Saudi Prometric Nursing Mental Health Nursing 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient taking clozapine develops a fever, sore throat, and mouth ulcers. The nurse suspects:
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Agranulocytosis (Correct answer)
- Tardive dyskinesia
- Serotonin syndrome
Correct answer: Agranulocytosis
Agranulocytosis is a life-threatening side effect of clozapine characterized by severe drop in white blood cells leading to infection susceptibility.
Question 2: A nurse is assessing a patient who was admitted after a suicide attempt. Which question is most important to ask?
- 'Why did you want to hurt yourself?'
- 'Do you still have thoughts of ending your life?' (Correct answer)
- 'How are you feeling about your family right now?'
- 'What do you think caused your depression?'
Correct answer: 'Do you still have thoughts of ending your life?'
Directly asking about current suicidal ideation is essential to assess ongoing risk and determine level of care needed.
Question 3: A patient with alcohol use disorder is admitted for detoxification. Which early withdrawal symptom should the nurse monitor for first?
- Wernicke's encephalopathy
- Tremors, diaphoresis, and tachycardia (Correct answer)
- Korsakoff's psychosis
- Peripheral neuropathy
Correct answer: Tremors, diaphoresis, and tachycardia
Early alcohol withdrawal (6–24 hours) presents with autonomic hyperactivity including tremors, sweating, and elevated heart rate.
Question 4: Which statement by a patient indicates a correct understanding of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?
- 'ECT will permanently cure my depression.'
- 'I may have temporary memory loss after the procedure.' (Correct answer)
- 'I will be awake and aware during the entire treatment.'
- 'ECT is only used for patients who are psychotic.'
Correct answer: 'I may have temporary memory loss after the procedure.'
Short-term memory loss is a common and expected side effect of ECT that typically resolves over weeks.
Question 5: A nurse is caring for a patient with PTSD who is experiencing a flashback. What is the most effective immediate intervention?
- Encourage the patient to talk about the traumatic event in detail
- Use grounding techniques to orient the patient to the present (Correct answer)
- Administer a sedative as prescribed immediately
- Dim the lights and leave the patient alone to process the memory
Correct answer: Use grounding techniques to orient the patient to the present
Grounding techniques (e.g., 5-4-3-2-1 sensory exercise) help reconnect the patient to the present reality during a flashback.
Question 6: A 70-year-old patient is confused, agitated, and disoriented at night but calm and alert during the day. This presentation is most consistent with:
- Major neurocognitive disorder (dementia)
- Delirium (Correct answer)
- Late-onset schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder with mixed features
Correct answer: Delirium
Delirium is characterized by acute onset, fluctuating consciousness, and typically worsens at night (sundowning).
Question 7: A patient taking an MAOI (phenelzine) asks what foods to avoid. Which list is correct?
- Bananas, citrus fruits, and whole grains
- Aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented foods (Correct answer)
- Dairy products, fresh vegetables, and lean meats
- Caffeine, sugar, and processed carbohydrates
Correct answer: Aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented foods
Tyramine-rich foods like aged cheese and cured meats can trigger a hypertensive crisis in patients taking MAOIs.
Saudi Prometric Nursing Mental Health Nursing 4
A patient taking clozapine develops a fever, sore throat, and mouth ulcers.
The nurse suspects: