BSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Week 9 Quiz
2026|Galen UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
1. A patient taking a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) must avoid foods
containing tyramine. Which food should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
A. Fresh chicken and fish
B. Aged cheddar cheese and salami
C. Green leafy vegetables
D. Whole grain bread
Answer: B
Rationale: Aged cheeses and cured meats contain high levels of tyramine, which can lead
to a hypertensive crisis when combined with MAOIs.
2. Which assessment finding is a hallmark symptom of Neuroleptic Malignant
Syndrome (NMS)?
A. Hypothermia and bradycardia
B. Fine hand tremors and diarrhea
C. Severe muscle rigidity and hyperpyrexia
D. Orthostatic hypotension and dry mouth
Answer: C
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic drugs characterized by
severe muscle rigidity, high fever (hyperpyrexia), and autonomic instability.
,3. A client is experiencing extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) from a first-
generation antipsychotic. Which medication does the nurse expect to
administer?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium Carbonate
C. Benztropine
D. Lorazepam
Answer: C
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to treat extrapyramidal
symptoms such as tremors and muscle stiffness.
4. A patient with bipolar disorder has a serum lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L. What
is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose
B. Withhold the dose and notify the provider
C. Encourage the patient to drink more water
D. Monitor the patient for increased mania
Answer: B
Rationale: A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L is above the therapeutic range (0.6-1.2 mEq/L) and
indicates toxicity; the dose should be held immediately.
5. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Serotonin
B. GABA
C. Dopamine
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: A
, Rationale: SSRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the synaptic cleft by
inhibiting its reabsorption into the presynaptic neuron.
6. A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Tell the client that the voices are not real
B. Leave the client alone to provide privacy
C. Ask the client what the voices are saying
D. Argue with the client about their perception
Answer: C
Rationale: It is essential to assess the content of hallucinations, especially command
hallucinations, to ensure the safety of the client and others.
7. Which side effect is most associated with the use of Clozapine?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Photosensitivity
C. Agranulocytosis
D. Urinary retention
Answer: C
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis, a severe reduction in white blood
cell count, requiring frequent blood monitoring.
8. A patient is exhibiting signs of Serotonin Syndrome. Which combination of
symptoms would the nurse expect to find?
A. Muscle flaccidity and drowsiness
B. Agitation, tremors, and hyperreflexia
C. Hypotension and bradycardia
D. Constipation and weight gain
Answer: B
2026|Galen UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
1. A patient taking a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) must avoid foods
containing tyramine. Which food should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
A. Fresh chicken and fish
B. Aged cheddar cheese and salami
C. Green leafy vegetables
D. Whole grain bread
Answer: B
Rationale: Aged cheeses and cured meats contain high levels of tyramine, which can lead
to a hypertensive crisis when combined with MAOIs.
2. Which assessment finding is a hallmark symptom of Neuroleptic Malignant
Syndrome (NMS)?
A. Hypothermia and bradycardia
B. Fine hand tremors and diarrhea
C. Severe muscle rigidity and hyperpyrexia
D. Orthostatic hypotension and dry mouth
Answer: C
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic drugs characterized by
severe muscle rigidity, high fever (hyperpyrexia), and autonomic instability.
,3. A client is experiencing extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) from a first-
generation antipsychotic. Which medication does the nurse expect to
administer?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium Carbonate
C. Benztropine
D. Lorazepam
Answer: C
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to treat extrapyramidal
symptoms such as tremors and muscle stiffness.
4. A patient with bipolar disorder has a serum lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L. What
is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose
B. Withhold the dose and notify the provider
C. Encourage the patient to drink more water
D. Monitor the patient for increased mania
Answer: B
Rationale: A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L is above the therapeutic range (0.6-1.2 mEq/L) and
indicates toxicity; the dose should be held immediately.
5. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Serotonin
B. GABA
C. Dopamine
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: A
, Rationale: SSRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the synaptic cleft by
inhibiting its reabsorption into the presynaptic neuron.
6. A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Tell the client that the voices are not real
B. Leave the client alone to provide privacy
C. Ask the client what the voices are saying
D. Argue with the client about their perception
Answer: C
Rationale: It is essential to assess the content of hallucinations, especially command
hallucinations, to ensure the safety of the client and others.
7. Which side effect is most associated with the use of Clozapine?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Photosensitivity
C. Agranulocytosis
D. Urinary retention
Answer: C
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis, a severe reduction in white blood
cell count, requiring frequent blood monitoring.
8. A patient is exhibiting signs of Serotonin Syndrome. Which combination of
symptoms would the nurse expect to find?
A. Muscle flaccidity and drowsiness
B. Agitation, tremors, and hyperreflexia
C. Hypotension and bradycardia
D. Constipation and weight gain
Answer: B
