NSG-3450: MENTAL HEALTH & CLINICAL MANAGEMENT 2026/2027 | 100% VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND WELL - EXPLAINED CORRECT ANSWERS |NEWEST VERSION (PASS
GUARANTEE)
1. A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which
assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Flat affect and social withdrawal
B. Statements of hopelessness about the future
C. Verbalization of a specific plan to commit suicide ✓
D. Decreased appetite and insomnia
Rationale: A specific suicide plan indicates immediate risk and requires prompt
intervention to ensure client safety.
2. Which therapeutic communication technique is most appropriate when a client
says, 'I feel like no one cares about me'?
A. 'Everyone feels that way sometimes.'
B. 'Tell me more about what you mean by that.' ✓
C. 'You should focus on the positives in your life.'
D. 'Your family told me they care very much.'
Rationale: Encouraging elaboration (broad opening) allows the client to
express feelings without minimizing or redirecting their concern.
3. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, manic phase. Which
nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Encourage group therapy participation
B. Provide a stimulating environment
C. Ensure adequate rest and nutrition ✓
D. Schedule long educational sessions
Rationale: During manic episodes, clients often neglect basic physiological
needs; ensuring rest and nutrition addresses the priority of physiological safety.
,4. A nurse is administering lithium carbonate to a client with bipolar disorder.
Which lab value should be monitored closely?
A. Blood glucose
B. Serum lithium level ✓
C. Liver function tests
D. White blood cell count
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index (0.6–1.2 mEq/L), and serum
levels must be monitored regularly to prevent toxicity.
5. Which symptom is characteristic of lithium toxicity?
A. Hypertension and bradycardia
B. Coarse tremors, confusion, and ataxia ✓
C. Dry mouth and urinary retention
D. Increased appetite and weight loss
Rationale: Coarse tremors, confusion, and ataxia are classic signs of lithium
toxicity, which can progress to seizures and coma if untreated.
6. A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices telling him to harm himself.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Document the report in the medical record
B. Administer prescribed antipsychotic medication
C. Assess the client's safety and initiate precautions ✓
D. Encourage the client to ignore the voices
Rationale: Command hallucinations with self-harm content require immediate
safety assessment and implementation of protective measures.
7. Which positive symptom is most commonly associated with schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Avolition
C. Auditory hallucinations ✓
D. Alogia
Rationale: Auditory hallucinations are the most common positive (added)
symptom in schizophrenia, present in the majority of affected individuals.
8. A nurse observes a client pacing rapidly, clenching fists, and raising their voice.
Using the aggression cycle, what phase is the client in?
A. Recovery phase
, B. Escalation phase ✓
C. Crisis phase
D. Post-crisis phase
Rationale: Pacing, fist-clenching, and raised voice indicate the escalation
phase, during which de-escalation interventions are most effective.
9. Which medication is classified as a first-generation (typical) antipsychotic?
A. Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
B. Risperidone (Risperdal)
C. Haloperidol (Haldol) ✓
D. Quetiapine (Seroquel)
Rationale: Haloperidol is a typical (first-generation) antipsychotic that
primarily blocks D2 dopamine receptors.
10. A client receiving haloperidol develops muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, and
autonomic instability. The nurse should suspect which condition?
A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Akathisia
C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome ✓
D. Pseudoparkinsonism
Rationale: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but life-
threatening reaction to antipsychotics characterized by hyperthermia, rigidity,
and autonomic dysfunction.
11. Which nursing diagnosis is the priority for a client in acute alcohol
withdrawal?
A. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
B. Risk for injury related to seizures ✓
C. Ineffective coping related to alcohol dependence
D. Social isolation related to substance use
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal can cause life-threatening seizures and delirium
tremens; preventing injury is the priority.
12. A client with anxiety disorder states, 'My heart is pounding and I can't breathe.'
The nurse recognizes this as which level of anxiety?
A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
, D. Panic ✓
Rationale: Palpitations and inability to breathe reflect panic-level anxiety, the
most severe form, which requires immediate intervention.
13. Which intervention is most appropriate for a client experiencing a panic attack?
A. Leave the client alone to minimize stimulation
B. Stay with the client and speak in a calm, reassuring voice ✓
C. Encourage the client to hyperventilate to release tension
D. Provide detailed education about anxiety
Rationale: Remaining with the client and using a calm voice provides
reassurance, decreases stimulation, and helps de-escalate the panic response.
14. A nurse is caring for a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who
performs hand-washing rituals. Which approach is most therapeutic?
A. Physically restrain the client from performing rituals
B. Ignore the behavior to prevent reinforcing it
C. Allow rituals initially while working toward reduction ✓
D. Shame the client about the time wasted on rituals
Rationale: Abrupt elimination of rituals increases anxiety; a graduated
approach allows therapeutic progress while maintaining client safety.
15. Which class of medications is considered first-line pharmacotherapy for post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. Mood stabilizers
C. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) ✓
D. Tricyclic antidepressants
Rationale: SSRIs (e.g., sertraline, paroxetine) are FDA-approved first-line
treatments for PTSD due to their efficacy and tolerability profile.
16. A client with anorexia nervosa has a BMI of 16. Which nursing action is the
priority?
A. Encourage the client to verbalize feelings about body image
B. Monitor vital signs and electrolyte levels ✓
C. Weigh the client twice daily
D. Educate the client about caloric intake
QUESTIONS AND WELL - EXPLAINED CORRECT ANSWERS |NEWEST VERSION (PASS
GUARANTEE)
1. A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which
assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Flat affect and social withdrawal
B. Statements of hopelessness about the future
C. Verbalization of a specific plan to commit suicide ✓
D. Decreased appetite and insomnia
Rationale: A specific suicide plan indicates immediate risk and requires prompt
intervention to ensure client safety.
2. Which therapeutic communication technique is most appropriate when a client
says, 'I feel like no one cares about me'?
A. 'Everyone feels that way sometimes.'
B. 'Tell me more about what you mean by that.' ✓
C. 'You should focus on the positives in your life.'
D. 'Your family told me they care very much.'
Rationale: Encouraging elaboration (broad opening) allows the client to
express feelings without minimizing or redirecting their concern.
3. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, manic phase. Which
nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Encourage group therapy participation
B. Provide a stimulating environment
C. Ensure adequate rest and nutrition ✓
D. Schedule long educational sessions
Rationale: During manic episodes, clients often neglect basic physiological
needs; ensuring rest and nutrition addresses the priority of physiological safety.
,4. A nurse is administering lithium carbonate to a client with bipolar disorder.
Which lab value should be monitored closely?
A. Blood glucose
B. Serum lithium level ✓
C. Liver function tests
D. White blood cell count
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index (0.6–1.2 mEq/L), and serum
levels must be monitored regularly to prevent toxicity.
5. Which symptom is characteristic of lithium toxicity?
A. Hypertension and bradycardia
B. Coarse tremors, confusion, and ataxia ✓
C. Dry mouth and urinary retention
D. Increased appetite and weight loss
Rationale: Coarse tremors, confusion, and ataxia are classic signs of lithium
toxicity, which can progress to seizures and coma if untreated.
6. A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices telling him to harm himself.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Document the report in the medical record
B. Administer prescribed antipsychotic medication
C. Assess the client's safety and initiate precautions ✓
D. Encourage the client to ignore the voices
Rationale: Command hallucinations with self-harm content require immediate
safety assessment and implementation of protective measures.
7. Which positive symptom is most commonly associated with schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Avolition
C. Auditory hallucinations ✓
D. Alogia
Rationale: Auditory hallucinations are the most common positive (added)
symptom in schizophrenia, present in the majority of affected individuals.
8. A nurse observes a client pacing rapidly, clenching fists, and raising their voice.
Using the aggression cycle, what phase is the client in?
A. Recovery phase
, B. Escalation phase ✓
C. Crisis phase
D. Post-crisis phase
Rationale: Pacing, fist-clenching, and raised voice indicate the escalation
phase, during which de-escalation interventions are most effective.
9. Which medication is classified as a first-generation (typical) antipsychotic?
A. Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
B. Risperidone (Risperdal)
C. Haloperidol (Haldol) ✓
D. Quetiapine (Seroquel)
Rationale: Haloperidol is a typical (first-generation) antipsychotic that
primarily blocks D2 dopamine receptors.
10. A client receiving haloperidol develops muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, and
autonomic instability. The nurse should suspect which condition?
A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Akathisia
C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome ✓
D. Pseudoparkinsonism
Rationale: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but life-
threatening reaction to antipsychotics characterized by hyperthermia, rigidity,
and autonomic dysfunction.
11. Which nursing diagnosis is the priority for a client in acute alcohol
withdrawal?
A. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
B. Risk for injury related to seizures ✓
C. Ineffective coping related to alcohol dependence
D. Social isolation related to substance use
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal can cause life-threatening seizures and delirium
tremens; preventing injury is the priority.
12. A client with anxiety disorder states, 'My heart is pounding and I can't breathe.'
The nurse recognizes this as which level of anxiety?
A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
, D. Panic ✓
Rationale: Palpitations and inability to breathe reflect panic-level anxiety, the
most severe form, which requires immediate intervention.
13. Which intervention is most appropriate for a client experiencing a panic attack?
A. Leave the client alone to minimize stimulation
B. Stay with the client and speak in a calm, reassuring voice ✓
C. Encourage the client to hyperventilate to release tension
D. Provide detailed education about anxiety
Rationale: Remaining with the client and using a calm voice provides
reassurance, decreases stimulation, and helps de-escalate the panic response.
14. A nurse is caring for a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who
performs hand-washing rituals. Which approach is most therapeutic?
A. Physically restrain the client from performing rituals
B. Ignore the behavior to prevent reinforcing it
C. Allow rituals initially while working toward reduction ✓
D. Shame the client about the time wasted on rituals
Rationale: Abrupt elimination of rituals increases anxiety; a graduated
approach allows therapeutic progress while maintaining client safety.
15. Which class of medications is considered first-line pharmacotherapy for post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. Mood stabilizers
C. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) ✓
D. Tricyclic antidepressants
Rationale: SSRIs (e.g., sertraline, paroxetine) are FDA-approved first-line
treatments for PTSD due to their efficacy and tolerability profile.
16. A client with anorexia nervosa has a BMI of 16. Which nursing action is the
priority?
A. Encourage the client to verbalize feelings about body image
B. Monitor vital signs and electrolyte levels ✓
C. Weigh the client twice daily
D. Educate the client about caloric intake
