NR 326 EXAM REVIEW ACTUAL
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (GUARANTEE
PASS) CHAMBERLAIN
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing a severe panic attack. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
A. Stay with the patient and use short, simple sentences.
B. Ask the patient to identify the trigger for their anxiety.
C. Teach the patient deep breathing exercises immediately.
D. Administer a PRN dose of a stimulant medication.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: During a severe panic attack, the patient’s perceptual field is
significantly narrowed. The nurse should stay with the patient to ensure safety and
communicate using short, simple sentences. Deep breathing is hard to learn during the
peak of panic.
2. A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations, telling
them to ‘kill the voices.’ Which action is the highest priority for the nurse?
A. Administer an ordered dose of Benztropine.
B. Provide a quiet environment with low stimulation.
,C. Ask the patient directly, ‘What are the voices telling you to do?’
D. Dismiss the voices as not being real to the patient.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The priority is to assess for command hallucinations that may
lead to self-harm or violence. Knowing the content of the hallucinations is essential for
safety.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient for lithium toxicity. Which of the following findings should
the nurse identify as an early sign of toxicity?
A. Coarse hand tremors, ataxia, and confusion.
B. Fine hand tremors and mild thirst.
C. Constipation and weight gain.
D. Seizures and severe hypotension.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: While fine tremors are common side effects, coarse tremors,
ataxia, and confusion are indicative of lithium toxicity (usually levels >1.5 mEq/L).
4. A patient with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) tells a nurse, ‘You are the only one
who cares for me. The night shift nurse is mean and incompetent.’ This is an example of:
A. Splitting.
B. Reaction Formation.
, C. Projection.
D. Introjection.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Splitting is a common defense mechanism in BPD where
individuals view things or people as all good or all bad, unable to reconcile positive and
negative attributes.
5. Which medication is most likely to be prescribed to a patient undergoing alcohol
withdrawal to prevent seizures and delirium tremens?
A. Chlordiazepoxide
B. Naltrexone
C. Disulfiram
D. Methadone
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Benzodiazepines like Chlordiazepoxide or Lorazepam are the
gold standard for alcohol withdrawal to stabilize vital signs and prevent seizures.
6. A nurse is educating a patient about a new prescription for Phenelzine (an MAOI). Which
food choice indicates the patient understands the teaching?
A. A grilled chicken breast with steamed broccoli.
B. A pepperoni and mushroom pizza.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (GUARANTEE
PASS) CHAMBERLAIN
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing a severe panic attack. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
A. Stay with the patient and use short, simple sentences.
B. Ask the patient to identify the trigger for their anxiety.
C. Teach the patient deep breathing exercises immediately.
D. Administer a PRN dose of a stimulant medication.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: During a severe panic attack, the patient’s perceptual field is
significantly narrowed. The nurse should stay with the patient to ensure safety and
communicate using short, simple sentences. Deep breathing is hard to learn during the
peak of panic.
2. A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations, telling
them to ‘kill the voices.’ Which action is the highest priority for the nurse?
A. Administer an ordered dose of Benztropine.
B. Provide a quiet environment with low stimulation.
,C. Ask the patient directly, ‘What are the voices telling you to do?’
D. Dismiss the voices as not being real to the patient.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The priority is to assess for command hallucinations that may
lead to self-harm or violence. Knowing the content of the hallucinations is essential for
safety.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient for lithium toxicity. Which of the following findings should
the nurse identify as an early sign of toxicity?
A. Coarse hand tremors, ataxia, and confusion.
B. Fine hand tremors and mild thirst.
C. Constipation and weight gain.
D. Seizures and severe hypotension.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: While fine tremors are common side effects, coarse tremors,
ataxia, and confusion are indicative of lithium toxicity (usually levels >1.5 mEq/L).
4. A patient with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) tells a nurse, ‘You are the only one
who cares for me. The night shift nurse is mean and incompetent.’ This is an example of:
A. Splitting.
B. Reaction Formation.
, C. Projection.
D. Introjection.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Splitting is a common defense mechanism in BPD where
individuals view things or people as all good or all bad, unable to reconcile positive and
negative attributes.
5. Which medication is most likely to be prescribed to a patient undergoing alcohol
withdrawal to prevent seizures and delirium tremens?
A. Chlordiazepoxide
B. Naltrexone
C. Disulfiram
D. Methadone
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Benzodiazepines like Chlordiazepoxide or Lorazepam are the
gold standard for alcohol withdrawal to stabilize vital signs and prevent seizures.
6. A nurse is educating a patient about a new prescription for Phenelzine (an MAOI). Which
food choice indicates the patient understands the teaching?
A. A grilled chicken breast with steamed broccoli.
B. A pepperoni and mushroom pizza.
