NR 326 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
MIDTERM EXAM PREP ACTUAL
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (GUARANTEE
PASS) CHAMBERLAIN
1. A patient was admitted involuntarily to the psychiatric unit after threatening to harm a
neighbor. Which legal principle allows the state to detain this patient?
A. Parens patriae
B. Autonomy
C. Beneficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Parens patriae is the legal doctrine that grants the state the
power to protect individuals who are unable to care for themselves or pose a danger to
others.
2. During a nurse-patient interaction, the patient states, ‘I don’t think I can handle this
anymore. Everything is falling apart.’ The nurse responds, ‘You feel overwhelmed because
things are difficult right now.’ Which therapeutic technique is the nurse using?
A. Restating
,B. Reflecting
C. Exploring
D. Paraphrasing
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Reflecting involves directing the patient’s feelings and thoughts
back to them, helping them recognize their own emotions.
3. A patient is prescribed Lithium carbonate for Bipolar I disorder. Which serum lithium level
would the nurse identify as indicating moderate toxicity?
A. 2.2 mEq/L
B. 1.2 mEq/L
C. 0.8 mEq/L
D. 3.5 mEq/L
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Moderate toxicity occurs at levels between 1.5 and 2.5 mEq/L.
Levels above 2.5 mEq/L are considered severe toxicity.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing a panic attack. Which intervention should the
nurse prioritize?
A. Teaching the patient relaxation techniques
B. Staying with the patient and using short, simple sentences
, C. Encouraging the patient to express their feelings
D. Administering a PRN dose of an antidepressant
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: During a panic attack, the patient’s perceptual field is narrowed.
Staying with the patient provides safety, and simple sentences are easier to process.
5. A patient with Schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the priority
nursing assessment?
A. Checking the patient’s vital signs
B. Identifying the trigger for the hallucinations
C. Assessing the patient’s cognitive function
D. Determining the content of the hallucinations
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The nurse must determine if the hallucinations are ‘command
hallucinations,’ which could instruct the patient to harm themselves or others.
6. Which of the following defense mechanisms involves channeling unacceptable impulses
into socially acceptable activities?
A. Reaction Formation
B. Sublimation
C. Displacement
MIDTERM EXAM PREP ACTUAL
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (GUARANTEE
PASS) CHAMBERLAIN
1. A patient was admitted involuntarily to the psychiatric unit after threatening to harm a
neighbor. Which legal principle allows the state to detain this patient?
A. Parens patriae
B. Autonomy
C. Beneficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Parens patriae is the legal doctrine that grants the state the
power to protect individuals who are unable to care for themselves or pose a danger to
others.
2. During a nurse-patient interaction, the patient states, ‘I don’t think I can handle this
anymore. Everything is falling apart.’ The nurse responds, ‘You feel overwhelmed because
things are difficult right now.’ Which therapeutic technique is the nurse using?
A. Restating
,B. Reflecting
C. Exploring
D. Paraphrasing
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Reflecting involves directing the patient’s feelings and thoughts
back to them, helping them recognize their own emotions.
3. A patient is prescribed Lithium carbonate for Bipolar I disorder. Which serum lithium level
would the nurse identify as indicating moderate toxicity?
A. 2.2 mEq/L
B. 1.2 mEq/L
C. 0.8 mEq/L
D. 3.5 mEq/L
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Moderate toxicity occurs at levels between 1.5 and 2.5 mEq/L.
Levels above 2.5 mEq/L are considered severe toxicity.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing a panic attack. Which intervention should the
nurse prioritize?
A. Teaching the patient relaxation techniques
B. Staying with the patient and using short, simple sentences
, C. Encouraging the patient to express their feelings
D. Administering a PRN dose of an antidepressant
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: During a panic attack, the patient’s perceptual field is narrowed.
Staying with the patient provides safety, and simple sentences are easier to process.
5. A patient with Schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the priority
nursing assessment?
A. Checking the patient’s vital signs
B. Identifying the trigger for the hallucinations
C. Assessing the patient’s cognitive function
D. Determining the content of the hallucinations
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The nurse must determine if the hallucinations are ‘command
hallucinations,’ which could instruct the patient to harm themselves or others.
6. Which of the following defense mechanisms involves channeling unacceptable impulses
into socially acceptable activities?
A. Reaction Formation
B. Sublimation
C. Displacement
