NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Exam … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Exam (Galen
College) 2026/2027 UPDATE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Exam … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia is prescribed Clozapine. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor most closely to detect a life-threatening adverse effect?
A. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
B. Serum glucose levels
C. B. Serum glucose levels
D. Platelet count
Answer: A
Rationale: Clozapine carries a high risk for agranulocytosis. The nurse must monitor the ANC weekly
for the first 6 months to ensure the client is not developing severe neutropenia. Understanding this
helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action often
prevents bigger complications for the client. Knowing the reason behind the correct answer makes it
easier to rule out the wrong options quickly. Look for the choice that protects the client and matches
the priority need.
2. A nurse is caring for a client in a manic phase of bipolar disorder. Which intervention
should be the priority?
A. Encourage the client to lead a group activity
B. Offer low-calorie snacks throughout the day
C. Provide a high-calorie, portable finger foods
D. Engage the client in a competitive basketball game
Answer: C
Rationale: Clients in mania have high energy and low focus. Finger foods provide necessary nutrition
on the move, maintaining physical integrity without requiring the client to sit down. Exam questions
often test whether you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations.
Focus on what the nurse can actually do right now. This is important because the nurse must choose
the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety
first when answering these questions.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Exam … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A client is admitted for alcohol detoxification. Which assessment finding is most
indicative of the onset of delirium tremens (DTs)?
A. Coarse hand tremors and tachycardia
B. Auditory hallucinations and diaphoresis
C. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures
D. Disorientation to time and place with fluctuating consciousness
Answer: D
Rationale: While tremors and seizures are withdrawal symptoms, DTs are characterized by severe
cognitive disruption, disorientation, and fluctuating levels of consciousness. This is important because
the nurse must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs.
Always think about safety first when answering these questions. This is important because the nurse
must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think
about safety first when answering these questions.
4. A client experiencing a panic attack reports numbness and tingling in the extremities and
lightheadedness. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Administer a PRN dose of Lorazepam
B. Encourage the client to breathe into a paper bag
C. Teach the client abdominal breathing exercises
D. Assess the client’s oxygen saturation levels
Answer: B
Rationale: These symptoms are caused by respiratory alkalosis from hyperventilation. Breathing into
a bag helps increase carbon dioxide levels, reversing the symptoms. This is important because the
nurse must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always
think about safety first when answering these questions. In practice, this guides the nurse to set
priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent
priorities.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Exam (Galen
College) 2026/2027 UPDATE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Exam … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia is prescribed Clozapine. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor most closely to detect a life-threatening adverse effect?
A. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
B. Serum glucose levels
C. B. Serum glucose levels
D. Platelet count
Answer: A
Rationale: Clozapine carries a high risk for agranulocytosis. The nurse must monitor the ANC weekly
for the first 6 months to ensure the client is not developing severe neutropenia. Understanding this
helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action often
prevents bigger complications for the client. Knowing the reason behind the correct answer makes it
easier to rule out the wrong options quickly. Look for the choice that protects the client and matches
the priority need.
2. A nurse is caring for a client in a manic phase of bipolar disorder. Which intervention
should be the priority?
A. Encourage the client to lead a group activity
B. Offer low-calorie snacks throughout the day
C. Provide a high-calorie, portable finger foods
D. Engage the client in a competitive basketball game
Answer: C
Rationale: Clients in mania have high energy and low focus. Finger foods provide necessary nutrition
on the move, maintaining physical integrity without requiring the client to sit down. Exam questions
often test whether you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations.
Focus on what the nurse can actually do right now. This is important because the nurse must choose
the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety
first when answering these questions.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Exam … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A client is admitted for alcohol detoxification. Which assessment finding is most
indicative of the onset of delirium tremens (DTs)?
A. Coarse hand tremors and tachycardia
B. Auditory hallucinations and diaphoresis
C. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures
D. Disorientation to time and place with fluctuating consciousness
Answer: D
Rationale: While tremors and seizures are withdrawal symptoms, DTs are characterized by severe
cognitive disruption, disorientation, and fluctuating levels of consciousness. This is important because
the nurse must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs.
Always think about safety first when answering these questions. This is important because the nurse
must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think
about safety first when answering these questions.
4. A client experiencing a panic attack reports numbness and tingling in the extremities and
lightheadedness. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Administer a PRN dose of Lorazepam
B. Encourage the client to breathe into a paper bag
C. Teach the client abdominal breathing exercises
D. Assess the client’s oxygen saturation levels
Answer: B
Rationale: These symptoms are caused by respiratory alkalosis from hyperventilation. Breathing into
a bag helps increase carbon dioxide levels, reversing the symptoms. This is important because the
nurse must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always
think about safety first when answering these questions. In practice, this guides the nurse to set
priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent
priorities.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
