NUR 384 Exam 3 – Mental Health Nursing – (2026)
Actual Questions & Answers (Concordia) 100%
Guarantee Pass
SECTION 1: DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS
1. The nurse educator is lecturing a group of nursing students on depression in
adolescents. Which statement indicates that teaching has been effective?
• A) "Adolescents are not likely to suffer from depression."
• B) "Depressed adolescents always seek immediate treatment."
• C) "Many symptoms are attributed to normal adjustments of adolescents."
• D) "Suicide is not common among depressed adolescents."
Answer: C) "Many symptoms are attributed to normal adjustments of
adolescents."
Rationale: Depression in adolescents is often underrecognized because symptoms
such as irritability, social withdrawal, and moodiness may be dismissed as typical
teenage behavior. Suicide is a significant risk in depressed adolescents and should
always be assessed .
2. When planning care for a depressed client, which correctly written outcome
should be a nurse's first priority?
• A) The client will promise not to physically harm self.
• B) The client will discuss feelings with staff and family by day three.
• C) The client will establish a trusting relationship with the nurse.
• D) The client will remain safe during hospital stay.
,Answer: D) The client will remain safe during hospital stay.
Rationale: Safety is always the priority in psychiatric nursing. The client's
immediate safety takes precedence over therapeutic communication, trust-
building, or other treatment goals. A promise not to self-harm is not a sufficient
safety outcome .
3. A nurse assesses a client suspected of having the diagnosis of major
depressive episode. Which client symptom would rule out this diagnosis?
• A) The client is disheveled and malodorous.
• B) The client refuses to interact with others and isolates self in room.
• C) The client is unable to feel any pleasure.
• D) The client has maxed-out charge cards and exhibits promiscuous
behaviors.
Answer: D) The client has maxed-out charge cards and exhibits promiscuous
behaviors.
Rationale: Impulsive, high-risk behaviors such as excessive spending and
promiscuity are characteristic of mania, not depression. Disheveled appearance,
social isolation, and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) are consistent with
major depressive disorder .
4. A nurse is assessing a client for persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia).
Which statement about the duration of symptoms is correct?
• A) Symptoms must persist for at least 6 months in adults
• B) Symptoms must persist for at least 1 year in children and adolescents
• C) Symptoms must persist for at least 2 years in adults
• D) Symptoms must persist for at least 3 years in all individuals
,Answer: B) Symptoms must persist for at least 1 year in children and
adolescents; C) Symptoms must persist for at least 2 years in adults
Rationale: Persistent depressive disorder is chronic depression. In adults,
symptoms must persist for at least two years; in children and adolescents, the
required duration is at least one year .
5. A depressed client experiences insomnia and early-morning awakening.
Which intervention is appropriate?
• A) Encourage long daytime naps
• B) Increase caffeine consumption in the afternoon
• C) Establish a consistent bedtime routine and limit stimulating activities
before sleep
• D) Administer an unprescribed sedative at bedtime
Answer: C) Establish a consistent bedtime routine and limit stimulating activities
before sleep.
Rationale: Sleep hygiene includes a regular schedule, reduced evening stimulation,
limited caffeine, daytime activity, and avoiding prolonged naps. This is an
appropriate nursing intervention for insomnia and early-morning awakening .
6. A client with major depressive episode hears voices commanding self-harm.
Which should be the nurse's priority intervention at this time?
• A) Obtaining an order for locked seclusion until client is no longer suicidal
• B) Conducting 15-minute checks to ensure safety
• C) Placing the client on one-to-one observation while continuing to monitor
suicidal ideations
• D) Encouraging client to express feelings related to suicide
, Answer: C) Placing the client on one-to-one observation while continuing to
monitor suicidal ideations.
Rationale: Command hallucinations to self-harm represent an immediate safety
risk. One-to-one observation is the most protective intervention. The client should
be closely monitored, and suicidal ideations should be continually assessed .
7. A nurse reviews the laboratory data of a client suspected of having the
diagnosis of major depressive episode. Which lab value would potentially rule
out this diagnosis?
• A) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level of 25 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
Answer: A) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level of 25 U/mL
Rationale: A TSH of 25 U/mL is significantly elevated and indicates hypothyroidism,
which can present with depressive symptoms (fatigue, weight gain, low mood).
Medical causes of depression must be ruled out before diagnosing a primary
depressive disorder .
8. A client who has been newly diagnosed with depression is beginning tricyclic
antidepressant therapy. Which statement by the client indicates the need for
further education?
• A) "I will continue to take this medication even if the symptoms have not
subsided."
• B) "I may experience drowsiness or dizziness while taking this medication."
• C) "I do not need to quit smoking."
Actual Questions & Answers (Concordia) 100%
Guarantee Pass
SECTION 1: DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS
1. The nurse educator is lecturing a group of nursing students on depression in
adolescents. Which statement indicates that teaching has been effective?
• A) "Adolescents are not likely to suffer from depression."
• B) "Depressed adolescents always seek immediate treatment."
• C) "Many symptoms are attributed to normal adjustments of adolescents."
• D) "Suicide is not common among depressed adolescents."
Answer: C) "Many symptoms are attributed to normal adjustments of
adolescents."
Rationale: Depression in adolescents is often underrecognized because symptoms
such as irritability, social withdrawal, and moodiness may be dismissed as typical
teenage behavior. Suicide is a significant risk in depressed adolescents and should
always be assessed .
2. When planning care for a depressed client, which correctly written outcome
should be a nurse's first priority?
• A) The client will promise not to physically harm self.
• B) The client will discuss feelings with staff and family by day three.
• C) The client will establish a trusting relationship with the nurse.
• D) The client will remain safe during hospital stay.
,Answer: D) The client will remain safe during hospital stay.
Rationale: Safety is always the priority in psychiatric nursing. The client's
immediate safety takes precedence over therapeutic communication, trust-
building, or other treatment goals. A promise not to self-harm is not a sufficient
safety outcome .
3. A nurse assesses a client suspected of having the diagnosis of major
depressive episode. Which client symptom would rule out this diagnosis?
• A) The client is disheveled and malodorous.
• B) The client refuses to interact with others and isolates self in room.
• C) The client is unable to feel any pleasure.
• D) The client has maxed-out charge cards and exhibits promiscuous
behaviors.
Answer: D) The client has maxed-out charge cards and exhibits promiscuous
behaviors.
Rationale: Impulsive, high-risk behaviors such as excessive spending and
promiscuity are characteristic of mania, not depression. Disheveled appearance,
social isolation, and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) are consistent with
major depressive disorder .
4. A nurse is assessing a client for persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia).
Which statement about the duration of symptoms is correct?
• A) Symptoms must persist for at least 6 months in adults
• B) Symptoms must persist for at least 1 year in children and adolescents
• C) Symptoms must persist for at least 2 years in adults
• D) Symptoms must persist for at least 3 years in all individuals
,Answer: B) Symptoms must persist for at least 1 year in children and
adolescents; C) Symptoms must persist for at least 2 years in adults
Rationale: Persistent depressive disorder is chronic depression. In adults,
symptoms must persist for at least two years; in children and adolescents, the
required duration is at least one year .
5. A depressed client experiences insomnia and early-morning awakening.
Which intervention is appropriate?
• A) Encourage long daytime naps
• B) Increase caffeine consumption in the afternoon
• C) Establish a consistent bedtime routine and limit stimulating activities
before sleep
• D) Administer an unprescribed sedative at bedtime
Answer: C) Establish a consistent bedtime routine and limit stimulating activities
before sleep.
Rationale: Sleep hygiene includes a regular schedule, reduced evening stimulation,
limited caffeine, daytime activity, and avoiding prolonged naps. This is an
appropriate nursing intervention for insomnia and early-morning awakening .
6. A client with major depressive episode hears voices commanding self-harm.
Which should be the nurse's priority intervention at this time?
• A) Obtaining an order for locked seclusion until client is no longer suicidal
• B) Conducting 15-minute checks to ensure safety
• C) Placing the client on one-to-one observation while continuing to monitor
suicidal ideations
• D) Encouraging client to express feelings related to suicide
, Answer: C) Placing the client on one-to-one observation while continuing to
monitor suicidal ideations.
Rationale: Command hallucinations to self-harm represent an immediate safety
risk. One-to-one observation is the most protective intervention. The client should
be closely monitored, and suicidal ideations should be continually assessed .
7. A nurse reviews the laboratory data of a client suspected of having the
diagnosis of major depressive episode. Which lab value would potentially rule
out this diagnosis?
• A) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level of 25 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
Answer: A) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level of 25 U/mL
Rationale: A TSH of 25 U/mL is significantly elevated and indicates hypothyroidism,
which can present with depressive symptoms (fatigue, weight gain, low mood).
Medical causes of depression must be ruled out before diagnosing a primary
depressive disorder .
8. A client who has been newly diagnosed with depression is beginning tricyclic
antidepressant therapy. Which statement by the client indicates the need for
further education?
• A) "I will continue to take this medication even if the symptoms have not
subsided."
• B) "I may experience drowsiness or dizziness while taking this medication."
• C) "I do not need to quit smoking."
