NURS 322 Exam 2 – Mental Health Nursing Practice Quiz 2… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NURS 322 Exam 2 – Mental Health Nursing Practice
Quiz 2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NURS 322 Exam 2 – Mental Health Nursing Practice Quiz 2… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient experiencing severe depression is prescribed a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
(MAOI). Which food item should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
A. Fresh green salads
B. Baked potatoes
C. Grilled chicken breast
D. Aged cheddar cheese
Answer: D
Rationale: Aged cheeses contain high levels of tyramine, which can lead to a hypertensive crisis when
consumed by patients taking MAOIs. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. A nurse is assessing a patient for Lithium toxicity. Which of the following findings should be
reported immediately?
A. Mild thirst and polyuria
B. Coarse tremors, confusion, and ataxia
C. Fine hand tremors and nausea
D. Occasional weight gain
Answer: B
Rationale: Coarse tremors and neurological impairment like ataxia or confusion are signs of advanced Lithium
toxicity, whereas fine tremors are common side effects. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge
in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
3. Which therapeutic communication technique is the nurse using when saying, ‘You
mentioned you feel overwhelmed. Can you tell me more about that?’
A. Exploring
B. Offering general leads
C. Reflecting
D. Restating
Answer: A
Rationale: Exploring encourages the patient to delve deeper into a specific topic or feeling mentioned. Exam
questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear
rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NURS 322 Exam 2 – Mental Health Nursing Practice Quiz 2… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A patient with Schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Ask the patient what the voices are saying.
B. Tell the patient that the voices are not real.
C. Leave the patient alone to rest in a quiet room.
D. Agree with the patient to build rapport.
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse must assess the content of hallucinations, especially command hallucinations, to ensure
the safety of the patient and others. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct
answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
5. A patient is exhibiting signs of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) after starting a
high-potency antipsychotic. What is the most critical symptom to monitor for?
A. Severe muscle rigidity and high fever
B. Hypotension and bradycardia
C. Excessive salivation and diarrhea
D. Itching and hives
Answer: A
Rationale: NMS is a medical emergency characterized by lead-pipe muscle rigidity, hyperpyrexia (high fever),
and autonomic instability. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
6. A patient with Borderline Personality Disorder is observed being extremely friendly to one
nurse while being hostile to another. This behavior is known as:
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Idealization
D. Splitting
Answer: D
Rationale: Splitting is a primary defense mechanism in BPD where individuals view others as all good or all
bad, often pitting staff members against each other. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize
care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to
distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NURS 322 Exam 2 – Mental Health Nursing Practice
Quiz 2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NURS 322 Exam 2 – Mental Health Nursing Practice Quiz 2… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient experiencing severe depression is prescribed a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
(MAOI). Which food item should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
A. Fresh green salads
B. Baked potatoes
C. Grilled chicken breast
D. Aged cheddar cheese
Answer: D
Rationale: Aged cheeses contain high levels of tyramine, which can lead to a hypertensive crisis when
consumed by patients taking MAOIs. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. A nurse is assessing a patient for Lithium toxicity. Which of the following findings should be
reported immediately?
A. Mild thirst and polyuria
B. Coarse tremors, confusion, and ataxia
C. Fine hand tremors and nausea
D. Occasional weight gain
Answer: B
Rationale: Coarse tremors and neurological impairment like ataxia or confusion are signs of advanced Lithium
toxicity, whereas fine tremors are common side effects. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge
in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
3. Which therapeutic communication technique is the nurse using when saying, ‘You
mentioned you feel overwhelmed. Can you tell me more about that?’
A. Exploring
B. Offering general leads
C. Reflecting
D. Restating
Answer: A
Rationale: Exploring encourages the patient to delve deeper into a specific topic or feeling mentioned. Exam
questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear
rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NURS 322 Exam 2 – Mental Health Nursing Practice Quiz 2… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A patient with Schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Ask the patient what the voices are saying.
B. Tell the patient that the voices are not real.
C. Leave the patient alone to rest in a quiet room.
D. Agree with the patient to build rapport.
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse must assess the content of hallucinations, especially command hallucinations, to ensure
the safety of the patient and others. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct
answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
5. A patient is exhibiting signs of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) after starting a
high-potency antipsychotic. What is the most critical symptom to monitor for?
A. Severe muscle rigidity and high fever
B. Hypotension and bradycardia
C. Excessive salivation and diarrhea
D. Itching and hives
Answer: A
Rationale: NMS is a medical emergency characterized by lead-pipe muscle rigidity, hyperpyrexia (high fever),
and autonomic instability. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
6. A patient with Borderline Personality Disorder is observed being extremely friendly to one
nurse while being hostile to another. This behavior is known as:
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Idealization
D. Splitting
Answer: D
Rationale: Splitting is a primary defense mechanism in BPD where individuals view others as all good or all
bad, often pitting staff members against each other. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize
care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to
distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
