NUR 252 Mental Health Nursing Full Course Exam 2026 |Galen College
1. A nurse is communicating with a client who is depressed. The client states,
‘I’m no good to anyone anymore.’ Which response is the most therapeutic?
A. ‘Why do you feel that way today?’
B. ‘I am sure your family loves you very much.’
C. ‘You sound as if you are feeling very discouraged right now.’
D. ‘Everyone has bad days once in a while.’
Answer: C
Rationale: Reflecting the client’s feelings is therapeutic as it validates their experience
without being dismissive or asking ‘why’ questions.
2. In the nurse-client relationship, which phase is focused on establishing
boundaries and the contract for meeting?
A. Orientation Phase
B. Working Phase
C. Termination Phase
D. Pre-interaction Phase
Answer: A
Rationale: The Orientation Phase involves establishing the terms of the relationship,
rapport, and setting goals.
,3. A nurse identifies that a client is using the defense mechanism of
‘displacement.’ Which behavior matches this?
A. A woman who was mugged cannot remember any details of the event.
B. A man who is angry at his boss comes home and yells at his wife.
C. A person with an alcohol use disorder says they only drink to be social.
D. An angry student performs exceptionally well in sports to release tension.
Answer: B
Rationale: Displacement is the transfer of feelings from one target to another that is
considered less threatening.
4. A client is admitted involuntarily to a psychiatric unit. Which right does this
client still maintain?
A. The right to leave the hospital at any time.
B. The right to ignore all unit rules.
C. The right to carry personal weapons.
D. The right to refuse psychotropic medications.
Answer: D
Rationale: Involuntary admission does not automatically take away the right to refuse
treatment, including medications, unless there is a court order or an emergency.
5. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which assessment finding should
the nurse prioritize?
A. The client reports feeling lonely.
B. The client is refusing to eat or drink.
C. The client lacks self-esteem.
D. The client wants to find a job.
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiological needs (food, water, air) must be met before higher-level needs
like safety or belonging.
,6. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is experiencing auditory
hallucinations. What is the priority intervention?
A. Ask the client what the voices are saying.
B. Tell the client that the voices are not real.
C. Leave the client alone to rest in a dark room.
D. Agree with the client so they feel understood.
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse must assess for ‘command hallucinations’ to ensure the safety of the
client and others.
7. Which medication is considered a first-line treatment for Depression?
A. Haloperidol
B. Lithium Carbonate
C. Lorazepam
D. Sertraline
Answer: D
Rationale: Sertraline is an SSRI, which is the first-line pharmacological treatment for
depression due to a favorable side effect profile.
8. A client taking a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) should avoid which
food?
A. Fresh apples
B. Cottage cheese
C. Aged cheddar cheese
D. Baked chicken
Answer: C
Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods (like aged cheese) to cause a
hypertensive crisis.
, 9. What is the therapeutic blood level range for Lithium Carbonate?
A. 0.6 - 1.2 mEq/L
B. 0.2 - 0.5 mEq/L
C. 1.5 - 2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.5 - 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is narrow, typically 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels
above 1.5 are considered toxic.
10. A client is in the manic phase of Bipolar Disorder. Which meal is most
appropriate?
A. Steak and potatoes
B. Soup and crackers
C. Spaghetti and meatballs
D. A cheeseburger and an apple
Answer: D
Rationale: Clients in a manic state benefit from ‘finger foods’ that allow them to eat while
moving.
11. A nurse is assessing a client for Serotonin Syndrome. Which symptom is
expected?
A. Hypothermia
B. Muscle rigidity and hyperreflexia
C. Bradycardia
D. Constipation
Answer: B
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome symptoms include hyperreflexia, tachycardia, fever, and
agitation.
1. A nurse is communicating with a client who is depressed. The client states,
‘I’m no good to anyone anymore.’ Which response is the most therapeutic?
A. ‘Why do you feel that way today?’
B. ‘I am sure your family loves you very much.’
C. ‘You sound as if you are feeling very discouraged right now.’
D. ‘Everyone has bad days once in a while.’
Answer: C
Rationale: Reflecting the client’s feelings is therapeutic as it validates their experience
without being dismissive or asking ‘why’ questions.
2. In the nurse-client relationship, which phase is focused on establishing
boundaries and the contract for meeting?
A. Orientation Phase
B. Working Phase
C. Termination Phase
D. Pre-interaction Phase
Answer: A
Rationale: The Orientation Phase involves establishing the terms of the relationship,
rapport, and setting goals.
,3. A nurse identifies that a client is using the defense mechanism of
‘displacement.’ Which behavior matches this?
A. A woman who was mugged cannot remember any details of the event.
B. A man who is angry at his boss comes home and yells at his wife.
C. A person with an alcohol use disorder says they only drink to be social.
D. An angry student performs exceptionally well in sports to release tension.
Answer: B
Rationale: Displacement is the transfer of feelings from one target to another that is
considered less threatening.
4. A client is admitted involuntarily to a psychiatric unit. Which right does this
client still maintain?
A. The right to leave the hospital at any time.
B. The right to ignore all unit rules.
C. The right to carry personal weapons.
D. The right to refuse psychotropic medications.
Answer: D
Rationale: Involuntary admission does not automatically take away the right to refuse
treatment, including medications, unless there is a court order or an emergency.
5. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which assessment finding should
the nurse prioritize?
A. The client reports feeling lonely.
B. The client is refusing to eat or drink.
C. The client lacks self-esteem.
D. The client wants to find a job.
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiological needs (food, water, air) must be met before higher-level needs
like safety or belonging.
,6. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is experiencing auditory
hallucinations. What is the priority intervention?
A. Ask the client what the voices are saying.
B. Tell the client that the voices are not real.
C. Leave the client alone to rest in a dark room.
D. Agree with the client so they feel understood.
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse must assess for ‘command hallucinations’ to ensure the safety of the
client and others.
7. Which medication is considered a first-line treatment for Depression?
A. Haloperidol
B. Lithium Carbonate
C. Lorazepam
D. Sertraline
Answer: D
Rationale: Sertraline is an SSRI, which is the first-line pharmacological treatment for
depression due to a favorable side effect profile.
8. A client taking a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) should avoid which
food?
A. Fresh apples
B. Cottage cheese
C. Aged cheddar cheese
D. Baked chicken
Answer: C
Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods (like aged cheese) to cause a
hypertensive crisis.
, 9. What is the therapeutic blood level range for Lithium Carbonate?
A. 0.6 - 1.2 mEq/L
B. 0.2 - 0.5 mEq/L
C. 1.5 - 2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.5 - 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is narrow, typically 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels
above 1.5 are considered toxic.
10. A client is in the manic phase of Bipolar Disorder. Which meal is most
appropriate?
A. Steak and potatoes
B. Soup and crackers
C. Spaghetti and meatballs
D. A cheeseburger and an apple
Answer: D
Rationale: Clients in a manic state benefit from ‘finger foods’ that allow them to eat while
moving.
11. A nurse is assessing a client for Serotonin Syndrome. Which symptom is
expected?
A. Hypothermia
B. Muscle rigidity and hyperreflexia
C. Bradycardia
D. Constipation
Answer: B
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome symptoms include hyperreflexia, tachycardia, fever, and
agitation.
