NUR 2459 MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing a manic episode. The patient is pacing the
hallway and speaking rapidly. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Ask the patient to sit down and participate in a group therapy session.
B. Provide a high-calorie, portable snack and fluid to the patient.
C. Administer a PRN dose of a sedative and place the patient in seclusion.
D. Engage the patient in a detailed discussion about their behavior.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Patients in a manic state often have high energy levels and poor
nutritional intake. Providing ‘finger foods’ helps maintain their physiological health while
they are mobile.
2. A client is prescribed Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder. The nurse should instruct the
client to maintain a consistent intake of which substance?
A. Sodium
,B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Magnesium
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium is a salt; therefore, consistent sodium intake is crucial.
Low sodium levels can cause the kidneys to retain lithium, leading to toxicity.
3. Which assessment finding is a hallmark symptom of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
(NMS) in a patient taking haloperidol?
A. Extreme hypotension and bradycardia
B. Severe muscle rigidity and hyperpyrexia
C. Acute dystonia and tongue protrusion
D. Excessive salivation and diarrhea
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a life-threatening emergency characterized by severe
muscle rigidity, high fever (hyperpyrexia), tachycardia, and fluctuations in blood pressure.
4. A nurse is assessing a client for potential Serotonin Syndrome. Which of the following
symptoms would indicate this condition?
A. Hyperreflexia, tremors, and diaphoresis
B. Hyporeflexia and constipation
, C. Urinary retention and dry mouth
D. Bradycardia and cold, clammy skin
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Serotonin syndrome is characterized by mental status changes,
autonomic hyperactivity (diaphoresis, tachycardia), and neuromuscular abnormalities like
hyperreflexia and tremors.
5. The nurse is evaluating a client’s response to Clozapine. Which laboratory value requires
immediate notification to the healthcare provider?
A. Platelet count of 150,000/mm3
B. Serum creatinine of 1.0 mg/dL
C. Blood glucose level of 110 mg/dL
D. White blood cell (WBC) count of 2,800/mm3
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a risk for agranulocytosis. A WBC count below
3,000/mm3 is a critical finding that necessitates stopping the medication.
6. A patient with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) tells the day-shift nurse, ‘The night
nurse is so mean, but you are the best nurse ever.’ The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Splitting
B. Idealization
HEALTH NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing a manic episode. The patient is pacing the
hallway and speaking rapidly. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Ask the patient to sit down and participate in a group therapy session.
B. Provide a high-calorie, portable snack and fluid to the patient.
C. Administer a PRN dose of a sedative and place the patient in seclusion.
D. Engage the patient in a detailed discussion about their behavior.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Patients in a manic state often have high energy levels and poor
nutritional intake. Providing ‘finger foods’ helps maintain their physiological health while
they are mobile.
2. A client is prescribed Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder. The nurse should instruct the
client to maintain a consistent intake of which substance?
A. Sodium
,B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Magnesium
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium is a salt; therefore, consistent sodium intake is crucial.
Low sodium levels can cause the kidneys to retain lithium, leading to toxicity.
3. Which assessment finding is a hallmark symptom of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
(NMS) in a patient taking haloperidol?
A. Extreme hypotension and bradycardia
B. Severe muscle rigidity and hyperpyrexia
C. Acute dystonia and tongue protrusion
D. Excessive salivation and diarrhea
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a life-threatening emergency characterized by severe
muscle rigidity, high fever (hyperpyrexia), tachycardia, and fluctuations in blood pressure.
4. A nurse is assessing a client for potential Serotonin Syndrome. Which of the following
symptoms would indicate this condition?
A. Hyperreflexia, tremors, and diaphoresis
B. Hyporeflexia and constipation
, C. Urinary retention and dry mouth
D. Bradycardia and cold, clammy skin
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Serotonin syndrome is characterized by mental status changes,
autonomic hyperactivity (diaphoresis, tachycardia), and neuromuscular abnormalities like
hyperreflexia and tremors.
5. The nurse is evaluating a client’s response to Clozapine. Which laboratory value requires
immediate notification to the healthcare provider?
A. Platelet count of 150,000/mm3
B. Serum creatinine of 1.0 mg/dL
C. Blood glucose level of 110 mg/dL
D. White blood cell (WBC) count of 2,800/mm3
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a risk for agranulocytosis. A WBC count below
3,000/mm3 is a critical finding that necessitates stopping the medication.
6. A patient with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) tells the day-shift nurse, ‘The night
nurse is so mean, but you are the best nurse ever.’ The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Splitting
B. Idealization
