NUR 253 Exam 2 Mental Health (2026)
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Questions and Ansẉers with
rationales 2026\2027 update
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Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
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A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with schizophrenia who is
experiencing command hallucinations. Which of the following is the
nurse's highest priority?
A) Encourage the client to engage in unit activities
B) Assess the client for risk of harm to self or others
C) Teach the client about the side effects of antipsychotic
medication
D) Help the client differentiate between reality and hallucinations
Answer: B
Rationale: Command hallucinations often instruct the client to harm
themselves or others. Safety is always the highest priority in
psychiatric nursing.
A client with schizophrenia exhibits a flat affect, avolition, and
alogia. The nurse recognizes these symptoms as:
A) Positive symptoms
B) Negative symptoms
C) Cognitive symptoms
D) Affective symptoms
Answer: B
Rationale: Flat affect, avolition (lack of motivation), and alogia
(poverty of speech) are classic negative symptoms of schizophrenia,
reflecting a diminishment or absence of normal functioning.
A client prescribed clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia
must have weekly white blood cell (WBC) counts drawn. The nurse
understands this is to monitor for:
A) Agranulocytosis
B) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C) Tardive dyskinesia
D) Hepatotoxicity
Answer: A
, Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk for agranulocytosis, a severe and
potentially fatal drop in WBCs. Weekly blood monitoring is required
to detect this early.
A client on haloperidol suddenly develops a high fever, muscle
rigidity, and altered mental status. Which condition should the nurse
suspect?
A) Acute dystonia
B) Tardive dyskinesia
C) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
D) Serotonin syndrome
Answer: C
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening adverse effect of antipsychotics
characterized by hyperthermia, severe muscle rigidity, autonomic
instability, and altered mental status.
The nurse is assessing a client with suspected neuroleptic malignant
syndrome. Which of the following lab values would the nurse expect
to find elevated?
A) Serum potassium
B) Creatine phosphokinase (CPK)
C) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D) Serum calcium
Answer: B
Rationale: Due to severe muscle rigidity and breakdown, CPK levels
are markedly elevated in NMS.
A client with schizophrenia says, "The CIA is broadcasting thoughts
into my brain through my dental fillings." The nurse documents this
as:
A) Delusions of grandeur
B) Delusions of persecution
C) Ideas of reference
D) Somatic delusions
PDF | Galen
Questions and Ansẉers with
rationales 2026\2027 update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified rationales
Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
,───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with schizophrenia who is
experiencing command hallucinations. Which of the following is the
nurse's highest priority?
A) Encourage the client to engage in unit activities
B) Assess the client for risk of harm to self or others
C) Teach the client about the side effects of antipsychotic
medication
D) Help the client differentiate between reality and hallucinations
Answer: B
Rationale: Command hallucinations often instruct the client to harm
themselves or others. Safety is always the highest priority in
psychiatric nursing.
A client with schizophrenia exhibits a flat affect, avolition, and
alogia. The nurse recognizes these symptoms as:
A) Positive symptoms
B) Negative symptoms
C) Cognitive symptoms
D) Affective symptoms
Answer: B
Rationale: Flat affect, avolition (lack of motivation), and alogia
(poverty of speech) are classic negative symptoms of schizophrenia,
reflecting a diminishment or absence of normal functioning.
A client prescribed clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia
must have weekly white blood cell (WBC) counts drawn. The nurse
understands this is to monitor for:
A) Agranulocytosis
B) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C) Tardive dyskinesia
D) Hepatotoxicity
Answer: A
, Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk for agranulocytosis, a severe and
potentially fatal drop in WBCs. Weekly blood monitoring is required
to detect this early.
A client on haloperidol suddenly develops a high fever, muscle
rigidity, and altered mental status. Which condition should the nurse
suspect?
A) Acute dystonia
B) Tardive dyskinesia
C) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
D) Serotonin syndrome
Answer: C
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening adverse effect of antipsychotics
characterized by hyperthermia, severe muscle rigidity, autonomic
instability, and altered mental status.
The nurse is assessing a client with suspected neuroleptic malignant
syndrome. Which of the following lab values would the nurse expect
to find elevated?
A) Serum potassium
B) Creatine phosphokinase (CPK)
C) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D) Serum calcium
Answer: B
Rationale: Due to severe muscle rigidity and breakdown, CPK levels
are markedly elevated in NMS.
A client with schizophrenia says, "The CIA is broadcasting thoughts
into my brain through my dental fillings." The nurse documents this
as:
A) Delusions of grandeur
B) Delusions of persecution
C) Ideas of reference
D) Somatic delusions
