NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 4 (GALEN) NEWEST
2026 ACTUAL EXAM| NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH
EXAM 4 REVIEW WITH COMPLETE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/
ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
A client newly prescribed lithium for bipolar disorder reports nausea,
coarse tremors, and confusion. Which nursing action is priority?
a) Encourage increased sodium intake
b) Hold the medication and notify the provider
c) Reassure the client that mild tremors are expected
d) Administer the next dose with food - Correct Answer - b) Hold the
medication and notify the provider
Coarse tremors, confusion, and gastrointestinal symptoms suggest
lithium toxicity. Lithium should be withheld and the provider notified
immediately.
A client taking clozapine reports sore throat and fever. Which action
should the nurse take first?
a) Encourage fluid intake
b) Administer acetaminophen
c) Obtain a white blood cell count
d) Reassure the client these are expected side effects - Correct Answer -
c) Obtain a white blood cell count
Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis. Fever and sore throat may indicate
infection related to dangerously low white blood cell counts.
pg. 1
,A client taking haloperidol develops neck stiffness, tongue protrusion,
and difficulty swallowing. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
a) Lorazepam
b) Benztropine
c) Lithium
d) Fluoxetine - Correct Answer - b) Benztropine
The client is experiencing acute dystonia, an extrapyramidal side effect
treated with anticholinergic medications such as benztropine.
A nurse is caring for a client withdrawing from alcohol. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
a) Mild tremors
b) Diaphoresis
c) Visual hallucinations
d) Anxiety - Correct Answer - c) Visual hallucinations
Hallucinations during alcohol withdrawal may indicate delirium
tremens, a potentially life-threatening condition.
A nurse is caring for a client who suddenly becomes mute, rigid, and
motionless. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
a) Catatonia
b) Mania
c) Delirium
d) Panic disorder - Correct Answer - a) Catatonia
Catatonia is characterized by immobility, mutism, and rigidity.
pg. 2
,A client with bulimia nervosa is admitted after repeated vomiting
episodes. Which laboratory finding would the nurse expect?
a) Hyperkalemia
b) Hypokalemia
c) Hypernatremia
d) Elevated calcium - Correct Answer - b) Hypokalemia
Frequent vomiting causes potassium loss and increases risk for cardiac
dysrhythmias.
A client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder manipulates peers
into giving away snacks. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
a) Establish clear, consistent limits
b) Allow negotiation to build rapport
c) Ignore manipulative behaviors
d) Provide special privileges - Correct Answer - a) Establish clear,
consistent limits
Consistency and firm boundaries are essential when caring for clients
with antisocial personality disorder.
A client taking benzodiazepines for anxiety suddenly stops the
medication. Which symptom should the nurse monitor for?
a) Bradycardia
b) Withdrawal seizures
c) Excessive salivation
d) Hypoglycemia - Correct Answer - b) Withdrawal seizures
pg. 3
, Abrupt benzodiazepine withdrawal may cause seizures and severe
withdrawal symptoms.
A client taking antipsychotics develops fever, muscle rigidity, and
altered mental status. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
a) Serotonin syndrome
b) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
c) Lithium toxicity
d) Tardive dyskinesia - Correct Answer - b) Neuroleptic malignant
syndrome
NMS is a life-threatening reaction characterized by rigidity, fever,
autonomic instability, and altered consciousness.
A client taking SSRIs reports agitation, sweating, and confusion after
starting another serotonergic medication. Which condition should the
nurse suspect?
a) Hypertensive crisis
b) Serotonin syndrome
c) Tardive dyskinesia
d) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome - Correct Answer - b) Serotonin
syndrome
Serotonin syndrome results from excessive serotonin activity and may
become life-threatening.
A client diagnosed with dementia becomes increasingly confused at
night. Which term describes this phenomenon?
a) Aphasia
pg. 4
2026 ACTUAL EXAM| NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH
EXAM 4 REVIEW WITH COMPLETE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/
ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
A client newly prescribed lithium for bipolar disorder reports nausea,
coarse tremors, and confusion. Which nursing action is priority?
a) Encourage increased sodium intake
b) Hold the medication and notify the provider
c) Reassure the client that mild tremors are expected
d) Administer the next dose with food - Correct Answer - b) Hold the
medication and notify the provider
Coarse tremors, confusion, and gastrointestinal symptoms suggest
lithium toxicity. Lithium should be withheld and the provider notified
immediately.
A client taking clozapine reports sore throat and fever. Which action
should the nurse take first?
a) Encourage fluid intake
b) Administer acetaminophen
c) Obtain a white blood cell count
d) Reassure the client these are expected side effects - Correct Answer -
c) Obtain a white blood cell count
Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis. Fever and sore throat may indicate
infection related to dangerously low white blood cell counts.
pg. 1
,A client taking haloperidol develops neck stiffness, tongue protrusion,
and difficulty swallowing. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
a) Lorazepam
b) Benztropine
c) Lithium
d) Fluoxetine - Correct Answer - b) Benztropine
The client is experiencing acute dystonia, an extrapyramidal side effect
treated with anticholinergic medications such as benztropine.
A nurse is caring for a client withdrawing from alcohol. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
a) Mild tremors
b) Diaphoresis
c) Visual hallucinations
d) Anxiety - Correct Answer - c) Visual hallucinations
Hallucinations during alcohol withdrawal may indicate delirium
tremens, a potentially life-threatening condition.
A nurse is caring for a client who suddenly becomes mute, rigid, and
motionless. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
a) Catatonia
b) Mania
c) Delirium
d) Panic disorder - Correct Answer - a) Catatonia
Catatonia is characterized by immobility, mutism, and rigidity.
pg. 2
,A client with bulimia nervosa is admitted after repeated vomiting
episodes. Which laboratory finding would the nurse expect?
a) Hyperkalemia
b) Hypokalemia
c) Hypernatremia
d) Elevated calcium - Correct Answer - b) Hypokalemia
Frequent vomiting causes potassium loss and increases risk for cardiac
dysrhythmias.
A client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder manipulates peers
into giving away snacks. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
a) Establish clear, consistent limits
b) Allow negotiation to build rapport
c) Ignore manipulative behaviors
d) Provide special privileges - Correct Answer - a) Establish clear,
consistent limits
Consistency and firm boundaries are essential when caring for clients
with antisocial personality disorder.
A client taking benzodiazepines for anxiety suddenly stops the
medication. Which symptom should the nurse monitor for?
a) Bradycardia
b) Withdrawal seizures
c) Excessive salivation
d) Hypoglycemia - Correct Answer - b) Withdrawal seizures
pg. 3
, Abrupt benzodiazepine withdrawal may cause seizures and severe
withdrawal symptoms.
A client taking antipsychotics develops fever, muscle rigidity, and
altered mental status. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
a) Serotonin syndrome
b) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
c) Lithium toxicity
d) Tardive dyskinesia - Correct Answer - b) Neuroleptic malignant
syndrome
NMS is a life-threatening reaction characterized by rigidity, fever,
autonomic instability, and altered consciousness.
A client taking SSRIs reports agitation, sweating, and confusion after
starting another serotonergic medication. Which condition should the
nurse suspect?
a) Hypertensive crisis
b) Serotonin syndrome
c) Tardive dyskinesia
d) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome - Correct Answer - b) Serotonin
syndrome
Serotonin syndrome results from excessive serotonin activity and may
become life-threatening.
A client diagnosed with dementia becomes increasingly confused at
night. Which term describes this phenomenon?
a) Aphasia
pg. 4
