Version A: 50 MCQs
1. A client reports feeling sad most of the day,
nearly every day, for the past three weeks, with
insomnia, poor concentration, and thoughts of
worthlessness. Which diagnosis is most
appropriate?
A. Major depressive disorder
B. Dysthymia
C. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
D. Bipolar II disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: The client meets DSM-5 criteria for a
major depressive episode—depressed mood, sleep
disturbance, impaired concentration, feelings of
worthlessness, lasting ≥2 weeks (Wikipedia).
2. Which symptom is not one of the nine DSM-5
criteria for a major depressive episode?
A. Psychomotor retardation
B. Euphoria
C. Appetite disturbance
D. Suicidal ideation
Answer: B
Rationale: Euphoria is characteristic of manic
episodes, not major depressive episodes (Wikipedia).
3. A client with major depressive disorder tells the
nurse, “Nothing I do makes any difference. I’m
, worthless.” The best therapeutic response is:
A. “You must think more positively.”
B. “You might try exercising.”
C. “Tell me more about what makes you feel
worthless.”
D. “Your family loves you.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended reflection encourages
exploration of negative self-statements (Nurseslabs).
4. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most
implicated in depression?
A. Low dopamine
B. Low serotonin
C. High GABA
D. High acetylcholine
Answer: B
Rationale: Serotonin deficiency is a key factor in
depressive disorders (Nurseslabs).
5. The priority nursing intervention for a suicidal
client is:
A. Developing a rapport
B. Conducting a risk assessment
C. Encouraging group therapy
D. Administering SSRIs
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing lethality and intent guides
immediate safety planning (Nurseslabs).
, 6. A client with generalized anxiety disorder
describes constant worry and restlessness. The
first-line pharmacologic treatment is:
A. Diazepam
B. Buspirone
C. Sertraline
D. Propranolol
Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs are first-line for GAD per clinical
guidelines (Nurseslabs).
7. Which behavior is characteristic of a panic
attack?
A. Gradual onset over hours
B. Palpitations, sweating, and fear of dying
C. Hallucinations
D. Depressed mood
Answer: B
Rationale: Panic attacks involve acute autonomic
arousal and intense fear (Wikipedia).
8. A nurse observes a client with schizophrenia
rocking and muttering. This behavior is:
A. Tangential thinking
B. Bizarre delusion
C. Associative looseness
D. Psychomotor agitation
Answer: D
Rationale: Repetitive movements without apparent
purpose indicate agitation (Nurseslabs).
1. A client reports feeling sad most of the day,
nearly every day, for the past three weeks, with
insomnia, poor concentration, and thoughts of
worthlessness. Which diagnosis is most
appropriate?
A. Major depressive disorder
B. Dysthymia
C. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
D. Bipolar II disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: The client meets DSM-5 criteria for a
major depressive episode—depressed mood, sleep
disturbance, impaired concentration, feelings of
worthlessness, lasting ≥2 weeks (Wikipedia).
2. Which symptom is not one of the nine DSM-5
criteria for a major depressive episode?
A. Psychomotor retardation
B. Euphoria
C. Appetite disturbance
D. Suicidal ideation
Answer: B
Rationale: Euphoria is characteristic of manic
episodes, not major depressive episodes (Wikipedia).
3. A client with major depressive disorder tells the
nurse, “Nothing I do makes any difference. I’m
, worthless.” The best therapeutic response is:
A. “You must think more positively.”
B. “You might try exercising.”
C. “Tell me more about what makes you feel
worthless.”
D. “Your family loves you.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended reflection encourages
exploration of negative self-statements (Nurseslabs).
4. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most
implicated in depression?
A. Low dopamine
B. Low serotonin
C. High GABA
D. High acetylcholine
Answer: B
Rationale: Serotonin deficiency is a key factor in
depressive disorders (Nurseslabs).
5. The priority nursing intervention for a suicidal
client is:
A. Developing a rapport
B. Conducting a risk assessment
C. Encouraging group therapy
D. Administering SSRIs
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing lethality and intent guides
immediate safety planning (Nurseslabs).
, 6. A client with generalized anxiety disorder
describes constant worry and restlessness. The
first-line pharmacologic treatment is:
A. Diazepam
B. Buspirone
C. Sertraline
D. Propranolol
Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs are first-line for GAD per clinical
guidelines (Nurseslabs).
7. Which behavior is characteristic of a panic
attack?
A. Gradual onset over hours
B. Palpitations, sweating, and fear of dying
C. Hallucinations
D. Depressed mood
Answer: B
Rationale: Panic attacks involve acute autonomic
arousal and intense fear (Wikipedia).
8. A nurse observes a client with schizophrenia
rocking and muttering. This behavior is:
A. Tangential thinking
B. Bizarre delusion
C. Associative looseness
D. Psychomotor agitation
Answer: D
Rationale: Repetitive movements without apparent
purpose indicate agitation (Nurseslabs).
