NUR 214 (Mental Health - Test 3) NCLEX Style Practice Questions
with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: The client diagnosed with bipolar depression is hospitalized in the elation phase of the
illness. The client says to the nurse, "I just bought myself a home computer and a large screen TV for
the family." Which interpretation by the nurse is most accurate?
A) The client wants to impress the nurse with the level of generosity toward the family
B) The client is insecure about self-worth and needs to manipulate electronic devices
C) The client has completely lost contact with reality and thought patterns are disturbed
D) The client has a mood disturbances and the judgement is poor at this time
Answer: D (The client has a mood disturbances and the judgement is poor at this time)
Question 2: The nurse is caring for a client with a chronic health condition. Which condition should the
nurse identify as a common complication associated with reduced role function?
A) Osteoporosis
B) Congestive heart failure
C) Diabetes
D) Depression **P-28**
Answer: D (Depression)
Question 3: A client with a 2-month-old child is experiencing insomnia, mood swings, and crying.
Which interventions does the nurse anticipate being incorporated into a collaborative plan of care for
the client experiencing postpartum depression? (Select all that apply)
A) Electroconvulsive therapy
B) Psychosocial interventions
C) Antidepressants
D) Time management and exercise therapy
E) Cognitive-behavioral therapy **P-28**
Answer: B & C (Psychosocial interventions) (Antidepressants)
Question 4: The nurse is planning care for an adult client demonstrating symptoms of depression.
Which assessment technique is most appropriate?
A) More time talking with the client
B) Ask family members about the client's demeanor
C) Beck Depression Inventory
D) Mood Disorder Questionnaire **P-28**
Answer: C (Beck Depression Inventory)
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,Question 5: A client is experiencing symptoms of depression. Which laboratory or diagnostic test would
be the priority to determine if depression is being caused by another health problem?
A) Electrocardiogram
B) MRI of the brain
C) Thyroid function tests
D) Cerebral angiogram **P-28**
Answer: C (Thyroid function tests)
Question 6: A client is scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for the treatment of depression.
Which instructions should the nurse include regarding this therapy? (Select all that apply)
A) You will need to remove all jewelry before beginning the therapy session
B) These treatments will cure the depression
C) Long-term memory loss often occurs after receiving ECT
D) The treatments are known to help some but not all people with depression
E) You will need to stop eating and drinking 4 hours prior to the therapy session **P-28**
Answer: A, D, & E (You will need to remove all jewelry before beginning the therapy session) (The
treatments are known to help some but not all people with depression) (You will need to stop eating and
drinking 4 hours prior to the therapy session)
Question 7: A client prescribed an antidepressant tells the nurse that the pill causes dizziness upon
standing or changing position too quickly. This is a common side effect of which antidepressant
medication?
A) Atypical antidepressant
B) Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
C) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
D) Lithium **P-28**
Answer: A (Atypical antidepressants)
Question 8: A nurse working on a psychiatric unit is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with
major depressive disorder (MDD). Upon assessment of the client, which clinical manifestations does the
nurse recognize as consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Depressed mood or loss of interest occasionally for at least 1 week
B) Depressed mood sporadically for at least 2 years
C) Restlessness, fatigue, suicidal ideation, feelings of guilt
D) Anxiety, change in appetite, grief, altered nutrition **P-28**
Answer: C (Restlessness, fatigue, suicidal ideation, feelings of guilt)
Page 2
, Question 9: A nurse educator is teaching a group of student nurses regarding depression, its
pathophysiology, and the theories related to the disorder. What statements will the nurse instructor
include about the theories of depression? (Select all that apply)
A) Sociocultural theory emphasizes the role that social stressors play in the development of depression
B) The sociocultural factor theory states that those who are depressed focus on negative messages in the
environment and ignore positive experiences
C) The learning theory states that individuals learn to be depressed in response to a self-perception of a lack of
control over their life experiences
D) The sociocultural factor theory suggests that all people have an inborn need for interpersonal relationships.
E) The learning theory states that individuals with depression typically experience little success in achieving
gratification and little positive reinforcement in coping with negative incidents **P-28**
Answer: A, C, & E (Sociocultural theory emphasizes the role that social stressors play in the development
of depression) (The learning theory states that individuals learn to be depressed in response to a
self-perception of a lack of control over their life experiences) (The learning theory states that individuals
with depression typically experience little success in achieving gratification and little positive reinforcement
in coping with negative incidents)
Question 10: A client being treated for severe depression reports feeling better and having more energy.
Which is a priority nursing diagnosis for the client at this time?
A) Social Isolation
B) Hopelessness
C) Situational Low Self-Esteem
D) Risk for Self-Directed Violence **P-28**
Answer: D (Risk for Self-Directed Violence)
Question 11: A client with depression is receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which
interventions should the nurse plan when caring for this client? (Select all that apply)
A) Maintain nothing-by-mouth status until fully awake
B) Administer intravenous fluids for 8 hours postprocedure
C) Place in the lateral recumbent position
D) Provide oral fluids immediately after the procedure
E) Place in the supine position with the head flat **P-28**
Answer: A & C (Maintain nothing-by-mouth status until fully awake) (Place in the lateral recumbent
position)
Question 12: The nurse observes a client being treated for depression sitting with the head down and
avoiding conversation with peers. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for this client?
A) Ask open-ended questions about the client's feelings
B) Ask the client closed-ended questions
C) Encourage a peer to sit with the client and the nurse
D) Tell the client that lack of involvement leads to more depression **P-28**
Answer: A (Ask open-ended questions about the client's feelings)
Page 3
with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: The client diagnosed with bipolar depression is hospitalized in the elation phase of the
illness. The client says to the nurse, "I just bought myself a home computer and a large screen TV for
the family." Which interpretation by the nurse is most accurate?
A) The client wants to impress the nurse with the level of generosity toward the family
B) The client is insecure about self-worth and needs to manipulate electronic devices
C) The client has completely lost contact with reality and thought patterns are disturbed
D) The client has a mood disturbances and the judgement is poor at this time
Answer: D (The client has a mood disturbances and the judgement is poor at this time)
Question 2: The nurse is caring for a client with a chronic health condition. Which condition should the
nurse identify as a common complication associated with reduced role function?
A) Osteoporosis
B) Congestive heart failure
C) Diabetes
D) Depression **P-28**
Answer: D (Depression)
Question 3: A client with a 2-month-old child is experiencing insomnia, mood swings, and crying.
Which interventions does the nurse anticipate being incorporated into a collaborative plan of care for
the client experiencing postpartum depression? (Select all that apply)
A) Electroconvulsive therapy
B) Psychosocial interventions
C) Antidepressants
D) Time management and exercise therapy
E) Cognitive-behavioral therapy **P-28**
Answer: B & C (Psychosocial interventions) (Antidepressants)
Question 4: The nurse is planning care for an adult client demonstrating symptoms of depression.
Which assessment technique is most appropriate?
A) More time talking with the client
B) Ask family members about the client's demeanor
C) Beck Depression Inventory
D) Mood Disorder Questionnaire **P-28**
Answer: C (Beck Depression Inventory)
Page 1
,Question 5: A client is experiencing symptoms of depression. Which laboratory or diagnostic test would
be the priority to determine if depression is being caused by another health problem?
A) Electrocardiogram
B) MRI of the brain
C) Thyroid function tests
D) Cerebral angiogram **P-28**
Answer: C (Thyroid function tests)
Question 6: A client is scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for the treatment of depression.
Which instructions should the nurse include regarding this therapy? (Select all that apply)
A) You will need to remove all jewelry before beginning the therapy session
B) These treatments will cure the depression
C) Long-term memory loss often occurs after receiving ECT
D) The treatments are known to help some but not all people with depression
E) You will need to stop eating and drinking 4 hours prior to the therapy session **P-28**
Answer: A, D, & E (You will need to remove all jewelry before beginning the therapy session) (The
treatments are known to help some but not all people with depression) (You will need to stop eating and
drinking 4 hours prior to the therapy session)
Question 7: A client prescribed an antidepressant tells the nurse that the pill causes dizziness upon
standing or changing position too quickly. This is a common side effect of which antidepressant
medication?
A) Atypical antidepressant
B) Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
C) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
D) Lithium **P-28**
Answer: A (Atypical antidepressants)
Question 8: A nurse working on a psychiatric unit is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with
major depressive disorder (MDD). Upon assessment of the client, which clinical manifestations does the
nurse recognize as consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Depressed mood or loss of interest occasionally for at least 1 week
B) Depressed mood sporadically for at least 2 years
C) Restlessness, fatigue, suicidal ideation, feelings of guilt
D) Anxiety, change in appetite, grief, altered nutrition **P-28**
Answer: C (Restlessness, fatigue, suicidal ideation, feelings of guilt)
Page 2
, Question 9: A nurse educator is teaching a group of student nurses regarding depression, its
pathophysiology, and the theories related to the disorder. What statements will the nurse instructor
include about the theories of depression? (Select all that apply)
A) Sociocultural theory emphasizes the role that social stressors play in the development of depression
B) The sociocultural factor theory states that those who are depressed focus on negative messages in the
environment and ignore positive experiences
C) The learning theory states that individuals learn to be depressed in response to a self-perception of a lack of
control over their life experiences
D) The sociocultural factor theory suggests that all people have an inborn need for interpersonal relationships.
E) The learning theory states that individuals with depression typically experience little success in achieving
gratification and little positive reinforcement in coping with negative incidents **P-28**
Answer: A, C, & E (Sociocultural theory emphasizes the role that social stressors play in the development
of depression) (The learning theory states that individuals learn to be depressed in response to a
self-perception of a lack of control over their life experiences) (The learning theory states that individuals
with depression typically experience little success in achieving gratification and little positive reinforcement
in coping with negative incidents)
Question 10: A client being treated for severe depression reports feeling better and having more energy.
Which is a priority nursing diagnosis for the client at this time?
A) Social Isolation
B) Hopelessness
C) Situational Low Self-Esteem
D) Risk for Self-Directed Violence **P-28**
Answer: D (Risk for Self-Directed Violence)
Question 11: A client with depression is receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which
interventions should the nurse plan when caring for this client? (Select all that apply)
A) Maintain nothing-by-mouth status until fully awake
B) Administer intravenous fluids for 8 hours postprocedure
C) Place in the lateral recumbent position
D) Provide oral fluids immediately after the procedure
E) Place in the supine position with the head flat **P-28**
Answer: A & C (Maintain nothing-by-mouth status until fully awake) (Place in the lateral recumbent
position)
Question 12: The nurse observes a client being treated for depression sitting with the head down and
avoiding conversation with peers. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for this client?
A) Ask open-ended questions about the client's feelings
B) Ask the client closed-ended questions
C) Encourage a peer to sit with the client and the nurse
D) Tell the client that lack of involvement leads to more depression **P-28**
Answer: A (Ask open-ended questions about the client's feelings)
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