NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 – GALEN COLLEGE |
CUMULATIVE & SPECIAL TOPICS | 150 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-
CHOICE | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
PART A: CUMULATIVE REVIEW
Questions 1-50
Review of Exams 1-3 Core Concepts
Question 1
A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The government is tracking me through my television." Which
type of delusion is this?
A) Grandiose delusion
B) Persecutory delusion
C) Somatic delusion
D) Nihilistic delusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Persecutory delusions involve the belief that one is being singled out for harm, harassment, or
surveillance. Grandiose delusions involve exaggerated beliefs of power or importance. Somatic delusions
involve beliefs about one's body. Nihilistic delusions involve the belief that one is dead or nonexistent.
Question 2
A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed fluoxetine. The nurse should monitor for which side
effect?
A) Hyponatremia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hyperkalemia
, NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 – GALEN COLLEGE |
CUMULATIVE & SPECIAL TOPICS | 150 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-
CHOICE | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine can cause hyponatremia, especially in older adults. This is due to SIADH
(Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone). The nurse should monitor sodium levels and assess for
confusion and lethargy.
Question 3
A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. Which finding indicates lithium toxicity?
A) Fine hand tremor
B) Increased thirst
C) Coarse tremor and nausea
D) Polyuria
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Coarse tremor, nausea, vomiting, and confusion are signs of lithium toxicity. Fine tremor,
increased thirst, and polyuria are common side effects of lithium at therapeutic levels. Lithium toxicity occurs
at levels >1.5 mEq/L.
Question 4
The nurse is caring for a client with generalized anxiety disorder. Which nursing intervention is most
therapeutic?
A) Encourage the client to avoid all anxiety-provoking situations
B) Help the client identify triggers and develop coping strategies
, NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 – GALEN COLLEGE |
CUMULATIVE & SPECIAL TOPICS | 150 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-
CHOICE | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
C) Tell the client to "stop worrying"
D) Administer PRN benzodiazepines immediately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Helping the client identify triggers and develop coping strategies is therapeutic. Avoidance
reinforces anxiety, telling the client to stop worrying is not helpful, and medication should not be the first
intervention.
Question 5
A client with PTSD is experiencing flashbacks. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Tell the client the flashback is not real
B) Help the client ground themselves in the present
C) Encourage detailed description of the flashback
D) Leave the client alone to process
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Grounding techniques help the client return to the present moment. Telling the client the flashback
is not real may increase distress. Encouraging detailed description may reinforce the flashback. Leaving the
client alone is not supportive.
Question 6
The nurse is assessing a client with antisocial personality disorder. Which finding is most consistent?
A) Fear of abandonment
, NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 – GALEN COLLEGE |
CUMULATIVE & SPECIAL TOPICS | 150 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-
CHOICE | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
B) Lack of remorse for actions
C) Preoccupation with rules
D) Social withdrawal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lack of remorse is a hallmark of antisocial personality disorder. Fear of abandonment is
characteristic of borderline personality disorder. Preoccupation with rules is OCPD. Social withdrawal is
avoidant personality disorder.
Question 7
A child with ADHD is prescribed methylphenidate. Which side effect should the nurse monitor for?
A) Insomnia
B) Weight gain
C) Bradycardia
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Methylphenidate is a stimulant that can cause insomnia and decreased appetite. It should be taken
in the morning. Weight gain, bradycardia, and hypoglycemia are not typical.
Question 8
A client with Alzheimer's disease is experiencing sundowning. Which intervention is most appropriate?
CUMULATIVE & SPECIAL TOPICS | 150 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-
CHOICE | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
PART A: CUMULATIVE REVIEW
Questions 1-50
Review of Exams 1-3 Core Concepts
Question 1
A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The government is tracking me through my television." Which
type of delusion is this?
A) Grandiose delusion
B) Persecutory delusion
C) Somatic delusion
D) Nihilistic delusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Persecutory delusions involve the belief that one is being singled out for harm, harassment, or
surveillance. Grandiose delusions involve exaggerated beliefs of power or importance. Somatic delusions
involve beliefs about one's body. Nihilistic delusions involve the belief that one is dead or nonexistent.
Question 2
A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed fluoxetine. The nurse should monitor for which side
effect?
A) Hyponatremia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hyperkalemia
, NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 – GALEN COLLEGE |
CUMULATIVE & SPECIAL TOPICS | 150 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-
CHOICE | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine can cause hyponatremia, especially in older adults. This is due to SIADH
(Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone). The nurse should monitor sodium levels and assess for
confusion and lethargy.
Question 3
A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. Which finding indicates lithium toxicity?
A) Fine hand tremor
B) Increased thirst
C) Coarse tremor and nausea
D) Polyuria
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Coarse tremor, nausea, vomiting, and confusion are signs of lithium toxicity. Fine tremor,
increased thirst, and polyuria are common side effects of lithium at therapeutic levels. Lithium toxicity occurs
at levels >1.5 mEq/L.
Question 4
The nurse is caring for a client with generalized anxiety disorder. Which nursing intervention is most
therapeutic?
A) Encourage the client to avoid all anxiety-provoking situations
B) Help the client identify triggers and develop coping strategies
, NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 – GALEN COLLEGE |
CUMULATIVE & SPECIAL TOPICS | 150 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-
CHOICE | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
C) Tell the client to "stop worrying"
D) Administer PRN benzodiazepines immediately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Helping the client identify triggers and develop coping strategies is therapeutic. Avoidance
reinforces anxiety, telling the client to stop worrying is not helpful, and medication should not be the first
intervention.
Question 5
A client with PTSD is experiencing flashbacks. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Tell the client the flashback is not real
B) Help the client ground themselves in the present
C) Encourage detailed description of the flashback
D) Leave the client alone to process
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Grounding techniques help the client return to the present moment. Telling the client the flashback
is not real may increase distress. Encouraging detailed description may reinforce the flashback. Leaving the
client alone is not supportive.
Question 6
The nurse is assessing a client with antisocial personality disorder. Which finding is most consistent?
A) Fear of abandonment
, NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 – GALEN COLLEGE |
CUMULATIVE & SPECIAL TOPICS | 150 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-
CHOICE | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
B) Lack of remorse for actions
C) Preoccupation with rules
D) Social withdrawal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lack of remorse is a hallmark of antisocial personality disorder. Fear of abandonment is
characteristic of borderline personality disorder. Preoccupation with rules is OCPD. Social withdrawal is
avoidant personality disorder.
Question 7
A child with ADHD is prescribed methylphenidate. Which side effect should the nurse monitor for?
A) Insomnia
B) Weight gain
C) Bradycardia
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Methylphenidate is a stimulant that can cause insomnia and decreased appetite. It should be taken
in the morning. Weight gain, bradycardia, and hypoglycemia are not typical.
Question 8
A client with Alzheimer's disease is experiencing sundowning. Which intervention is most appropriate?
