Mental Health Nursing (NUR 252) Final Exam Version 3 2026 |Galen
College
1. A nurse is communicating with a client who is distressed. Which technique is
an example of therapeutic communication?
A. Giving advice on how to solve the problem
B. Changing the subject to something more cheerful
C. Using silence to allow the client to reflect
D. Asking ‘Why’ questions to understand the cause
Answer: C
Rationale: Silence allows the client time to process thoughts and feelings. Advice, changing
the subject, and ‘why’ questions are considered non-therapeutic barriers.
2. 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
Answer: D
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.
,3. 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
Answer: C
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of SSRIs. Hypertensive crises are
associated with MAOIs, and dystonia is associated with antipsychotics.
4. 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
Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L
are considered toxic.
5. 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
Answer: B
Rationale: Negative symptoms refer to the loss or absence of normal functions, such as
avolition (lack of motivation) and poor hygiene.
, 6. What is the primary nursing intervention for a client experiencing a panic
attack?
A. Ask the client to explain the cause of the panic
B. Leave the client alone to allow them space
C. Stay with the client and maintain a calm demeanor
D. Encourage the client to join a group activity
Answer: C
Rationale: Staying with the client provides a sense of safety and security during the peak
of anxiety.
7. 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
Answer: D
Rationale: Splitting is a common defense mechanism in Borderline Personality Disorder
where individuals view others as all good or all bad.
8. A client is undergoing alcohol withdrawal. Which medication is most likely to
be prescribed to prevent seizures?
A. Chlordiazepoxide
B. Methadone
C. Disulfiram
D. Naloxone
Answer: A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide are the gold standard for managing
alcohol withdrawal symptoms and preventing seizures.
College
1. A nurse is communicating with a client who is distressed. Which technique is
an example of therapeutic communication?
A. Giving advice on how to solve the problem
B. Changing the subject to something more cheerful
C. Using silence to allow the client to reflect
D. Asking ‘Why’ questions to understand the cause
Answer: C
Rationale: Silence allows the client time to process thoughts and feelings. Advice, changing
the subject, and ‘why’ questions are considered non-therapeutic barriers.
2. 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
Answer: D
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.
,3. 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
Answer: C
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of SSRIs. Hypertensive crises are
associated with MAOIs, and dystonia is associated with antipsychotics.
4. 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
Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L
are considered toxic.
5. 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
Answer: B
Rationale: Negative symptoms refer to the loss or absence of normal functions, such as
avolition (lack of motivation) and poor hygiene.
, 6. What is the primary nursing intervention for a client experiencing a panic
attack?
A. Ask the client to explain the cause of the panic
B. Leave the client alone to allow them space
C. Stay with the client and maintain a calm demeanor
D. Encourage the client to join a group activity
Answer: C
Rationale: Staying with the client provides a sense of safety and security during the peak
of anxiety.
7. 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
Answer: D
Rationale: Splitting is a common defense mechanism in Borderline Personality Disorder
where individuals view others as all good or all bad.
8. A client is undergoing alcohol withdrawal. Which medication is most likely to
be prescribed to prevent seizures?
A. Chlordiazepoxide
B. Methadone
C. Disulfiram
D. Naloxone
Answer: A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide are the gold standard for managing
alcohol withdrawal symptoms and preventing seizures.
