NURS 354: PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL
HEALTH NURSING COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is involuntarily committed to a psychiatric unit. Which of
the following rights does the client retain?
A. The right to leave the facility against medical advice.
B. The right to refuse psychiatric medications.
C. The right to choose their primary care provider.
D. The right to ignore safety-related unit rules.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Involuntarily committed clients retain the right to refuse
treatment, including psychotropic medications, unless they are a danger to themselves or
others and a court order is obtained.
2. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with the ‘fight or flight’ response
and is targeted in the treatment of ADHD?
A. Serotonin
,B. GABA
C. Acetylcholine
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Norepinephrine is involved in alertness, focus, and the stress
response. Medications like atomoxetine target norepinephrine for ADHD management.
3. A client reports seeing spiders crawling on the walls, but the walls are bare. This is an
example of which of the following?
A. Illusion
B. Delusion
C. Depersonalization
D. Hallucination
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A hallucination is a sensory perception (visual in this case)
without an external stimulus. An illusion requires a real object that is misinterpreted.
4. A patient with Bipolar Disorder is prescribed Lithium Carbonate. Which of the following lab
values should the nurse monitor most closely to prevent toxicity?
A. Serum Sodium
B. Serum Calcium
, C. Serum Potassium
D. Serum Magnesium
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium is a salt; low sodium levels lead to lithium retention and
increased risk of toxicity. High sodium levels can cause subtherapeutic lithium levels.
5. A nurse is assessing a client for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Which finding is
considered a hallmark sign of this condition?
A. Lead pipe rigidity
B. Hypothermia
C. Muscle flaccidity
D. Tardive Dyskinesia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a medical emergency characterized by high fever,
autonomic instability, and severe ‘lead pipe’ muscle rigidity.
6. A client experiencing a panic attack is hyperventilating. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Instruct the client to breathe into a paper bag or cupped hands.
B. Administer an immediate dose of an SSRI.
C. Teach the client deep breathing exercises for future use.
HEALTH NURSING COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is involuntarily committed to a psychiatric unit. Which of
the following rights does the client retain?
A. The right to leave the facility against medical advice.
B. The right to refuse psychiatric medications.
C. The right to choose their primary care provider.
D. The right to ignore safety-related unit rules.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Involuntarily committed clients retain the right to refuse
treatment, including psychotropic medications, unless they are a danger to themselves or
others and a court order is obtained.
2. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with the ‘fight or flight’ response
and is targeted in the treatment of ADHD?
A. Serotonin
,B. GABA
C. Acetylcholine
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Norepinephrine is involved in alertness, focus, and the stress
response. Medications like atomoxetine target norepinephrine for ADHD management.
3. A client reports seeing spiders crawling on the walls, but the walls are bare. This is an
example of which of the following?
A. Illusion
B. Delusion
C. Depersonalization
D. Hallucination
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A hallucination is a sensory perception (visual in this case)
without an external stimulus. An illusion requires a real object that is misinterpreted.
4. A patient with Bipolar Disorder is prescribed Lithium Carbonate. Which of the following lab
values should the nurse monitor most closely to prevent toxicity?
A. Serum Sodium
B. Serum Calcium
, C. Serum Potassium
D. Serum Magnesium
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium is a salt; low sodium levels lead to lithium retention and
increased risk of toxicity. High sodium levels can cause subtherapeutic lithium levels.
5. A nurse is assessing a client for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Which finding is
considered a hallmark sign of this condition?
A. Lead pipe rigidity
B. Hypothermia
C. Muscle flaccidity
D. Tardive Dyskinesia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a medical emergency characterized by high fever,
autonomic instability, and severe ‘lead pipe’ muscle rigidity.
6. A client experiencing a panic attack is hyperventilating. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Instruct the client to breathe into a paper bag or cupped hands.
B. Administer an immediate dose of an SSRI.
C. Teach the client deep breathing exercises for future use.
