NU 309
Mental Health Nursing
Proctored Final Exam Review
(With Solutions)
2026
1
, Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
1. A 34-year-old patient with schizophrenia is experiencing
auditory hallucinations. Which nursing intervention is the most
effective for managing these symptoms? A) Encourage the
patient to isolate B) Distract patient with activities C) Confront
the patient about hallucinations D) Ignore the hallucinations
Answer: B Rationale: Distracting patients with hallucinations
helps divert attention and reduce distress.
2. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most commonly linked to
major depressive disorder? A) Increased dopamine B)
Decreased serotonin C) Increased acetylcholine D) Decreased
norepinephrine Answer: B Rationale: Low serotonin levels are
strongly associated with depression.
3. A patient on lithium therapy shows a sodium level of 130 mEq/L.
What is the nurse's priority action? A) Increase sodium intake B)
Report to the physician immediately C) Administer lithium dose
as usual D) Encourage fluid restriction Answer: B Rationale:
Hyponatremia increases lithium toxicity risk, requiring
immediate physician intervention.
4. Which cognitive-behavioral technique helps a patient reframe
negative thoughts? A) Thought stopping B) Reflective listening C)
Cognitive restructuring D) Progressive muscle relaxation
Answer: C Rationale: Cognitive restructuring targets and
changes maladaptive thoughts.
5. A patient with borderline personality disorder exhibits intense
fear of abandonment. Which boundary-setting approach is best
for the nurse? A) Inconsistent rules to keep patient engaged B)
Clear, consistent, and firm limits C) Avoid confrontation to
reduce anxiety D) Overmeet all the patient's needs Answer: B
Rationale: Consistent boundaries help manage intense
emotional swings.
True/False Questions:
6. Antipsychotics primarily target dopaminergic pathways to
2
Mental Health Nursing
Proctored Final Exam Review
(With Solutions)
2026
1
, Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
1. A 34-year-old patient with schizophrenia is experiencing
auditory hallucinations. Which nursing intervention is the most
effective for managing these symptoms? A) Encourage the
patient to isolate B) Distract patient with activities C) Confront
the patient about hallucinations D) Ignore the hallucinations
Answer: B Rationale: Distracting patients with hallucinations
helps divert attention and reduce distress.
2. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most commonly linked to
major depressive disorder? A) Increased dopamine B)
Decreased serotonin C) Increased acetylcholine D) Decreased
norepinephrine Answer: B Rationale: Low serotonin levels are
strongly associated with depression.
3. A patient on lithium therapy shows a sodium level of 130 mEq/L.
What is the nurse's priority action? A) Increase sodium intake B)
Report to the physician immediately C) Administer lithium dose
as usual D) Encourage fluid restriction Answer: B Rationale:
Hyponatremia increases lithium toxicity risk, requiring
immediate physician intervention.
4. Which cognitive-behavioral technique helps a patient reframe
negative thoughts? A) Thought stopping B) Reflective listening C)
Cognitive restructuring D) Progressive muscle relaxation
Answer: C Rationale: Cognitive restructuring targets and
changes maladaptive thoughts.
5. A patient with borderline personality disorder exhibits intense
fear of abandonment. Which boundary-setting approach is best
for the nurse? A) Inconsistent rules to keep patient engaged B)
Clear, consistent, and firm limits C) Avoid confrontation to
reduce anxiety D) Overmeet all the patient's needs Answer: B
Rationale: Consistent boundaries help manage intense
emotional swings.
True/False Questions:
6. Antipsychotics primarily target dopaminergic pathways to
2
