NUR 252 Mental Health Nursing Exams 6–9 Bundle 2026 |Galen
College
1. A patient is prescribed Lithium for Bipolar Disorder. What is the maintenance
therapeutic range for blood levels?
A. 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
B. 0.1 to 0.5 mEq/L
C. 1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.5 to 3.5 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic maintenance range for Lithium is typically 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L.
Levels above 1.5 mEq/L can indicate toxicity.
2. Which life-threatening condition is characterized by high fever, muscle
rigidity, and autonomic instability in patients taking antipsychotics?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
C. Tardive Dyskinesia
D. Agranulocytosis
Answer: B
Rationale: NMS is a medical emergency associated with antipsychotic medication,
presenting with lead-pipe rigidity and hyperpyrexia.
,3. A patient taking an SSRI presents with confusion, sweating, tremors, and
hyperreflexia. The nurse suspects:
A. Hypertensive crisis
B. Anticholinergic crisis
C. Lithium toxicity
D. Serotonin Syndrome
Answer: D
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome occurs from over-accumulation of serotonin, causing
mental status changes and neuromuscular hyperactivity.
4. A client with Borderline Personality Disorder views the night nurse as
‘perfect’ and the day nurse as ‘evil.’ This is called:
A. Projection
B. Splitting
C. Rationalization
D. Idealization
Answer: B
Rationale: Splitting is a common defense mechanism in Borderline PD where individuals
cannot integrate positive and negative qualities of others.
5. Which lab test is most critical for a patient starting Clozapine (Clozaril)?
A. Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
B. White Blood Cell (WBC) count
C. Serum Creatinine
D. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis; therefore, regular monitoring of the
absolute neutrophil count and WBC count is required.
,6. In which phase of the nurse-client relationship are boundaries and goals
established?
A. Working Phase
B. Orientation Phase
C. Termination Phase
D. Pre-interaction Phase
Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase involves introducing roles, setting the contract, and
establishing parameters of the relationship.
7. A patient on a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) must avoid which of the
following foods?
A. Fresh apples
B. Chicken breast
C. Aged cheddar cheese
D. Cottage cheese
Answer: C
Rationale: Aged cheeses contain tyramine, which can cause a hypertensive crisis when
combined with MAOIs.
8. Irreversible involuntary movements of the tongue, face, and extremities
caused by long-term antipsychotic use is:
A. Akathisia
B. Dystonia
C. Pseudoparkinsonism
D. Tardive Dyskinesia
Answer: D
Rationale: Tardive Dyskinesia is a late-onset extrapyramidal symptom that can become
permanent even after stopping the medication.
, 9. A client is experiencing a panic level of anxiety. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Stay with the client and use short, simple sentences
B. Teach the client new coping skills
C. Ask the client to explain why they are anxious
D. Leave the client alone to allow them to calm down
Answer: A
Rationale: During panic-level anxiety, the nurse must ensure safety, remain with the client,
and use clear, concise communication.
10. What is the most common side effect reported by patients after receiving
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?
A. Permanent personality changes
B. Temporary memory loss and confusion
C. Severe hypotension
D. Hair loss
Answer: B
Rationale: Short-term retrograde amnesia and post-ictal confusion are the most common
side effects of ECT.
11. A client reports a subjective feeling of inner restlessness and the urge to
move constantly. This is known as:
A. Akathisia
B. Oculogyric crisis
C. Bradykinesia
D. Echolalia
Answer: A
Rationale: Akathisia is an extrapyramidal side effect characterized by motor restlessness
and inability to sit still.
College
1. A patient is prescribed Lithium for Bipolar Disorder. What is the maintenance
therapeutic range for blood levels?
A. 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
B. 0.1 to 0.5 mEq/L
C. 1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.5 to 3.5 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic maintenance range for Lithium is typically 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L.
Levels above 1.5 mEq/L can indicate toxicity.
2. Which life-threatening condition is characterized by high fever, muscle
rigidity, and autonomic instability in patients taking antipsychotics?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
C. Tardive Dyskinesia
D. Agranulocytosis
Answer: B
Rationale: NMS is a medical emergency associated with antipsychotic medication,
presenting with lead-pipe rigidity and hyperpyrexia.
,3. A patient taking an SSRI presents with confusion, sweating, tremors, and
hyperreflexia. The nurse suspects:
A. Hypertensive crisis
B. Anticholinergic crisis
C. Lithium toxicity
D. Serotonin Syndrome
Answer: D
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome occurs from over-accumulation of serotonin, causing
mental status changes and neuromuscular hyperactivity.
4. A client with Borderline Personality Disorder views the night nurse as
‘perfect’ and the day nurse as ‘evil.’ This is called:
A. Projection
B. Splitting
C. Rationalization
D. Idealization
Answer: B
Rationale: Splitting is a common defense mechanism in Borderline PD where individuals
cannot integrate positive and negative qualities of others.
5. Which lab test is most critical for a patient starting Clozapine (Clozaril)?
A. Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
B. White Blood Cell (WBC) count
C. Serum Creatinine
D. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis; therefore, regular monitoring of the
absolute neutrophil count and WBC count is required.
,6. In which phase of the nurse-client relationship are boundaries and goals
established?
A. Working Phase
B. Orientation Phase
C. Termination Phase
D. Pre-interaction Phase
Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase involves introducing roles, setting the contract, and
establishing parameters of the relationship.
7. A patient on a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) must avoid which of the
following foods?
A. Fresh apples
B. Chicken breast
C. Aged cheddar cheese
D. Cottage cheese
Answer: C
Rationale: Aged cheeses contain tyramine, which can cause a hypertensive crisis when
combined with MAOIs.
8. Irreversible involuntary movements of the tongue, face, and extremities
caused by long-term antipsychotic use is:
A. Akathisia
B. Dystonia
C. Pseudoparkinsonism
D. Tardive Dyskinesia
Answer: D
Rationale: Tardive Dyskinesia is a late-onset extrapyramidal symptom that can become
permanent even after stopping the medication.
, 9. A client is experiencing a panic level of anxiety. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Stay with the client and use short, simple sentences
B. Teach the client new coping skills
C. Ask the client to explain why they are anxious
D. Leave the client alone to allow them to calm down
Answer: A
Rationale: During panic-level anxiety, the nurse must ensure safety, remain with the client,
and use clear, concise communication.
10. What is the most common side effect reported by patients after receiving
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?
A. Permanent personality changes
B. Temporary memory loss and confusion
C. Severe hypotension
D. Hair loss
Answer: B
Rationale: Short-term retrograde amnesia and post-ictal confusion are the most common
side effects of ECT.
11. A client reports a subjective feeling of inner restlessness and the urge to
move constantly. This is known as:
A. Akathisia
B. Oculogyric crisis
C. Bradykinesia
D. Echolalia
Answer: A
Rationale: Akathisia is an extrapyramidal side effect characterized by motor restlessness
and inability to sit still.
