NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 1 (GALEN) NEWEST
2026 ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK| NUR 253 MENTAL
HEALTH EXAM 1 REVIEW WITH 300 REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/
ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
A client with major depressive disorder has remained in bed for three
consecutive days and refuses meals. Which nursing diagnosis is the
priority?
a) Social isolation
b) Chronic low self-esteem
c) Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
d) Disturbed sleep pattern - Correct Answer - c) Imbalanced nutrition:
less than body requirements
Physiological needs take priority using Maslow’s hierarchy.
A client with mania has not slept in 48 hours and continuously interrupts
others. Which nursing intervention is priority?
a) Encourage group activities
b) Set firm behavioral limits
c) Discuss childhood experiences
d) Allow unrestricted activity - Correct Answer - b) Set firm behavioral
limits
Clients experiencing mania require structure, consistent boundaries, and
decreased stimulation.
pg. 1
,A client with generalized anxiety disorder reports chest tightness,
palpitations, sweating, and feelings of impending doom shortly before an
exam. Vital signs are stable, and cardiac workup is negative. Which level
of anxiety is the client most likely experiencing?
a) Mild anxiety
b) Moderate anxiety
c) Severe anxiety
d) Panic-level anxiety - Correct Answer - d) Panic-level anxiety
Panic-level anxiety is characterized by overwhelming dread, inability to
focus, autonomic symptoms, and impaired functioning. The client’s
intense physical symptoms and feelings of impending doom indicate
panic-level anxiety rather than moderate or severe anxiety.
A client admitted for alcohol withdrawal becomes tremulous,
diaphoretic, restless, and increasingly disoriented 48 hours after the last
drink. Which complication should the nurse anticipate?
a) Korsakoff syndrome
b) Wernicke encephalopathy
c) Delirium tremens
d) Hepatic encephalopathy - Correct Answer - c) Delirium tremens
Delirium tremens typically occurs 48–72 hours after alcohol cessation
and includes severe autonomic instability, confusion, hallucinations,
agitation, and risk for seizures. It is a medical emergency requiring
immediate intervention.
A client prescribed lithium for bipolar disorder reports severe diarrhea,
muscle weakness, and coarse tremors. Which action should the nurse
take first?
pg. 2
,a) Encourage fluid intake.
b) Administer the next lithium dose.
c) Hold the medication and notify the provider.
d) Reassure the client that mild tremors are expected. - Correct Answer -
c) Hold the medication and notify the provider.
These findings suggest lithium toxicity. Severe gastrointestinal
symptoms, muscle weakness, and coarse tremors require immediate
action. The medication should be held, and serum lithium levels
assessed.
A client with severe depression refuses meals and remains in bed most
of the day. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
a) Teaching coping strategies
b) Encouraging participation in recreational therapy
c) Monitoring nutritional intake and hydration
d) Discussing long-term recovery goals - Correct Answer - c)
Monitoring nutritional intake and hydration
Basic physiological needs are the priority. Clients with severe depression
are at risk for malnutrition and dehydration due to poor intake and
psychomotor retardation.
A nurse is assessing a client experiencing mania who rapidly shifts
topics and speaks nonstop. Which term best describes this speech
pattern?
a) Perseveration
b) Clang association
c) Flight of ideas
pg. 3
, d) Word salad - Correct Answer - c) Flight of ideas
Flight of ideas involves rapid shifting from one topic to another with
superficial connections and is characteristic of mania.
A nurse is evaluating a client prescribed haloperidol who develops
muscle rigidity, fever, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability.
Which condition should the nurse suspect?
a) Serotonin syndrome
b) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
c) Acute dystonia
d) Tardive dyskinesia - Correct Answer - b) Neuroleptic malignant
syndrome
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare but life-threatening adverse
effect of antipsychotics characterized by rigidity, hyperthermia, altered
mental status, and autonomic dysfunction.
A nurse observes a client sitting motionless for hours, resisting
repositioning, and maintaining awkward postures. Which symptom is
the client exhibiting?
a) Echopraxia
b) Catatonia
c) Akathisia
d) Depersonalization - Correct Answer - b) Catatonia
Catatonia involves marked psychomotor disturbances such as
immobility, waxy flexibility, mutism, and posturing.
pg. 4
2026 ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK| NUR 253 MENTAL
HEALTH EXAM 1 REVIEW WITH 300 REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/
ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
A client with major depressive disorder has remained in bed for three
consecutive days and refuses meals. Which nursing diagnosis is the
priority?
a) Social isolation
b) Chronic low self-esteem
c) Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
d) Disturbed sleep pattern - Correct Answer - c) Imbalanced nutrition:
less than body requirements
Physiological needs take priority using Maslow’s hierarchy.
A client with mania has not slept in 48 hours and continuously interrupts
others. Which nursing intervention is priority?
a) Encourage group activities
b) Set firm behavioral limits
c) Discuss childhood experiences
d) Allow unrestricted activity - Correct Answer - b) Set firm behavioral
limits
Clients experiencing mania require structure, consistent boundaries, and
decreased stimulation.
pg. 1
,A client with generalized anxiety disorder reports chest tightness,
palpitations, sweating, and feelings of impending doom shortly before an
exam. Vital signs are stable, and cardiac workup is negative. Which level
of anxiety is the client most likely experiencing?
a) Mild anxiety
b) Moderate anxiety
c) Severe anxiety
d) Panic-level anxiety - Correct Answer - d) Panic-level anxiety
Panic-level anxiety is characterized by overwhelming dread, inability to
focus, autonomic symptoms, and impaired functioning. The client’s
intense physical symptoms and feelings of impending doom indicate
panic-level anxiety rather than moderate or severe anxiety.
A client admitted for alcohol withdrawal becomes tremulous,
diaphoretic, restless, and increasingly disoriented 48 hours after the last
drink. Which complication should the nurse anticipate?
a) Korsakoff syndrome
b) Wernicke encephalopathy
c) Delirium tremens
d) Hepatic encephalopathy - Correct Answer - c) Delirium tremens
Delirium tremens typically occurs 48–72 hours after alcohol cessation
and includes severe autonomic instability, confusion, hallucinations,
agitation, and risk for seizures. It is a medical emergency requiring
immediate intervention.
A client prescribed lithium for bipolar disorder reports severe diarrhea,
muscle weakness, and coarse tremors. Which action should the nurse
take first?
pg. 2
,a) Encourage fluid intake.
b) Administer the next lithium dose.
c) Hold the medication and notify the provider.
d) Reassure the client that mild tremors are expected. - Correct Answer -
c) Hold the medication and notify the provider.
These findings suggest lithium toxicity. Severe gastrointestinal
symptoms, muscle weakness, and coarse tremors require immediate
action. The medication should be held, and serum lithium levels
assessed.
A client with severe depression refuses meals and remains in bed most
of the day. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
a) Teaching coping strategies
b) Encouraging participation in recreational therapy
c) Monitoring nutritional intake and hydration
d) Discussing long-term recovery goals - Correct Answer - c)
Monitoring nutritional intake and hydration
Basic physiological needs are the priority. Clients with severe depression
are at risk for malnutrition and dehydration due to poor intake and
psychomotor retardation.
A nurse is assessing a client experiencing mania who rapidly shifts
topics and speaks nonstop. Which term best describes this speech
pattern?
a) Perseveration
b) Clang association
c) Flight of ideas
pg. 3
, d) Word salad - Correct Answer - c) Flight of ideas
Flight of ideas involves rapid shifting from one topic to another with
superficial connections and is characteristic of mania.
A nurse is evaluating a client prescribed haloperidol who develops
muscle rigidity, fever, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability.
Which condition should the nurse suspect?
a) Serotonin syndrome
b) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
c) Acute dystonia
d) Tardive dyskinesia - Correct Answer - b) Neuroleptic malignant
syndrome
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare but life-threatening adverse
effect of antipsychotics characterized by rigidity, hyperthermia, altered
mental status, and autonomic dysfunction.
A nurse observes a client sitting motionless for hours, resisting
repositioning, and maintaining awkward postures. Which symptom is
the client exhibiting?
a) Echopraxia
b) Catatonia
c) Akathisia
d) Depersonalization - Correct Answer - b) Catatonia
Catatonia involves marked psychomotor disturbances such as
immobility, waxy flexibility, mutism, and posturing.
pg. 4
