NUR 2459 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE (VERIFIED
AND CORRECT Q & A) SATISFACTION
GUARANTEED 2026/2027
1. A patient is prescribed Phenelzine (Nardil) for treatment-resistant depression. Which menu
choice indicates the patient understands the necessary dietary restrictions?
A. Grilled chicken breast with steamed broccoli
B. Smoked salmon on a whole wheat bagel
C. Pepperoni pizza with extra cheese
D. Soy sauce glazed tofu and aged cheddar
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Phenelzine is an MAOI which requires a low-tyramine diet to
prevent hypertensive crisis. Aged cheeses, cured meats, smoked fish, and fermented soy
products are high in tyramine and must be avoided.
2. A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a Lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L. Which clinical
finding should the nurse prioritize?
A. Fine hand tremors and mild thirst
B. Ataxia, blurred vision, and severe diarrhea
,C. Polyuria and weight gain
D. Nausea and metallic taste
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L indicates moderate toxicity.
Expected findings include ataxia, blurred vision, clonic movements, and severe
gastrointestinal distress. Fine tremors are common at therapeutic levels (0.6-1.2).
3. A patient diagnosed with Schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations and tells
the nurse, ‘The voices are telling me I am a bad person.’ Which response is the most
therapeutic?
A. ‘I don’t hear the voices, but I believe you are hearing them.’
B. ‘You know those voices aren’t real, right?’
C. ‘What exactly are the voices telling you to do?’
D. ‘Let’s go to the dayroom and play cards to ignore them.’
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Therapeutic communication for hallucinations involves
acknowledging the patient’s experience (validating their feeling) while presenting reality
without arguing or dismissing the patient’s perception.
, 4. Which assessment finding is most suggestive of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) in
a patient taking Haloperidol?
A. Hyporeflexia and hypotension
B. Pruritus and maculopapular rash
C. Respiratory depression and miosis
D. Severe muscle rigidity and hyperpyrexia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics
characterized by ‘lead pipe’ rigidity, high fever (hyperpyrexia), autonomic instability, and
altered mental status.
5. A client with Borderline Personality Disorder frequently pits staff members against each
other by praising one and criticizing another. Which defense mechanism is this?
A. Projective identification
B. Reaction formation
C. Splitting
D. Sublimation
Answer: C
FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE (VERIFIED
AND CORRECT Q & A) SATISFACTION
GUARANTEED 2026/2027
1. A patient is prescribed Phenelzine (Nardil) for treatment-resistant depression. Which menu
choice indicates the patient understands the necessary dietary restrictions?
A. Grilled chicken breast with steamed broccoli
B. Smoked salmon on a whole wheat bagel
C. Pepperoni pizza with extra cheese
D. Soy sauce glazed tofu and aged cheddar
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Phenelzine is an MAOI which requires a low-tyramine diet to
prevent hypertensive crisis. Aged cheeses, cured meats, smoked fish, and fermented soy
products are high in tyramine and must be avoided.
2. A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a Lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L. Which clinical
finding should the nurse prioritize?
A. Fine hand tremors and mild thirst
B. Ataxia, blurred vision, and severe diarrhea
,C. Polyuria and weight gain
D. Nausea and metallic taste
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L indicates moderate toxicity.
Expected findings include ataxia, blurred vision, clonic movements, and severe
gastrointestinal distress. Fine tremors are common at therapeutic levels (0.6-1.2).
3. A patient diagnosed with Schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations and tells
the nurse, ‘The voices are telling me I am a bad person.’ Which response is the most
therapeutic?
A. ‘I don’t hear the voices, but I believe you are hearing them.’
B. ‘You know those voices aren’t real, right?’
C. ‘What exactly are the voices telling you to do?’
D. ‘Let’s go to the dayroom and play cards to ignore them.’
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Therapeutic communication for hallucinations involves
acknowledging the patient’s experience (validating their feeling) while presenting reality
without arguing or dismissing the patient’s perception.
, 4. Which assessment finding is most suggestive of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) in
a patient taking Haloperidol?
A. Hyporeflexia and hypotension
B. Pruritus and maculopapular rash
C. Respiratory depression and miosis
D. Severe muscle rigidity and hyperpyrexia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics
characterized by ‘lead pipe’ rigidity, high fever (hyperpyrexia), autonomic instability, and
altered mental status.
5. A client with Borderline Personality Disorder frequently pits staff members against each
other by praising one and criticizing another. Which defense mechanism is this?
A. Projective identification
B. Reaction formation
C. Splitting
D. Sublimation
Answer: C
