NUR 253 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Study
Guide 2026/2027 UPDATE Galen College
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
,NUR 253 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A client with Bipolar I Disorder is prescribed Lithium Carbonate. Which laboratory result
would the nurse prioritize as the most critical indication of potential toxicity?
A. Serum Sodium level of 130 mEq/L
B. Serum Lithium level of 1.1 mEq/L
C. Potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L
D. WBC count of 8,000/mm³
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyponatremia (low sodium) is a significant risk factor for lithium toxicity because the
kidneys conserve lithium when sodium levels are low, leading to increased serum lithium levels. Exam
questions often test whether you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real
situations. Focus on what the nurse can actually do right now. Exam questions often test whether you
can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what the nurse
can actually do right now.
2. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a manic episode. Which meal choice is most
appropriate for this client?
A. A cheeseburger and an apple
B. Steak and mashed potatoes
C. Chicken soup with a side salad
D. Spaghetti and meatballs with a breadstick
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients in a manic state often cannot sit still to eat. High-protein, high-calorie ‘finger foods’
allow them to eat while moving. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client
from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 253 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A client with Schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations and states, ‘The voices
are telling me to hurt my roommate.’ What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Ask the client what the voices are saying exactly.
B. Notify the roommate and place the client on one-to-one observation.
C. Place the client in a seclusion room immediately.
D. Administer a PRN dose of an antipsychotic medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: Safety is the priority. Command hallucinations to harm others require immediate
intervention, usually one-to-one observation to prevent injury. 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. 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.
4. Which of the following is considered a ‘negative symptom’ of Schizophrenia?
A. Echolalia
B. Delusions of grandeur
C. Avolition
D. Hallucinations
Answer: C
Rationale: Negative symptoms refer to the absence of normal behaviors. Avolition (lack of motivation)
is a negative symptom, whereas hallucinations and delusions are positive symptoms. Understanding
this helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action
often prevents bigger complications for the client. 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
NUR 253 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensive Study
Guide 2026/2027 UPDATE Galen College
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
,NUR 253 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A client with Bipolar I Disorder is prescribed Lithium Carbonate. Which laboratory result
would the nurse prioritize as the most critical indication of potential toxicity?
A. Serum Sodium level of 130 mEq/L
B. Serum Lithium level of 1.1 mEq/L
C. Potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L
D. WBC count of 8,000/mm³
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyponatremia (low sodium) is a significant risk factor for lithium toxicity because the
kidneys conserve lithium when sodium levels are low, leading to increased serum lithium levels. Exam
questions often test whether you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real
situations. Focus on what the nurse can actually do right now. Exam questions often test whether you
can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what the nurse
can actually do right now.
2. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a manic episode. Which meal choice is most
appropriate for this client?
A. A cheeseburger and an apple
B. Steak and mashed potatoes
C. Chicken soup with a side salad
D. Spaghetti and meatballs with a breadstick
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients in a manic state often cannot sit still to eat. High-protein, high-calorie ‘finger foods’
allow them to eat while moving. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client
from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 253 Exam 3: Mental Health Nursing Comprehensi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A client with Schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations and states, ‘The voices
are telling me to hurt my roommate.’ What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Ask the client what the voices are saying exactly.
B. Notify the roommate and place the client on one-to-one observation.
C. Place the client in a seclusion room immediately.
D. Administer a PRN dose of an antipsychotic medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: Safety is the priority. Command hallucinations to harm others require immediate
intervention, usually one-to-one observation to prevent injury. 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. 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.
4. Which of the following is considered a ‘negative symptom’ of Schizophrenia?
A. Echolalia
B. Delusions of grandeur
C. Avolition
D. Hallucinations
Answer: C
Rationale: Negative symptoms refer to the absence of normal behaviors. Avolition (lack of motivation)
is a negative symptom, whereas hallucinations and delusions are positive symptoms. Understanding
this helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action
often prevents bigger complications for the client. 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
