Question 1: The nurse is caring for a patient with major depressive disorder who has
been prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac). Which statement by the patient indicates a need
for further teaching regarding the medication?
A. "I will take this medication in the morning to help with my sleep."
B. "It may take 4-6 weeks before I notice a change in my mood."
C. "I can stop taking this medication once I feel better."
D. "I will report any unusual bruising or bleeding."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "I can stop taking this medication once I feel better."
Rationale: Fluoxetine is an SSRI used to treat depression. Abrupt discontinuation can
lead to withdrawal symptoms and a relapse of depressive symptoms. Patients should
be advised to taper the medication under medical supervision.
Question 2: The nurse is assessing a patient with bipolar disorder who is experiencing a
manic episode. Which finding is most characteristic of this phase?
A. Psychomotor retardation and flat a ect
B. Grandiosity and decreased need for sleep
C. Hypersomnia and weight gain
D. Anhedonia and social withdrawal
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Grandiosity and decreased need for sleep.
Rationale: A manic episode in bipolar disorder is characterized by elevated, expansive,
or irritable mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, grandiosity, and
impulsive behavior.
Question 3: A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. The
nurse's most therapeutic response is:
A. "I don't hear those voices. They are not real."
B. "Tell me more about what the voices are saying."
C. "You need to ignore those voices."
D. "I can hear them too. They are frightening."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "Tell me more about what the voices are saying."
Rationale: Acknowledging the patient's experience without reinforcing the
hallucinations is therapeutic. Asking about the content of the hallucinations helps the
nurse assess the patient's safety and build a therapeutic relationship.
,Question 4: The nurse is performing a mental status examination on a patient. Which
question assesses the patient's abstract reasoning ability?
A. "What is your name?"
B. "What is the meaning of the proverb: 'A rolling stone gathers no moss'?"
C. "Can you count backward from 100 by 7s?"
D. "What did you have for breakfast this morning?"
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "What is the meaning of the proverb: 'A rolling stone gathers
no moss'?"
Rationale: Abstract reasoning is a higher-level cognitive function. Asking the patient to
interpret a proverb is a common method to assess this ability.
Question 5: The nurse is caring for a patient with antisocial personality disorder. Which
behavior is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Submissive and dependent behavior
B. Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking
C. Manipulative and deceitful behavior with a lack of remorse
D. Perfectionism and rigid adherence to rules
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Manipulative and deceitful behavior with a lack of remorse.
Rationale: Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of
disregard for and violation of the rights of others. It includes deceitfulness,
manipulation, and a lack of empathy or remorse.
Question 6: A patient with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed buspirone
(Buspar). The nurse should instruct the patient that this medication:
A. Works immediately to relieve anxiety.
B. May take 2-4 weeks to achieve therapeutic e ects.
C. Has a high potential for abuse.
D. Causes severe sedation as a side e ect.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. May take 2-4 weeks to achieve therapeutic e ects.
Rationale: Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic. Unlike benzodiazepines, it
does not work immediately and has a delayed onset of action, taking several weeks to
reach full therapeutic e ect.
,Question 7: The nurse is evaluating a patient's risk for suicide. Which finding is the most
significant risk factor for suicide?
A. A history of a previous suicide attempt
B. Expressing feelings of sadness
C. Having a supportive family
D. A diagnosis of hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER: A. A history of a previous suicide attempt.
Rationale: A history of a previous suicide attempt is one of the strongest predictors of a
future completed suicide. Other significant risk factors include current suicidal ideation
with a plan and access to lethal means.
Question 8: The nurse is caring for a patient with dementia. Which intervention is most
appropriate to manage the patient's sundowning syndrome?
A. Keeping the patient in a brightly lit room at night.
B. Increasing the patient's ca eine intake during the evening.
C. Maintaining a consistent daily routine and providing adequate daytime activity.
D. Encouraging the patient to take a nap in the late afternoon.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Maintaining a consistent daily routine and providing
adequate daytime activity.
Rationale: Sundowning, a state of confusion and agitation that occurs in the late
afternoon and evening, is often managed with a structured and predictable routine.
Question 9: A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) performs a hand-
washing ritual 20 times a day. The nurse understands that the purpose of this ritual is to:
A. Prevent contamination and reduce anxiety.
B. Gain attention from the nursing sta .
C. Avoid interacting with other patients.
D. Express anger toward the healthcare team.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Prevent contamination and reduce anxiety.
Rationale: In OCD, compulsions (rituals) are behaviors performed in response to an
obsession to reduce anxiety or prevent a dreaded event. The hand-washing is a
compulsive act aimed at reducing the anxiety associated with the obsession of
contamination.
, Question 10: The nurse is assessing a patient who is withdrawing from alcohol. The
patient is experiencing tremors, diaphoresis, and tachycardia. Which medication is
most likely to be prescribed to manage these symptoms?
A. Haloperidol
B. Chlordiazepoxide
C. Naltrexone
D. Fluoxetine
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Chlordiazepoxide.
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are the mainstay of treatment for alcohol withdrawal.
Chlordiazepoxide, along with diazepam and lorazepam, are used to reduce withdrawal
symptoms and prevent progression to severe withdrawal (delirium tremens).
Question 11: The nurse is caring for a patient with post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). Which symptom is a hallmark of this disorder?
A. Persistent intrusive memories of the traumatic event
B. Hyperactivity and impulsivity
C. Grandiose delusions
D. Somatic complaints without a medical cause
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Persistent intrusive memories of the traumatic event.
Rationale: Intrusive memories, flashbacks, and nightmares are hallmark symptoms of
PTSD. These occur after exposure to a traumatic event and cause significant distress.
Question 12: The nurse is providing education to a patient prescribed a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for depression. The nurse should instruct the patient to avoid
which food to prevent a hypertensive crisis?
A. Oranges and bananas
B. Chocolate and co ee
C. Aged cheese and cured meats
D. Whole grains and nuts
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Aged cheese and cured meats.
Rationale: MAOIs inhibit the breakdown of tyramine, an amino acid found in aged
cheeses, cured meats, and fermented foods. A buildup of tyramine can lead to a
hypertensive crisis.
been prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac). Which statement by the patient indicates a need
for further teaching regarding the medication?
A. "I will take this medication in the morning to help with my sleep."
B. "It may take 4-6 weeks before I notice a change in my mood."
C. "I can stop taking this medication once I feel better."
D. "I will report any unusual bruising or bleeding."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "I can stop taking this medication once I feel better."
Rationale: Fluoxetine is an SSRI used to treat depression. Abrupt discontinuation can
lead to withdrawal symptoms and a relapse of depressive symptoms. Patients should
be advised to taper the medication under medical supervision.
Question 2: The nurse is assessing a patient with bipolar disorder who is experiencing a
manic episode. Which finding is most characteristic of this phase?
A. Psychomotor retardation and flat a ect
B. Grandiosity and decreased need for sleep
C. Hypersomnia and weight gain
D. Anhedonia and social withdrawal
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Grandiosity and decreased need for sleep.
Rationale: A manic episode in bipolar disorder is characterized by elevated, expansive,
or irritable mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, grandiosity, and
impulsive behavior.
Question 3: A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. The
nurse's most therapeutic response is:
A. "I don't hear those voices. They are not real."
B. "Tell me more about what the voices are saying."
C. "You need to ignore those voices."
D. "I can hear them too. They are frightening."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "Tell me more about what the voices are saying."
Rationale: Acknowledging the patient's experience without reinforcing the
hallucinations is therapeutic. Asking about the content of the hallucinations helps the
nurse assess the patient's safety and build a therapeutic relationship.
,Question 4: The nurse is performing a mental status examination on a patient. Which
question assesses the patient's abstract reasoning ability?
A. "What is your name?"
B. "What is the meaning of the proverb: 'A rolling stone gathers no moss'?"
C. "Can you count backward from 100 by 7s?"
D. "What did you have for breakfast this morning?"
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "What is the meaning of the proverb: 'A rolling stone gathers
no moss'?"
Rationale: Abstract reasoning is a higher-level cognitive function. Asking the patient to
interpret a proverb is a common method to assess this ability.
Question 5: The nurse is caring for a patient with antisocial personality disorder. Which
behavior is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Submissive and dependent behavior
B. Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking
C. Manipulative and deceitful behavior with a lack of remorse
D. Perfectionism and rigid adherence to rules
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Manipulative and deceitful behavior with a lack of remorse.
Rationale: Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of
disregard for and violation of the rights of others. It includes deceitfulness,
manipulation, and a lack of empathy or remorse.
Question 6: A patient with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed buspirone
(Buspar). The nurse should instruct the patient that this medication:
A. Works immediately to relieve anxiety.
B. May take 2-4 weeks to achieve therapeutic e ects.
C. Has a high potential for abuse.
D. Causes severe sedation as a side e ect.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. May take 2-4 weeks to achieve therapeutic e ects.
Rationale: Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic. Unlike benzodiazepines, it
does not work immediately and has a delayed onset of action, taking several weeks to
reach full therapeutic e ect.
,Question 7: The nurse is evaluating a patient's risk for suicide. Which finding is the most
significant risk factor for suicide?
A. A history of a previous suicide attempt
B. Expressing feelings of sadness
C. Having a supportive family
D. A diagnosis of hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER: A. A history of a previous suicide attempt.
Rationale: A history of a previous suicide attempt is one of the strongest predictors of a
future completed suicide. Other significant risk factors include current suicidal ideation
with a plan and access to lethal means.
Question 8: The nurse is caring for a patient with dementia. Which intervention is most
appropriate to manage the patient's sundowning syndrome?
A. Keeping the patient in a brightly lit room at night.
B. Increasing the patient's ca eine intake during the evening.
C. Maintaining a consistent daily routine and providing adequate daytime activity.
D. Encouraging the patient to take a nap in the late afternoon.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Maintaining a consistent daily routine and providing
adequate daytime activity.
Rationale: Sundowning, a state of confusion and agitation that occurs in the late
afternoon and evening, is often managed with a structured and predictable routine.
Question 9: A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) performs a hand-
washing ritual 20 times a day. The nurse understands that the purpose of this ritual is to:
A. Prevent contamination and reduce anxiety.
B. Gain attention from the nursing sta .
C. Avoid interacting with other patients.
D. Express anger toward the healthcare team.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Prevent contamination and reduce anxiety.
Rationale: In OCD, compulsions (rituals) are behaviors performed in response to an
obsession to reduce anxiety or prevent a dreaded event. The hand-washing is a
compulsive act aimed at reducing the anxiety associated with the obsession of
contamination.
, Question 10: The nurse is assessing a patient who is withdrawing from alcohol. The
patient is experiencing tremors, diaphoresis, and tachycardia. Which medication is
most likely to be prescribed to manage these symptoms?
A. Haloperidol
B. Chlordiazepoxide
C. Naltrexone
D. Fluoxetine
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Chlordiazepoxide.
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are the mainstay of treatment for alcohol withdrawal.
Chlordiazepoxide, along with diazepam and lorazepam, are used to reduce withdrawal
symptoms and prevent progression to severe withdrawal (delirium tremens).
Question 11: The nurse is caring for a patient with post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). Which symptom is a hallmark of this disorder?
A. Persistent intrusive memories of the traumatic event
B. Hyperactivity and impulsivity
C. Grandiose delusions
D. Somatic complaints without a medical cause
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Persistent intrusive memories of the traumatic event.
Rationale: Intrusive memories, flashbacks, and nightmares are hallmark symptoms of
PTSD. These occur after exposure to a traumatic event and cause significant distress.
Question 12: The nurse is providing education to a patient prescribed a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for depression. The nurse should instruct the patient to avoid
which food to prevent a hypertensive crisis?
A. Oranges and bananas
B. Chocolate and co ee
C. Aged cheese and cured meats
D. Whole grains and nuts
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Aged cheese and cured meats.
Rationale: MAOIs inhibit the breakdown of tyramine, an amino acid found in aged
cheeses, cured meats, and fermented foods. A buildup of tyramine can lead to a
hypertensive crisis.
