NUR253 Final Exam V2 | NUR 253 Mental
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College
of Nursing
1. A client is admitted involuntarily to a psychiatric unit. Which of the following statements is
true regarding the client’s rights?
A. The client loses the right to refuse psychotropic medications.
B. The client is no longer allowed to communicate with their legal counsel.
C. The client cannot file a legal challenge regarding their commitment.
D. The client retains the right to give informed consent for treatment.
Answer: D
Rationale: Even under involuntary admission, a client retains the right to informed
consent and the right to refuse medications unless a court has specifically ruled otherwise
or there is an immediate emergency. Involuntary commitment is primarily a restriction on
the client’s freedom to leave the facility. The nurse must continue to respect the client’s
autonomy and follow legal protocols for treatment.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has Schizophrenia and is experiencing auditory
hallucinations. Which question should the nurse prioritize?
A. How long have you been hearing these voices?
B. Do the voices sound like people you know?
,C. What are the voices telling you to do?
D. How many voices are you hearing right now?
Answer: C
Rationale: Safety is the highest priority when dealing with hallucinations in a psychiatric
setting. The nurse must determine if the client is experiencing command hallucinations that
might instruct them to harm themselves or others. Identifying the content of the
hallucination allows the nurse to implement appropriate safety precautions immediately.
3. A client taking Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder reports vomiting, blurred vision, and
tremors. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose of Lithium.
B. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake.
C. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
D. Request a referral for a physical therapist.
Answer: C
Rationale: Vomiting, blurred vision, and tremors are classic signs of Lithium toxicity,
which can be life-threatening. Lithium has a very narrow therapeutic range, typically
between 0.6 and 1.2 mEq/L. The nurse must stop the drug immediately and obtain a serum
lithium level to prevent further neurotoxicity or permanent damage.
, 4. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used when the nurse says, ‘You seem
to be feeling very frustrated today’?
A. Stating observations
B. Reflecting
C. Clarifying
D. Summarizing
Answer: A
Rationale: Stating observations involves verbalizing what the nurse perceives in the
client’s behavior or appearance. This technique helps start a conversation without making
the client feel defensive or interrogated. It encourages the client to confirm or deny the
observation and elaborate on their feelings.
5. A client is prescribed Phenelzine, an MAOI. Which food item should the nurse instruct the
client to avoid?
A. Fresh chicken breast
B. Aged cheddar cheese
C. Green leafy vegetables
D. Whole grain bread
Answer: B
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College
of Nursing
1. A client is admitted involuntarily to a psychiatric unit. Which of the following statements is
true regarding the client’s rights?
A. The client loses the right to refuse psychotropic medications.
B. The client is no longer allowed to communicate with their legal counsel.
C. The client cannot file a legal challenge regarding their commitment.
D. The client retains the right to give informed consent for treatment.
Answer: D
Rationale: Even under involuntary admission, a client retains the right to informed
consent and the right to refuse medications unless a court has specifically ruled otherwise
or there is an immediate emergency. Involuntary commitment is primarily a restriction on
the client’s freedom to leave the facility. The nurse must continue to respect the client’s
autonomy and follow legal protocols for treatment.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has Schizophrenia and is experiencing auditory
hallucinations. Which question should the nurse prioritize?
A. How long have you been hearing these voices?
B. Do the voices sound like people you know?
,C. What are the voices telling you to do?
D. How many voices are you hearing right now?
Answer: C
Rationale: Safety is the highest priority when dealing with hallucinations in a psychiatric
setting. The nurse must determine if the client is experiencing command hallucinations that
might instruct them to harm themselves or others. Identifying the content of the
hallucination allows the nurse to implement appropriate safety precautions immediately.
3. A client taking Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder reports vomiting, blurred vision, and
tremors. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose of Lithium.
B. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake.
C. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
D. Request a referral for a physical therapist.
Answer: C
Rationale: Vomiting, blurred vision, and tremors are classic signs of Lithium toxicity,
which can be life-threatening. Lithium has a very narrow therapeutic range, typically
between 0.6 and 1.2 mEq/L. The nurse must stop the drug immediately and obtain a serum
lithium level to prevent further neurotoxicity or permanent damage.
, 4. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used when the nurse says, ‘You seem
to be feeling very frustrated today’?
A. Stating observations
B. Reflecting
C. Clarifying
D. Summarizing
Answer: A
Rationale: Stating observations involves verbalizing what the nurse perceives in the
client’s behavior or appearance. This technique helps start a conversation without making
the client feel defensive or interrogated. It encourages the client to confirm or deny the
observation and elaborate on their feelings.
5. A client is prescribed Phenelzine, an MAOI. Which food item should the nurse instruct the
client to avoid?
A. Fresh chicken breast
B. Aged cheddar cheese
C. Green leafy vegetables
D. Whole grain bread
Answer: B
