NURS 354 - ADVANCED PSYCHIATRIC-
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING QUIZ 1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient taking Haloperidol for schizophrenia develops a high fever, muscle rigidity, and
tachycardia. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
C. Acute Dystonic Reaction
D. Tardive Dyskinesia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a life-threatening idiosyncratic reaction to antipsychotics
characterized by high fever, lead-pipe muscle rigidity, autonomic instability, and altered
mental status.
2. A client with Bipolar I Disorder is in the manic phase. Which meal choice is most
appropriate for this patient?
A. Steak and mashed potatoes
B. Cheeseburger and an apple
,C. Chicken soup and crackers
D. Spaghetti with meatballs
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Patients in mania require high-calorie ‘finger foods’ that they
can eat while moving, as they often cannot sit long enough for a formal meal.
3. Which electrolyte imbalance is the most critical risk for a patient taking Lithium Carbonate?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium is a salt; low sodium levels cause the kidneys to retain
lithium, leading to toxic levels in the blood.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient starting Clozapine. Which laboratory result must be
monitored weekly for the first six months?
A. Serum Glucose
B. Liver Function Tests
C. White Blood Cell (WBC) count
, D. Creatinine Clearance
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis (dangerously low
WBC/ANC), requiring strict hematological monitoring.
5. A patient describes feeling as though their skin is crawling with bugs, though none are
present. How should the nurse document this?
A. Visual hallucination
B. Tactile hallucination
C. Olfactory hallucination
D. Gustatory hallucination
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Tactile hallucinations involve the false perception of touch or
physical sensation on the skin.
6. Which defense mechanism is a client using when they yell at their spouse because they are
angry with their boss?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Reaction Formation
D. Displacement
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING QUIZ 1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient taking Haloperidol for schizophrenia develops a high fever, muscle rigidity, and
tachycardia. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
C. Acute Dystonic Reaction
D. Tardive Dyskinesia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a life-threatening idiosyncratic reaction to antipsychotics
characterized by high fever, lead-pipe muscle rigidity, autonomic instability, and altered
mental status.
2. A client with Bipolar I Disorder is in the manic phase. Which meal choice is most
appropriate for this patient?
A. Steak and mashed potatoes
B. Cheeseburger and an apple
,C. Chicken soup and crackers
D. Spaghetti with meatballs
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Patients in mania require high-calorie ‘finger foods’ that they
can eat while moving, as they often cannot sit long enough for a formal meal.
3. Which electrolyte imbalance is the most critical risk for a patient taking Lithium Carbonate?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium is a salt; low sodium levels cause the kidneys to retain
lithium, leading to toxic levels in the blood.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient starting Clozapine. Which laboratory result must be
monitored weekly for the first six months?
A. Serum Glucose
B. Liver Function Tests
C. White Blood Cell (WBC) count
, D. Creatinine Clearance
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis (dangerously low
WBC/ANC), requiring strict hematological monitoring.
5. A patient describes feeling as though their skin is crawling with bugs, though none are
present. How should the nurse document this?
A. Visual hallucination
B. Tactile hallucination
C. Olfactory hallucination
D. Gustatory hallucination
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Tactile hallucinations involve the false perception of touch or
physical sensation on the skin.
6. Which defense mechanism is a client using when they yell at their spouse because they are
angry with their boss?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Reaction Formation
D. Displacement
