NUR 326 EXAM 1 COMPLETE FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
WITH PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
2025–2026
A patient has been prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant.
After taking the new medication, the patient states, "This medication isn't working. I don't feel
any different." What is the best response by the nurse? - correct answer -"It usually takes a few
weeks for you to notice improvement from this medication."
- Seeing a response to antidepressants takes 3 to 6 weeks
A patient coming to the health clinic for a blood pressure check reports to the nurse that she
just does not have the energy to go out much in winter but looks forward to gardening in
summer. The nurse realizes that this patient is describing a major symptom of what condition? -
correct answer -Seasonal affective disorder
seasonal affective disorder - correct answer -Decreased exposure to sunlight in winter months
can reduce the production of serotonin in the brain, leading to a type of depression
- tends to resolve with the longer days and increased exposure to sun of spring and summer
A patient who is at a health clinic with complaints of a sore throat is exhibiting signs of
depression. The nurse administers a basic screening for depression. What level of prevention is
the nurse performing? - correct answer -Secondary prevention
Secondary prevention - correct answer -aimed at early detection of problems, I.e. identification
of depression for early intervention
Primary prevention for mood disorders - correct answer -focuses on stress reduction and
societal issues such as reducing poverty and racism
,Tertiary prevention - correct answer -aims to reduce disability from a diagnosed condition; for
mood disorders, this includes prevention of relapse and protection from harm
A family member of a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder asks what behaviors would
indicate the beginnings of a manic phase. What is the best response by the nurse? - correct
answer -"The person may have excess energy, talk a lot, feel restless, and spend too much
money."
Signs that a person is cycling into a manic phase include - correct answer -sleeping and eating
less and having increased energy and racing thoughts, increased impulsivity, and increased
spending behaviors
A patient has been admitted with major depressive disorder. What typical signs and symptoms
would the nurse expect to assess? - correct answer -Poor eye contact
Appetite changes
Slowed speech
Typical signs of depression include - correct answer -sleep disturbance; poor eye contact; loss
of interest in events; guilt; decreased energy, speech, and concentration; appetite changes; and
slowed motor movements
Denial stage - correct answer -In this stage, grieving people are unable or unwilling to accept
that the loss has taken (or will shortly take) place
- It can feel as though they are experiencing a bad dream, that the loss is unreal, and they are
waiting to "wake up" as though from a dream, expecting that things will be normal
Anger stage - correct answer -at the loss and the unfairness of it
,They may become angry at the person who has been lost (or is dying). Feelings of abandonment
may also occur.
Bargaining stage - correct answer -In this stage, people beg their "higher power" to undo the
loss, saying things along the lines of, "I'll change if you bring her (or him) back to me".
This phase usually involves promises of better behavior or significant life changes which will be
made in exchange for the reversal of the loss
Grief - correct answer -subjective feeling and affect that follows a loss
- Powerful emotional state
- Universal reaction
- Involves stress, pain and suffering
Mourning - correct answer -the process by which grief is resolved
Types of Grief - correct answer -- Uncomplicated grief
- Complicated (dysfunctional) grief
- Anticipatory
- Disenfranchised
Depression stage - correct answer -stage where they confront the inevitability and reality of the
loss and their own helplessness to change it
, - During this period, grieving people may may cry, experience sleep or eating habit changes, or
withdraw from other relationships and activities while they process the loss they have sustained
- People may also blame themselves for having caused or in some way contributed to their loss,
whether or not this is justified
Acceptance stage - correct answer -where they have processed their initial grief emotions, are
able to accept that the loss has occurred and cannot be undone, and are once again able to plan
for their futures and re-engage in daily life
Situations That Precipitate Grieving - correct answer -- Loss of body parts, function
- Loss of status/groups
- Failures
- Changes
- Loss of home
- Loss of job, profession
- Loss of pets
Usual Pattern of Response to grief - correct answer -- Shock and disbelief
- Somatic distress
- Preoccupation
- Guilt
- Anger
- Change in behavior
- Reorganization
Stages of Mourning - correct answer -- Shock and Disbelief
- Awareness of Loss
WITH PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
2025–2026
A patient has been prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant.
After taking the new medication, the patient states, "This medication isn't working. I don't feel
any different." What is the best response by the nurse? - correct answer -"It usually takes a few
weeks for you to notice improvement from this medication."
- Seeing a response to antidepressants takes 3 to 6 weeks
A patient coming to the health clinic for a blood pressure check reports to the nurse that she
just does not have the energy to go out much in winter but looks forward to gardening in
summer. The nurse realizes that this patient is describing a major symptom of what condition? -
correct answer -Seasonal affective disorder
seasonal affective disorder - correct answer -Decreased exposure to sunlight in winter months
can reduce the production of serotonin in the brain, leading to a type of depression
- tends to resolve with the longer days and increased exposure to sun of spring and summer
A patient who is at a health clinic with complaints of a sore throat is exhibiting signs of
depression. The nurse administers a basic screening for depression. What level of prevention is
the nurse performing? - correct answer -Secondary prevention
Secondary prevention - correct answer -aimed at early detection of problems, I.e. identification
of depression for early intervention
Primary prevention for mood disorders - correct answer -focuses on stress reduction and
societal issues such as reducing poverty and racism
,Tertiary prevention - correct answer -aims to reduce disability from a diagnosed condition; for
mood disorders, this includes prevention of relapse and protection from harm
A family member of a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder asks what behaviors would
indicate the beginnings of a manic phase. What is the best response by the nurse? - correct
answer -"The person may have excess energy, talk a lot, feel restless, and spend too much
money."
Signs that a person is cycling into a manic phase include - correct answer -sleeping and eating
less and having increased energy and racing thoughts, increased impulsivity, and increased
spending behaviors
A patient has been admitted with major depressive disorder. What typical signs and symptoms
would the nurse expect to assess? - correct answer -Poor eye contact
Appetite changes
Slowed speech
Typical signs of depression include - correct answer -sleep disturbance; poor eye contact; loss
of interest in events; guilt; decreased energy, speech, and concentration; appetite changes; and
slowed motor movements
Denial stage - correct answer -In this stage, grieving people are unable or unwilling to accept
that the loss has taken (or will shortly take) place
- It can feel as though they are experiencing a bad dream, that the loss is unreal, and they are
waiting to "wake up" as though from a dream, expecting that things will be normal
Anger stage - correct answer -at the loss and the unfairness of it
,They may become angry at the person who has been lost (or is dying). Feelings of abandonment
may also occur.
Bargaining stage - correct answer -In this stage, people beg their "higher power" to undo the
loss, saying things along the lines of, "I'll change if you bring her (or him) back to me".
This phase usually involves promises of better behavior or significant life changes which will be
made in exchange for the reversal of the loss
Grief - correct answer -subjective feeling and affect that follows a loss
- Powerful emotional state
- Universal reaction
- Involves stress, pain and suffering
Mourning - correct answer -the process by which grief is resolved
Types of Grief - correct answer -- Uncomplicated grief
- Complicated (dysfunctional) grief
- Anticipatory
- Disenfranchised
Depression stage - correct answer -stage where they confront the inevitability and reality of the
loss and their own helplessness to change it
, - During this period, grieving people may may cry, experience sleep or eating habit changes, or
withdraw from other relationships and activities while they process the loss they have sustained
- People may also blame themselves for having caused or in some way contributed to their loss,
whether or not this is justified
Acceptance stage - correct answer -where they have processed their initial grief emotions, are
able to accept that the loss has occurred and cannot be undone, and are once again able to plan
for their futures and re-engage in daily life
Situations That Precipitate Grieving - correct answer -- Loss of body parts, function
- Loss of status/groups
- Failures
- Changes
- Loss of home
- Loss of job, profession
- Loss of pets
Usual Pattern of Response to grief - correct answer -- Shock and disbelief
- Somatic distress
- Preoccupation
- Guilt
- Anger
- Change in behavior
- Reorganization
Stages of Mourning - correct answer -- Shock and Disbelief
- Awareness of Loss
