NR 326 Mental Health Nursing Exam 3 Practice Quiz 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a client with Alzheimer’s disease who is experiencing
moderate cognitive decline (Stage 4). Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. The client is unable to identify familiar objects like a fork.
B. The client requires total assistance with all activities of daily living.
C. The client forgets their own personal history and home address.
D. The client has difficulty performing complex tasks such as managing finances.
Answer: D
Rationale: In stage 4 (moderate cognitive decline), the client has difficulty performing
complex tasks like managing a budget or planning a party. Forgetting personal history
(Stage 5) and inability to identify objects (Stage 6/7) occur later.
2. Which of the following is a key clinical distinction between delirium and
dementia?
A. Delirium is characterized by a gradual, progressive decline.
B. Delirium has an abrupt onset and typically a fluctuating course.
C. Dementia is usually reversible with prompt treatment.
D. Dementia is always associated with an underlying medical infection.
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, abrupt onset and a fluctuating level of
consciousness. Dementia is chronic, progressive, and generally irreversible.
,3. A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child with ADHD who is
starting methylphenidate. Which instruction is most important?
A. Administer the medication right before bedtime.
B. Monitor the child’s weight and height regularly.
C. Expect the child to have an increased appetite.
D. The medication will take 4 to 6 weeks to show any effect.
Answer: B
Rationale: Methylphenidate is a stimulant that can cause weight loss and growth
suppression in children. Monitoring growth parameters is essential. It should be given in
the morning to prevent insomnia.
4. A client diagnosed with anorexia nervosa is admitted to an inpatient unit.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Presence of lanugo on the back.
B. A body mass index (BMI) of 17.
C. Heart rate of 38 beats per minute.
D. Amenorrhea for the past six months.
Answer: C
Rationale: Severe bradycardia (HR < 40) is a medical emergency in anorexia nervosa and
indicates potential cardiovascular collapse. Lanugo and amenorrhea are common but not
immediately life-threatening.
, 5. A nurse is caring for a client with Bulimia Nervosa. The nurse notes calluses
on the back of the client’s knuckles. How should the nurse document this
finding?
A. Chvostek’s sign
B. Trousseau’s sign
C. Cullen’s sign
D. Russell’s sign
Answer: D
Rationale: Russell’s sign refers to calluses on the knuckles or back of the hand due to
repeated self-induced vomiting.
6. When caring for a client with Borderline Personality Disorder, the nurse
notices the client is telling different stories to different staff members to create
conflict. This is known as:
A. Splitting
B. Rationalization
C. Projective identification
D. Sublimation
Answer: A
Rationale: Splitting is a common defense mechanism in Borderline PD where individuals
see others as ‘all good’ or ‘all bad,’ often leading to staff conflict.
7. A client is admitted for alcohol detoxification. Which medication is the nurse
most likely to administer to manage acute withdrawal symptoms?
A. Disulfiram
B. Naltrexone
C. Lorazepam
D. Methadone
Answer: C
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a client with Alzheimer’s disease who is experiencing
moderate cognitive decline (Stage 4). Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. The client is unable to identify familiar objects like a fork.
B. The client requires total assistance with all activities of daily living.
C. The client forgets their own personal history and home address.
D. The client has difficulty performing complex tasks such as managing finances.
Answer: D
Rationale: In stage 4 (moderate cognitive decline), the client has difficulty performing
complex tasks like managing a budget or planning a party. Forgetting personal history
(Stage 5) and inability to identify objects (Stage 6/7) occur later.
2. Which of the following is a key clinical distinction between delirium and
dementia?
A. Delirium is characterized by a gradual, progressive decline.
B. Delirium has an abrupt onset and typically a fluctuating course.
C. Dementia is usually reversible with prompt treatment.
D. Dementia is always associated with an underlying medical infection.
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, abrupt onset and a fluctuating level of
consciousness. Dementia is chronic, progressive, and generally irreversible.
,3. A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child with ADHD who is
starting methylphenidate. Which instruction is most important?
A. Administer the medication right before bedtime.
B. Monitor the child’s weight and height regularly.
C. Expect the child to have an increased appetite.
D. The medication will take 4 to 6 weeks to show any effect.
Answer: B
Rationale: Methylphenidate is a stimulant that can cause weight loss and growth
suppression in children. Monitoring growth parameters is essential. It should be given in
the morning to prevent insomnia.
4. A client diagnosed with anorexia nervosa is admitted to an inpatient unit.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Presence of lanugo on the back.
B. A body mass index (BMI) of 17.
C. Heart rate of 38 beats per minute.
D. Amenorrhea for the past six months.
Answer: C
Rationale: Severe bradycardia (HR < 40) is a medical emergency in anorexia nervosa and
indicates potential cardiovascular collapse. Lanugo and amenorrhea are common but not
immediately life-threatening.
, 5. A nurse is caring for a client with Bulimia Nervosa. The nurse notes calluses
on the back of the client’s knuckles. How should the nurse document this
finding?
A. Chvostek’s sign
B. Trousseau’s sign
C. Cullen’s sign
D. Russell’s sign
Answer: D
Rationale: Russell’s sign refers to calluses on the knuckles or back of the hand due to
repeated self-induced vomiting.
6. When caring for a client with Borderline Personality Disorder, the nurse
notices the client is telling different stories to different staff members to create
conflict. This is known as:
A. Splitting
B. Rationalization
C. Projective identification
D. Sublimation
Answer: A
Rationale: Splitting is a common defense mechanism in Borderline PD where individuals
see others as ‘all good’ or ‘all bad,’ often leading to staff conflict.
7. A client is admitted for alcohol detoxification. Which medication is the nurse
most likely to administer to manage acute withdrawal symptoms?
A. Disulfiram
B. Naltrexone
C. Lorazepam
D. Methadone
Answer: C
