NUR 2459 Mental and Behavioral Health
Nursing | Rasmussen
1. A client is diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Which of the following
symptoms is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Flashbacks and nightmares related to a specific trauma.
B. Sudden, intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms like chest pain.
C. Persistent, excessive worry about various everyday things for at least 6 months.
D. Repeated handwashing to alleviate distressing thoughts.
Answer: C
Rationale: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is defined by chronic and excessive worry that is
difficult to control and lasts for six months or longer. This worry usually involves multiple
life domains such as work, health, or finances. Unlike panic disorder, GAD worry is
persistent rather than episodic and lacks the acute physical intensity of a panic attack.
2. A patient taking Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder reports blurred vision, severe
diarrhea, and tremors. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Advise the patient to drink more water and reassess in one hour.
B. Withhold the medication and prepare for a serum lithium level test.
C. Administer the next scheduled dose as prescribed.
,D. Document the findings as common side effects of the medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: The symptoms of blurred vision, severe diarrhea, and tremors are classic signs
of lithium toxicity. Lithium has a very narrow therapeutic range, usually between 0.6 and
1.2 mEq/L. Any signs of toxicity require immediate intervention, including stopping the
drug and monitoring blood levels to prevent permanent organ damage or death.
3. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a client experiencing a panic-level
attack?
A. Stay with the client and use short, simple, and clear sentences.
B. Provide a detailed explanation of the physiological process of anxiety.
C. Encourage the client to discuss the cause of their anxiety in detail.
D. Leave the client alone in a quiet room to allow them to calm down.
Answer: A
Rationale: During a panic-level attack, a client’s perceptual field is severely limited,
making it impossible for them to process complex information. Staying with the client
ensures safety and provides a sense of security during a terrifying experience. Using short,
clear sentences helps the client follow directions when their cognitive functioning is
impaired.
, 4. A nurse is educating a client about a new prescription for Fluoxetine (Prozac). What
information is essential to include?
A. The medication will provide immediate relief of depressive symptoms.
B. You should stop the medication immediately if you feel better.
C. Full therapeutic effects may take 4 to 6 weeks to achieve.
D. A low-tyramine diet is necessary while taking this medication.
Answer: C
Rationale: Fluoxetine is an SSRI, and these medications typically require several weeks of
consistent use before the patient feels the full therapeutic effect. Patients should be warned
not to discontinue the drug abruptly to avoid withdrawal-like symptoms. Monitoring for
increased suicidal ideation is also critical during the initial weeks of therapy.
5. A client with Schizophrenia tells the nurse, ‘The FBI is monitoring my thoughts through the
television.’ How should the nurse respond?
A. It must be frightening to feel like you are being monitored.
B. Why would the FBI be interested in your thoughts?
C. I don’t see any FBI agents here; you are safe.
D. You know that is not true; let’s talk about something else.
Answer: A