NR 326 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
EXAM 1 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. A nurse is caring for a client who was voluntarily admitted to the psychiatric unit. The client
requests to leave the facility against medical advice. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Immediately call security to prevent the client from leaving.
B. Assess the client’s current mental status and potential for self-harm or harm to others.
C. Initiate a physical restraint protocol to ensure client safety.
D. Inform the client that voluntary admission means they cannot leave for 72 hours.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: While voluntary clients have the right to leave, the nurse must
first assess if the client meets criteria for involuntary commitment due to danger to self or
others before allowing them to discharge against medical advice.
,2. During a nurse-client interaction, the client states, ‘I don’t think I can handle this anymore.’
The nurse responds, ‘You feel like things are becoming too difficult for you?’ Which
therapeutic technique is the nurse using?
A. Restating
B. Summarizing
C. Clarification
D. Reflection
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Reflection involves directing back the client’s feelings or ideas so
they may be recognized and accepted. Restating focuses more on the content, whereas
reflection focuses on the emotional underlying message.
3. A client is experiencing extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) including muscle rigidity and
tremors after starting Haloperidol. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Benztropine
B. Lorazepam
C. Fluoxetine
D. Donepezil
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to treat
extrapyramidal symptoms such as pseudoparkinsonism and dystonia caused by
antipsychotic medications.
4. In which phase of the nurse-client relationship does the nurse address the client’s
perception of their problems and begin to foster change in behavior?
A. Pre-interaction Phase
B. Working Phase
C. Orientation Phase
D. Termination Phase
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The Working Phase is where the nurse and client work toward
goals, implement interventions, and explore stressors and coping mechanisms to promote
insight and change.
5. A client has been prescribed Clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Which
laboratory result must be monitored weekly?
A. Serum Potassium
B. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
C. Creatinine Clearance
D. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
EXAM 1 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. A nurse is caring for a client who was voluntarily admitted to the psychiatric unit. The client
requests to leave the facility against medical advice. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Immediately call security to prevent the client from leaving.
B. Assess the client’s current mental status and potential for self-harm or harm to others.
C. Initiate a physical restraint protocol to ensure client safety.
D. Inform the client that voluntary admission means they cannot leave for 72 hours.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: While voluntary clients have the right to leave, the nurse must
first assess if the client meets criteria for involuntary commitment due to danger to self or
others before allowing them to discharge against medical advice.
,2. During a nurse-client interaction, the client states, ‘I don’t think I can handle this anymore.’
The nurse responds, ‘You feel like things are becoming too difficult for you?’ Which
therapeutic technique is the nurse using?
A. Restating
B. Summarizing
C. Clarification
D. Reflection
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Reflection involves directing back the client’s feelings or ideas so
they may be recognized and accepted. Restating focuses more on the content, whereas
reflection focuses on the emotional underlying message.
3. A client is experiencing extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) including muscle rigidity and
tremors after starting Haloperidol. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Benztropine
B. Lorazepam
C. Fluoxetine
D. Donepezil
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to treat
extrapyramidal symptoms such as pseudoparkinsonism and dystonia caused by
antipsychotic medications.
4. In which phase of the nurse-client relationship does the nurse address the client’s
perception of their problems and begin to foster change in behavior?
A. Pre-interaction Phase
B. Working Phase
C. Orientation Phase
D. Termination Phase
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The Working Phase is where the nurse and client work toward
goals, implement interventions, and explore stressors and coping mechanisms to promote
insight and change.
5. A client has been prescribed Clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Which
laboratory result must be monitored weekly?
A. Serum Potassium
B. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
C. Creatinine Clearance
D. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
