NUR 2459 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
EXAM 2 PRACTICE (VERIFIED AND
CORRECT Q & A) SATISFACTION
GUARANTEED 2026/2027
1. A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations and tells the nurse, ‘The
voices are telling me I am a bad person.’ Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. ‘I know you are a good person, so the voices must be wrong.’
B. ‘Why do you think the voices are saying that to you?’
C. ‘The voices are just part of your illness; don’t listen to them.’
D. ‘I don’t hear any voices, but I understand that they are real to you.’
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Acknowledging the client’s experience without validating the
hallucination is a key therapeutic technique (presenting reality).
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking Lithium carbonate for three months.
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse prioritize?
A. Serum Lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
B. Serum Lithium level 2.1 mEq/L
C. White blood cell count 8,000/mm³
,D. Sodium level 140 mEq/L
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A lithium level of 2.1 mEq/L indicates toxicity (range is usually
0.6-1.2 mEq/L). Levels above 1.5 are considered toxic and require immediate intervention.
3. A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder.
Which symptom is considered a vegetative sign of depression?
A. Persistent feelings of worthlessness
B. Anhedonia (loss of pleasure)
C. Recurrent thoughts of death
D. Psychomotor retardation and constipation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Vegetative signs refer to physiological changes like sleep
disturbances, appetite changes, constipation, and psychomotor changes.
4. A client is prescribed Clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The nurse should
monitor which lab value weekly?
A. Liver enzymes (ALT/AST)
B. Serum creatinine
C. Platelet count
D. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis. Weekly monitoring
of the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is mandatory to prevent life-threatening infection.
5. A patient experiencing a panic attack is hyperventilating and trembling. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Ask the patient to explain the source of their anxiety.
B. Stay with the patient and use short, simple sentences.
C. Encourage the patient to go to a group therapy session.
D. Administer a PRN dose of an SSRI.
D.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Safety and presence are priorities during a panic attack. Using
simple, brief instructions helps the patient who has a limited ability to process information.
6. A nurse is assessing a client for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Which finding is a
hallmark sign of this condition?
A. Tardive dyskinesia and lip smacking
B. Severe muscle rigidity and hyperpyrexia
C. Hypotension and bradycardia
D. AIMS score of 2
EXAM 2 PRACTICE (VERIFIED AND
CORRECT Q & A) SATISFACTION
GUARANTEED 2026/2027
1. A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations and tells the nurse, ‘The
voices are telling me I am a bad person.’ Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. ‘I know you are a good person, so the voices must be wrong.’
B. ‘Why do you think the voices are saying that to you?’
C. ‘The voices are just part of your illness; don’t listen to them.’
D. ‘I don’t hear any voices, but I understand that they are real to you.’
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Acknowledging the client’s experience without validating the
hallucination is a key therapeutic technique (presenting reality).
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking Lithium carbonate for three months.
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse prioritize?
A. Serum Lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
B. Serum Lithium level 2.1 mEq/L
C. White blood cell count 8,000/mm³
,D. Sodium level 140 mEq/L
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A lithium level of 2.1 mEq/L indicates toxicity (range is usually
0.6-1.2 mEq/L). Levels above 1.5 are considered toxic and require immediate intervention.
3. A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder.
Which symptom is considered a vegetative sign of depression?
A. Persistent feelings of worthlessness
B. Anhedonia (loss of pleasure)
C. Recurrent thoughts of death
D. Psychomotor retardation and constipation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Vegetative signs refer to physiological changes like sleep
disturbances, appetite changes, constipation, and psychomotor changes.
4. A client is prescribed Clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The nurse should
monitor which lab value weekly?
A. Liver enzymes (ALT/AST)
B. Serum creatinine
C. Platelet count
D. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis. Weekly monitoring
of the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is mandatory to prevent life-threatening infection.
5. A patient experiencing a panic attack is hyperventilating and trembling. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Ask the patient to explain the source of their anxiety.
B. Stay with the patient and use short, simple sentences.
C. Encourage the patient to go to a group therapy session.
D. Administer a PRN dose of an SSRI.
D.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Safety and presence are priorities during a panic attack. Using
simple, brief instructions helps the patient who has a limited ability to process information.
6. A nurse is assessing a client for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Which finding is a
hallmark sign of this condition?
A. Tardive dyskinesia and lip smacking
B. Severe muscle rigidity and hyperpyrexia
C. Hypotension and bradycardia
D. AIMS score of 2
