,NUR 208 Mental Health Nursing Exam 3 Study
Guide & 150 Practice Questions Fortis College
2026/2027
1. A client with major depressive disorder is admitted to the psychiatric unit. Which finding
should the nurse expect during the assessment?
A. Increased energy and goal-directed activity
B. Anhedonia and psychomotor retardation
C. Flight of ideas and pressured speech
D. Grandiosity and decreased need for sleep
Correct Answer: B. Anhedonia and psychomotor retardation
Rationale: Major depressive disorder is characterized by anhedonia (inability to experience
pleasure), psychomotor retardation or agitation, fatigue, and depressed mood. Increased
energy, flight of ideas, and grandiosity are characteristic of mania.
2. A nurse is reviewing the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. Which
finding is required for diagnosis?
A. Depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure for at least 2 weeks
,B. Depressed mood for at least 1 month
C. Loss of interest for at least 3 days
D. Depressed mood with psychotic features
Correct Answer: A. Depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure for at least 2 weeks
Rationale: Major depressive disorder requires the presence of depressed mood or loss of
interest or pleasure for at least 2 weeks, along with other symptoms such as changes in sleep,
appetite, energy, and concentration.
3. A nurse is assessing a client for depression. Which screening tool is commonly used?
A. CAGE questionnaire
B. PHQ-9
C. GAD-7
D. Mini-Mental State Examination
Correct Answer: B. PHQ-9
, Rationale: The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a commonly used screening tool for
depression. The CAGE questionnaire screens for alcohol use, GAD-7 screens for anxiety, and the
Mini-Mental State Examination assesses cognitive function.
4. A nurse is assessing a client for anhedonia. Which finding is most characteristic?
A. The client reports feeling persistently sad and hopeless.
B. The client states, "I used to love painting, but now I don't enjoy it anymore."
C. The client complains of difficulty concentrating.
D. The client reports waking at 3 AM unable to return to sleep.
Correct Answer: B. The client states, "I used to love painting, but now I don't enjoy it anymore."
Rationale: Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure from activities that were previously
enjoyed. The client's statement directly describes loss of pleasure in a formerly enjoyable
activity (painting).
5. A client with depression states, "I feel like nobody would even notice if I disappeared." Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "Don't say that. Your family loves you very much."
Guide & 150 Practice Questions Fortis College
2026/2027
1. A client with major depressive disorder is admitted to the psychiatric unit. Which finding
should the nurse expect during the assessment?
A. Increased energy and goal-directed activity
B. Anhedonia and psychomotor retardation
C. Flight of ideas and pressured speech
D. Grandiosity and decreased need for sleep
Correct Answer: B. Anhedonia and psychomotor retardation
Rationale: Major depressive disorder is characterized by anhedonia (inability to experience
pleasure), psychomotor retardation or agitation, fatigue, and depressed mood. Increased
energy, flight of ideas, and grandiosity are characteristic of mania.
2. A nurse is reviewing the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. Which
finding is required for diagnosis?
A. Depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure for at least 2 weeks
,B. Depressed mood for at least 1 month
C. Loss of interest for at least 3 days
D. Depressed mood with psychotic features
Correct Answer: A. Depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure for at least 2 weeks
Rationale: Major depressive disorder requires the presence of depressed mood or loss of
interest or pleasure for at least 2 weeks, along with other symptoms such as changes in sleep,
appetite, energy, and concentration.
3. A nurse is assessing a client for depression. Which screening tool is commonly used?
A. CAGE questionnaire
B. PHQ-9
C. GAD-7
D. Mini-Mental State Examination
Correct Answer: B. PHQ-9
, Rationale: The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a commonly used screening tool for
depression. The CAGE questionnaire screens for alcohol use, GAD-7 screens for anxiety, and the
Mini-Mental State Examination assesses cognitive function.
4. A nurse is assessing a client for anhedonia. Which finding is most characteristic?
A. The client reports feeling persistently sad and hopeless.
B. The client states, "I used to love painting, but now I don't enjoy it anymore."
C. The client complains of difficulty concentrating.
D. The client reports waking at 3 AM unable to return to sleep.
Correct Answer: B. The client states, "I used to love painting, but now I don't enjoy it anymore."
Rationale: Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure from activities that were previously
enjoyed. The client's statement directly describes loss of pleasure in a formerly enjoyable
activity (painting).
5. A client with depression states, "I feel like nobody would even notice if I disappeared." Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "Don't say that. Your family loves you very much."
