NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Study Guide … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 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 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Study Guide … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient is prescribed Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar I disorder. Which serum lithium level
would the nurse identify as indicating early signs of toxicity?
A. 0.8 mEq/L
B. 1.2 mEq/L
C. 0.4 mEq/L
D. 1.6 mEq/L
Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L are
considered toxic. 1.6 mEq/L indicates early toxicity characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, and
drowsiness. 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.
2. A client taking Phenelzine (an MAOI) for depression is at the hospital for a follow-up.
Which food choice from the cafeteria menu requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. Grilled chicken breast with steamed broccoli
B. Fresh green salad with oil and vinegar dressing
C. A sandwich with aged cheddar cheese and pepperoni
D. Baked potato with sour cream and chives
Answer: C
Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods (aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented products)
to cause 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.
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 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Study Guide … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A nurse is assessing a client with Schizophrenia who has been taking Haloperidol for two
days. The client’s head is rotated to one side and their gaze is fixed upward. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Document the finding as a normal side effect of the medication
B. Administer the ordered PRN Benztropine (Cogentin) intramuscularly
C. Perform a full neurological assessment including the AIMS scale
D. Notify the provider that the client is experiencing Tardive Dyskinesia
Answer: B
Rationale: This describes an acute dystonic reaction, an extrapyramidal symptom (EPS). Immediate
treatment with an anticholinergic like Benztropine is required. 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. 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.
4. A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality
Disorder. Which defense mechanism is this client most likely to exhibit?
A. Reaction Formation
B. Splitting
C. Sublimation
D. Rationalization
Answer: B
Rationale: Splitting is a hallmark of Borderline Personality Disorder, where the client views individuals
or situations as all good or all bad with no middle ground. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 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 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Study Guide … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient is prescribed Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar I disorder. Which serum lithium level
would the nurse identify as indicating early signs of toxicity?
A. 0.8 mEq/L
B. 1.2 mEq/L
C. 0.4 mEq/L
D. 1.6 mEq/L
Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L are
considered toxic. 1.6 mEq/L indicates early toxicity characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, and
drowsiness. 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.
2. A client taking Phenelzine (an MAOI) for depression is at the hospital for a follow-up.
Which food choice from the cafeteria menu requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. Grilled chicken breast with steamed broccoli
B. Fresh green salad with oil and vinegar dressing
C. A sandwich with aged cheddar cheese and pepperoni
D. Baked potato with sour cream and chives
Answer: C
Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods (aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented products)
to cause 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.
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 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Study Guide … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A nurse is assessing a client with Schizophrenia who has been taking Haloperidol for two
days. The client’s head is rotated to one side and their gaze is fixed upward. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Document the finding as a normal side effect of the medication
B. Administer the ordered PRN Benztropine (Cogentin) intramuscularly
C. Perform a full neurological assessment including the AIMS scale
D. Notify the provider that the client is experiencing Tardive Dyskinesia
Answer: B
Rationale: This describes an acute dystonic reaction, an extrapyramidal symptom (EPS). Immediate
treatment with an anticholinergic like Benztropine is required. 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. 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.
4. A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality
Disorder. Which defense mechanism is this client most likely to exhibit?
A. Reaction Formation
B. Splitting
C. Sublimation
D. Rationalization
Answer: B
Rationale: Splitting is a hallmark of Borderline Personality Disorder, where the client views individuals
or situations as all good or all bad with no middle ground. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
