NR 326 Mental Health Nursing Exam 3 Study Guide 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which of
the following medications should the nurse expect to administer to prevent
delirium tremens?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Disulfiram
C. Chlordiazepoxide
D. Methadone
Answer: C
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide are the gold standard for managing
acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms and preventing progression to seizures or delirium
tremens.
2. A client is diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa. Which physical finding is most
indicative of the severity of the malnutrition?
A. Lanugo
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Lanugo, fine downy hair, grows as a physiological response to extreme weight
loss and malnutrition to provide insulation for the body.
,3. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by medications like Donepezil
used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: C
Rationale: Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor that increases the availability of
acetylcholine at the synapse, which helps improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s
patients.
4. A client with Borderline Personality Disorder frequently uses the defense
mechanism of ‘splitting.’ How does this manifest in a clinical setting?
A. The client attributes their own negative feelings to others.
B. The client forgets traumatic events from their childhood.
C. The client views staff members as either all good or all bad.
D. The client behaves like a much younger person under stress.
Answer: C
Rationale: Splitting is the inability to integrate the positive and negative qualities of
oneself or others into a cohesive image, leading to ‘black and white’ thinking.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about Disulfiram therapy. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. I can start drinking alcohol again one week after stopping the pill.
B. I should avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol.
C. This medication will stop my cravings for alcohol.
D. I only need to take this on days I feel like drinking.
Answer: B
, Rationale: Disulfiram causes a severe adverse reaction if any alcohol is ingested, including
hidden sources like mouthwash, cough syrup, or vanilla extract.
6. Which of the following is a primary characteristic of Delirium that
distinguishes it from Dementia?
A. Gradual onset over several years
B. Irreversible cognitive decline
C. Stable level of consciousness
D. Acute onset and fluctuating course
Answer: D
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a rapid onset, fluctuating levels of consciousness,
and is often reversible if the underlying cause is treated.
7. A client presents with Russell’s sign. Which disorder does the nurse suspect?
A. Bulimia Nervosa
B. Binge Eating Disorder
C. Somatic Symptom Disorder
D. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: Russell’s sign refers to calluses or scars on the knuckles caused by repeated
self-induced vomiting, a common sign in Bulimia Nervosa.
8. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of
disregard for and violation of the rights of others, often beginning in childhood?
A. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
B. Histrionic Personality Disorder
C. Antisocial Personality Disorder
D. Paranoid Personality Disorder
Answer: C
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which of
the following medications should the nurse expect to administer to prevent
delirium tremens?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Disulfiram
C. Chlordiazepoxide
D. Methadone
Answer: C
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide are the gold standard for managing
acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms and preventing progression to seizures or delirium
tremens.
2. A client is diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa. Which physical finding is most
indicative of the severity of the malnutrition?
A. Lanugo
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Lanugo, fine downy hair, grows as a physiological response to extreme weight
loss and malnutrition to provide insulation for the body.
,3. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by medications like Donepezil
used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: C
Rationale: Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor that increases the availability of
acetylcholine at the synapse, which helps improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s
patients.
4. A client with Borderline Personality Disorder frequently uses the defense
mechanism of ‘splitting.’ How does this manifest in a clinical setting?
A. The client attributes their own negative feelings to others.
B. The client forgets traumatic events from their childhood.
C. The client views staff members as either all good or all bad.
D. The client behaves like a much younger person under stress.
Answer: C
Rationale: Splitting is the inability to integrate the positive and negative qualities of
oneself or others into a cohesive image, leading to ‘black and white’ thinking.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about Disulfiram therapy. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. I can start drinking alcohol again one week after stopping the pill.
B. I should avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol.
C. This medication will stop my cravings for alcohol.
D. I only need to take this on days I feel like drinking.
Answer: B
, Rationale: Disulfiram causes a severe adverse reaction if any alcohol is ingested, including
hidden sources like mouthwash, cough syrup, or vanilla extract.
6. Which of the following is a primary characteristic of Delirium that
distinguishes it from Dementia?
A. Gradual onset over several years
B. Irreversible cognitive decline
C. Stable level of consciousness
D. Acute onset and fluctuating course
Answer: D
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a rapid onset, fluctuating levels of consciousness,
and is often reversible if the underlying cause is treated.
7. A client presents with Russell’s sign. Which disorder does the nurse suspect?
A. Bulimia Nervosa
B. Binge Eating Disorder
C. Somatic Symptom Disorder
D. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: Russell’s sign refers to calluses or scars on the knuckles caused by repeated
self-induced vomiting, a common sign in Bulimia Nervosa.
8. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of
disregard for and violation of the rights of others, often beginning in childhood?
A. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
B. Histrionic Personality Disorder
C. Antisocial Personality Disorder
D. Paranoid Personality Disorder
Answer: C
