NSG 3450 Mental Health Key - EXAM 1 & 2
Comprehensive Practice Questions with
ANSWERs and Rationales 2026
Question 1:
A client is prescribed kava for fatigue. What is the most important nursing consideration regarding this
herbal supplement?
A) It is safe to use with all antidepressant medications
B) It should be taken with grapefruit juice for better absorption
C) It has potential hepatotoxicity and should be used with caution
D) It is considered a first-line treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome
ANSWER: C) It has potential hepatotoxicity and should be used with caution
Rationale:
A) Incorrect: Kava has significant interactions with many medications, particularly antidepressants and
anxiolytics.
B) Incorrect: Grapefruit juice can increase the risk of adverse effects and should be avoided.
C) Correct: Kava has been associated with severe liver damage and is not recommended for long-term
use.
,D) Incorrect: Kava is not a first-line treatment and has limited evidence for efficacy.
Question 2:
The nurse is teaching a client about Reiki therapy. Which statement correctly describes this
complementary therapy?
A) Reiki originated in China and focuses on balancing chi energy
B) Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation
C) Reiki involves the use of essential oils applied to pressure points
D) Reiki requires the client to be actively engaged in meditation
ANSWER: B) Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation
Rationale:
A) Incorrect: Reiki originated in Japan, not China, and focuses on universal life force energy.
B) Correct: Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that promotes relaxation and stress reduction through
the laying on of hands.
C) Incorrect: Essential oils and pressure points are associated with aromatherapy and acupressure, not
Reiki.
D) Incorrect: Reiki is passive and does not require the client to actively meditate.
Question 3:
A client who has been married for 10 years states, "I want to give up on my marriage." According to
Erikson's psychosocial theory, which developmental stage is this client struggling with?
,A) Trust vs Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt
C) Intimacy vs Isolation
D) Generativity vs Stagnation
ANSWER: C) Intimacy vs Isolation
Rationale:
A) Incorrect: Trust vs Mistrust occurs in infancy (0-1 year) and involves basic trust in caregivers.
B) Incorrect: Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt occurs in early childhood (1-3 years) and involves
developing independence.
C) Correct: Intimacy vs Isolation occurs in young adulthood (20-40 years) where the challenge is forming
intimate relationships.
D) Incorrect: Generativity vs Stagnation occurs in middle adulthood (40-65 years) and involves
contributing to society.
Question 4:
A nurse is implementing secondary prevention strategies in a community mental health setting. Which
activity best exemplifies this level of prevention?
A) Teaching stress management techniques to high school students
B) Conducting a drug screening for at-risk adolescents
C) Providing rehabilitation services for clients with chronic schizophrenia
D) Distributing educational pamphlets about mental health awareness
ANSWER: B) Conducting a drug screening for at-risk adolescents
, Rationale:
A) Incorrect: Teaching stress management is a primary prevention strategy aimed at preventing illness
before it occurs.
B) Correct: Secondary prevention involves early detection and screening to identify mental health issues
early.
C) Incorrect: Rehabilitation services are tertiary prevention aimed at reducing disability and restoring
function.
D) Incorrect: Educational pamphlets are primary prevention strategies.
Question 5:
The nurse observes a client with schizophrenia experiencing involuntary movements. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
A) Document these movements as normal side effects
B) Continue monitoring without intervention
C) Recognize these as potentially abnormal and notify the healthcare provider
D) Administer a PRN dose of antipsychotic medication
ANSWER: C) Recognize these as potentially abnormal and notify the healthcare provider
Rationale:
A) Incorrect: Involuntary movements are not normal and may indicate extrapyramidal symptoms or
tardive dyskinesia.
Comprehensive Practice Questions with
ANSWERs and Rationales 2026
Question 1:
A client is prescribed kava for fatigue. What is the most important nursing consideration regarding this
herbal supplement?
A) It is safe to use with all antidepressant medications
B) It should be taken with grapefruit juice for better absorption
C) It has potential hepatotoxicity and should be used with caution
D) It is considered a first-line treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome
ANSWER: C) It has potential hepatotoxicity and should be used with caution
Rationale:
A) Incorrect: Kava has significant interactions with many medications, particularly antidepressants and
anxiolytics.
B) Incorrect: Grapefruit juice can increase the risk of adverse effects and should be avoided.
C) Correct: Kava has been associated with severe liver damage and is not recommended for long-term
use.
,D) Incorrect: Kava is not a first-line treatment and has limited evidence for efficacy.
Question 2:
The nurse is teaching a client about Reiki therapy. Which statement correctly describes this
complementary therapy?
A) Reiki originated in China and focuses on balancing chi energy
B) Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation
C) Reiki involves the use of essential oils applied to pressure points
D) Reiki requires the client to be actively engaged in meditation
ANSWER: B) Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation
Rationale:
A) Incorrect: Reiki originated in Japan, not China, and focuses on universal life force energy.
B) Correct: Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that promotes relaxation and stress reduction through
the laying on of hands.
C) Incorrect: Essential oils and pressure points are associated with aromatherapy and acupressure, not
Reiki.
D) Incorrect: Reiki is passive and does not require the client to actively meditate.
Question 3:
A client who has been married for 10 years states, "I want to give up on my marriage." According to
Erikson's psychosocial theory, which developmental stage is this client struggling with?
,A) Trust vs Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt
C) Intimacy vs Isolation
D) Generativity vs Stagnation
ANSWER: C) Intimacy vs Isolation
Rationale:
A) Incorrect: Trust vs Mistrust occurs in infancy (0-1 year) and involves basic trust in caregivers.
B) Incorrect: Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt occurs in early childhood (1-3 years) and involves
developing independence.
C) Correct: Intimacy vs Isolation occurs in young adulthood (20-40 years) where the challenge is forming
intimate relationships.
D) Incorrect: Generativity vs Stagnation occurs in middle adulthood (40-65 years) and involves
contributing to society.
Question 4:
A nurse is implementing secondary prevention strategies in a community mental health setting. Which
activity best exemplifies this level of prevention?
A) Teaching stress management techniques to high school students
B) Conducting a drug screening for at-risk adolescents
C) Providing rehabilitation services for clients with chronic schizophrenia
D) Distributing educational pamphlets about mental health awareness
ANSWER: B) Conducting a drug screening for at-risk adolescents
, Rationale:
A) Incorrect: Teaching stress management is a primary prevention strategy aimed at preventing illness
before it occurs.
B) Correct: Secondary prevention involves early detection and screening to identify mental health issues
early.
C) Incorrect: Rehabilitation services are tertiary prevention aimed at reducing disability and restoring
function.
D) Incorrect: Educational pamphlets are primary prevention strategies.
Question 5:
The nurse observes a client with schizophrenia experiencing involuntary movements. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
A) Document these movements as normal side effects
B) Continue monitoring without intervention
C) Recognize these as potentially abnormal and notify the healthcare provider
D) Administer a PRN dose of antipsychotic medication
ANSWER: C) Recognize these as potentially abnormal and notify the healthcare provider
Rationale:
A) Incorrect: Involuntary movements are not normal and may indicate extrapyramidal symptoms or
tardive dyskinesia.
