EXAM 3: NUR208 / NUR 208 (LATEST UPDATE ) MENTAL HEALTH NURSING |
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT - FORTIS – COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL-DETAILED ANSWERS | DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS AND RATIONALES | COMPLETE EXAM PREPARATION STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
CORE DOMAINS
• 1. MOOD DISORDERS AND SUICIDE RISK
• 2. ANXIETY, TRAUMA, GRIEF, AND STRESS-RELATED CONDITIONS
• 3. SOMATIC SYMPTOM AND FACTITIOUS DISORDERS
• 4. SUBSTANCE USE, INTOXICATION, AND WITHDRAWAL
• 5. PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND MEDICATION SAFETY
• 6. THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION AND MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
INTERVENTIONS
• 7. ETHICAL, LEGAL, AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
• 8. PSYCHOTHERAPY, GROUP THERAPY, AND PSYCHIATRIC THEORIES
• 9. CRISIS INTERVENTION, VIOLENCE, AND SAFETY
• 10. PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT, DIAGNOSIS, AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT
*
* INTRODUCTION
*
This comprehensive assessment is designed to strengthen the knowledge, clinical reasoning,
communication skills, safety awareness, and decision-making abilities required in mental
health nursing. The questions emphasize recognition of psychiatric symptoms, therapeutic
interventions, suicide and violence risk, medication principles, substance-related conditions,
ethical responsibilities, and application of mental health concepts to realistic nursing
situations. Multiple-choice questions are used to develop both foundational knowledge and
higher-level clinical judgment. Particular emphasis is placed on distinguishing similar
psychiatric conditions and selecting the safest, most therapeutic nursing response. The
subject areas represented are consistent with publicly available descriptions of NUR208
Exam 3 materials, including bipolar disorder, suicide assessment, substance withdrawal,
somatic disorders, grief, ethical practice, and related mental-health concepts.
*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,Question 1.
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with bipolar I disorder. Which finding represents the
greatest immediate safety concern?
A. Sleeping 4 hours per night
B. Speaking rapidly during conversations
C. Expressing a specific plan to die
D. Reporting increased energy
Correct Answer: C. Expressing a specific plan to die
Explanation: A specific suicidal plan indicates an immediate safety risk. The nurse should
assess suicidal intent, access to means, lethality, and immediacy and implement appropriate
safety precautions.
Question 2.
Which assessment finding is most characteristic of anhedonia?
A. Excessive fear of social situations
B. Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities
C. Persistent physical complaints without symptoms
D. Recurrent periods of elevated energy
Correct Answer: B. Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities
Explanation: Anhedonia is a diminished ability to experience pleasure or interest in activities
that were previously enjoyable. It is a common symptom of major depressive episodes.
Question 3.
A client admitted after intentionally overdosing on antidepressants is being assessed by the
nurse. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority?
A. Social isolation
B. Disturbed sleep pattern
C. Risk for suicide
D. Impaired verbal communication
Correct Answer: C. Risk for suicide
Explanation: An intentional overdose represents potentially suicidal behavior. Protection
from further self-harm takes priority over less immediate psychosocial concerns.
,Question 4.
Which question is most appropriate when initially assessing a depressed client for suicide
risk?
A. "Why do you think your family has abandoned you?"
B. "Do you have any thoughts of harming or killing yourself?"
C. "Would you like to participate in group therapy?"
D. "How long have you been feeling tired?"
Correct Answer: B. "Do you have any thoughts of harming or killing yourself?"
Explanation: Directly asking about suicidal thoughts does not cause suicide and is an
essential component of risk assessment. The nurse should then assess plan, intent, means,
and protective factors.
Question 5.
A client says, "Everyone would be better off without me." What should the nurse do first?
A. Change the subject to a positive topic
B. Tell the client that suicide is not an acceptable solution
C. Assess directly for suicidal thoughts and intent
D. Leave the client alone to provide privacy
Correct Answer: C. Assess directly for suicidal thoughts and intent
Explanation: The statement suggests possible suicidal thinking. Immediate assessment of
suicidal ideation, plan, intent, and access to lethal means is necessary.
Question 6.
Which finding is most consistent with mania?
A. Psychomotor retardation
B. Decreased need for sleep with increased energy
C. Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
D. Persistent feelings of worthlessness
Correct Answer: B. Decreased need for sleep with increased energy
Explanation: Mania commonly includes elevated or irritable mood, increased energy,
decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, racing thoughts, increased activity, and
impaired judgment.
, Question 7.
A manic client says, "I have not slept for three days, but I feel fantastic!" Which intervention
is most appropriate?
A. Encourage strenuous exercise
B. Reduce environmental stimulation
C. Encourage extensive group discussion
D. Challenge the client's elevated mood
Correct Answer: B. Reduce environmental stimulation
Explanation: A low-stimulation environment can decrease excessive sensory input and help
promote rest and behavioral control in a manic client.
Question 8.
Which behavior is most characteristic of a client experiencing hypomania?
A. Severe functional impairment requiring hospitalization in every case
B. Mild elevation in mood with increased activity and energy
C. Complete inability to communicate
D. Persistent hallucinations unrelated to mood
Correct Answer: B. Mild elevation in mood with increased activity and energy
Explanation: Hypomania involves a distinct period of elevated, expansive, or irritable mood
with increased activity but is less severe than mania and does not necessarily cause marked
functional impairment.
Question 9.
A client with bipolar disorder suddenly begins giving away valuable possessions. What
should the nurse do?
A. Praise the client's generosity
B. Ask whether the client has thoughts of suicide
C. Encourage the client to continue socializing
D. Document the behavior as normal generosity
Correct Answer: B. Ask whether the client has thoughts of suicide
Explanation: Giving away possessions can be a warning sign of suicidal planning. The nurse
should immediately assess suicide risk.
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT - FORTIS – COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL-DETAILED ANSWERS | DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS AND RATIONALES | COMPLETE EXAM PREPARATION STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
CORE DOMAINS
• 1. MOOD DISORDERS AND SUICIDE RISK
• 2. ANXIETY, TRAUMA, GRIEF, AND STRESS-RELATED CONDITIONS
• 3. SOMATIC SYMPTOM AND FACTITIOUS DISORDERS
• 4. SUBSTANCE USE, INTOXICATION, AND WITHDRAWAL
• 5. PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND MEDICATION SAFETY
• 6. THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION AND MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
INTERVENTIONS
• 7. ETHICAL, LEGAL, AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
• 8. PSYCHOTHERAPY, GROUP THERAPY, AND PSYCHIATRIC THEORIES
• 9. CRISIS INTERVENTION, VIOLENCE, AND SAFETY
• 10. PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT, DIAGNOSIS, AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT
*
* INTRODUCTION
*
This comprehensive assessment is designed to strengthen the knowledge, clinical reasoning,
communication skills, safety awareness, and decision-making abilities required in mental
health nursing. The questions emphasize recognition of psychiatric symptoms, therapeutic
interventions, suicide and violence risk, medication principles, substance-related conditions,
ethical responsibilities, and application of mental health concepts to realistic nursing
situations. Multiple-choice questions are used to develop both foundational knowledge and
higher-level clinical judgment. Particular emphasis is placed on distinguishing similar
psychiatric conditions and selecting the safest, most therapeutic nursing response. The
subject areas represented are consistent with publicly available descriptions of NUR208
Exam 3 materials, including bipolar disorder, suicide assessment, substance withdrawal,
somatic disorders, grief, ethical practice, and related mental-health concepts.
*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,Question 1.
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with bipolar I disorder. Which finding represents the
greatest immediate safety concern?
A. Sleeping 4 hours per night
B. Speaking rapidly during conversations
C. Expressing a specific plan to die
D. Reporting increased energy
Correct Answer: C. Expressing a specific plan to die
Explanation: A specific suicidal plan indicates an immediate safety risk. The nurse should
assess suicidal intent, access to means, lethality, and immediacy and implement appropriate
safety precautions.
Question 2.
Which assessment finding is most characteristic of anhedonia?
A. Excessive fear of social situations
B. Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities
C. Persistent physical complaints without symptoms
D. Recurrent periods of elevated energy
Correct Answer: B. Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities
Explanation: Anhedonia is a diminished ability to experience pleasure or interest in activities
that were previously enjoyable. It is a common symptom of major depressive episodes.
Question 3.
A client admitted after intentionally overdosing on antidepressants is being assessed by the
nurse. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority?
A. Social isolation
B. Disturbed sleep pattern
C. Risk for suicide
D. Impaired verbal communication
Correct Answer: C. Risk for suicide
Explanation: An intentional overdose represents potentially suicidal behavior. Protection
from further self-harm takes priority over less immediate psychosocial concerns.
,Question 4.
Which question is most appropriate when initially assessing a depressed client for suicide
risk?
A. "Why do you think your family has abandoned you?"
B. "Do you have any thoughts of harming or killing yourself?"
C. "Would you like to participate in group therapy?"
D. "How long have you been feeling tired?"
Correct Answer: B. "Do you have any thoughts of harming or killing yourself?"
Explanation: Directly asking about suicidal thoughts does not cause suicide and is an
essential component of risk assessment. The nurse should then assess plan, intent, means,
and protective factors.
Question 5.
A client says, "Everyone would be better off without me." What should the nurse do first?
A. Change the subject to a positive topic
B. Tell the client that suicide is not an acceptable solution
C. Assess directly for suicidal thoughts and intent
D. Leave the client alone to provide privacy
Correct Answer: C. Assess directly for suicidal thoughts and intent
Explanation: The statement suggests possible suicidal thinking. Immediate assessment of
suicidal ideation, plan, intent, and access to lethal means is necessary.
Question 6.
Which finding is most consistent with mania?
A. Psychomotor retardation
B. Decreased need for sleep with increased energy
C. Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
D. Persistent feelings of worthlessness
Correct Answer: B. Decreased need for sleep with increased energy
Explanation: Mania commonly includes elevated or irritable mood, increased energy,
decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, racing thoughts, increased activity, and
impaired judgment.
, Question 7.
A manic client says, "I have not slept for three days, but I feel fantastic!" Which intervention
is most appropriate?
A. Encourage strenuous exercise
B. Reduce environmental stimulation
C. Encourage extensive group discussion
D. Challenge the client's elevated mood
Correct Answer: B. Reduce environmental stimulation
Explanation: A low-stimulation environment can decrease excessive sensory input and help
promote rest and behavioral control in a manic client.
Question 8.
Which behavior is most characteristic of a client experiencing hypomania?
A. Severe functional impairment requiring hospitalization in every case
B. Mild elevation in mood with increased activity and energy
C. Complete inability to communicate
D. Persistent hallucinations unrelated to mood
Correct Answer: B. Mild elevation in mood with increased activity and energy
Explanation: Hypomania involves a distinct period of elevated, expansive, or irritable mood
with increased activity but is less severe than mania and does not necessarily cause marked
functional impairment.
Question 9.
A client with bipolar disorder suddenly begins giving away valuable possessions. What
should the nurse do?
A. Praise the client's generosity
B. Ask whether the client has thoughts of suicide
C. Encourage the client to continue socializing
D. Document the behavior as normal generosity
Correct Answer: B. Ask whether the client has thoughts of suicide
Explanation: Giving away possessions can be a warning sign of suicidal planning. The nurse
should immediately assess suicide risk.
