NR 326 Mental Health Nursing Exam 9 Practice Quiz 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. Which clinical manifestation is considered a positive symptom of
schizophrenia?
A. Delusions
B. Avolition
C. Flat affect
D. Alogia
Answer: A
Rationale: Positive symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.
Negative symptoms include flat affect, avolition, and alogia.
2. A patient taking haloperidol exhibits high fever, muscle rigidity, and altered
consciousness. What condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Acute dystonia
C. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
D. Tardive dyskinesia
Answer: C
Rationale: NMS is a rare but life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic drugs, characterized
by fever, rigidity, and autonomic instability.
,3. A client with borderline personality disorder uses ‘splitting’ as a defense
mechanism. How is this behavior manifested?
A. Developing physical symptoms to avoid tasks
B. Mimicking the behaviors of other patients
C. Labeling staff members as either all good or all bad
D. Justifying impulsive actions with logic
Answer: C
Rationale: Splitting is the inability to integrate positive and negative qualities of oneself or
others into a cohesive image, leading to ‘all-or-nothing’ thinking.
4. What is the primary physical assessment finding that warrants immediate
hospitalization for a client with anorexia nervosa?
A. Body weight 15% below ideal
B. Presence of lanugo
C. Amenorrhea for three cycles
D. Heart rate less than 40 beats per minute
Answer: D
Rationale: Severe bradycardia (less than 40 bpm) or electrolyte imbalances are medical
emergencies requiring stabilization in a hospital.
5. A child is prescribed methylphenidate for ADHD. What is a common side
effect the nurse should monitor for?
A. Hypotension
B. Increased sleepiness
C. Weight gain
D. Weight loss and decreased appetite
Answer: D
Rationale: Stimulants like methylphenidate often cause appetite suppression and
insomnia, making growth monitoring a priority.
, 6. A client is experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which symptom indicates a
progression to alcohol withdrawal delirium (delirium tremens)?
A. Seizures and severe hallucinations
B. Mild tremors
C. Increased appetite
D. Hypotension
Answer: A
Rationale: Delirium tremens is characterized by severe autonomic hyperactivity, seizures,
and vivid hallucinations occurring 48-72 hours after the last drink.
7. Which behavior is most characteristic of a child with Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD)?
A. High levels of distractibility
B. Physical aggression toward peers
C. Excessive talking and social engagement
D. Repetitive patterns of behavior or interests
Answer: D
Rationale: Core features of ASD include impaired social communication and restricted,
repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.
8. During a manic episode, what is the nurse’s priority intervention for a client
with bipolar disorder?
A. Encouraging group therapy participation
B. Informing the client about medication side effects
C. Ensuring client safety and adequate nutrition
D. Engaging the client in competitive sports
Answer: C
Rationale: Safety is the priority during mania due to impulsivity; nutrition is also vital as
the client may be too active to eat or drink.
|Chamberlain College
1. Which clinical manifestation is considered a positive symptom of
schizophrenia?
A. Delusions
B. Avolition
C. Flat affect
D. Alogia
Answer: A
Rationale: Positive symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.
Negative symptoms include flat affect, avolition, and alogia.
2. A patient taking haloperidol exhibits high fever, muscle rigidity, and altered
consciousness. What condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Acute dystonia
C. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
D. Tardive dyskinesia
Answer: C
Rationale: NMS is a rare but life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic drugs, characterized
by fever, rigidity, and autonomic instability.
,3. A client with borderline personality disorder uses ‘splitting’ as a defense
mechanism. How is this behavior manifested?
A. Developing physical symptoms to avoid tasks
B. Mimicking the behaviors of other patients
C. Labeling staff members as either all good or all bad
D. Justifying impulsive actions with logic
Answer: C
Rationale: Splitting is the inability to integrate positive and negative qualities of oneself or
others into a cohesive image, leading to ‘all-or-nothing’ thinking.
4. What is the primary physical assessment finding that warrants immediate
hospitalization for a client with anorexia nervosa?
A. Body weight 15% below ideal
B. Presence of lanugo
C. Amenorrhea for three cycles
D. Heart rate less than 40 beats per minute
Answer: D
Rationale: Severe bradycardia (less than 40 bpm) or electrolyte imbalances are medical
emergencies requiring stabilization in a hospital.
5. A child is prescribed methylphenidate for ADHD. What is a common side
effect the nurse should monitor for?
A. Hypotension
B. Increased sleepiness
C. Weight gain
D. Weight loss and decreased appetite
Answer: D
Rationale: Stimulants like methylphenidate often cause appetite suppression and
insomnia, making growth monitoring a priority.
, 6. A client is experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which symptom indicates a
progression to alcohol withdrawal delirium (delirium tremens)?
A. Seizures and severe hallucinations
B. Mild tremors
C. Increased appetite
D. Hypotension
Answer: A
Rationale: Delirium tremens is characterized by severe autonomic hyperactivity, seizures,
and vivid hallucinations occurring 48-72 hours after the last drink.
7. Which behavior is most characteristic of a child with Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD)?
A. High levels of distractibility
B. Physical aggression toward peers
C. Excessive talking and social engagement
D. Repetitive patterns of behavior or interests
Answer: D
Rationale: Core features of ASD include impaired social communication and restricted,
repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.
8. During a manic episode, what is the nurse’s priority intervention for a client
with bipolar disorder?
A. Encouraging group therapy participation
B. Informing the client about medication side effects
C. Ensuring client safety and adequate nutrition
D. Engaging the client in competitive sports
Answer: C
Rationale: Safety is the priority during mania due to impulsivity; nutrition is also vital as
the client may be too active to eat or drink.
