NUR 256 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 256 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Study
Guide 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 256 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations and tells the nurse,
‘The voices are telling me to hurt myself.’ Which is the priority nursing action?
A. Ask the patient to describe the voices in detail.
B. Implement one-to-one observation immediately.
C. Administer an ordered PRN antipsychotic medication.
D. Tell the patient that the voices are not real.
Answer: B
Rationale: Safety is the priority. Command hallucinations that involve self-harm require immediate
intervention to ensure the patient’s safety through continuous observation. 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. Remembering this point will help you
decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the
client’s current condition and risk level.
2. A nurse is assessing a client for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Which finding
should the nurse prioritize as a sign of this life-threatening condition?
A. Severe muscle rigidity and hyperpyrexia
B. Fine tremors and mild anxiety
C. Dry mouth and urinary retention
D. Excessive salivation and diarrhea
Answer: A
Rationale: NMS is characterized by ‘lead-pipe’ muscle rigidity, high fever (hyperpyrexia), autonomic
instability, and altered mental status. 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. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 256 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A client is prescribed Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar I Disorder. Which serum lithium level
indicates that the client is experiencing severe toxicity?
A. 2.6 mEq/L
B. 1.2 mEq/L
C. 1.4 mEq/L
D. 0.8 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic levels are 0.6–1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 2.5 mEq/L are considered severe
toxicity and may require hemodialysis. 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 patient taking Clozapine must have which laboratory test performed weekly for the first
six months of treatment?
A. Liver function tests
B. Serum creatinine
C. White blood cell (WBC) count with differential
D. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
Answer: C
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis. Weekly monitoring of the Absolute Neutrophil
Count (ANC) and WBC count is mandatory. Remembering this point will help you decide the best
nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current
condition and risk level. Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when
similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 256 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Study
Guide 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 256 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations and tells the nurse,
‘The voices are telling me to hurt myself.’ Which is the priority nursing action?
A. Ask the patient to describe the voices in detail.
B. Implement one-to-one observation immediately.
C. Administer an ordered PRN antipsychotic medication.
D. Tell the patient that the voices are not real.
Answer: B
Rationale: Safety is the priority. Command hallucinations that involve self-harm require immediate
intervention to ensure the patient’s safety through continuous observation. 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. Remembering this point will help you
decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the
client’s current condition and risk level.
2. A nurse is assessing a client for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Which finding
should the nurse prioritize as a sign of this life-threatening condition?
A. Severe muscle rigidity and hyperpyrexia
B. Fine tremors and mild anxiety
C. Dry mouth and urinary retention
D. Excessive salivation and diarrhea
Answer: A
Rationale: NMS is characterized by ‘lead-pipe’ muscle rigidity, high fever (hyperpyrexia), autonomic
instability, and altered mental status. 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. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 256 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A client is prescribed Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar I Disorder. Which serum lithium level
indicates that the client is experiencing severe toxicity?
A. 2.6 mEq/L
B. 1.2 mEq/L
C. 1.4 mEq/L
D. 0.8 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic levels are 0.6–1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 2.5 mEq/L are considered severe
toxicity and may require hemodialysis. 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 patient taking Clozapine must have which laboratory test performed weekly for the first
six months of treatment?
A. Liver function tests
B. Serum creatinine
C. White blood cell (WBC) count with differential
D. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
Answer: C
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis. Weekly monitoring of the Absolute Neutrophil
Count (ANC) and WBC count is mandatory. Remembering this point will help you decide the best
nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current
condition and risk level. Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when
similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
