NR 326 Mental Health Nursing Week 8 Comprehensive Study Guide
2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A client is prescribed Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder. What is the
therapeutic serum level range for maintenance treatment?
A. 0.1 to 0.5 mEq/L
B. 1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
C. 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
D. 2.5 to 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium maintenance is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels
above 1.5 mEq/L can lead to toxicity.
2. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing Serotonin Syndrome. Which of the
following symptoms should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Hypothermia and bradycardia
B. Muscle rigidity, fever, and diaphoresis
C. Constipation and urinary retention
D. Hyporeflexia and sedation
Answer: B
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome is characterized by mental status changes, autonomic
hyperactivity (fever, diaphoresis, tachycardia), and neuromuscular abnormalities like
muscle rigidity.
,3. Which dietary restriction is essential for a client taking Phenelzine (Nardil), a
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)?
A. Low-sodium diet
B. Gluten-free diet
C. Low-tyramine diet
D. High-potassium diet
Answer: C
Rationale: Clients taking MAOIs must avoid tyramine-rich foods (e.g., aged cheese, cured
meats, red wine) to prevent a hypertensive crisis.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with Schizophrenia who is experiencing auditory
hallucinations. Which is the most appropriate nursing response?
A. What are the voices telling you?
B. I don’t hear anything, you are imagining things.
C. Why do you think you are hearing voices?
D. I hear them too, and they are telling us to leave.
Answer: A
Rationale: Asking what the voices are saying is crucial to assess for command
hallucinations that could pose a safety risk.
5. Which defense mechanism is a client using when they transfer their anger
from their boss to their spouse?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Rationalization
D. Displacement
Answer: D
Rationale: Displacement involves redirecting emotions from a threatening or original
source to a less threatening substitute.
, 6. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.
Which behavior is most characteristic of this disorder?
A. Manipulation and a pattern of unstable relationships
B. Emotional detachment and lack of interest in relationships
C. Social anxiety and fear of criticism
D. Excessive orderliness and perfectionism
Answer: A
Rationale: Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized by instability in affect, identity,
and relationships, often involving splitting and manipulation.
7. The nurse is assessing a client for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
after starting Haloperidol. Which sign is a hallmark of NMS?
A. Hypotension
B. Lower body weakness
C. Respiratory depression
D. Severe muscle lead-pipe rigidity
Answer: D
Rationale: NMS is a medical emergency characterized by severe muscle rigidity, high fever,
tachycardia, and fluctuations in blood pressure.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with Anorexia Nervosa. Which physical finding is
most common in this population?
A. Hypertension
B. Lanugo
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Tachycardia
Answer: B
Rationale: Lanugo (fine, downy hair) is a physiological response to starvation and loss of
body fat in Anorexia Nervosa.
2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A client is prescribed Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder. What is the
therapeutic serum level range for maintenance treatment?
A. 0.1 to 0.5 mEq/L
B. 1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
C. 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
D. 2.5 to 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium maintenance is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels
above 1.5 mEq/L can lead to toxicity.
2. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing Serotonin Syndrome. Which of the
following symptoms should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Hypothermia and bradycardia
B. Muscle rigidity, fever, and diaphoresis
C. Constipation and urinary retention
D. Hyporeflexia and sedation
Answer: B
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome is characterized by mental status changes, autonomic
hyperactivity (fever, diaphoresis, tachycardia), and neuromuscular abnormalities like
muscle rigidity.
,3. Which dietary restriction is essential for a client taking Phenelzine (Nardil), a
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)?
A. Low-sodium diet
B. Gluten-free diet
C. Low-tyramine diet
D. High-potassium diet
Answer: C
Rationale: Clients taking MAOIs must avoid tyramine-rich foods (e.g., aged cheese, cured
meats, red wine) to prevent a hypertensive crisis.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with Schizophrenia who is experiencing auditory
hallucinations. Which is the most appropriate nursing response?
A. What are the voices telling you?
B. I don’t hear anything, you are imagining things.
C. Why do you think you are hearing voices?
D. I hear them too, and they are telling us to leave.
Answer: A
Rationale: Asking what the voices are saying is crucial to assess for command
hallucinations that could pose a safety risk.
5. Which defense mechanism is a client using when they transfer their anger
from their boss to their spouse?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Rationalization
D. Displacement
Answer: D
Rationale: Displacement involves redirecting emotions from a threatening or original
source to a less threatening substitute.
, 6. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.
Which behavior is most characteristic of this disorder?
A. Manipulation and a pattern of unstable relationships
B. Emotional detachment and lack of interest in relationships
C. Social anxiety and fear of criticism
D. Excessive orderliness and perfectionism
Answer: A
Rationale: Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized by instability in affect, identity,
and relationships, often involving splitting and manipulation.
7. The nurse is assessing a client for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
after starting Haloperidol. Which sign is a hallmark of NMS?
A. Hypotension
B. Lower body weakness
C. Respiratory depression
D. Severe muscle lead-pipe rigidity
Answer: D
Rationale: NMS is a medical emergency characterized by severe muscle rigidity, high fever,
tachycardia, and fluctuations in blood pressure.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with Anorexia Nervosa. Which physical finding is
most common in this population?
A. Hypertension
B. Lanugo
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Tachycardia
Answer: B
Rationale: Lanugo (fine, downy hair) is a physiological response to starvation and loss of
body fat in Anorexia Nervosa.
