NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Advanced Rev… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Advanced Review
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 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Advanced Rev… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient with bipolar I disorder is prescribed Lithium carbonate. Which laboratory value
should the nurse prioritize for monitoring to prevent toxicity?
A. Serum sodium levels
B. Serum potassium levels
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Serum calcium levels
Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium is a salt; therefore, there is an inverse relationship between lithium and sodium.
Low sodium levels (hyponatremia) can lead to lithium retention and toxicity. 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. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the nurse teach
the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces anxiety.
2. A client is experiencing an acute manic episode. Which nursing intervention is the
priority?
A. Provide a high-calorie, finger-food diet
B. Encourage participation in group therapy sessions
C. Allow the client to lead the community meeting
D. Limit physical activity to prevent exhaustion
Answer: A
Rationale: During mania, patients are often hyperactive and unable to sit for meals. Finger foods
provide necessary nutrition on the go to prevent weight loss and exhaustion. Knowing the reason
behind the correct answer makes it easier to rule out the wrong options quickly. Look for the choice
that protects the client and matches the priority need. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the
nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces
anxiety.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Advanced Rev… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient taking Phenelzine (Nardil) reports a sudden, severe headache and palpitations.
What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Assess the patient’s blood pressure
B. Administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen
C. Inquire about recent intake of dairy products
D. Instruct the patient to lie down in a dark room
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. A severe headache and palpitations are signs of a hypertensive
crisis, often caused by tyramine ingestion. The priority is to assess blood pressure. 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. Which defense mechanism is a client with Borderline Personality Disorder using when
they describe one nurse as ‘an angel’ and another as ‘evil’?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Reaction Formation
D. Splitting
Answer: D
Rationale: Splitting is a common defense mechanism in BPD where individuals view people or
situations as all good or all bad, unable to integrate positive and negative qualities. This knowledge
supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching
improves cooperation and reduces anxiety. 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 (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Advanced Review
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 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Advanced Rev… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient with bipolar I disorder is prescribed Lithium carbonate. Which laboratory value
should the nurse prioritize for monitoring to prevent toxicity?
A. Serum sodium levels
B. Serum potassium levels
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Serum calcium levels
Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium is a salt; therefore, there is an inverse relationship between lithium and sodium.
Low sodium levels (hyponatremia) can lead to lithium retention and toxicity. 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. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the nurse teach
the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces anxiety.
2. A client is experiencing an acute manic episode. Which nursing intervention is the
priority?
A. Provide a high-calorie, finger-food diet
B. Encourage participation in group therapy sessions
C. Allow the client to lead the community meeting
D. Limit physical activity to prevent exhaustion
Answer: A
Rationale: During mania, patients are often hyperactive and unable to sit for meals. Finger foods
provide necessary nutrition on the go to prevent weight loss and exhaustion. Knowing the reason
behind the correct answer makes it easier to rule out the wrong options quickly. Look for the choice
that protects the client and matches the priority need. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the
nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces
anxiety.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Advanced Rev… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient taking Phenelzine (Nardil) reports a sudden, severe headache and palpitations.
What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Assess the patient’s blood pressure
B. Administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen
C. Inquire about recent intake of dairy products
D. Instruct the patient to lie down in a dark room
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. A severe headache and palpitations are signs of a hypertensive
crisis, often caused by tyramine ingestion. The priority is to assess blood pressure. 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. Which defense mechanism is a client with Borderline Personality Disorder using when
they describe one nurse as ‘an angel’ and another as ‘evil’?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Reaction Formation
D. Splitting
Answer: D
Rationale: Splitting is a common defense mechanism in BPD where individuals view people or
situations as all good or all bad, unable to integrate positive and negative qualities. This knowledge
supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching
improves cooperation and reduces anxiety. 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 (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
