ATI Mental Health Week 3 Study Guide: Depression and Bipolar
Disorders 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Which of
the following is a classic clinical manifestation of this condition?
A. Pressured speech
B. Flight of ideas
C. Grandiosity
D. Anhedonia
Answer: D
Rationale: Anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure, is a hallmark symptom of Major
Depressive Disorder.
2. A client is prescribed phenelzine for depression. Which food should the nurse
instruct the client to avoid?
A. Cottage cheese
B. Fresh chicken
C. Aged cheddar cheese
D. Apples
Answer: C
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI; aged cheeses contain tyramine and can cause a
hypertensive crisis.
,3. What is the primary goal for a client in the acute phase of mania?
A. Maintaining client safety
B. Improving social skills
C. Developing insight into the illness
D. Reducing weight gain
Answer: A
Rationale: Safety is always the priority during the acute manic phase due to impulsivity
and poor judgment.
4. A nurse is monitoring a client taking lithium carbonate. Which lithium level
indicates toxicity?
A. 0.8 mEq/L
B. 1.5 mEq/L
C. 1.2 mEq/L
D. 0.6 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Levels above 1.5 mEq/L are generally considered toxic; the therapeutic range is
typically 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L.
5. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with the biological
theory of depression?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: B
Rationale: Deficiencies in serotonin and norepinephrine are key biological factors in
depression.
, 6. A client with Bipolar I disorder is experiencing a manic episode. Which snack
is most appropriate?
A. Soup and crackers
B. A turkey sandwich
C. A bowl of cereal
D. Spaghetti and meatballs
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients in mania benefit from high-calorie ‘finger foods’ they can eat while
moving.
7. A client reports taking St. John’s Wort for depression. The nurse should warn
about interactions with which medication class?
A. Beta blockers
B. SSRIs
C. Calcium channel blockers
D. Statins
Answer: B
Rationale: Combining St. John’s Wort with SSRIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
8. Which of the following is a physical sign of lithium toxicity?
A. Coarse hand tremors
B. Increased appetite
C. Constipation
D. Hypertension
Answer: A
Rationale: Coarse tremors are a sign of toxicity; fine tremors are a common side effect.
Disorders 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Which of
the following is a classic clinical manifestation of this condition?
A. Pressured speech
B. Flight of ideas
C. Grandiosity
D. Anhedonia
Answer: D
Rationale: Anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure, is a hallmark symptom of Major
Depressive Disorder.
2. A client is prescribed phenelzine for depression. Which food should the nurse
instruct the client to avoid?
A. Cottage cheese
B. Fresh chicken
C. Aged cheddar cheese
D. Apples
Answer: C
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI; aged cheeses contain tyramine and can cause a
hypertensive crisis.
,3. What is the primary goal for a client in the acute phase of mania?
A. Maintaining client safety
B. Improving social skills
C. Developing insight into the illness
D. Reducing weight gain
Answer: A
Rationale: Safety is always the priority during the acute manic phase due to impulsivity
and poor judgment.
4. A nurse is monitoring a client taking lithium carbonate. Which lithium level
indicates toxicity?
A. 0.8 mEq/L
B. 1.5 mEq/L
C. 1.2 mEq/L
D. 0.6 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Levels above 1.5 mEq/L are generally considered toxic; the therapeutic range is
typically 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L.
5. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with the biological
theory of depression?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: B
Rationale: Deficiencies in serotonin and norepinephrine are key biological factors in
depression.
, 6. A client with Bipolar I disorder is experiencing a manic episode. Which snack
is most appropriate?
A. Soup and crackers
B. A turkey sandwich
C. A bowl of cereal
D. Spaghetti and meatballs
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients in mania benefit from high-calorie ‘finger foods’ they can eat while
moving.
7. A client reports taking St. John’s Wort for depression. The nurse should warn
about interactions with which medication class?
A. Beta blockers
B. SSRIs
C. Calcium channel blockers
D. Statins
Answer: B
Rationale: Combining St. John’s Wort with SSRIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
8. Which of the following is a physical sign of lithium toxicity?
A. Coarse hand tremors
B. Increased appetite
C. Constipation
D. Hypertension
Answer: A
Rationale: Coarse tremors are a sign of toxicity; fine tremors are a common side effect.
