NUR 252 Exam 3 | Mental Health Nursing (2026) Q&A | Galen
College
1. A nurse is assessing a client with generalized anxiety disorder. Which finding is most
characteristic of this condition?
A) Fear of a specific object or situation
B) Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months
C) Sudden, intense episodes of fear with palpitations
D) Avoidance of social situations due to fear of judgment
Correct Answer: B) Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is defined by excessive anxiety and worry that the
person finds difficult to control, occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. Fear of a
specific object suggests a phobia, and sudden intense episodes suggest panic attacks.
2. A client is prescribed a benzodiazepine for acute anxiety. Which instruction should the nurse
include in the teaching plan?
A) "Take this medication with alcohol if you feel very anxious."
B) "Stop the medication abruptly once you feel better."
C) "Avoid driving until you know how the medication affects you."
D) "This medication is safe to use during pregnancy."
Correct Answer: C) "Avoid driving until you know how the medication affects you."
Rationale: Benzodiazepines cause central nervous system depression and drowsiness. Clients
should avoid driving until they understand the medication's effects. Alcohol should be avoided,
and the medication should be tapered rather than stopped abruptly.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack. Which nursing action is most
appropriate initially?
A) Leave the client alone in a quiet room to self-soothe
B) Stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring approach
C) Administer a PRN antipsychotic medication immediately
D) Encourage the client to describe the childhood origins of their anxiety
Correct Answer: B) Stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring approach
Rationale: During a panic attack, the client's safety and emotional security are the priority.
Staying with the client and maintaining a calm, reassuring presence helps reduce fear and
prevents self-harm.
4. A client tells the nurse they plan to harm their ex-partner. Which legal principle requires the
nurse to report this?
A) Beneficence
B) Fidelity
C) Justice
D) Duty to warn
Correct Answer: D) Duty to warn
Rationale: The duty to warn (Tarasoff principle) requires mental health professionals to breach
confidentiality if a client makes a specific threat against an identifiable victim.
5. A client is prescribed a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). Which side effect should
the nurse include in the teaching?
A) Hypertensive crisis
,B) Extreme weight loss
C) Sexual dysfunction
D) Acute dystonia
Correct Answer: C) Sexual dysfunction
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of SSRIs. Hypertensive crises are
associated with MAOIs, and dystonia is associated with antipsychotics.
6. Which Lithium level indicates a client is experiencing early signs of toxicity?
A) 0.6 mEq/L
B) 1.6 mEq/L
C) 1.2 mEq/L
D) 0.9 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B) 1.6 mEq/L
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L are
considered toxic.
7. A client with schizophrenia exhibits a lack of interest in daily activities and poor hygiene. How
are these symptoms classified?
A) Positive symptoms
B) Negative symptoms
C) Cognitive symptoms
D) Affective symptoms
, Correct Answer: B) Negative symptoms
Rationale: Negative symptoms refer to the loss or absence of normal functions, such as avolition
(lack of motivation) and poor hygiene.
8. A client with Borderline Personality Disorder praises one nurse while criticizing another. This
behavior is known as:
A) Projection
B) Undoing
C) Rationalization
D) Splitting
Correct Answer: D) Splitting
Rationale: Splitting is a defense mechanism common in borderline personality disorder where
individuals view people as either all good or all bad.
9. A nurse is reviewing laboratory values for a patient with acute kidney injury. Which finding is
most indicative of AKI rather than a simple drop in urine output?
A) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 22 mg/dL
B) Serum creatinine elevation from baseline
C) Serum potassium of 4.2 mEq/L
D) Urine specific gravity of 1.020
Correct Answer: B) Serum creatinine elevation from baseline
Rationale: A rise in creatinine is a hallmark of acute kidney injury because creatinine is filtered
exclusively by the kidneys and is not significantly affected by hydration status alone.
College
1. A nurse is assessing a client with generalized anxiety disorder. Which finding is most
characteristic of this condition?
A) Fear of a specific object or situation
B) Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months
C) Sudden, intense episodes of fear with palpitations
D) Avoidance of social situations due to fear of judgment
Correct Answer: B) Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is defined by excessive anxiety and worry that the
person finds difficult to control, occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. Fear of a
specific object suggests a phobia, and sudden intense episodes suggest panic attacks.
2. A client is prescribed a benzodiazepine for acute anxiety. Which instruction should the nurse
include in the teaching plan?
A) "Take this medication with alcohol if you feel very anxious."
B) "Stop the medication abruptly once you feel better."
C) "Avoid driving until you know how the medication affects you."
D) "This medication is safe to use during pregnancy."
Correct Answer: C) "Avoid driving until you know how the medication affects you."
Rationale: Benzodiazepines cause central nervous system depression and drowsiness. Clients
should avoid driving until they understand the medication's effects. Alcohol should be avoided,
and the medication should be tapered rather than stopped abruptly.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack. Which nursing action is most
appropriate initially?
A) Leave the client alone in a quiet room to self-soothe
B) Stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring approach
C) Administer a PRN antipsychotic medication immediately
D) Encourage the client to describe the childhood origins of their anxiety
Correct Answer: B) Stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring approach
Rationale: During a panic attack, the client's safety and emotional security are the priority.
Staying with the client and maintaining a calm, reassuring presence helps reduce fear and
prevents self-harm.
4. A client tells the nurse they plan to harm their ex-partner. Which legal principle requires the
nurse to report this?
A) Beneficence
B) Fidelity
C) Justice
D) Duty to warn
Correct Answer: D) Duty to warn
Rationale: The duty to warn (Tarasoff principle) requires mental health professionals to breach
confidentiality if a client makes a specific threat against an identifiable victim.
5. A client is prescribed a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). Which side effect should
the nurse include in the teaching?
A) Hypertensive crisis
,B) Extreme weight loss
C) Sexual dysfunction
D) Acute dystonia
Correct Answer: C) Sexual dysfunction
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of SSRIs. Hypertensive crises are
associated with MAOIs, and dystonia is associated with antipsychotics.
6. Which Lithium level indicates a client is experiencing early signs of toxicity?
A) 0.6 mEq/L
B) 1.6 mEq/L
C) 1.2 mEq/L
D) 0.9 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B) 1.6 mEq/L
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L are
considered toxic.
7. A client with schizophrenia exhibits a lack of interest in daily activities and poor hygiene. How
are these symptoms classified?
A) Positive symptoms
B) Negative symptoms
C) Cognitive symptoms
D) Affective symptoms
, Correct Answer: B) Negative symptoms
Rationale: Negative symptoms refer to the loss or absence of normal functions, such as avolition
(lack of motivation) and poor hygiene.
8. A client with Borderline Personality Disorder praises one nurse while criticizing another. This
behavior is known as:
A) Projection
B) Undoing
C) Rationalization
D) Splitting
Correct Answer: D) Splitting
Rationale: Splitting is a defense mechanism common in borderline personality disorder where
individuals view people as either all good or all bad.
9. A nurse is reviewing laboratory values for a patient with acute kidney injury. Which finding is
most indicative of AKI rather than a simple drop in urine output?
A) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 22 mg/dL
B) Serum creatinine elevation from baseline
C) Serum potassium of 4.2 mEq/L
D) Urine specific gravity of 1.020
Correct Answer: B) Serum creatinine elevation from baseline
Rationale: A rise in creatinine is a hallmark of acute kidney injury because creatinine is filtered
exclusively by the kidneys and is not significantly affected by hydration status alone.
