NURS 201 MENTAL HEALTH AND
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING ADVANCED
EXAM 2026
1. A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is prescribed clozapine. Which laboratory result
must the nurse monitor most closely to detect a potentially life-threatening complication?
A. Serum potassium levels
B. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Platelet count
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a high risk for agranulocytosis, a severe
reduction in white blood cells. Strict monitoring of the ANC is required by the FDA.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing a hypertensive crisis after consuming aged
cheese while on phenelzine. Which medication is the likely antidote?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Phentolamine
,D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Phentolamine is an alpha-adrenergic blocker used to treat
hypertensive crises caused by MAOI interactions with tyramine.
3. Which defense mechanism is being used when a patient who is angry at their physician
starts yelling at the nurse?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Reaction formation
D. Displacement
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Displacement involves transferring emotions from their original
source to a less threatening target.
4. A patient with Bipolar I Disorder has a lithium level of 2.1 mEq/L. Which clinical
manifestation should the nurse prioritize?
A. Mild hand tremors
B. Giddiness and blurred vision
C. Polyuria
D. Increased appetite
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A lithium level over 2.0 mEq/L indicates severe toxicity,
characterized by ataxia, giddiness, blurred vision, and large output of dilute urine.
5. In the context of psychiatric ethics, the duty to warn third parties of a potential threat by a
patient is known as:
A. Tarasoff Liability
B. Beneficence
C. Habeas Corpus
D. Fidelity
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Based on the Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California
case, mental health professionals have a duty to warn identifiable third parties of threats.
6. A patient with anorexia nervosa is at risk for refeeding syndrome. Which electrolyte
imbalance is a hallmark of this condition?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypophosphatemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: B
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING ADVANCED
EXAM 2026
1. A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is prescribed clozapine. Which laboratory result
must the nurse monitor most closely to detect a potentially life-threatening complication?
A. Serum potassium levels
B. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Platelet count
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a high risk for agranulocytosis, a severe
reduction in white blood cells. Strict monitoring of the ANC is required by the FDA.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing a hypertensive crisis after consuming aged
cheese while on phenelzine. Which medication is the likely antidote?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Phentolamine
,D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Phentolamine is an alpha-adrenergic blocker used to treat
hypertensive crises caused by MAOI interactions with tyramine.
3. Which defense mechanism is being used when a patient who is angry at their physician
starts yelling at the nurse?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Reaction formation
D. Displacement
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Displacement involves transferring emotions from their original
source to a less threatening target.
4. A patient with Bipolar I Disorder has a lithium level of 2.1 mEq/L. Which clinical
manifestation should the nurse prioritize?
A. Mild hand tremors
B. Giddiness and blurred vision
C. Polyuria
D. Increased appetite
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A lithium level over 2.0 mEq/L indicates severe toxicity,
characterized by ataxia, giddiness, blurred vision, and large output of dilute urine.
5. In the context of psychiatric ethics, the duty to warn third parties of a potential threat by a
patient is known as:
A. Tarasoff Liability
B. Beneficence
C. Habeas Corpus
D. Fidelity
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Based on the Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California
case, mental health professionals have a duty to warn identifiable third parties of threats.
6. A patient with anorexia nervosa is at risk for refeeding syndrome. Which electrolyte
imbalance is a hallmark of this condition?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypophosphatemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: B
