NUR2459 Exam 2 V2 | NUR 2459 Mental and
Behavioral Health Nursing Exam Q&A |
Rasmussen University
────────────────────────────────────
This study guide is intended to help students strengthen their understanding of psychiatric
disorders, behavioral crisis management, and advanced psychiatric nursing interventions.
The content reflects practical mental health nursing concepts commonly tested in nursing
examinations.
The questions are designed to simulate actual exam conditions while reinforcing psychiatric
prioritization, therapeutic communication, and medication management skills. Detailed expert
explanations are included to support concept mastery and exam preparedness.
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The Exam Covers:
• Psychotic disorder interventions
• Mania and depression management
• Suicide precautions and monitoring
• Extrapyramidal symptoms recognition
• Therapeutic responses to hallucinations
• Psychiatric medication side effects
• Reality orientation techniques
• Behavioral health nursing care planning
════════════════════════════════════
1. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who reports hearing voices telling them to
‘hurt others.’ What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Ask the client what the voices are saying to assess for command hallucinations.
B. Administer an as-needed (PRN) sedative immediately.
,C. Place the client in a seclusion room for safety.
D. Tell the client that the voices are not real.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The priority is to assess the content of the hallucinations, specifically
to determine if they are ‘command’ hallucinations which pose a direct safety risk to others.
2. A client experiencing acute mania is running around the unit, interrupting others, and has
not eaten in 24 hours. Which nutritional intervention is most appropriate?
A. Provide high-calorie, high-protein finger foods.
B. Encourage the client to sit in the dining room for a full meal.
C. Offer a low-sodium diet to prevent lithium toxicity.
D. Order a nasogastric tube for supplemental nutrition.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Clients in acute mania have high energy and low attention spans;
finger foods allow them to consume necessary nutrients while remaining mobile.
3. A nurse is assessing a client for potential lithium toxicity. Which of the following symptoms
should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Mild thirst and polyuria.
B. Coarse hand tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea.
C. Fine hand tremors and nausea.
, D. Weight gain of 2 pounds in a week.
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Coarse tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea are signs of advanced lithium
toxicity, whereas mild thirst and fine tremors are common side effects.
4. Which assessment finding in a client taking an antipsychotic medication suggests
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)?
A. Excessive salivation and drooling.
B. Orthostatic hypotension and dizziness.
C. Involuntary tongue protrusion.
D. Severe muscle rigidity and high fever.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: NMS is a life-threatening emergency characterized by muscular
rigidity, hyperpyrexia (high fever), and autonomic instability.
5. A client with depression states, ‘I don’t see any point in living anymore.’ Which response by
the nurse is the most therapeutic?
A. ‘Are you thinking of ending your life?’
B. ‘You have so much to live for, including your family.’
C. ‘Why do you feel that way today?’
D. ‘Everyone feels down sometimes, but it will get better.’
Behavioral Health Nursing Exam Q&A |
Rasmussen University
────────────────────────────────────
This study guide is intended to help students strengthen their understanding of psychiatric
disorders, behavioral crisis management, and advanced psychiatric nursing interventions.
The content reflects practical mental health nursing concepts commonly tested in nursing
examinations.
The questions are designed to simulate actual exam conditions while reinforcing psychiatric
prioritization, therapeutic communication, and medication management skills. Detailed expert
explanations are included to support concept mastery and exam preparedness.
════════════════════════════════════
The Exam Covers:
• Psychotic disorder interventions
• Mania and depression management
• Suicide precautions and monitoring
• Extrapyramidal symptoms recognition
• Therapeutic responses to hallucinations
• Psychiatric medication side effects
• Reality orientation techniques
• Behavioral health nursing care planning
════════════════════════════════════
1. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who reports hearing voices telling them to
‘hurt others.’ What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Ask the client what the voices are saying to assess for command hallucinations.
B. Administer an as-needed (PRN) sedative immediately.
,C. Place the client in a seclusion room for safety.
D. Tell the client that the voices are not real.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The priority is to assess the content of the hallucinations, specifically
to determine if they are ‘command’ hallucinations which pose a direct safety risk to others.
2. A client experiencing acute mania is running around the unit, interrupting others, and has
not eaten in 24 hours. Which nutritional intervention is most appropriate?
A. Provide high-calorie, high-protein finger foods.
B. Encourage the client to sit in the dining room for a full meal.
C. Offer a low-sodium diet to prevent lithium toxicity.
D. Order a nasogastric tube for supplemental nutrition.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Clients in acute mania have high energy and low attention spans;
finger foods allow them to consume necessary nutrients while remaining mobile.
3. A nurse is assessing a client for potential lithium toxicity. Which of the following symptoms
should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Mild thirst and polyuria.
B. Coarse hand tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea.
C. Fine hand tremors and nausea.
, D. Weight gain of 2 pounds in a week.
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Coarse tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea are signs of advanced lithium
toxicity, whereas mild thirst and fine tremors are common side effects.
4. Which assessment finding in a client taking an antipsychotic medication suggests
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)?
A. Excessive salivation and drooling.
B. Orthostatic hypotension and dizziness.
C. Involuntary tongue protrusion.
D. Severe muscle rigidity and high fever.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: NMS is a life-threatening emergency characterized by muscular
rigidity, hyperpyrexia (high fever), and autonomic instability.
5. A client with depression states, ‘I don’t see any point in living anymore.’ Which response by
the nurse is the most therapeutic?
A. ‘Are you thinking of ending your life?’
B. ‘You have so much to live for, including your family.’
C. ‘Why do you feel that way today?’
D. ‘Everyone feels down sometimes, but it will get better.’
