NURS 222 Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing: Promoting Wellness in
the Mentally Ill - Week 10 Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with schizophrenia is prescribed Clozapine. Which laboratory value
requires immediate notification to the healthcare provider?
A. Sodium level of 135 mEq/L
B. Blood glucose of 110 mg/dL
C. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
D. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) of 800/mm³
Answer: D
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis. An ANC below 1000/mm³ or a WBC
below 3000/mm³ indicates severe neutropenia, necessitating immediate cessation of the
drug and medical intervention.
2. When assessing a patient for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), which
clinical finding is considered a hallmark sign?
A. Hypotension and bradycardia
B. Muscle flaccidity and hyporeflexia
C. Mydriasis and diarrhea
D. Lead-pipe muscle rigidity and hyperpyrexia
Answer: D
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic drugs characterized by
severe muscle rigidity (lead-pipe), high fever (hyperpyrexia), autonomic instability, and
altered mental status.
,3. A patient taking Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder reports blurred vision
and severe diarrhea. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
B. Hold the dose and obtain a serum lithium level
C. Encourage increased fluid intake only
D. Instruct the patient to exercise to reduce symptoms
Answer: B
Rationale: Blurred vision and diarrhea are early signs of lithium toxicity. The nurse must
hold the medication and check serum levels; therapeutic range is narrow (0.6-1.2 mEq/L).
4. A patient diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder uses ‘splitting’ as a
defense mechanism. How is this behavior best described?
A. The patient attributes their own feelings to others.
B. The patient justifies maladaptive behavior with logic.
C. The patient redirects anger toward a safer object.
D. The patient views staff as either ‘all good’ or ‘all bad.’
Answer: D
Rationale: Splitting is a primitive defense mechanism common in BPD where individuals
are unable to integrate positive and negative qualities of self or others into a cohesive
image.
5. Which dietary instruction is essential for a patient starting Phenelzine
(Nardil), a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)?
A. Avoid foods containing high levels of tyramine
B. Increase intake of aged cheeses and red wine
C. Maintain a strictly low-sodium diet
D. Limit intake of green leafy vegetables
Answer: A
, Rationale: MAOIs prevent the breakdown of tyramine. Consuming tyramine-rich foods
(aged cheese, cured meats, fermented products) can lead to a hypertensive crisis.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing a panic attack. What is the most
appropriate initial nursing intervention?
A. Teach the patient deep relaxation techniques immediately
B. Leave the patient alone to provide privacy
C. Ask the patient to explain the cause of the panic
D. Stay with the patient and use short, simple sentences
Answer: D
Rationale: During a panic attack, the patient’s ability to process information is severely
limited. Staying with them provides safety, and simple communication reduces cognitive
load.
7. What is the primary goal of Milieu Therapy in a psychiatric setting?
A. To provide one-on-one intensive psychotherapy
B. To ensure the patient remains in a locked environment at all times
C. To create a structured, safe environment that promotes behavioral change
D. To administer pharmacological treatments exclusively
Answer: C
Rationale: Milieu therapy (therapeutic community) focuses on manipulating the
environment so that all aspects of the patient’s hospital experience are considered
therapeutic.
the Mentally Ill - Week 10 Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with schizophrenia is prescribed Clozapine. Which laboratory value
requires immediate notification to the healthcare provider?
A. Sodium level of 135 mEq/L
B. Blood glucose of 110 mg/dL
C. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
D. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) of 800/mm³
Answer: D
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis. An ANC below 1000/mm³ or a WBC
below 3000/mm³ indicates severe neutropenia, necessitating immediate cessation of the
drug and medical intervention.
2. When assessing a patient for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), which
clinical finding is considered a hallmark sign?
A. Hypotension and bradycardia
B. Muscle flaccidity and hyporeflexia
C. Mydriasis and diarrhea
D. Lead-pipe muscle rigidity and hyperpyrexia
Answer: D
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic drugs characterized by
severe muscle rigidity (lead-pipe), high fever (hyperpyrexia), autonomic instability, and
altered mental status.
,3. A patient taking Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder reports blurred vision
and severe diarrhea. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
B. Hold the dose and obtain a serum lithium level
C. Encourage increased fluid intake only
D. Instruct the patient to exercise to reduce symptoms
Answer: B
Rationale: Blurred vision and diarrhea are early signs of lithium toxicity. The nurse must
hold the medication and check serum levels; therapeutic range is narrow (0.6-1.2 mEq/L).
4. A patient diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder uses ‘splitting’ as a
defense mechanism. How is this behavior best described?
A. The patient attributes their own feelings to others.
B. The patient justifies maladaptive behavior with logic.
C. The patient redirects anger toward a safer object.
D. The patient views staff as either ‘all good’ or ‘all bad.’
Answer: D
Rationale: Splitting is a primitive defense mechanism common in BPD where individuals
are unable to integrate positive and negative qualities of self or others into a cohesive
image.
5. Which dietary instruction is essential for a patient starting Phenelzine
(Nardil), a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)?
A. Avoid foods containing high levels of tyramine
B. Increase intake of aged cheeses and red wine
C. Maintain a strictly low-sodium diet
D. Limit intake of green leafy vegetables
Answer: A
, Rationale: MAOIs prevent the breakdown of tyramine. Consuming tyramine-rich foods
(aged cheese, cured meats, fermented products) can lead to a hypertensive crisis.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing a panic attack. What is the most
appropriate initial nursing intervention?
A. Teach the patient deep relaxation techniques immediately
B. Leave the patient alone to provide privacy
C. Ask the patient to explain the cause of the panic
D. Stay with the patient and use short, simple sentences
Answer: D
Rationale: During a panic attack, the patient’s ability to process information is severely
limited. Staying with them provides safety, and simple communication reduces cognitive
load.
7. What is the primary goal of Milieu Therapy in a psychiatric setting?
A. To provide one-on-one intensive psychotherapy
B. To ensure the patient remains in a locked environment at all times
C. To create a structured, safe environment that promotes behavioral change
D. To administer pharmacological treatments exclusively
Answer: C
Rationale: Milieu therapy (therapeutic community) focuses on manipulating the
environment so that all aspects of the patient’s hospital experience are considered
therapeutic.
