NR 326 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia says, ‘I saw the spiders crawling on the wall and
they are going to eat my brain.’ Which response by the nurse is the most therapeutic?
A. There are no spiders on the wall. You are just having a hallucination.
B. Why do you think the spiders want to eat your brain?
C. I don’t see any spiders, but I can see that you are very frightened.
D. Would you like me to kill the spiders for you so you feel safe?
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: This response acknowledges the patient’s feelings (validation)
while presenting reality without arguing or dismissing the patient’s experience.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking Clozapine. Which laboratory value should the
nurse prioritize monitoring to identify life-threatening adverse effects?
A. Serum Potassium levels
B. White Blood Cell (WBC) count
,C. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
D. Platelet count
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a severe reduction in
WBCs, which increases the risk of fatal infection. Weekly or bi-weekly monitoring is
mandatory.
3. Which legal principle is violated when a nurse threatens to place a competent client in
restraints because they refuse to take their morning medication?
A. Assault
B. Battery
C. False Imprisonment
D. Negligence
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Assault is an intentional threat to cause bodily harm. Since the
nurse threatened the client, it constitutes assault. Battery would involve actual physical
contact.
4. A client with Bipolar I disorder is in the manic phase. Which meal choice is most
appropriate for the nurse to provide?
A. Spaghetti and meatballs with a side salad
, B. Beef stew with a dinner roll and hot tea
C. Chicken fingers and an apple to eat on the go
D. A bowl of vegetable soup and crackers
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Manic clients are hyperactive and cannot sit down to eat. ‘Finger
foods’ that are high in protein and calories allow the client to eat while moving.
5. A nurse is assessing a client for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypothermia and bradycardia
B. Severe muscle rigidity and diaphoresis
C. Muscle flaccidity and hypotension
D. Increased appetite and sedation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a medical emergency characterized by high fever
(hyperpyrexia), severe muscle rigidity (‘lead-pipe’), tachycardia, and autonomic instability.
6. A client is admitted for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome. Which medication should the nurse
expect to administer first to prevent seizures?
A. Lorazepam
B. Disulfiram
MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia says, ‘I saw the spiders crawling on the wall and
they are going to eat my brain.’ Which response by the nurse is the most therapeutic?
A. There are no spiders on the wall. You are just having a hallucination.
B. Why do you think the spiders want to eat your brain?
C. I don’t see any spiders, but I can see that you are very frightened.
D. Would you like me to kill the spiders for you so you feel safe?
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: This response acknowledges the patient’s feelings (validation)
while presenting reality without arguing or dismissing the patient’s experience.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking Clozapine. Which laboratory value should the
nurse prioritize monitoring to identify life-threatening adverse effects?
A. Serum Potassium levels
B. White Blood Cell (WBC) count
,C. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
D. Platelet count
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a severe reduction in
WBCs, which increases the risk of fatal infection. Weekly or bi-weekly monitoring is
mandatory.
3. Which legal principle is violated when a nurse threatens to place a competent client in
restraints because they refuse to take their morning medication?
A. Assault
B. Battery
C. False Imprisonment
D. Negligence
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Assault is an intentional threat to cause bodily harm. Since the
nurse threatened the client, it constitutes assault. Battery would involve actual physical
contact.
4. A client with Bipolar I disorder is in the manic phase. Which meal choice is most
appropriate for the nurse to provide?
A. Spaghetti and meatballs with a side salad
, B. Beef stew with a dinner roll and hot tea
C. Chicken fingers and an apple to eat on the go
D. A bowl of vegetable soup and crackers
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Manic clients are hyperactive and cannot sit down to eat. ‘Finger
foods’ that are high in protein and calories allow the client to eat while moving.
5. A nurse is assessing a client for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypothermia and bradycardia
B. Severe muscle rigidity and diaphoresis
C. Muscle flaccidity and hypotension
D. Increased appetite and sedation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a medical emergency characterized by high fever
(hyperpyrexia), severe muscle rigidity (‘lead-pipe’), tachycardia, and autonomic instability.
6. A client is admitted for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome. Which medication should the nurse
expect to administer first to prevent seizures?
A. Lorazepam
B. Disulfiram
