NURS 222 | MENTAL
HEALTH/PSYCHIATRIC NURSING:
WEEK 8 QUIZ 2026 | WCU
1. A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is prescribed Clozapine. Which laboratory value
requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Blood Glucose 110 mg/dL
C. Potassium 3.8 mEq/L
D. White Blood Cell (WBC) count 2,000/mm³
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a significant risk for agranulocytosis. A WBC
count below 3,000/mm³ or an Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) below 1,500/mm³
requires immediate discontinuation of the medication and notification of the provider.
2. A client in the manic phase of Bipolar I Disorder is running around the unit, interrupting
others, and has not slept for 24 hours. Which nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Encouraging the client to join a group therapy session
,B. Administering a PRN dose of Lorazepam
C. Providing high-calorie finger foods and fluids
D. Assisting the client to identify triggers for mania
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In acute mania, physical safety and physiological integrity are
priorities. Providing high-calorie finger foods allows the client to consume nutrients while
moving, preventing exhaustion and dehydration.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a hypertensive crisis after consuming aged
cheese while taking Phenelzine. The nurse understands this is due to the accumulation of
which substance?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. Tyramine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Phenelzine is an MAOI. MAOIs prevent the breakdown of
tyramine in the liver. High levels of tyramine lead to excessive norepinephrine release,
causing severe vasoconstriction and hypertensive crisis.
, 4. Which assessment finding is most indicative of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) in a
client taking Haloperidol?
A. Severe muscle rigidity and hyperpyrexia
B. Muscle flaccidity and hypotension
C. Hyporeflexia and bradycardia
D. Extreme restlessness and pacing
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a life-threatening complication of antipsychotics
characterized by ‘lead-pipe’ muscle rigidity, high fever (hyperpyrexia), autonomic
instability, and altered mental status.
5. A client diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) tells the day-shift nurse, ‘The
night nurse was so mean, but you are the best nurse I have ever had.’ The nurse recognizes
this as which defense mechanism?
A. Rationalization
B. Sublimation
C. Projection
D. Splitting
Answer: D
HEALTH/PSYCHIATRIC NURSING:
WEEK 8 QUIZ 2026 | WCU
1. A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is prescribed Clozapine. Which laboratory value
requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Blood Glucose 110 mg/dL
C. Potassium 3.8 mEq/L
D. White Blood Cell (WBC) count 2,000/mm³
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a significant risk for agranulocytosis. A WBC
count below 3,000/mm³ or an Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) below 1,500/mm³
requires immediate discontinuation of the medication and notification of the provider.
2. A client in the manic phase of Bipolar I Disorder is running around the unit, interrupting
others, and has not slept for 24 hours. Which nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Encouraging the client to join a group therapy session
,B. Administering a PRN dose of Lorazepam
C. Providing high-calorie finger foods and fluids
D. Assisting the client to identify triggers for mania
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In acute mania, physical safety and physiological integrity are
priorities. Providing high-calorie finger foods allows the client to consume nutrients while
moving, preventing exhaustion and dehydration.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a hypertensive crisis after consuming aged
cheese while taking Phenelzine. The nurse understands this is due to the accumulation of
which substance?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. Tyramine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Phenelzine is an MAOI. MAOIs prevent the breakdown of
tyramine in the liver. High levels of tyramine lead to excessive norepinephrine release,
causing severe vasoconstriction and hypertensive crisis.
, 4. Which assessment finding is most indicative of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) in a
client taking Haloperidol?
A. Severe muscle rigidity and hyperpyrexia
B. Muscle flaccidity and hypotension
C. Hyporeflexia and bradycardia
D. Extreme restlessness and pacing
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a life-threatening complication of antipsychotics
characterized by ‘lead-pipe’ muscle rigidity, high fever (hyperpyrexia), autonomic
instability, and altered mental status.
5. A client diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) tells the day-shift nurse, ‘The
night nurse was so mean, but you are the best nurse I have ever had.’ The nurse recognizes
this as which defense mechanism?
A. Rationalization
B. Sublimation
C. Projection
D. Splitting
Answer: D
