NR 326 | Mental Health Nursing | Exam 8 Practice Questions 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is caring for a client with Bipolar I Disorder who is experiencing a
manic episode. Which of the following activities is most appropriate for the
nurse to suggest?
A. Participating in a solitary activity like painting or coloring
B. A session of intense aerobic exercise
C. A competitive game of basketball with other clients
D. Attending a crowded group therapy discussion
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients in a manic state benefit from low-stimulus, non-competitive, and
solitary activities to help decrease agitation and maintain focus.
2. A client is prescribed Lithium carbonate for mood stabilization. What is the
therapeutic maintenance blood level for this medication?
A. 0.1 to 0.5 mEq/L
B. 2.5 to 3.0 mEq/L
C. 1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
D. 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
Answer: D
Rationale: The maintenance therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels
above 1.5 mEq/L can indicate toxicity.
,3. The nurse is assessing a client for Serotonin Syndrome. Which of the following
symptoms should the nurse report immediately?
A. Muscle rigidity, fever, and tachycardia
B. Weight gain and lethargy
C. Dry mouth and blurred vision
D. Hypotension and bradycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome is characterized by autonomic instability, including high
fever, tachycardia, muscle rigidity, and hyperreflexia.
4. A client diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder is praising one nurse
while devaluing another. What defense mechanism is the client utilizing?
A. Projection
B. Splitting
C. Reaction Formation
D. Rationalization
Answer: B
Rationale: Splitting is common in Borderline Personality Disorder, where the client views
people or things as all good or all bad.
5. A client with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) states, ‘I just can’t do
anything right. Everyone would be better off without me.’ What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Encourage the client to join a group activity
B. Reassure the client that things will get better
C. Assess the client’s suicide risk and lethality of plan
D. Document the statement in the medical record
Answer: C
, Rationale: Safety is the priority. Statements suggesting worthlessness or that others are
better off require immediate suicide risk assessment.
6. A client is experiencing alcohol withdrawal. The nurse should anticipate
administering which class of medication to prevent seizures?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. Antipsychotics
C. SSRIs
D. Mood stabilizers
Answer: A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines (e.g., Lorazepam, Chlordiazepoxide) are the gold standard for
managing alcohol withdrawal and preventing seizures or delirium tremens.
7. Which of the following findings is a common physical sign of Bulimia
Nervosa?
A. Calluses on the knuckles (Russell’s sign)
B. Lanugo
C. Extreme bradycardia
D. Amenorrhea
Answer: A
Rationale: Russell’s sign refers to calluses on the knuckles from self-induced vomiting, a
common physical finding in bulimia.
8. A client with Schizophrenia reports hearing voices telling them to ‘hurt the
people around you.’ This is known as:
A. A delusion
B. An idea of reference
C. A command hallucination
D. Thought broadcasting
Answer: C
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is caring for a client with Bipolar I Disorder who is experiencing a
manic episode. Which of the following activities is most appropriate for the
nurse to suggest?
A. Participating in a solitary activity like painting or coloring
B. A session of intense aerobic exercise
C. A competitive game of basketball with other clients
D. Attending a crowded group therapy discussion
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients in a manic state benefit from low-stimulus, non-competitive, and
solitary activities to help decrease agitation and maintain focus.
2. A client is prescribed Lithium carbonate for mood stabilization. What is the
therapeutic maintenance blood level for this medication?
A. 0.1 to 0.5 mEq/L
B. 2.5 to 3.0 mEq/L
C. 1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
D. 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
Answer: D
Rationale: The maintenance therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels
above 1.5 mEq/L can indicate toxicity.
,3. The nurse is assessing a client for Serotonin Syndrome. Which of the following
symptoms should the nurse report immediately?
A. Muscle rigidity, fever, and tachycardia
B. Weight gain and lethargy
C. Dry mouth and blurred vision
D. Hypotension and bradycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome is characterized by autonomic instability, including high
fever, tachycardia, muscle rigidity, and hyperreflexia.
4. A client diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder is praising one nurse
while devaluing another. What defense mechanism is the client utilizing?
A. Projection
B. Splitting
C. Reaction Formation
D. Rationalization
Answer: B
Rationale: Splitting is common in Borderline Personality Disorder, where the client views
people or things as all good or all bad.
5. A client with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) states, ‘I just can’t do
anything right. Everyone would be better off without me.’ What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Encourage the client to join a group activity
B. Reassure the client that things will get better
C. Assess the client’s suicide risk and lethality of plan
D. Document the statement in the medical record
Answer: C
, Rationale: Safety is the priority. Statements suggesting worthlessness or that others are
better off require immediate suicide risk assessment.
6. A client is experiencing alcohol withdrawal. The nurse should anticipate
administering which class of medication to prevent seizures?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. Antipsychotics
C. SSRIs
D. Mood stabilizers
Answer: A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines (e.g., Lorazepam, Chlordiazepoxide) are the gold standard for
managing alcohol withdrawal and preventing seizures or delirium tremens.
7. Which of the following findings is a common physical sign of Bulimia
Nervosa?
A. Calluses on the knuckles (Russell’s sign)
B. Lanugo
C. Extreme bradycardia
D. Amenorrhea
Answer: A
Rationale: Russell’s sign refers to calluses on the knuckles from self-induced vomiting, a
common physical finding in bulimia.
8. A client with Schizophrenia reports hearing voices telling them to ‘hurt the
people around you.’ This is known as:
A. A delusion
B. An idea of reference
C. A command hallucination
D. Thought broadcasting
Answer: C
