NUR 326 FINAL PREP Exam 250 Questions with 100%
Correct Answers | Latest Version (2026/2027) Expert
Verified
OVERVIEW
This is a high-yield psychiatric pharmacology and mental health nursing exam set focused
on depression, bipolar disorder, suicide risk assessment, and psychotropic medication
management.
It tests recognition of first-line psychiatric medications (SSRIs, lithium, MAO inhibitors,
trazodone, acamprosate, disulfiram), their therapeutic uses, and major adverse effects such
as serotonin syndrome, lithium toxicity, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, as well as essential
patient education priorities like dietary restrictions with MAO inhibitors and hydration needs
with lithium.
The exam also emphasizes clinical decision-making in mental health settings, including
suicide risk assessment, protective vs risk factors, expected symptoms of major depressive
disorder, and behavioral presentation of mania or severe depression. It further integrates
nursing priorities such as therapeutic communication, safe patient observation, and post-
treatment care after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Overall, it evaluates the ability to identify psychiatric conditions, manage psychotropic
medications safely, and prioritize patient safety in acute and chronic mental health care
scenarios, consistent with NCLEX-style and psychiatric nursing certification exams.
Which of the following medications are used for alcohol recovery/maintenance? Select all that apply.
a. Cogentin
b. Naltrexone
c. Disulfiram (Antabuse)
d. Trazadone
e. Acamprosate (Campral) - correct answer -B C E
You have a client that has just been diagnosed with depression. Which of the following are expected
findings related to depression? Select all that apply.
a. Increased libido
b. Anhedonia
c. Generalized pain
,d. Anergia
e. Increased socialization - correct answer -B C D (A pt. experiencing depression will exhibit decreased
libido, lack of pleasure in normal activities, anxiety, reports of sluggishment, changes in eating patterns,
changes in bowel habits, sleep disturbances, and somatic reports, such as fatigue, gastrointestinal
changes, and pain.)
You are sitting with a client who has depression and you ask them, "Have you thought about harming
yourself or others?" The patient does not respond. What should you, as the nurse, do next?
a. Repeat the question because they might not of heard you the first time.
b. Sit with the patient quietly until they are ready to respond.
c. Hug the patient.
d. Implement one-to-one observation because of suicide risk. - correct answer -B (The answer will
almost always be sit with the patient quietly.)
What anti-depressant has been found to be an effective non dependence forming sleep aid?
a. Wellbutrin (Buspar)
b. Trazadone (Desyrel)
c. Fluoxetine (Prozac)
d. Citalopram (Celexa) - correct answer -B
You are caring for a client who has been prescribed an MAO inhibitor, Phenelazine. Which of the
following statements should the nurse make about education regarding taking this medication?
a. "Wear sunscreen before you go outside."
b. "Call the physician if you experience a sore throat."
c. "Do not eat aged cheese meats, wine, and chocolate while taking this medication."
d. "It can take a few days before you start to see an improvement in your mood." - correct answer -C
You are caring for a client who is taking Fluoxetine (Prozac), an SSRI. Which of the following are
manifestations of serotonin syndrome, a serious adverse effect of too much serotonin in the brain?
Select all that apply.
,a. Altered level of consciousness
b. Constipation
c. Fever
d. Tachycardia
e. Hypotension
f. Agitation
g. Tremors - correct answer -A C D F (Signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:
-Confusion
-Disorientation
-Agitation
-Diarrhea
-Tachycardia
-Hallucinations
-Fever
-Poor Coordination
-Elevated B/P
-Vomiting)
The healthcare provider is caring for a patient who has undergone electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The
patient should be carefully assessed for which of the following common adverse effects of this
treatment?
a. Dizziness and blurred vision
b. Aggression and violent behavior
c. Headache and memory loss
d. Palpitations and cardiac arrest - correct answer -C
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder is admitted for inpatient care. Which of the
following is the primary goal during the admission assessment?
, A. Establishing desired outcomes for the patient
B. Administering antidepressant medications
C. Collecting and organizing patient data
D. Reviewing the policies for patient conduct - correct answer -C (The primary goal during the
admission assessment is to collect and organize objective and subjective data so patient problems and
needs can be identified.)
A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium carbonate (Lithobid). When teaching the
patient about the medication, which of these statements is a priority for the healthcare provider
include?
A. "You should follow this low calorie, low sodium diet to prevent weight gain."
B. "You should avoid consuming dairy products when you are taking this medication."
C. "Call our office immediately if you experience any unusual bruising or bleeding."
D. "Drink lots of fluids, especially if you are active during hot weather." - correct answer -D
A patient diagnosed with depression is prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac). Which of the following would the
healthcare provider most likely observe if the patient experiences an adverse effect of this medication?
a. Bradycardia
b. Decreased libido
c. Urinary retention
d. Weight loss - correct answer -B
Which of the following would not be a protective factor against suicide?
a. Having limited access to highly lethal methods of suicide
b. Easy access to a variety of resources and support
c. Lack of coping skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent handling of disputes.
Correct Answers | Latest Version (2026/2027) Expert
Verified
OVERVIEW
This is a high-yield psychiatric pharmacology and mental health nursing exam set focused
on depression, bipolar disorder, suicide risk assessment, and psychotropic medication
management.
It tests recognition of first-line psychiatric medications (SSRIs, lithium, MAO inhibitors,
trazodone, acamprosate, disulfiram), their therapeutic uses, and major adverse effects such
as serotonin syndrome, lithium toxicity, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, as well as essential
patient education priorities like dietary restrictions with MAO inhibitors and hydration needs
with lithium.
The exam also emphasizes clinical decision-making in mental health settings, including
suicide risk assessment, protective vs risk factors, expected symptoms of major depressive
disorder, and behavioral presentation of mania or severe depression. It further integrates
nursing priorities such as therapeutic communication, safe patient observation, and post-
treatment care after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Overall, it evaluates the ability to identify psychiatric conditions, manage psychotropic
medications safely, and prioritize patient safety in acute and chronic mental health care
scenarios, consistent with NCLEX-style and psychiatric nursing certification exams.
Which of the following medications are used for alcohol recovery/maintenance? Select all that apply.
a. Cogentin
b. Naltrexone
c. Disulfiram (Antabuse)
d. Trazadone
e. Acamprosate (Campral) - correct answer -B C E
You have a client that has just been diagnosed with depression. Which of the following are expected
findings related to depression? Select all that apply.
a. Increased libido
b. Anhedonia
c. Generalized pain
,d. Anergia
e. Increased socialization - correct answer -B C D (A pt. experiencing depression will exhibit decreased
libido, lack of pleasure in normal activities, anxiety, reports of sluggishment, changes in eating patterns,
changes in bowel habits, sleep disturbances, and somatic reports, such as fatigue, gastrointestinal
changes, and pain.)
You are sitting with a client who has depression and you ask them, "Have you thought about harming
yourself or others?" The patient does not respond. What should you, as the nurse, do next?
a. Repeat the question because they might not of heard you the first time.
b. Sit with the patient quietly until they are ready to respond.
c. Hug the patient.
d. Implement one-to-one observation because of suicide risk. - correct answer -B (The answer will
almost always be sit with the patient quietly.)
What anti-depressant has been found to be an effective non dependence forming sleep aid?
a. Wellbutrin (Buspar)
b. Trazadone (Desyrel)
c. Fluoxetine (Prozac)
d. Citalopram (Celexa) - correct answer -B
You are caring for a client who has been prescribed an MAO inhibitor, Phenelazine. Which of the
following statements should the nurse make about education regarding taking this medication?
a. "Wear sunscreen before you go outside."
b. "Call the physician if you experience a sore throat."
c. "Do not eat aged cheese meats, wine, and chocolate while taking this medication."
d. "It can take a few days before you start to see an improvement in your mood." - correct answer -C
You are caring for a client who is taking Fluoxetine (Prozac), an SSRI. Which of the following are
manifestations of serotonin syndrome, a serious adverse effect of too much serotonin in the brain?
Select all that apply.
,a. Altered level of consciousness
b. Constipation
c. Fever
d. Tachycardia
e. Hypotension
f. Agitation
g. Tremors - correct answer -A C D F (Signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:
-Confusion
-Disorientation
-Agitation
-Diarrhea
-Tachycardia
-Hallucinations
-Fever
-Poor Coordination
-Elevated B/P
-Vomiting)
The healthcare provider is caring for a patient who has undergone electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The
patient should be carefully assessed for which of the following common adverse effects of this
treatment?
a. Dizziness and blurred vision
b. Aggression and violent behavior
c. Headache and memory loss
d. Palpitations and cardiac arrest - correct answer -C
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder is admitted for inpatient care. Which of the
following is the primary goal during the admission assessment?
, A. Establishing desired outcomes for the patient
B. Administering antidepressant medications
C. Collecting and organizing patient data
D. Reviewing the policies for patient conduct - correct answer -C (The primary goal during the
admission assessment is to collect and organize objective and subjective data so patient problems and
needs can be identified.)
A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium carbonate (Lithobid). When teaching the
patient about the medication, which of these statements is a priority for the healthcare provider
include?
A. "You should follow this low calorie, low sodium diet to prevent weight gain."
B. "You should avoid consuming dairy products when you are taking this medication."
C. "Call our office immediately if you experience any unusual bruising or bleeding."
D. "Drink lots of fluids, especially if you are active during hot weather." - correct answer -D
A patient diagnosed with depression is prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac). Which of the following would the
healthcare provider most likely observe if the patient experiences an adverse effect of this medication?
a. Bradycardia
b. Decreased libido
c. Urinary retention
d. Weight loss - correct answer -B
Which of the following would not be a protective factor against suicide?
a. Having limited access to highly lethal methods of suicide
b. Easy access to a variety of resources and support
c. Lack of coping skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent handling of disputes.
