VATI GREENLIGHT EXAM PREP: COMPLETE NCLEX-RN STYLE EXAM
QUESTIONS |VERIFIED EXAM QUESTIONS | 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
SECTION 1: MENTAL HEALTH NURSING (Questions 1-40)
1. A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with generalized anxiety
disorder. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse
expect to find?
A. Hypervigilance
B. Panic attacks occurring daily
C. Obsessive thoughts about contamination
D. Flashbacks of traumatic events
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive
worry and hypervigilance occurring more days than not for at least 6
months. Panic attacks are associated with panic disorder, obsessive
thoughts with OCD, and flashbacks with PTSD.
2. A nurse is planning care for a client with major depressive disorder
who has been prescribed phenelzine. Which of the following dietary
restrictions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Avoid foods containing tyramine
B. Restrict fluids to 1500 mL daily
C. Limit sodium intake to 2 grams daily
D. Avoid foods containing vitamin K
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI that can cause hypertensive crisis
when combined with tyramine-rich foods (aged cheeses, cured meats,
fermented products). Clients must avoid these foods to prevent severe
hypertension.
3. A client with borderline personality disorder states, "You're the only
nurse who understands me. The other nurses don't care about
anyone." Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?
A. "I appreciate your trust in me, but I am concerned you are splitting."
B. "That's not true. All the nurses here care about their clients."
C. "I am glad you feel that way. Let's discuss your discharge plan."
D. "Why would you say something like that about the other nurses?"
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with borderline personality disorder commonly use
splitting (viewing others as all good or all bad). The nurse should
identify this behavior therapeutically while maintaining professional
boundaries and not reinforcing the splitting.
4. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing alcohol withdrawal.
Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Naltrexone
B. Disulfiram
C. Chlordiazepoxide
D. Acamprosate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Benzodiazepines such as chlordiazepoxide are the standard
,treatment for alcohol withdrawal to prevent seizures and delirium
tremens. Naltrexone, disulfiram, and acamprosate are used for
maintenance therapy after detoxification.
5. A client with schizophrenia is exhibiting akathisia. Which of the
following observations should the nurse document?
A. Involuntary tongue protrusion
B. Restlessness and constant pacing
C. Muscle rigidity and cogwheeling
D. Facial grimacing and lip smacking
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Akathisia is a subjective feeling of restlessness manifested by
pacing, inability to sit still, and constant movement. It is an
extrapyramidal side effect of antipsychotic medications.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has bipolar disorder and is
experiencing a depressive episode. Which of the following
medications is contraindicated for this client?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lamotrigine
C. Lithium carbonate
D. Quetiapine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Antidepressants such as fluoxetine can trigger manic
episodes in clients with bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers (lithium,
lamotrigine) or atypical antipsychotics (quetiapine) are preferred
treatments.
, 7. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder reports recurrent
nightmares and hypervigilance. Which of the following therapies
should the nurse anticipate being most effective?
A. Electroconvulsive therapy
B. Cognitive processing therapy
C. Dialectical behavior therapy
D. Aversion therapy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure
therapy are evidence-based treatments for PTSD that help clients
process traumatic memories and reduce avoidance behaviors.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed clozapine.
Which of the following laboratory tests should be monitored weekly?
A. Liver function tests
B. White blood cell count
C. Serum potassium levels
D. Thyroid stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis, requiring weekly
WBC monitoring initially. This is a potentially fatal side effect that must
be monitored closely.
9. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder spends 4 hours daily
washing their hands. Which of the following nursing interventions is
appropriate?
A. Allow the client to continue the behavior to prevent anxiety
B. Gradually limit the time allowed for hand washing
QUESTIONS |VERIFIED EXAM QUESTIONS | 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
SECTION 1: MENTAL HEALTH NURSING (Questions 1-40)
1. A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with generalized anxiety
disorder. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse
expect to find?
A. Hypervigilance
B. Panic attacks occurring daily
C. Obsessive thoughts about contamination
D. Flashbacks of traumatic events
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive
worry and hypervigilance occurring more days than not for at least 6
months. Panic attacks are associated with panic disorder, obsessive
thoughts with OCD, and flashbacks with PTSD.
2. A nurse is planning care for a client with major depressive disorder
who has been prescribed phenelzine. Which of the following dietary
restrictions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Avoid foods containing tyramine
B. Restrict fluids to 1500 mL daily
C. Limit sodium intake to 2 grams daily
D. Avoid foods containing vitamin K
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI that can cause hypertensive crisis
when combined with tyramine-rich foods (aged cheeses, cured meats,
fermented products). Clients must avoid these foods to prevent severe
hypertension.
3. A client with borderline personality disorder states, "You're the only
nurse who understands me. The other nurses don't care about
anyone." Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?
A. "I appreciate your trust in me, but I am concerned you are splitting."
B. "That's not true. All the nurses here care about their clients."
C. "I am glad you feel that way. Let's discuss your discharge plan."
D. "Why would you say something like that about the other nurses?"
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with borderline personality disorder commonly use
splitting (viewing others as all good or all bad). The nurse should
identify this behavior therapeutically while maintaining professional
boundaries and not reinforcing the splitting.
4. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing alcohol withdrawal.
Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Naltrexone
B. Disulfiram
C. Chlordiazepoxide
D. Acamprosate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Benzodiazepines such as chlordiazepoxide are the standard
,treatment for alcohol withdrawal to prevent seizures and delirium
tremens. Naltrexone, disulfiram, and acamprosate are used for
maintenance therapy after detoxification.
5. A client with schizophrenia is exhibiting akathisia. Which of the
following observations should the nurse document?
A. Involuntary tongue protrusion
B. Restlessness and constant pacing
C. Muscle rigidity and cogwheeling
D. Facial grimacing and lip smacking
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Akathisia is a subjective feeling of restlessness manifested by
pacing, inability to sit still, and constant movement. It is an
extrapyramidal side effect of antipsychotic medications.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has bipolar disorder and is
experiencing a depressive episode. Which of the following
medications is contraindicated for this client?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lamotrigine
C. Lithium carbonate
D. Quetiapine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Antidepressants such as fluoxetine can trigger manic
episodes in clients with bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers (lithium,
lamotrigine) or atypical antipsychotics (quetiapine) are preferred
treatments.
, 7. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder reports recurrent
nightmares and hypervigilance. Which of the following therapies
should the nurse anticipate being most effective?
A. Electroconvulsive therapy
B. Cognitive processing therapy
C. Dialectical behavior therapy
D. Aversion therapy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure
therapy are evidence-based treatments for PTSD that help clients
process traumatic memories and reduce avoidance behaviors.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed clozapine.
Which of the following laboratory tests should be monitored weekly?
A. Liver function tests
B. White blood cell count
C. Serum potassium levels
D. Thyroid stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis, requiring weekly
WBC monitoring initially. This is a potentially fatal side effect that must
be monitored closely.
9. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder spends 4 hours daily
washing their hands. Which of the following nursing interventions is
appropriate?
A. Allow the client to continue the behavior to prevent anxiety
B. Gradually limit the time allowed for hand washing
