NSG 3450/ NSG3450 Exam 4 – Mental Health
Review| Galen (Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) 100%
Verified Questions & Answers | Grade A
Ace your next nursing exam with this comprehensive study guide. The NSG-3450
Mental Health Exam #4 package includes 100+ rigorous practice
questions and detailed Answers. Designed specifically for nursing students, this
resource helps you master complex psychiatric concepts, recognize clinical
symptoms, and understand the best nursing interventions.
Key Features
100+ Practice Questions: A massive bank of multiple-choice, select-all-that-apply
(SATA), and prioritization questions.
Exam-Style Formatting: Questions mirror the difficulty and style of standard
nursing school exams.
Instant Digital Access: Download and study immediately on any device,
anywhere.
Topics Covered
This exam prep targets the core psychiatric and mental health nursing concepts,
including:
Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
Mood and depressive disorders
Bipolar and related disorders
Personality disorders
Crisis intervention and suicide assessment
Psychopharmacology and medication side effects
Who Is This For?
Nursing Students enrolled in NSG-3450 or equivalent mental health courses.
NCLEX Candidates looking to strengthen their knowledge of psychiatric nursing.
Students who need to boost their critical thinking and test-taking skills.
1
,Q1. A patient with bipolar disorder has run out of lithium. According to the
source, which action is most appropriate to help this patient? [Multiple Choice]
A) Turn patient on their side
B) Get a drug test
C) Collect evidence
D) Prescription assistance/ medication adherence
Answer: Prescription assistance/ medication adherence
Explanation: Helping a patient who has run out of a chronic psychiatric medication involves
facilitating access to prescriptions and supporting medication adherence to prevent relapse. 'Turn
patient on their side' is emergency care for an unconscious patient on ecstasy. 'Get a drug test' is
used to identify substances in an unconscious patient. 'Collect evidence' is an action in forensic
care after sexual assault; none of these address medication access.
Q2. According to the source, which phrase best fits Cluster C personality
disorders? [Multiple Choice]
A) Dramatic, emotional, or erratic
B) Fearful, anxious
C) Risky behaviors
D) Eccentric or odd
Answer: Fearful, anxious
Explanation: Cluster C disorders are primarily characterized by fearful and anxious traits (e.g.,
avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive personality features). 'Dramatic, emotional, or
erratic' describes Cluster B. 'Eccentric or odd' describes Cluster A. 'Risky behaviors' are associated
with antisocial traits rather than Cluster C.
Q3. After a patient reports a sexual assault but refuses photographs, what action
does the source instruct? [Multiple Choice]
A) Do not take the pictures
B) Order after 24 hours
C) Turn patient on their side
D) Collect evidence
2
, Answer: Do not take the pictures
Explanation: If a patient refuses photographs after a sexual assault, their autonomy must be
respected and photographs should not be taken. 'Collect evidence' is an appropriate action in
forensic evaluation but cannot override an explicit refusal for photos. 'Order after 24 hours' refers
to restraint orders, and 'Turn patient on their side' is emergency care for an unconscious patient;
neither address patient refusal of photographs.
Q4. Explain how "splitting" produces emotional lability in borderline personality
disorder and why that relates to emotional dysregulation and impulsivity. [Short
Answer]
Answer: Splitting leads a person to alternate between extreme, polarized views of
people or situations, producing rapid shifts in affect (emotional lability). Those abrupt
mood swings reflect underlying emotional dysregulation and can trigger impulsive
actions when intense feelings overwhelm coping control.
Explanation: Splitting is a cognitive pattern that causes quick swings between idealizing and
devaluing others or events; these switches cause unstable emotions (lability). Because the person
cannot regulate these sudden strong emotions, they show emotional dysregulation and may act
impulsively in response to the shifting feelings.
Q5. For a patient with Alzheimer disease, which of the following is listed as a
priority in the source? [Multiple Choice]
A) Give them a chart that says med/time/dose
B) Do not take the pictures
C) Monitor vital signs and O2 saturation
D) Eating and drinking at regular intervals
Answer: Eating and drinking at regular intervals
Explanation: Maintaining nutrition and hydration by ensuring eating and drinking at regular
intervals is a basic care priority for patients with Alzheimer disease. Providing a medication chart
helps with medication management for elderly patients but is not the immediate priority stated
for Alzheimer care here. Monitoring vital signs and O2 saturation is appropriate for delirium or
physiologic instability. 'Do not take the pictures' is guidance for when a sexual assault survivor
refuses photographs and is unrelated to Alzheimer care.
Q6. Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia as listed in
the source? [Multiple Choice]
A) Hallucinations and delusions
3
, B) Emotional dysregulation
C) Neologisms
D) Anhedonia
Answer: Anhedonia
Explanation: Negative symptoms are deficits in normal function; anhedonia (loss of pleasure) is
explicitly listed as a negative symptom. Hallucinations and delusions are positive symptoms
(additions to normal experience). Neologisms are newly invented words reflecting disorganized
thought/speech, not a negative symptom. Emotional dysregulation is characteristic of borderline
personality disorder, not a schizophrenia negative symptom.
Q7. An 81-year-old patient with delirium repeatedly says they are 'in a hotel.'
What does the source recommend monitoring for this patient? [Multiple Choice]
A) Order after 24 hours
B) Do not take the pictures
C) Monitor vital signs and O2 saturation
D) Give them a chart that says med/time/dose
Answer: Monitor vital signs and O2 saturation
Explanation: Delirium can reflect an acute medical problem; monitoring vital signs and oxygen
saturation helps detect physiologic causes (e.g., hypoxia, infection) that may underlie altered
mental status. Providing a medication chart is useful for chronic medication management but
isn't the immediate monitoring step for an acute delirious presentation. 'Do not take the pictures'
concerns forensic consent for rape victims, and 'Order after 24 hours' relates to restraints; neither
addresses immediate physiologic monitoring in delirium.
Q8. Explain why the symptoms listed as positive in schizophrenia are described
as "stuff that's not supposed to be there," and how that description helps
clinicians identify these symptoms. [Short Answer]
Answer: Because positive symptoms are added experiences or behaviors—
hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, or disorganized/bizarre thoughts, behavior, or
speech—they represent abnormal phenomena that were not previously present. Calling
them "not supposed to be there" focuses clinicians on detecting newly appearing
perceptual disturbances, false beliefs, or disorganized expression rather than on losses
of function.
Explanation: Positive symptoms are extras added to a person’s normal mental life (e.g., hearing
voices, fixed false beliefs, sudden paranoia, disorganized speech or actions). Understanding them
4
Review| Galen (Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) 100%
Verified Questions & Answers | Grade A
Ace your next nursing exam with this comprehensive study guide. The NSG-3450
Mental Health Exam #4 package includes 100+ rigorous practice
questions and detailed Answers. Designed specifically for nursing students, this
resource helps you master complex psychiatric concepts, recognize clinical
symptoms, and understand the best nursing interventions.
Key Features
100+ Practice Questions: A massive bank of multiple-choice, select-all-that-apply
(SATA), and prioritization questions.
Exam-Style Formatting: Questions mirror the difficulty and style of standard
nursing school exams.
Instant Digital Access: Download and study immediately on any device,
anywhere.
Topics Covered
This exam prep targets the core psychiatric and mental health nursing concepts,
including:
Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
Mood and depressive disorders
Bipolar and related disorders
Personality disorders
Crisis intervention and suicide assessment
Psychopharmacology and medication side effects
Who Is This For?
Nursing Students enrolled in NSG-3450 or equivalent mental health courses.
NCLEX Candidates looking to strengthen their knowledge of psychiatric nursing.
Students who need to boost their critical thinking and test-taking skills.
1
,Q1. A patient with bipolar disorder has run out of lithium. According to the
source, which action is most appropriate to help this patient? [Multiple Choice]
A) Turn patient on their side
B) Get a drug test
C) Collect evidence
D) Prescription assistance/ medication adherence
Answer: Prescription assistance/ medication adherence
Explanation: Helping a patient who has run out of a chronic psychiatric medication involves
facilitating access to prescriptions and supporting medication adherence to prevent relapse. 'Turn
patient on their side' is emergency care for an unconscious patient on ecstasy. 'Get a drug test' is
used to identify substances in an unconscious patient. 'Collect evidence' is an action in forensic
care after sexual assault; none of these address medication access.
Q2. According to the source, which phrase best fits Cluster C personality
disorders? [Multiple Choice]
A) Dramatic, emotional, or erratic
B) Fearful, anxious
C) Risky behaviors
D) Eccentric or odd
Answer: Fearful, anxious
Explanation: Cluster C disorders are primarily characterized by fearful and anxious traits (e.g.,
avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive personality features). 'Dramatic, emotional, or
erratic' describes Cluster B. 'Eccentric or odd' describes Cluster A. 'Risky behaviors' are associated
with antisocial traits rather than Cluster C.
Q3. After a patient reports a sexual assault but refuses photographs, what action
does the source instruct? [Multiple Choice]
A) Do not take the pictures
B) Order after 24 hours
C) Turn patient on their side
D) Collect evidence
2
, Answer: Do not take the pictures
Explanation: If a patient refuses photographs after a sexual assault, their autonomy must be
respected and photographs should not be taken. 'Collect evidence' is an appropriate action in
forensic evaluation but cannot override an explicit refusal for photos. 'Order after 24 hours' refers
to restraint orders, and 'Turn patient on their side' is emergency care for an unconscious patient;
neither address patient refusal of photographs.
Q4. Explain how "splitting" produces emotional lability in borderline personality
disorder and why that relates to emotional dysregulation and impulsivity. [Short
Answer]
Answer: Splitting leads a person to alternate between extreme, polarized views of
people or situations, producing rapid shifts in affect (emotional lability). Those abrupt
mood swings reflect underlying emotional dysregulation and can trigger impulsive
actions when intense feelings overwhelm coping control.
Explanation: Splitting is a cognitive pattern that causes quick swings between idealizing and
devaluing others or events; these switches cause unstable emotions (lability). Because the person
cannot regulate these sudden strong emotions, they show emotional dysregulation and may act
impulsively in response to the shifting feelings.
Q5. For a patient with Alzheimer disease, which of the following is listed as a
priority in the source? [Multiple Choice]
A) Give them a chart that says med/time/dose
B) Do not take the pictures
C) Monitor vital signs and O2 saturation
D) Eating and drinking at regular intervals
Answer: Eating and drinking at regular intervals
Explanation: Maintaining nutrition and hydration by ensuring eating and drinking at regular
intervals is a basic care priority for patients with Alzheimer disease. Providing a medication chart
helps with medication management for elderly patients but is not the immediate priority stated
for Alzheimer care here. Monitoring vital signs and O2 saturation is appropriate for delirium or
physiologic instability. 'Do not take the pictures' is guidance for when a sexual assault survivor
refuses photographs and is unrelated to Alzheimer care.
Q6. Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia as listed in
the source? [Multiple Choice]
A) Hallucinations and delusions
3
, B) Emotional dysregulation
C) Neologisms
D) Anhedonia
Answer: Anhedonia
Explanation: Negative symptoms are deficits in normal function; anhedonia (loss of pleasure) is
explicitly listed as a negative symptom. Hallucinations and delusions are positive symptoms
(additions to normal experience). Neologisms are newly invented words reflecting disorganized
thought/speech, not a negative symptom. Emotional dysregulation is characteristic of borderline
personality disorder, not a schizophrenia negative symptom.
Q7. An 81-year-old patient with delirium repeatedly says they are 'in a hotel.'
What does the source recommend monitoring for this patient? [Multiple Choice]
A) Order after 24 hours
B) Do not take the pictures
C) Monitor vital signs and O2 saturation
D) Give them a chart that says med/time/dose
Answer: Monitor vital signs and O2 saturation
Explanation: Delirium can reflect an acute medical problem; monitoring vital signs and oxygen
saturation helps detect physiologic causes (e.g., hypoxia, infection) that may underlie altered
mental status. Providing a medication chart is useful for chronic medication management but
isn't the immediate monitoring step for an acute delirious presentation. 'Do not take the pictures'
concerns forensic consent for rape victims, and 'Order after 24 hours' relates to restraints; neither
addresses immediate physiologic monitoring in delirium.
Q8. Explain why the symptoms listed as positive in schizophrenia are described
as "stuff that's not supposed to be there," and how that description helps
clinicians identify these symptoms. [Short Answer]
Answer: Because positive symptoms are added experiences or behaviors—
hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, or disorganized/bizarre thoughts, behavior, or
speech—they represent abnormal phenomena that were not previously present. Calling
them "not supposed to be there" focuses clinicians on detecting newly appearing
perceptual disturbances, false beliefs, or disorganized expression rather than on losses
of function.
Explanation: Positive symptoms are extras added to a person’s normal mental life (e.g., hearing
voices, fixed false beliefs, sudden paranoia, disorganized speech or actions). Understanding them
4
