Chamberlain University NR-326 Final Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 |
Mental Health Q&A | Mental Health Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with major depressive disorder. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for immediate intervention?
A) "I feel so tired all the time and can't concentrate on anything."
B) "I haven't been able to eat much lately and I've lost weight."
C) "I just wish everyone would leave me alone forever."
D) "I don't see the point in going on with my life anymore."
Correct Answer: "I don't see the point in going on with my life anymore."
Rationale: Statements about not seeing the point in going on with life
indicate suicidal ideation and require immediate intervention. The nurse
should conduct a suicide risk assessment and implement safety precautions.
The other statements reflect depressive symptoms but do not directly
indicate suicidal intent.
2. A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Tell the patient that the voices are not real
B) Distract the patient by engaging them in a different activity
C) Encourage the patient to focus on the voices
D) Ignore the patient's reports of hearing voices
Correct Answer: Distract the patient by engaging them in a different activity
Rationale: Distraction techniques such as engaging the patient in a different
activity can help reduce the impact of auditory hallucinations and redirect
the patient's attention away from the voices. Telling the patient the voices
,are not real may increase anxiety, and ignoring the reports is not
therapeutic.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient with bipolar disorder who is experiencing a
manic episode. Which finding is consistent with this condition?
A) Psychomotor retardation
B) Pressured speech and flight of ideas
C) Flat affect and anhedonia
D) Social withdrawal and isolation
Correct Answer: Pressured speech and flight of ideas
Rationale: Pressured speech and flight of ideas (rapidly shifting thoughts) are
classic manifestations of a manic episode in bipolar disorder. Psychomotor
retardation, flat affect, and anhedonia are associated with depressive
episodes.
4. A patient who recently lost a spouse is experiencing intense sadness,
difficulty sleeping, and loss of appetite. The nurse recognizes these findings
as consistent with:
A) Complicated grief
B) Normal grief
C) Anticipatory grief
D) Disenfranchised grief
Correct Answer: Normal grief
Rationale: Intense sadness, difficulty sleeping, and loss of appetite are
normal grief responses following a significant loss. Normal grief typically
,resolves over time without intervention. Complicated grief is characterized
by prolonged, intense preoccupation with memories of the deceased.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with generalized
anxiety disorder (GAD). Which medication is commonly prescribed as a first-
line treatment for this condition?
A) Alprazolam
B) Buspirone
C) Haloperidol
D) Amitriptyline
Correct Answer: Buspirone
Rationale: Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that is commonly
used as a first-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder. It has a
delayed onset of action, often taking 2-4 weeks to reach therapeutic
effectiveness, but it has a lower risk of dependence compared to
benzodiazepines.
6. A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is performing a
ritualistic behavior. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Interrupt the ritual to prevent reinforcement
B) Allow the client to complete the ritual initially
C) Punish the client for performing the ritual
D) Ignore the ritual behavior
Correct Answer: Allow the client to complete the ritual initially
Rationale: Initially, the nurse should allow the client to complete the ritual to
build trust and reduce anxiety. Over time, the nurse can help the client
, gradually reduce the ritual. Interrupting or punishing the ritual can increase
anxiety and damage the therapeutic relationship.
7. A patient is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for
depression. The nurse should monitor the patient for which of the following
potential adverse effects?
A) Weight gain and sexual dysfunction
B) Hepatotoxicity
C) Nephrotoxicity
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: Weight gain and sexual dysfunction
Rationale: SSRIs are associated with weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and
gastrointestinal upset (nausea). They are generally safer than older
antidepressants but can cause serotonin syndrome if combined with other
serotonergic drugs.
8. A client is at risk for suicide. Which of the following is the priority nursing
intervention?
A) Place the client on one-to-one observation
B) Remove all potentially harmful objects from the environment
C) Encourage the client to verbalize feelings of hopelessness
D) Administer antidepressant medication as prescribed
Correct Answer: Remove all potentially harmful objects from the environment
Rationale: The priority intervention for a client at risk for suicide is to ensure
a safe environment by removing all potentially harmful objects. This is a key
component of suicide precautions. While one-to-one observation and
Mental Health Q&A | Mental Health Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with major depressive disorder. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for immediate intervention?
A) "I feel so tired all the time and can't concentrate on anything."
B) "I haven't been able to eat much lately and I've lost weight."
C) "I just wish everyone would leave me alone forever."
D) "I don't see the point in going on with my life anymore."
Correct Answer: "I don't see the point in going on with my life anymore."
Rationale: Statements about not seeing the point in going on with life
indicate suicidal ideation and require immediate intervention. The nurse
should conduct a suicide risk assessment and implement safety precautions.
The other statements reflect depressive symptoms but do not directly
indicate suicidal intent.
2. A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Tell the patient that the voices are not real
B) Distract the patient by engaging them in a different activity
C) Encourage the patient to focus on the voices
D) Ignore the patient's reports of hearing voices
Correct Answer: Distract the patient by engaging them in a different activity
Rationale: Distraction techniques such as engaging the patient in a different
activity can help reduce the impact of auditory hallucinations and redirect
the patient's attention away from the voices. Telling the patient the voices
,are not real may increase anxiety, and ignoring the reports is not
therapeutic.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient with bipolar disorder who is experiencing a
manic episode. Which finding is consistent with this condition?
A) Psychomotor retardation
B) Pressured speech and flight of ideas
C) Flat affect and anhedonia
D) Social withdrawal and isolation
Correct Answer: Pressured speech and flight of ideas
Rationale: Pressured speech and flight of ideas (rapidly shifting thoughts) are
classic manifestations of a manic episode in bipolar disorder. Psychomotor
retardation, flat affect, and anhedonia are associated with depressive
episodes.
4. A patient who recently lost a spouse is experiencing intense sadness,
difficulty sleeping, and loss of appetite. The nurse recognizes these findings
as consistent with:
A) Complicated grief
B) Normal grief
C) Anticipatory grief
D) Disenfranchised grief
Correct Answer: Normal grief
Rationale: Intense sadness, difficulty sleeping, and loss of appetite are
normal grief responses following a significant loss. Normal grief typically
,resolves over time without intervention. Complicated grief is characterized
by prolonged, intense preoccupation with memories of the deceased.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with generalized
anxiety disorder (GAD). Which medication is commonly prescribed as a first-
line treatment for this condition?
A) Alprazolam
B) Buspirone
C) Haloperidol
D) Amitriptyline
Correct Answer: Buspirone
Rationale: Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that is commonly
used as a first-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder. It has a
delayed onset of action, often taking 2-4 weeks to reach therapeutic
effectiveness, but it has a lower risk of dependence compared to
benzodiazepines.
6. A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is performing a
ritualistic behavior. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Interrupt the ritual to prevent reinforcement
B) Allow the client to complete the ritual initially
C) Punish the client for performing the ritual
D) Ignore the ritual behavior
Correct Answer: Allow the client to complete the ritual initially
Rationale: Initially, the nurse should allow the client to complete the ritual to
build trust and reduce anxiety. Over time, the nurse can help the client
, gradually reduce the ritual. Interrupting or punishing the ritual can increase
anxiety and damage the therapeutic relationship.
7. A patient is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for
depression. The nurse should monitor the patient for which of the following
potential adverse effects?
A) Weight gain and sexual dysfunction
B) Hepatotoxicity
C) Nephrotoxicity
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: Weight gain and sexual dysfunction
Rationale: SSRIs are associated with weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and
gastrointestinal upset (nausea). They are generally safer than older
antidepressants but can cause serotonin syndrome if combined with other
serotonergic drugs.
8. A client is at risk for suicide. Which of the following is the priority nursing
intervention?
A) Place the client on one-to-one observation
B) Remove all potentially harmful objects from the environment
C) Encourage the client to verbalize feelings of hopelessness
D) Administer antidepressant medication as prescribed
Correct Answer: Remove all potentially harmful objects from the environment
Rationale: The priority intervention for a client at risk for suicide is to ensure
a safe environment by removing all potentially harmful objects. This is a key
component of suicide precautions. While one-to-one observation and
