NURS 201 MENTAL HEALTH AND
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
COMPREHENSIVE QUIZ 2026
1. A patient with schizophrenia is started on Clozapine. Which laboratory value is the priority
for the nurse to monitor during the first six months of treatment?
A. Serum potassium levels
B. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
C. Liver function tests
D. White blood cell count with differential
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a high risk for agranulocytosis, a life-
threatening decrease in white blood cells. Strict monitoring of the absolute neutrophil
count (ANC) and WBC is required.
2. A client experiencing a manic episode is hyperactive and unable to sit for meals. Which
nutritional intervention is most appropriate?
A. Keep the client in their room for all meals
,B. Withhold food until the client can sit for 15 minutes
C. Allow the client to choose from the full cafeteria menu
D. Provide high-calorie finger foods that can be eaten while walking
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Clients in a manic phase have high energy and short attention
spans. Finger foods provide necessary calories without requiring the client to sit still.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Which triad of
symptoms is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, and autonomic instability
B. Hypotension, bradycardia, and skin rash
C. Diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping
D. Restlessness, tremors, and pupillary dilation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a medical emergency characterized by severe muscle
rigidity, high fever (hyperpyrexia), and autonomic instability (tachycardia, hypertension).
4. A nurse is caring for a client with Borderline Personality Disorder who uses ‘splitting.’ How
is this behavior best described?
A. The client mimics the behaviors of the nursing staff
B. The client attempts to harm themselves to get attention
, C. The client experiences multiple distinct personalities
D. The client views others as all good or all bad
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Splitting is a defense mechanism where the individual is unable
to integrate positive and negative qualities of self or others into a cohesive image.
5. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used when the nurse says, ‘You seem
to be feeling anxious about the procedure’?
A. Summarizing
B. Giving information
C. Reflecting feelings
D. Probing
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Reflecting feelings involves identifying the emotions the client is
expressing, which helps the client recognize and accept their own feelings.
6. A client is prescribed Phenelzine, an MAOI. Which food item must the nurse instruct the
client to avoid?
A. Fresh chicken
B. Whole wheat bread
C. Cooked green beans
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
COMPREHENSIVE QUIZ 2026
1. A patient with schizophrenia is started on Clozapine. Which laboratory value is the priority
for the nurse to monitor during the first six months of treatment?
A. Serum potassium levels
B. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
C. Liver function tests
D. White blood cell count with differential
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a high risk for agranulocytosis, a life-
threatening decrease in white blood cells. Strict monitoring of the absolute neutrophil
count (ANC) and WBC is required.
2. A client experiencing a manic episode is hyperactive and unable to sit for meals. Which
nutritional intervention is most appropriate?
A. Keep the client in their room for all meals
,B. Withhold food until the client can sit for 15 minutes
C. Allow the client to choose from the full cafeteria menu
D. Provide high-calorie finger foods that can be eaten while walking
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Clients in a manic phase have high energy and short attention
spans. Finger foods provide necessary calories without requiring the client to sit still.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Which triad of
symptoms is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, and autonomic instability
B. Hypotension, bradycardia, and skin rash
C. Diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping
D. Restlessness, tremors, and pupillary dilation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a medical emergency characterized by severe muscle
rigidity, high fever (hyperpyrexia), and autonomic instability (tachycardia, hypertension).
4. A nurse is caring for a client with Borderline Personality Disorder who uses ‘splitting.’ How
is this behavior best described?
A. The client mimics the behaviors of the nursing staff
B. The client attempts to harm themselves to get attention
, C. The client experiences multiple distinct personalities
D. The client views others as all good or all bad
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Splitting is a defense mechanism where the individual is unable
to integrate positive and negative qualities of self or others into a cohesive image.
5. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used when the nurse says, ‘You seem
to be feeling anxious about the procedure’?
A. Summarizing
B. Giving information
C. Reflecting feelings
D. Probing
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Reflecting feelings involves identifying the emotions the client is
expressing, which helps the client recognize and accept their own feelings.
6. A client is prescribed Phenelzine, an MAOI. Which food item must the nurse instruct the
client to avoid?
A. Fresh chicken
B. Whole wheat bread
C. Cooked green beans
