NUR253 Exam 2 V2 | NUR 253 Mental
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College
of Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder who is experiencing a manic episode.
Which of the following activities is most appropriate for this client?
A. A game of competitive basketball
B. Participating in a group debate
C. Watching a high-action movie in the dayroom
D. Walking around the unit with a staff member
Answer: D
Rationale: Clients in a manic state require activities that involve gross motor movement
but are not overly stimulating or competitive. Walking provides a physical outlet without
the high stimulation of groups or competition.
2. A client is prescribed lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor most closely to prevent toxicity?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum glucose
C. Serum calcium
,D. Serum sodium
Answer: D
Rationale: Lithium is a salt, and its excretion is closely tied to sodium levels. Low sodium
levels can lead to decreased lithium excretion and increased risk of lithium toxicity.
3. The nurse is assessing a client taking haloperidol and notes that the client is experiencing
involuntary tongue protrusion and smacking of the lips. What is the most likely cause?
A. Akathisia
B. Pseudoparkinsonism
C. Acute dystonia
D. Tardive dyskinesia
Answer: D
Rationale: Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary movements of the tongue,
face, and extremities and is a potential late-onset side effect of long-term antipsychotic use.
4. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia says, ‘The FBI is monitoring my thoughts through the
television.’ Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. ‘The FBI is not interested in your thoughts.’
B. ‘Why do you think the FBI is targeting you?’
C. ‘How would they be able to do that?’
D. ‘That sounds frightening. I don’t see any evidence of that, but I believe you are scared.’
, Answer: D
Rationale: Therapeutic communication for delusions involves acknowledging the client’s
feelings and presenting reality without arguing or belittling the client’s experience.
5. Which medication requires regular monitoring of the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) due
to the risk of agranulocytosis?
A. Risperidone
B. Quetiapine
C. Clozapine
D. Olanzapine
Answer: C
Rationale: Clozapine is associated with a risk of life-threatening agranulocytosis, requiring
frequent blood draws to monitor white blood cell and neutrophil counts.
6. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. The nurse understands
that this disorder is characterized by:
A. A combination of psychotic and mood symptoms.
B. Only mood disorder symptoms.
C. Only symptoms of schizophrenia.
D. Personality changes without psychosis.
Answer: A
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College
of Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder who is experiencing a manic episode.
Which of the following activities is most appropriate for this client?
A. A game of competitive basketball
B. Participating in a group debate
C. Watching a high-action movie in the dayroom
D. Walking around the unit with a staff member
Answer: D
Rationale: Clients in a manic state require activities that involve gross motor movement
but are not overly stimulating or competitive. Walking provides a physical outlet without
the high stimulation of groups or competition.
2. A client is prescribed lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor most closely to prevent toxicity?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum glucose
C. Serum calcium
,D. Serum sodium
Answer: D
Rationale: Lithium is a salt, and its excretion is closely tied to sodium levels. Low sodium
levels can lead to decreased lithium excretion and increased risk of lithium toxicity.
3. The nurse is assessing a client taking haloperidol and notes that the client is experiencing
involuntary tongue protrusion and smacking of the lips. What is the most likely cause?
A. Akathisia
B. Pseudoparkinsonism
C. Acute dystonia
D. Tardive dyskinesia
Answer: D
Rationale: Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary movements of the tongue,
face, and extremities and is a potential late-onset side effect of long-term antipsychotic use.
4. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia says, ‘The FBI is monitoring my thoughts through the
television.’ Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. ‘The FBI is not interested in your thoughts.’
B. ‘Why do you think the FBI is targeting you?’
C. ‘How would they be able to do that?’
D. ‘That sounds frightening. I don’t see any evidence of that, but I believe you are scared.’
, Answer: D
Rationale: Therapeutic communication for delusions involves acknowledging the client’s
feelings and presenting reality without arguing or belittling the client’s experience.
5. Which medication requires regular monitoring of the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) due
to the risk of agranulocytosis?
A. Risperidone
B. Quetiapine
C. Clozapine
D. Olanzapine
Answer: C
Rationale: Clozapine is associated with a risk of life-threatening agranulocytosis, requiring
frequent blood draws to monitor white blood cell and neutrophil counts.
6. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. The nurse understands
that this disorder is characterized by:
A. A combination of psychotic and mood symptoms.
B. Only mood disorder symptoms.
C. Only symptoms of schizophrenia.
D. Personality changes without psychosis.
Answer: A
