NUR 253 Mental Health Nursing Week 6
Study Guide Quiz (UPDATED 2026)
|Galen College|| Questions and Answers
Plus rationales|| LATEST UPDATE!!!
1.
A patient with major depressive disorder says, “I feel hopeless.” What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “Why do you feel that way?”
B. “Things will get better.”
C. “Tell me more about your feelings.”
D. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Encourages expression and therapeutic communication.
2.
Which symptom is most associated with major depressive disorder?
A. Grandiosity
B. Anhedonia
C. Flight of ideas
D. Hallucinations
Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of pleasure (anhedonia) is a hallmark symptom.
3.
A patient is at highest suicide risk when:
A. They feel sad
B. They regain energy after depression
C. They cry frequently
D. They isolate themselves
,Answer: B
Rationale: Increased energy enables them to act on suicidal thoughts.
4.
Which neurotransmitter is decreased in depression?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. Histamine
Answer: B
Rationale: Low serotonin is strongly linked to depression.
5.
A priority nursing intervention for suicidal patients is:
A. Group therapy
B. Safety precautions
C. Medication education
D. Family counseling
Answer: B
Rationale: Safety always comes first.
6.
Which medication is an SSRI?
A. Amitriptyline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Lithium
D. Haloperidol
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluoxetine is a commonly used SSRI.
7.
,A patient on SSRIs should be monitored for:
A. Hypertension
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Diabetes
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs can cause serotonin syndrome.
8.
Which is a sign of serotonin syndrome?
A. Hypothermia
B. Muscle rigidity
C. Bradycardia
D. Dry skin
Answer: B
Rationale: Neuromuscular hyperactivity is a key symptom.
9.
What is the main goal of treating depression?
A. Eliminate sadness
B. Restore function
C. Prevent hallucinations
D. Promote sleep
Answer: B
Rationale: Functional recovery is the primary goal.
10.
Which behavior indicates improvement in depression?
A. Sleeping more
B. Engaging in activities
C. Refusing meals
D. Avoiding interaction
, Answer: B
Rationale: Increased participation shows recovery.
11.
A patient taking MAOIs should avoid which food?
A. Fresh vegetables
B. Yogurt
C. Aged cheese
D. Eggs
Answer: C
Rationale: Aged cheese contains tyramine, which can trigger a hypertensive crisis when
combined with MAOIs.
12.
Which symptom is most common in mania?
A. Hypersomnia
B. Elevated mood
C. Social withdrawal
D. Slow thinking
Answer: B
Rationale: Mania is marked by elevated or irritable mood with increased energy.
13.
A manic patient is constantly pacing and not eating. What is the priority intervention?
A. Offer structured group therapy
B. Encourage rest and nutrition
C. Teach coping skills
D. Limit visitors
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiological needs (food, rest) take priority.
14.
Study Guide Quiz (UPDATED 2026)
|Galen College|| Questions and Answers
Plus rationales|| LATEST UPDATE!!!
1.
A patient with major depressive disorder says, “I feel hopeless.” What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “Why do you feel that way?”
B. “Things will get better.”
C. “Tell me more about your feelings.”
D. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Encourages expression and therapeutic communication.
2.
Which symptom is most associated with major depressive disorder?
A. Grandiosity
B. Anhedonia
C. Flight of ideas
D. Hallucinations
Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of pleasure (anhedonia) is a hallmark symptom.
3.
A patient is at highest suicide risk when:
A. They feel sad
B. They regain energy after depression
C. They cry frequently
D. They isolate themselves
,Answer: B
Rationale: Increased energy enables them to act on suicidal thoughts.
4.
Which neurotransmitter is decreased in depression?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. Histamine
Answer: B
Rationale: Low serotonin is strongly linked to depression.
5.
A priority nursing intervention for suicidal patients is:
A. Group therapy
B. Safety precautions
C. Medication education
D. Family counseling
Answer: B
Rationale: Safety always comes first.
6.
Which medication is an SSRI?
A. Amitriptyline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Lithium
D. Haloperidol
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluoxetine is a commonly used SSRI.
7.
,A patient on SSRIs should be monitored for:
A. Hypertension
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Diabetes
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs can cause serotonin syndrome.
8.
Which is a sign of serotonin syndrome?
A. Hypothermia
B. Muscle rigidity
C. Bradycardia
D. Dry skin
Answer: B
Rationale: Neuromuscular hyperactivity is a key symptom.
9.
What is the main goal of treating depression?
A. Eliminate sadness
B. Restore function
C. Prevent hallucinations
D. Promote sleep
Answer: B
Rationale: Functional recovery is the primary goal.
10.
Which behavior indicates improvement in depression?
A. Sleeping more
B. Engaging in activities
C. Refusing meals
D. Avoiding interaction
, Answer: B
Rationale: Increased participation shows recovery.
11.
A patient taking MAOIs should avoid which food?
A. Fresh vegetables
B. Yogurt
C. Aged cheese
D. Eggs
Answer: C
Rationale: Aged cheese contains tyramine, which can trigger a hypertensive crisis when
combined with MAOIs.
12.
Which symptom is most common in mania?
A. Hypersomnia
B. Elevated mood
C. Social withdrawal
D. Slow thinking
Answer: B
Rationale: Mania is marked by elevated or irritable mood with increased energy.
13.
A manic patient is constantly pacing and not eating. What is the priority intervention?
A. Offer structured group therapy
B. Encourage rest and nutrition
C. Teach coping skills
D. Limit visitors
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiological needs (food, rest) take priority.
14.
