recognize familiar faces
Answer: A
Rationale: Sundowning is a specific phenomenon where agitation and confusion worsen as
daylight fades.
7. A client with Bulimia Nervosa is found to have dental caries and parotid gland
swelling. This is primarily caused by:
A. Excessive consumption of sweets
B. Chronic use of laxatives
C. Vitamin D deficiency
D. Repeated vomiting and exposure to gastric acid
Answer: D
Rationale: Frequent self-induced vomiting exposes teeth to stomach acid, causing enamel
erosion, and irritates the parotid glands, causing ‘chipmunk cheeks’.
8. Which behavior is most characteristic of a child with Conduct Disorder?
A. Shyness and social withdrawal
B. Difficulty sustaining attention in class
C. Repetitive hand-flapping movements
D. Physical aggression and violation of others’ rights
Answer: D
Rationale: Conduct disorder involves a repetitive pattern of violating basic rights of others
or major age-appropriate societal norms, including aggression.
|Chamberlain College
1. A client is admitted for alcohol detoxification. Which medication is the nurse
most likely to administer to manage withdrawal symptoms?
A. Disulfiram
B. Methadone
C. Chlordiazepoxide
D. Fluoxetine
Answer: C
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide or lorazepam are the gold standard for
preventing seizures and delirium tremens during alcohol withdrawal.
2. A patient with Anorexia Nervosa has a BMI of 15. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Encouraging the patient to express feelings about body image
B. Initiating a high-intensity exercise program
C. Teaching the patient about healthy calorie intake
D. Monitoring electrolyte levels and cardiac rhythm
Answer: D
Rationale: Physiological stability is the priority. Severe malnutrition leads to electrolyte
imbalances (hypokalemia) and life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
,3. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pattern of intense and
unstable relationships, impulsivity, and fear of abandonment?
A. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
B. Borderline Personality Disorder
C. Antisocial Personality Disorder
D. Avoidant Personality Disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: Borderline Personality Disorder is marked by instability in affect, identity, and
relationships, often involving ‘splitting’ and self-harm behaviors.
4. A nurse is caring for a child with ADHD. Which side effect is most common
with methylphenidate therapy?
A. Weight loss and insomnia
B. Excessive sleepiness
C. Increased appetite
D. Bradycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: Stimulants like methylphenidate commonly cause appetite suppression
(leading to weight loss) and difficulty sleeping if taken too late in the day.
5. A patient is prescribed Disulfiram. Which statement by the patient indicates a
need for further teaching?
A. I will avoid drinking beer and wine.
B. I can start drinking alcohol again 24 hours after my last dose.
C. I need to check labels on cough syrups and mouthwashes.
D. I might experience severe vomiting if I consume alcohol.
Answer: B
Rationale: The effects of Disulfiram can last in the body for up to 2 weeks after the last
dose; patients must remain abstinent during this period to avoid a reaction.
, 6. In a patient with Alzheimer’s disease, ‘sundowning’ refers to which behavior?
A. Increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon or evening
B. Improved cognition in the morning
C. Sleeping throughout the day and staying awake at night
D. Loss of ability to recognize familiar faces
Answer: A
Rationale: Sundowning is a specific phenomenon where agitation and confusion worsen as
daylight fades.
7. A client with Bulimia Nervosa is found to have dental caries and parotid gland
swelling. This is primarily caused by:
A. Excessive consumption of sweets
B. Chronic use of laxatives
C. Vitamin D deficiency
D. Repeated vomiting and exposure to gastric acid
Answer: D
Rationale: Frequent self-induced vomiting exposes teeth to stomach acid, causing enamel
erosion, and irritates the parotid glands, causing ‘chipmunk cheeks’.
8. Which behavior is most characteristic of a child with Conduct Disorder?
A. Shyness and social withdrawal
B. Difficulty sustaining attention in class
C. Repetitive hand-flapping movements
D. Physical aggression and violation of others’ rights
Answer: D
Rationale: Conduct disorder involves a repetitive pattern of violating basic rights of others
or major age-appropriate societal norms, including aggression.