NUR 253 Exam 4: Comprehensive Mental Health Nursi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Exam 4: Comprehensive Mental Health Nursing
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 4: Comprehensive Mental Health Nursi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient with schizophrenia is prescribed Clozapine. Which laboratory value is the
priority for the nurse to monitor?
A. White Blood Cell (WBC) count
B. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
C. count
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: A
Rationale: Clozapine carries a high risk for agranulocytosis; therefore, regular monitoring of the WBC
count and Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is mandatory. 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. 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 patient is experiencing a hypertensive crisis after starting Phenelzine. Which dietary
choice likely caused this interaction?
A. Fresh strawberries
B. Grilled chicken breast
C. Whole grain bread
D. Aged cheddar cheese
Answer: D
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Consuming foods high in tyramine, such as aged cheeses, cured
meats, and red wine, can lead to a hypertensive crisis. 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 4: Comprehensive Mental Health Nursi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. Which assessment finding in a patient taking Haloperidol requires immediate intervention
by the nurse?
A. Dry mouth and constipation
B. Weight gain of 2 pounds in a month
C. Mild tremors in the hands
D. Muscle rigidity and high fever
Answer: D
Rationale: Muscle rigidity, hyperpyrexia (high fever), and autonomic instability are hallmark signs of
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a life-threatening emergency. 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. 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 nurse is caring for a patient with Bipolar Disorder in an acute manic phase. What is the
most appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Engaging the patient in a group competitive basketball game
B. Providing high-calorie, portable snacks (finger foods)
C. Encouraging the patient to lead a community meeting
D. Placing the patient in a room with a roommate who is depressed
Answer: B
Rationale: Manic patients have high activity levels and short attention spans; finger foods allow them
to maintain nutrition while moving. 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. In
practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and
clear communication are frequent priorities.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Exam 4: Comprehensive Mental Health Nursing
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 4: Comprehensive Mental Health Nursi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient with schizophrenia is prescribed Clozapine. Which laboratory value is the
priority for the nurse to monitor?
A. White Blood Cell (WBC) count
B. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
C. count
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: A
Rationale: Clozapine carries a high risk for agranulocytosis; therefore, regular monitoring of the WBC
count and Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is mandatory. 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. 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 patient is experiencing a hypertensive crisis after starting Phenelzine. Which dietary
choice likely caused this interaction?
A. Fresh strawberries
B. Grilled chicken breast
C. Whole grain bread
D. Aged cheddar cheese
Answer: D
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Consuming foods high in tyramine, such as aged cheeses, cured
meats, and red wine, can lead to a hypertensive crisis. 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 4: Comprehensive Mental Health Nursi… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. Which assessment finding in a patient taking Haloperidol requires immediate intervention
by the nurse?
A. Dry mouth and constipation
B. Weight gain of 2 pounds in a month
C. Mild tremors in the hands
D. Muscle rigidity and high fever
Answer: D
Rationale: Muscle rigidity, hyperpyrexia (high fever), and autonomic instability are hallmark signs of
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a life-threatening emergency. 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. 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 nurse is caring for a patient with Bipolar Disorder in an acute manic phase. What is the
most appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Engaging the patient in a group competitive basketball game
B. Providing high-calorie, portable snacks (finger foods)
C. Encouraging the patient to lead a community meeting
D. Placing the patient in a room with a roommate who is depressed
Answer: B
Rationale: Manic patients have high activity levels and short attention spans; finger foods allow them
to maintain nutrition while moving. 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. In
practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and
clear communication are frequent priorities.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
