VATI Greenlight Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing
Exam (PN) QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder who has been
prescribed phenelzine. Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct
the client to avoid?
Fresh fish
Aged cheddar cheese
Plain yogurt
White rice
Correct Answer: Aged cheddar cheese
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Aged cheeses contain tyramine, which can
cause hypertensive crisis when combined with MAOIs.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia who reports hearing voices
telling him to hurt himself. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
Ask the client what the voices are saying
Place the client in seclusion
Administer haloperidol IM
Notify the provider of the command hallucinations
Correct Answer: Ask the client what the voices are saying
,Rationale: The nurse must first assess the content of the hallucinations to
determine if the client is at immediate risk for harming himself or others.
3. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder who is experiencing acute
mania. Which of the following activities should the nurse suggest for this client?
Playing chess with another client
Watching a suspenseful movie in the day room
Walking briskly with a staff member in a quiet hallway
Participating in a competitive basketball game
Correct Answer: Walking briskly with a staff member in a quiet hallway
Rationale: Physical activity with low stimulation and one-on-one supervision helps
channel manic energy safely without overstimulating the client.
4. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
lithium carbonate. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
I will restrict my fluid intake to prevent toxicity
I will maintain a consistent sodium intake in my diet
I will take my medication on an empty stomach
I will stop taking lithium if I feel better
Correct Answer: I will maintain a consistent sodium intake in my diet
Rationale: Lithium levels are affected by sodium balance. Low sodium increases
lithium levels and toxicity risk. Consistent sodium intake is essential.
5. A nurse is assessing a client with post-traumatic stress disorder. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
Hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response
Euphoria and grandiosity
,Pressured speech and flight of ideas
Flat affect and anhedonia
Correct Answer: Hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response
Rationale: PTSD commonly presents with hypervigilance (constant scanning for
danger), exaggerated startle response, nightmares, and flashbacks.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder who has a
history of self-mutilation. Which of the following interventions should the nurse
include in the plan of care?
Establish a safety contract with the client
Ignore self-mutilating behaviors to avoid reinforcement
Allow the client to set all unit rules independently
Place the client in seclusion at the first sign of distress
Correct Answer: Establish a safety contract with the client
Rationale: A safety contract helps the client agree to seek help before self-
harming. This promotes coping skills and client responsibility.
7. A nurse is collecting data from a client who is experiencing alcohol
withdrawal. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect 6 to 12
hours after the last drink?
Seizures and delirium tremens
Tremors, anxiety, and diaphoresis
Hypotension and bradycardia
Deep sleep and unresponsiveness
Correct Answer: Tremors, anxiety, and diaphoresis
Rationale: Early alcohol withdrawal (6 to 12 hours) includes tremors (shakes),
anxiety, diaphoresis, nausea, and insomnia. Seizures occur later (12 to 48 hours).
, 8. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse include?
You will need regular blood tests to monitor your white blood cell count
You can stop this medication abruptly if side effects occur
You should take this medication only when you hear voices
You will need to avoid all foods containing tyramine
Correct Answer: You will need regular blood tests to monitor your white blood
cell count
Rationale: Clozapine causes agranulocytosis (dangerously low white blood cells).
Regular blood monitoring through the REMS program is mandatory.
9. A nurse is caring for a client with generalized anxiety disorder who is taking
buspirone. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the
teaching?
This medication may take 2 to 4 weeks to become fully effective
This medication works immediately after the first dose
This medication should be taken only when you feel anxious
This medication is habit-forming and should be used short-term only
Correct Answer: This medication may take 2 to 4 weeks to become fully effective
Rationale: Buspirone has a delayed onset of action (2 to 4 weeks). Clients need to
understand this to prevent premature discontinuation.
10. A nurse is assessing a client with antisocial personality disorder. Which of the
following behaviors should the nurse expect?
Lack of remorse for harming others
Excessive need for reassurance from others
Ritualistic behaviors and preoccupation with order
Exam (PN) QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder who has been
prescribed phenelzine. Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct
the client to avoid?
Fresh fish
Aged cheddar cheese
Plain yogurt
White rice
Correct Answer: Aged cheddar cheese
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Aged cheeses contain tyramine, which can
cause hypertensive crisis when combined with MAOIs.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia who reports hearing voices
telling him to hurt himself. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
Ask the client what the voices are saying
Place the client in seclusion
Administer haloperidol IM
Notify the provider of the command hallucinations
Correct Answer: Ask the client what the voices are saying
,Rationale: The nurse must first assess the content of the hallucinations to
determine if the client is at immediate risk for harming himself or others.
3. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder who is experiencing acute
mania. Which of the following activities should the nurse suggest for this client?
Playing chess with another client
Watching a suspenseful movie in the day room
Walking briskly with a staff member in a quiet hallway
Participating in a competitive basketball game
Correct Answer: Walking briskly with a staff member in a quiet hallway
Rationale: Physical activity with low stimulation and one-on-one supervision helps
channel manic energy safely without overstimulating the client.
4. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
lithium carbonate. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
I will restrict my fluid intake to prevent toxicity
I will maintain a consistent sodium intake in my diet
I will take my medication on an empty stomach
I will stop taking lithium if I feel better
Correct Answer: I will maintain a consistent sodium intake in my diet
Rationale: Lithium levels are affected by sodium balance. Low sodium increases
lithium levels and toxicity risk. Consistent sodium intake is essential.
5. A nurse is assessing a client with post-traumatic stress disorder. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
Hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response
Euphoria and grandiosity
,Pressured speech and flight of ideas
Flat affect and anhedonia
Correct Answer: Hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response
Rationale: PTSD commonly presents with hypervigilance (constant scanning for
danger), exaggerated startle response, nightmares, and flashbacks.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder who has a
history of self-mutilation. Which of the following interventions should the nurse
include in the plan of care?
Establish a safety contract with the client
Ignore self-mutilating behaviors to avoid reinforcement
Allow the client to set all unit rules independently
Place the client in seclusion at the first sign of distress
Correct Answer: Establish a safety contract with the client
Rationale: A safety contract helps the client agree to seek help before self-
harming. This promotes coping skills and client responsibility.
7. A nurse is collecting data from a client who is experiencing alcohol
withdrawal. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect 6 to 12
hours after the last drink?
Seizures and delirium tremens
Tremors, anxiety, and diaphoresis
Hypotension and bradycardia
Deep sleep and unresponsiveness
Correct Answer: Tremors, anxiety, and diaphoresis
Rationale: Early alcohol withdrawal (6 to 12 hours) includes tremors (shakes),
anxiety, diaphoresis, nausea, and insomnia. Seizures occur later (12 to 48 hours).
, 8. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse include?
You will need regular blood tests to monitor your white blood cell count
You can stop this medication abruptly if side effects occur
You should take this medication only when you hear voices
You will need to avoid all foods containing tyramine
Correct Answer: You will need regular blood tests to monitor your white blood
cell count
Rationale: Clozapine causes agranulocytosis (dangerously low white blood cells).
Regular blood monitoring through the REMS program is mandatory.
9. A nurse is caring for a client with generalized anxiety disorder who is taking
buspirone. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the
teaching?
This medication may take 2 to 4 weeks to become fully effective
This medication works immediately after the first dose
This medication should be taken only when you feel anxious
This medication is habit-forming and should be used short-term only
Correct Answer: This medication may take 2 to 4 weeks to become fully effective
Rationale: Buspirone has a delayed onset of action (2 to 4 weeks). Clients need to
understand this to prevent premature discontinuation.
10. A nurse is assessing a client with antisocial personality disorder. Which of the
following behaviors should the nurse expect?
Lack of remorse for harming others
Excessive need for reassurance from others
Ritualistic behaviors and preoccupation with order
