Mood Disorders_ Depression – NCLEX Practice Questions & Answers 2026_2027 1 2026-03-06
Mood Disorders: Depression
– NCLEX Practice Questions
& Answers 2026/2027
Page 1 Guidehttps://www.stuvia.com/dashboard!@_)#*)(@$)($@*($@)($@*_ Mood Disorders_ Depression – NCLEX Practice Questions & Answers 2026_2027.pdf
,Mood Diorders_ Depression NCLEX 2 2026-03-06
A client is diagnosed with dysthymic disorder. Which should a nurse classify as an affective symptom of this disorder?
A. Social isolation with a focus on self
B. Low energy level
C. Difficulty concentrating
D. Gloomy and pessimistic outlook on life
ANS: D
The nurse should classify a gloomy and pessimistic outlook on life as an affective symptom of dysthymic disorder.
Symptoms of depression can be described as alterations in four areas of human functions: affective, behavioral, cognitive,
and physiological.
A client is diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which nursing diagnosis should a nurse assign to this client to address
a behavioral symptom of this disorder?
A. Altered communication R/T feelings of worthlessness AEB anhedonia
B. Social isolation R/T poor self-esteem AEB secluding self in room
C. Altered thought processes R/T hopelessness AEB persecutory delusions
D. Altered nutrition: less than body requirements R/T high anxiety AEB anorexia
ANS: B
A nursing diagnosis of social isolation R/T poor self-esteem AEB secluding self in room addresses a behavioral symptom of
major depressive disorder. Other behavioral symptoms include psychomotor retardation, virtually nonexistent
communication, maintaining a fetal position, and no personal hygiene and/or grooming.
Page 2 Mood Diorders_ Depression NCLEX.pdf
, Mood Diorders_ Depression NCLEX 3 2026-03-06
A nurse assesses a client suspected of having major depressive disorder. Which client symptom would eliminate this
diagnosis?
A. The client is disheveled and malodorous.
B. The client refuses to interact with others.
C. The client is unable to feel any pleasure.
D. The client has maxed-out charge cards and exhibits promiscuous behaviors.
ANS: D
The nurse should assess that a client who has maxed-out credit cards and exhibits promiscuous behavior would be exhibiting
manic symptoms. According to the DSM-IV-TR, these symptoms would rule out the diagnosis of major depressive disorder.
A nurse reviews the laboratory data of a client suspected of having major depressive disorder. Which laboratory value would
potentially rule out this diagnosis?
A. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level of 6.2 U/mL
B. Potassium (K+) level of 4.2 mEq/L
C. Sodium (Na+) level of 140 mEq/L
D. Calcium (Ca2+) level of 9.5 mg/dL
ANS: A
According to the DSM-IV-TR, symptoms of major depressive disorder cannot be due to the direct physiological effects of a
general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism). The diagnosis of major depressive disorder may be ruled out if the client's
laboratory results indicate a high TSH level which results from a low thyroid function or hypothyroidism. In
hypothyroidism, metabolic processes are slowed leading to depressive symptoms.
Page 3 Mood Diorders_ Depression NCLEX.pdf
Mood Disorders: Depression
– NCLEX Practice Questions
& Answers 2026/2027
Page 1 Guidehttps://www.stuvia.com/dashboard!@_)#*)(@$)($@*($@)($@*_ Mood Disorders_ Depression – NCLEX Practice Questions & Answers 2026_2027.pdf
,Mood Diorders_ Depression NCLEX 2 2026-03-06
A client is diagnosed with dysthymic disorder. Which should a nurse classify as an affective symptom of this disorder?
A. Social isolation with a focus on self
B. Low energy level
C. Difficulty concentrating
D. Gloomy and pessimistic outlook on life
ANS: D
The nurse should classify a gloomy and pessimistic outlook on life as an affective symptom of dysthymic disorder.
Symptoms of depression can be described as alterations in four areas of human functions: affective, behavioral, cognitive,
and physiological.
A client is diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which nursing diagnosis should a nurse assign to this client to address
a behavioral symptom of this disorder?
A. Altered communication R/T feelings of worthlessness AEB anhedonia
B. Social isolation R/T poor self-esteem AEB secluding self in room
C. Altered thought processes R/T hopelessness AEB persecutory delusions
D. Altered nutrition: less than body requirements R/T high anxiety AEB anorexia
ANS: B
A nursing diagnosis of social isolation R/T poor self-esteem AEB secluding self in room addresses a behavioral symptom of
major depressive disorder. Other behavioral symptoms include psychomotor retardation, virtually nonexistent
communication, maintaining a fetal position, and no personal hygiene and/or grooming.
Page 2 Mood Diorders_ Depression NCLEX.pdf
, Mood Diorders_ Depression NCLEX 3 2026-03-06
A nurse assesses a client suspected of having major depressive disorder. Which client symptom would eliminate this
diagnosis?
A. The client is disheveled and malodorous.
B. The client refuses to interact with others.
C. The client is unable to feel any pleasure.
D. The client has maxed-out charge cards and exhibits promiscuous behaviors.
ANS: D
The nurse should assess that a client who has maxed-out credit cards and exhibits promiscuous behavior would be exhibiting
manic symptoms. According to the DSM-IV-TR, these symptoms would rule out the diagnosis of major depressive disorder.
A nurse reviews the laboratory data of a client suspected of having major depressive disorder. Which laboratory value would
potentially rule out this diagnosis?
A. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level of 6.2 U/mL
B. Potassium (K+) level of 4.2 mEq/L
C. Sodium (Na+) level of 140 mEq/L
D. Calcium (Ca2+) level of 9.5 mg/dL
ANS: A
According to the DSM-IV-TR, symptoms of major depressive disorder cannot be due to the direct physiological effects of a
general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism). The diagnosis of major depressive disorder may be ruled out if the client's
laboratory results indicate a high TSH level which results from a low thyroid function or hypothyroidism. In
hypothyroidism, metabolic processes are slowed leading to depressive symptoms.
Page 3 Mood Diorders_ Depression NCLEX.pdf
