NUR253 Exam 2 V2 | NUR 253 Mental
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College
of Nursing
1. A patient is prescribed Lithium Carbonate for the treatment of Bipolar I Disorder. What is
the therapeutic serum level range for maintenance treatment?
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 therapeutic range for lithium is narrow; maintenance levels are typically
0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L are considered toxic.
2. A nurse is monitoring a client taking Haloperidol. The client develops high fever, muscle
rigidity, and tachycardia. What complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
B. Anticholinergic Toxicity
C. Serotonin Syndrome
D. Tardive Dyskinesia
,Answer: A
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic drugs characterized by fever,
‘lead-pipe’ muscle rigidity, and autonomic instability.
3. Which food choice indicates that a patient taking a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)
understands the dietary restrictions?
A. Pepperoni pizza with extra cheese
B. A glass of red wine with dinner
C. Fresh grilled chicken with steamed broccoli
D. A bowl of yogurt with bananas
Answer: C
Rationale: MAOIs require a low-tyramine diet. Pepperoni, aged cheese, red wine, and
overripe bananas are high in tyramine and can cause a hypertensive crisis.
4. A client with Bipolar Disorder is in the manic phase. Which meal is most appropriate for the
nurse to provide?
A. Chicken soup and crackers
B. A turkey sandwich and an apple
C. Steak and a baked potato
D. Spaghetti with meatballs
Answer: B
, Rationale: Manic patients have difficulty sitting still to eat. ‘Finger foods’ that are high in
protein and calories allow the patient to eat while moving.
5. A client is experiencing an acute dystonic reaction after receiving a dose of
Chlorpromazine. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?
A. Benztropine
B. Risperidone
C. Lorazepam
D. Fluoxetine
Answer: A
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
such as acute dystonia caused by first-generation antipsychotics.
6. A patient diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder is prescribed Clozapine. Which
laboratory test is the highest priority for the nurse to monitor?
A. Serum Glucose
B. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
C. Liver Function Tests
D. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: B
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College
of Nursing
1. A patient is prescribed Lithium Carbonate for the treatment of Bipolar I Disorder. What is
the therapeutic serum level range for maintenance treatment?
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 therapeutic range for lithium is narrow; maintenance levels are typically
0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L are considered toxic.
2. A nurse is monitoring a client taking Haloperidol. The client develops high fever, muscle
rigidity, and tachycardia. What complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
B. Anticholinergic Toxicity
C. Serotonin Syndrome
D. Tardive Dyskinesia
,Answer: A
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic drugs characterized by fever,
‘lead-pipe’ muscle rigidity, and autonomic instability.
3. Which food choice indicates that a patient taking a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)
understands the dietary restrictions?
A. Pepperoni pizza with extra cheese
B. A glass of red wine with dinner
C. Fresh grilled chicken with steamed broccoli
D. A bowl of yogurt with bananas
Answer: C
Rationale: MAOIs require a low-tyramine diet. Pepperoni, aged cheese, red wine, and
overripe bananas are high in tyramine and can cause a hypertensive crisis.
4. A client with Bipolar Disorder is in the manic phase. Which meal is most appropriate for the
nurse to provide?
A. Chicken soup and crackers
B. A turkey sandwich and an apple
C. Steak and a baked potato
D. Spaghetti with meatballs
Answer: B
, Rationale: Manic patients have difficulty sitting still to eat. ‘Finger foods’ that are high in
protein and calories allow the patient to eat while moving.
5. A client is experiencing an acute dystonic reaction after receiving a dose of
Chlorpromazine. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?
A. Benztropine
B. Risperidone
C. Lorazepam
D. Fluoxetine
Answer: A
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
such as acute dystonia caused by first-generation antipsychotics.
6. A patient diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder is prescribed Clozapine. Which
laboratory test is the highest priority for the nurse to monitor?
A. Serum Glucose
B. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
C. Liver Function Tests
D. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: B
