Kaplan Mental Health exam verified with correct answers with rationales
2026/2027 instant pdf
1. A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. The client reports difficulty sleeping.
B. The client refuses breakfast.
C. The client states, "Everyone would be better off without me."
D. The client has poor eye contact.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Statements suggesting hopelessness or suicidal thoughts require immediate
assessment of suicide risk and implementation of safety measures.
2. Which nursing intervention is the highest priority for a client admitted with
suicidal ideation?
A. Encourage journaling.
B. Initiate suicide precautions.
C. Discuss discharge planning.
D. Encourage participation in group therapy.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Client safety is always the highest priority. Suicide precautions reduce the immediate
risk of self-harm.
3. Which medication is classified as a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
(SSRI)?
A. Sertraline
B. Haloperidol
C. Lithium
D. Diazepam
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sertraline is an SSRI commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety disorders.
,4. A client taking sertraline should be informed that therapeutic effects may
take:
A. 2–6 weeks
B. 24 hours
C. 3 days
D. Immediately after the first dose
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs generally require several weeks before significant symptom improvement
occurs.
5. Which finding indicates serotonin syndrome?
A. Agitation, hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, and diarrhea
B. Bradycardia and hypothermia
C. Constipation and drowsiness only
D. Dry skin and hypotension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition requiring prompt
recognition and treatment.
6. Which medication is commonly used to treat bipolar disorder?
A. Lithium
B. Acetaminophen
C. Amoxicillin
D. Omeprazole
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium is a mood stabilizer used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
,7. A client taking lithium reports vomiting, tremors, and confusion. What should
the nurse suspect?
A. Lithium toxicity
B. Panic attack
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Migraine headache
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Gastrointestinal symptoms, tremors, and confusion are common signs of lithium
toxicity and require immediate evaluation.
8. Which laboratory value requires close monitoring in a client taking lithium?
A. Serum lithium level
B. Hemoglobin only
C. Platelet count only
D. Cholesterol level
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index and requires regular serum level monitoring.
9. Which statement by a client taking lithium indicates understanding of
discharge teaching?
A. "I will maintain consistent fluid and sodium intake."
B. "I will reduce my salt intake drastically."
C. "I'll stop taking lithium when I feel better."
D. "I should become dehydrated to improve the medication."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden changes in sodium or hydration can increase lithium levels and toxicity risk.
10. Which medication is commonly prescribed for schizophrenia?
, A. Risperidone
B. Ibuprofen
C. Prednisone
D. Metformin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia.
11. Which assessment finding is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Auditory hallucinations
B. Flat affect
C. Social withdrawal
D. Lack of motivation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hallucinations and delusions are positive symptoms because they add abnormal
experiences.
12. Which assessment finding is considered a negative symptom of
schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Delusions
C. Hallucinations
D. Disorganized speech
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Negative symptoms involve a reduction or absence of normal functioning.
13. A client says, "The television is sending me secret messages." This statement
is an example of:
A. Delusion
B. Hallucination
C. Illusion
D. Confabulation
2026/2027 instant pdf
1. A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. The client reports difficulty sleeping.
B. The client refuses breakfast.
C. The client states, "Everyone would be better off without me."
D. The client has poor eye contact.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Statements suggesting hopelessness or suicidal thoughts require immediate
assessment of suicide risk and implementation of safety measures.
2. Which nursing intervention is the highest priority for a client admitted with
suicidal ideation?
A. Encourage journaling.
B. Initiate suicide precautions.
C. Discuss discharge planning.
D. Encourage participation in group therapy.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Client safety is always the highest priority. Suicide precautions reduce the immediate
risk of self-harm.
3. Which medication is classified as a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
(SSRI)?
A. Sertraline
B. Haloperidol
C. Lithium
D. Diazepam
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sertraline is an SSRI commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety disorders.
,4. A client taking sertraline should be informed that therapeutic effects may
take:
A. 2–6 weeks
B. 24 hours
C. 3 days
D. Immediately after the first dose
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs generally require several weeks before significant symptom improvement
occurs.
5. Which finding indicates serotonin syndrome?
A. Agitation, hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, and diarrhea
B. Bradycardia and hypothermia
C. Constipation and drowsiness only
D. Dry skin and hypotension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition requiring prompt
recognition and treatment.
6. Which medication is commonly used to treat bipolar disorder?
A. Lithium
B. Acetaminophen
C. Amoxicillin
D. Omeprazole
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium is a mood stabilizer used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
,7. A client taking lithium reports vomiting, tremors, and confusion. What should
the nurse suspect?
A. Lithium toxicity
B. Panic attack
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Migraine headache
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Gastrointestinal symptoms, tremors, and confusion are common signs of lithium
toxicity and require immediate evaluation.
8. Which laboratory value requires close monitoring in a client taking lithium?
A. Serum lithium level
B. Hemoglobin only
C. Platelet count only
D. Cholesterol level
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index and requires regular serum level monitoring.
9. Which statement by a client taking lithium indicates understanding of
discharge teaching?
A. "I will maintain consistent fluid and sodium intake."
B. "I will reduce my salt intake drastically."
C. "I'll stop taking lithium when I feel better."
D. "I should become dehydrated to improve the medication."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden changes in sodium or hydration can increase lithium levels and toxicity risk.
10. Which medication is commonly prescribed for schizophrenia?
, A. Risperidone
B. Ibuprofen
C. Prednisone
D. Metformin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia.
11. Which assessment finding is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Auditory hallucinations
B. Flat affect
C. Social withdrawal
D. Lack of motivation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hallucinations and delusions are positive symptoms because they add abnormal
experiences.
12. Which assessment finding is considered a negative symptom of
schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Delusions
C. Hallucinations
D. Disorganized speech
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Negative symptoms involve a reduction or absence of normal functioning.
13. A client says, "The television is sending me secret messages." This statement
is an example of:
A. Delusion
B. Hallucination
C. Illusion
D. Confabulation
