NR 326 | Mental Health Nursing | Exam 5 Practice Questions 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is caring for a client with Somatic Symptom Disorder. Which nursing
intervention is a priority for this client?
A. Confront the client about the physical symptoms being psychological.
B. Request a psychiatric evaluation immediately.
C. Perform a physical assessment of the site of the complaint.
D. Limit the time spent discussing physical symptoms.
Answer: C
Rationale: Safety and the exclusion of organic pathology are always the priority. The nurse
must first assess the physical complaint to ensure no actual medical emergency exists
before shifting focus to the psychological aspects.
2. A client is diagnosed with Conversion Disorder, exhibiting sudden blindness
but appearing unconcerned. This lack of concern is known as:
A. Secondary gain
B. La belle indifference
C. Malingering
D. Confabulation
Answer: B
Rationale: La belle indifference is a characteristic lack of concern regarding the severity of
a physical symptom, which is classic in conversion disorder.
,3. Which electrolyte imbalance is the most common life-threatening
complication in a client with Bulimia Nervosa who frequently induces vomiting?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Frequent purging via vomiting leads to the loss of potassium, resulting in
hypokalemia, which can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
4. A client with Anorexia Nervosa has a BMI of 15 and is being admitted. What is
the priority nursing diagnosis?
A. Disturbed body image
B. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
C. Ineffective coping
D. Chronic low self-esteem
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiological needs and safety come first. A BMI of 15 indicates severe
malnutrition, making ‘Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements’ the priority.
5. Refeeding syndrome in a severely malnourished client is characterized by a
dangerous drop in which lab value?
A. Sodium
B. Glucose
C. Creatinine
D. Phosphate
Answer: D
Rationale: Refeeding syndrome causes a rapid shift of electrolytes into the cells, resulting
in severe hypophosphatemia, which can lead to heart failure and death.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a child with ADHD. Which behavior is most characteristic
of this disorder?
A. Intentional cruelty to animals
B. Delayed language development
C. Preference for solitary play
D. Difficulty waiting for a turn in games
Answer: D
Rationale: Impulsivity and difficulty waiting one’s turn are hallmark signs of ADHD.
Cruelty to animals is more associated with Conduct Disorder.
7. When teaching parents about Methylphenidate for ADHD, which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. Administer the medication at bedtime.
B. Administer the medication right after breakfast.
C. Monitor the child for increased appetite.
D. Avoid protein-rich foods while taking this medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: Stimulants like Methylphenidate should be given after meals to minimize
appetite suppression and early in the day to prevent insomnia.
8. A child is diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Which
behavior is consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Arguing with authority figures and losing one’s temper
B. Violation of the basic rights of others
C. Consistent failure to speak in specific social situations
D. Repetitive motor tics
Answer: A
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is caring for a client with Somatic Symptom Disorder. Which nursing
intervention is a priority for this client?
A. Confront the client about the physical symptoms being psychological.
B. Request a psychiatric evaluation immediately.
C. Perform a physical assessment of the site of the complaint.
D. Limit the time spent discussing physical symptoms.
Answer: C
Rationale: Safety and the exclusion of organic pathology are always the priority. The nurse
must first assess the physical complaint to ensure no actual medical emergency exists
before shifting focus to the psychological aspects.
2. A client is diagnosed with Conversion Disorder, exhibiting sudden blindness
but appearing unconcerned. This lack of concern is known as:
A. Secondary gain
B. La belle indifference
C. Malingering
D. Confabulation
Answer: B
Rationale: La belle indifference is a characteristic lack of concern regarding the severity of
a physical symptom, which is classic in conversion disorder.
,3. Which electrolyte imbalance is the most common life-threatening
complication in a client with Bulimia Nervosa who frequently induces vomiting?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Frequent purging via vomiting leads to the loss of potassium, resulting in
hypokalemia, which can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
4. A client with Anorexia Nervosa has a BMI of 15 and is being admitted. What is
the priority nursing diagnosis?
A. Disturbed body image
B. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
C. Ineffective coping
D. Chronic low self-esteem
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiological needs and safety come first. A BMI of 15 indicates severe
malnutrition, making ‘Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements’ the priority.
5. Refeeding syndrome in a severely malnourished client is characterized by a
dangerous drop in which lab value?
A. Sodium
B. Glucose
C. Creatinine
D. Phosphate
Answer: D
Rationale: Refeeding syndrome causes a rapid shift of electrolytes into the cells, resulting
in severe hypophosphatemia, which can lead to heart failure and death.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a child with ADHD. Which behavior is most characteristic
of this disorder?
A. Intentional cruelty to animals
B. Delayed language development
C. Preference for solitary play
D. Difficulty waiting for a turn in games
Answer: D
Rationale: Impulsivity and difficulty waiting one’s turn are hallmark signs of ADHD.
Cruelty to animals is more associated with Conduct Disorder.
7. When teaching parents about Methylphenidate for ADHD, which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. Administer the medication at bedtime.
B. Administer the medication right after breakfast.
C. Monitor the child for increased appetite.
D. Avoid protein-rich foods while taking this medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: Stimulants like Methylphenidate should be given after meals to minimize
appetite suppression and early in the day to prevent insomnia.
8. A child is diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Which
behavior is consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Arguing with authority figures and losing one’s temper
B. Violation of the basic rights of others
C. Consistent failure to speak in specific social situations
D. Repetitive motor tics
Answer: A
