NURS 222: Depression and Suicide Risk Assessment Comprehensive
Exam 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The
patient states, ‘I just don’t enjoy gardening anymore, which used to be my
favorite hobby.’ How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Alexithymia
B. Anergia
C. Anhedonia
D. Aphasia
Answer: C
Rationale: Anhedonia is the inability to feel pleasure or a loss of interest in previously
enjoyed activities, a core symptom of MDD.
2. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most commonly associated with the
pathophysiology of depression?
A. Decreased Serotonin and Norepinephrine
B. Increased Glutamate and GABA
C. Increased Dopamine and Acetylcholine
D. Decreased Epinephrine and Histamine
Answer: A
Rationale: The monoamine hypothesis suggests that depression is related to a deficiency
in neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin and norepinephrine.
,3. A patient is prescribed Phenelzine, an MAOI. Which food item should the
nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
A. Fresh cottage cheese
B. Apple juice
C. Grilled chicken breast
D. Smoked salmon and aged cheddar
Answer: D
Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods (like aged cheeses and smoked meats),
potentially causing a life-threatening hypertensive crisis.
4. An adolescent patient has been taking Fluoxetine (an SSRI) for two weeks.
The mother reports the patient has more energy but remains depressed. What
is the priority assessment?
A. Assessment of sleep patterns
B. Assessment for weight gain
C. Assessment for suicidal ideation
D. Assessment for sexual dysfunction
Answer: C
Rationale: As antidepressants begin to work, energy levels often improve before mood,
giving the patient the physical means to act on suicidal ideation.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient undergoing Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).
What is the primary nursing responsibility immediately following the
procedure?
A. Administering oral fluids
B. Maintaining a patent airway
C. Reorienting the patient to the unit
D. Encouraging ambulation
Answer: B
, Rationale: Post-ECT, the patient is under the influence of general anesthesia and muscle
relaxants, making airway maintenance the priority (ABCs).
6. Which assessment tool is specifically used to evaluate the severity of
depressive symptoms in a clinical setting?
A. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression
B. CAGE questionnaire
C. CIWA-Ar scale
D. AIMS scale
Answer: A
Rationale: The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) is a gold-standard clinician-
administered tool to assess the severity of depression.
7. A patient diagnosed with Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) asks
how this differs from Major Depressive Disorder. Which statement by the nurse
is accurate?
A. Dysthymia is characterized by more severe symptoms than MDD.
B. Dysthymia involves a depressed mood for most of the day, for at least 2 years.
C. Dysthymia always includes psychotic features.
D. Dysthymia is a short-term condition lasting less than six months.
Answer: B
Rationale: Persistent Depressive Disorder is a chronic low-level depression lasting at least
two years in adults.
Exam 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The
patient states, ‘I just don’t enjoy gardening anymore, which used to be my
favorite hobby.’ How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Alexithymia
B. Anergia
C. Anhedonia
D. Aphasia
Answer: C
Rationale: Anhedonia is the inability to feel pleasure or a loss of interest in previously
enjoyed activities, a core symptom of MDD.
2. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most commonly associated with the
pathophysiology of depression?
A. Decreased Serotonin and Norepinephrine
B. Increased Glutamate and GABA
C. Increased Dopamine and Acetylcholine
D. Decreased Epinephrine and Histamine
Answer: A
Rationale: The monoamine hypothesis suggests that depression is related to a deficiency
in neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin and norepinephrine.
,3. A patient is prescribed Phenelzine, an MAOI. Which food item should the
nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
A. Fresh cottage cheese
B. Apple juice
C. Grilled chicken breast
D. Smoked salmon and aged cheddar
Answer: D
Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods (like aged cheeses and smoked meats),
potentially causing a life-threatening hypertensive crisis.
4. An adolescent patient has been taking Fluoxetine (an SSRI) for two weeks.
The mother reports the patient has more energy but remains depressed. What
is the priority assessment?
A. Assessment of sleep patterns
B. Assessment for weight gain
C. Assessment for suicidal ideation
D. Assessment for sexual dysfunction
Answer: C
Rationale: As antidepressants begin to work, energy levels often improve before mood,
giving the patient the physical means to act on suicidal ideation.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient undergoing Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).
What is the primary nursing responsibility immediately following the
procedure?
A. Administering oral fluids
B. Maintaining a patent airway
C. Reorienting the patient to the unit
D. Encouraging ambulation
Answer: B
, Rationale: Post-ECT, the patient is under the influence of general anesthesia and muscle
relaxants, making airway maintenance the priority (ABCs).
6. Which assessment tool is specifically used to evaluate the severity of
depressive symptoms in a clinical setting?
A. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression
B. CAGE questionnaire
C. CIWA-Ar scale
D. AIMS scale
Answer: A
Rationale: The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) is a gold-standard clinician-
administered tool to assess the severity of depression.
7. A patient diagnosed with Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) asks
how this differs from Major Depressive Disorder. Which statement by the nurse
is accurate?
A. Dysthymia is characterized by more severe symptoms than MDD.
B. Dysthymia involves a depressed mood for most of the day, for at least 2 years.
C. Dysthymia always includes psychotic features.
D. Dysthymia is a short-term condition lasting less than six months.
Answer: B
Rationale: Persistent Depressive Disorder is a chronic low-level depression lasting at least
two years in adults.
