NUR 252 Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Bundle 2026 |Galen
College
1. A client is admitted for major depressive disorder. Which assessment finding
is the highest priority for the nurse to address?
A. The client mentions having a specific plan for suicide.
B. The client expresses feelings of worthlessness and guilt.
C. The client reports a lack of appetite and weight loss.
D. The client has stopped attending to personal hygiene.
Answer: A
Rationale: Safety is always the priority in mental health nursing. A specific suicide plan
indicates a high immediate risk of self-harm.
2. A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is
the most therapeutic response by the nurse?
A. Tell the voices to go away and leave you alone.
B. Why do you think the voices are talking to you right now?
C. I don’t hear the voices, but I understand they are real to you.
D. There are no voices; you are just imagining things.
Answer: C
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client’s reality without reinforcing the
hallucination, which is a key therapeutic communication technique.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder in a manic phase. Which
meal is most appropriate for this client?
A. A turkey sandwich and an apple.
B. A bowl of soup with crackers.
C. Steak with mashed potatoes and peas.
D. Spaghetti with meatballs and a salad.
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients in a manic state often cannot sit still to eat. ‘Finger foods’ that are high in
protein and calories allow them to eat while moving.
4. Which medication is commonly prescribed as a first-line treatment for
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A. Haloperidol
B. Lithium carbonate
C. Escitalopram
D. Chlorpromazine
Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs like Escitalopram are considered first-line treatments for long-term
management of GAD due to their safety profile and efficacy.
5. A client is prescribed Lithium for bipolar disorder. Which lab value should the
nurse monitor most closely to prevent toxicity?
A. Serum Sodium
B. Serum Potassium
C. Serum Calcium
D. Serum Magnesium
Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium is a salt. Low sodium levels can lead to decreased lithium excretion,
causing toxic levels to build up in the blood.
,6. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for Phenelzine (an
MAOI). Which food choice indicates the client understands the dietary
restrictions?
A. Pepperoni pizza
B. Fresh grilled chicken
C. Aged cheddar cheese
D. Red wine
Answer: B
Rationale: MAOIs require a low-tyramine diet to prevent hypertensive crisis. Fresh
chicken is low in tyramine, while aged cheeses, meats, and wine are high.
7. What is the primary goal of the ‘working phase’ of the nurse-client
relationship?
A. Establish trust and rapport.
B. Identify client goals and boundaries.
C. Summarize progress and end the relationship.
D. Promote problem-solving and change.
Answer: D
Rationale: The working phase focuses on active problem-solving, behavioral change, and
practicing new coping skills.
8. A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) spends hours washing
their hands. What is the initial nursing intervention?
A. Physically prevent the client from washing their hands.
B. Administer an immediate dose of an antipsychotic.
C. Tell the client that their hands are already clean.
D. Allow the client time for the ritual to decrease anxiety.
Answer: D
, Rationale: Initially, the nurse should allow the ritual because stopping it abruptly can
cause panic-level anxiety. Gradually, the time allowed for rituals is decreased.
9. Which defense mechanism is a client using when they redirect their anger
from their boss onto their spouse?
A. Sublimation
B. Displacement
C. Reaction Formation
D. Rationalization
Answer: B
Rationale: Displacement involves transferring emotions from a threatening or inaccessible
target to a less threatening one.
10. A client on an inpatient unit is becoming increasingly agitated and loud.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Call for help to put the client in restraints.
B. Move the client to a quiet area and use a calm voice.
C. Offer a PRN sedative medication.
D. Tell the client they will be secluded if they don’t stop.
Answer: B
Rationale: De-escalation using the least restrictive environment (a quiet area and calm
verbal intervention) is always the first step.
11. A client with Anorexia Nervosa is being admitted. Which physical finding is
most concerning?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Dry, yellowed skin
C. Presence of lanugo
D. Bradycardia and hypotension
Answer: D
College
1. A client is admitted for major depressive disorder. Which assessment finding
is the highest priority for the nurse to address?
A. The client mentions having a specific plan for suicide.
B. The client expresses feelings of worthlessness and guilt.
C. The client reports a lack of appetite and weight loss.
D. The client has stopped attending to personal hygiene.
Answer: A
Rationale: Safety is always the priority in mental health nursing. A specific suicide plan
indicates a high immediate risk of self-harm.
2. A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is
the most therapeutic response by the nurse?
A. Tell the voices to go away and leave you alone.
B. Why do you think the voices are talking to you right now?
C. I don’t hear the voices, but I understand they are real to you.
D. There are no voices; you are just imagining things.
Answer: C
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client’s reality without reinforcing the
hallucination, which is a key therapeutic communication technique.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder in a manic phase. Which
meal is most appropriate for this client?
A. A turkey sandwich and an apple.
B. A bowl of soup with crackers.
C. Steak with mashed potatoes and peas.
D. Spaghetti with meatballs and a salad.
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients in a manic state often cannot sit still to eat. ‘Finger foods’ that are high in
protein and calories allow them to eat while moving.
4. Which medication is commonly prescribed as a first-line treatment for
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A. Haloperidol
B. Lithium carbonate
C. Escitalopram
D. Chlorpromazine
Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs like Escitalopram are considered first-line treatments for long-term
management of GAD due to their safety profile and efficacy.
5. A client is prescribed Lithium for bipolar disorder. Which lab value should the
nurse monitor most closely to prevent toxicity?
A. Serum Sodium
B. Serum Potassium
C. Serum Calcium
D. Serum Magnesium
Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium is a salt. Low sodium levels can lead to decreased lithium excretion,
causing toxic levels to build up in the blood.
,6. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for Phenelzine (an
MAOI). Which food choice indicates the client understands the dietary
restrictions?
A. Pepperoni pizza
B. Fresh grilled chicken
C. Aged cheddar cheese
D. Red wine
Answer: B
Rationale: MAOIs require a low-tyramine diet to prevent hypertensive crisis. Fresh
chicken is low in tyramine, while aged cheeses, meats, and wine are high.
7. What is the primary goal of the ‘working phase’ of the nurse-client
relationship?
A. Establish trust and rapport.
B. Identify client goals and boundaries.
C. Summarize progress and end the relationship.
D. Promote problem-solving and change.
Answer: D
Rationale: The working phase focuses on active problem-solving, behavioral change, and
practicing new coping skills.
8. A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) spends hours washing
their hands. What is the initial nursing intervention?
A. Physically prevent the client from washing their hands.
B. Administer an immediate dose of an antipsychotic.
C. Tell the client that their hands are already clean.
D. Allow the client time for the ritual to decrease anxiety.
Answer: D
, Rationale: Initially, the nurse should allow the ritual because stopping it abruptly can
cause panic-level anxiety. Gradually, the time allowed for rituals is decreased.
9. Which defense mechanism is a client using when they redirect their anger
from their boss onto their spouse?
A. Sublimation
B. Displacement
C. Reaction Formation
D. Rationalization
Answer: B
Rationale: Displacement involves transferring emotions from a threatening or inaccessible
target to a less threatening one.
10. A client on an inpatient unit is becoming increasingly agitated and loud.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Call for help to put the client in restraints.
B. Move the client to a quiet area and use a calm voice.
C. Offer a PRN sedative medication.
D. Tell the client they will be secluded if they don’t stop.
Answer: B
Rationale: De-escalation using the least restrictive environment (a quiet area and calm
verbal intervention) is always the first step.
11. A client with Anorexia Nervosa is being admitted. Which physical finding is
most concerning?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Dry, yellowed skin
C. Presence of lanugo
D. Bradycardia and hypotension
Answer: D
