Galen NUR 256 Mental Health Final Exam Prep 2026/… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
Galen NUR 256 Mental Health Final Exam Prep 2026/2027
UPDATE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,Galen NUR 256 Mental Health Final Exam Prep 2026/… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient experiencing a manic episode is running around the unit, interrupting others,
and has not slept in 48 hours. Which nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Encouraging the patient to join a group therapy session
B. Administering a PRN sedative immediately
C. Restricting the patient to their room for safety
D. Providing high-calorie finger foods and fluids
Answer: D
Rationale: In a manic state, physical needs such as nutrition and hydration are priorities because the
patient is often too busy to sit for meals. High-calorie finger foods allow them to eat while moving.
Clear understanding of this concept improves both test performance and everyday clinical judgment.
Practice applying it to short case scenarios to lock the idea in place. Remembering this point will help
you decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the
client’s current condition and risk level.
2. A client is prescribed phenelzine (Nardil) for depression. Which food choice indicates the
client understands the necessary dietary restrictions?
A. Grilled chicken with steamed broccoli
B. Aged cheddar cheese and crackers
C. Pepperoni pizza
D. A glass of red wine
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Patients must avoid tyramine-rich foods like aged cheeses, cured
meats, and red wine to prevent a hypertensive crisis. Clear understanding of this concept improves
both test performance and everyday clinical judgment. Practice applying it to short case scenarios to
lock the idea in place. Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when
similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, Galen NUR 256 Mental Health Final Exam Prep 2026/… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. Which assessment finding is the most critical for a nurse to report in a patient taking
clozapine?
A. A white blood cell (WBC) count of 2,800/mm3
B. Weight gain of 2 pounds in a week
C. count of 2,800/mm3
D. Drowsiness in the early morning
Answer: A
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis. A low WBC count (below 3,000) is a medical
emergency requiring the medication to be discontinued. This knowledge supports safe care and helps
the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and
reduces anxiety. This is important because the nurse must choose the action that keeps the client
safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety first when answering these
questions.
4. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, ‘The FBI is listening to my thoughts through
the television.’ Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. ‘The FBI does not have the technology to do that.’
B. ‘It must be frightening to feel like you are being monitored.’
C. ‘I don’t see any FBI agents here; you are safe.’
D. ‘Why would the FBI be interested in your thoughts?’
Answer: B
Rationale: This response focuses on the patient’s feelings (empathy) without validating or challenging
the delusion, which is a key therapeutic communication technique. This knowledge supports safe care
and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves
cooperation and reduces anxiety. This is important because the nurse must choose the action that
keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety first when
answering these questions.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
Galen NUR 256 Mental Health Final Exam Prep 2026/2027
UPDATE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,Galen NUR 256 Mental Health Final Exam Prep 2026/… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient experiencing a manic episode is running around the unit, interrupting others,
and has not slept in 48 hours. Which nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Encouraging the patient to join a group therapy session
B. Administering a PRN sedative immediately
C. Restricting the patient to their room for safety
D. Providing high-calorie finger foods and fluids
Answer: D
Rationale: In a manic state, physical needs such as nutrition and hydration are priorities because the
patient is often too busy to sit for meals. High-calorie finger foods allow them to eat while moving.
Clear understanding of this concept improves both test performance and everyday clinical judgment.
Practice applying it to short case scenarios to lock the idea in place. Remembering this point will help
you decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the
client’s current condition and risk level.
2. A client is prescribed phenelzine (Nardil) for depression. Which food choice indicates the
client understands the necessary dietary restrictions?
A. Grilled chicken with steamed broccoli
B. Aged cheddar cheese and crackers
C. Pepperoni pizza
D. A glass of red wine
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Patients must avoid tyramine-rich foods like aged cheeses, cured
meats, and red wine to prevent a hypertensive crisis. Clear understanding of this concept improves
both test performance and everyday clinical judgment. Practice applying it to short case scenarios to
lock the idea in place. Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when
similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, Galen NUR 256 Mental Health Final Exam Prep 2026/… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. Which assessment finding is the most critical for a nurse to report in a patient taking
clozapine?
A. A white blood cell (WBC) count of 2,800/mm3
B. Weight gain of 2 pounds in a week
C. count of 2,800/mm3
D. Drowsiness in the early morning
Answer: A
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis. A low WBC count (below 3,000) is a medical
emergency requiring the medication to be discontinued. This knowledge supports safe care and helps
the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and
reduces anxiety. This is important because the nurse must choose the action that keeps the client
safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety first when answering these
questions.
4. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, ‘The FBI is listening to my thoughts through
the television.’ Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. ‘The FBI does not have the technology to do that.’
B. ‘It must be frightening to feel like you are being monitored.’
C. ‘I don’t see any FBI agents here; you are safe.’
D. ‘Why would the FBI be interested in your thoughts?’
Answer: B
Rationale: This response focuses on the patient’s feelings (empathy) without validating or challenging
the delusion, which is a key therapeutic communication technique. This knowledge supports safe care
and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves
cooperation and reduces anxiety. This is important because the nurse must choose the action that
keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety first when
answering these questions.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
