VSIM: LI NA CHEN EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
A care plan states that a patient should attend groups on the unit, but the patient states, "I do
not want to go; just let me sleep." What is the best response by the nurse? - ANS "I know you
feel like staying in bed, but it is time for group. I will walk with you."
What is the highest priority when educating the patient who is taking monoamine oxidase
inhibitors? - ANS Avoidance of foods containing tyramine
When patients are admitted to a locked psychiatric unit, which action should be the nurse's
priority intervention? - ANS Ensure that patients and their belongings have been searched.
The patient is prescribed paroxetine 25 mg by mouth daily and asks, "Why is my mouth so dry?
Water does not help." What is the nurse's best response? - ANS "A side effect of paroxetine is
dry mouth and throat. Have you tried sugar-free candies?"
The patient is being admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit after an overdose in a suicide
attempt. The patient is now medically stable. Which intervention should the registered nurse
recognize as the priority action? - ANS Place the patient on safety precautions.
Which statement about light therapy is true? - ANS It can be effective for mild-to-moderate
seasonal depressive episodes.
Which symptoms are consistent with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder? (Select all that
apply.) - ANS Depressed mood
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Feelings of worthlessness
Disruption in appetite
Disruption in sleep
Mr. Chen asks the nurse whether light therapy would be helpful for his wife. What is the nurse's
best response? - ANS "Light therapy is known to be effective for patients with mild-to-
moderate depression associated with seasonal onset."
Mr. Chen asks the nurse at discharge if his two children are at risk for developing major
depression like their mother. Which is the best response by the nurse? - ANS "Possibly.
Evidence shows a strong genetic link to depression, with children being at a higher risk if one
parent is diagnosed."
Mrs. Chen has been admitted after her third suicide attempt. What is the nurse's priority
assessment for Mrs. Chen? - ANS Assess Mrs. Chen for suicidality.
The patient has been prescribed sertraline and venlafaxine. The nurse recognizes that these
medications given together can cause which condition? - ANS Confusion
Mrs. Chen has been taking sertraline and venlafaxine for several days. This morning she is
smiling and engaging in conversation. During the conversation she tells the nurse, "I am feeling
relieved." What is the nurse's priority assessment? - ANS Assess the patient for suicidality
and place her on closer observation
Mr. Chen asks the provider about additional treatments to consider if his wife relapses. The
provider tells Mr. Chen that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be an option if the new
medication does not help Mrs. Chen manage her depression. Which of the following is part of
teaching for a patient considering ECT? - ANS ECT is a treatment that requires conscious
sedation.
The provider suggests changing Mrs. Chen's medication to phenelzine. Mrs. Chen says to the
nurse, "The provider says I will need to watch my diet if I take a new medication; I am not sure I
want to do this. Which foods would I have to avoid?" Which foods should the nurse mention? -
ANS Blue cheese, beer, pepperoni
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
A care plan states that a patient should attend groups on the unit, but the patient states, "I do
not want to go; just let me sleep." What is the best response by the nurse? - ANS "I know you
feel like staying in bed, but it is time for group. I will walk with you."
What is the highest priority when educating the patient who is taking monoamine oxidase
inhibitors? - ANS Avoidance of foods containing tyramine
When patients are admitted to a locked psychiatric unit, which action should be the nurse's
priority intervention? - ANS Ensure that patients and their belongings have been searched.
The patient is prescribed paroxetine 25 mg by mouth daily and asks, "Why is my mouth so dry?
Water does not help." What is the nurse's best response? - ANS "A side effect of paroxetine is
dry mouth and throat. Have you tried sugar-free candies?"
The patient is being admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit after an overdose in a suicide
attempt. The patient is now medically stable. Which intervention should the registered nurse
recognize as the priority action? - ANS Place the patient on safety precautions.
Which statement about light therapy is true? - ANS It can be effective for mild-to-moderate
seasonal depressive episodes.
Which symptoms are consistent with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder? (Select all that
apply.) - ANS Depressed mood
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Feelings of worthlessness
Disruption in appetite
Disruption in sleep
Mr. Chen asks the nurse whether light therapy would be helpful for his wife. What is the nurse's
best response? - ANS "Light therapy is known to be effective for patients with mild-to-
moderate depression associated with seasonal onset."
Mr. Chen asks the nurse at discharge if his two children are at risk for developing major
depression like their mother. Which is the best response by the nurse? - ANS "Possibly.
Evidence shows a strong genetic link to depression, with children being at a higher risk if one
parent is diagnosed."
Mrs. Chen has been admitted after her third suicide attempt. What is the nurse's priority
assessment for Mrs. Chen? - ANS Assess Mrs. Chen for suicidality.
The patient has been prescribed sertraline and venlafaxine. The nurse recognizes that these
medications given together can cause which condition? - ANS Confusion
Mrs. Chen has been taking sertraline and venlafaxine for several days. This morning she is
smiling and engaging in conversation. During the conversation she tells the nurse, "I am feeling
relieved." What is the nurse's priority assessment? - ANS Assess the patient for suicidality
and place her on closer observation
Mr. Chen asks the provider about additional treatments to consider if his wife relapses. The
provider tells Mr. Chen that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be an option if the new
medication does not help Mrs. Chen manage her depression. Which of the following is part of
teaching for a patient considering ECT? - ANS ECT is a treatment that requires conscious
sedation.
The provider suggests changing Mrs. Chen's medication to phenelzine. Mrs. Chen says to the
nurse, "The provider says I will need to watch my diet if I take a new medication; I am not sure I
want to do this. Which foods would I have to avoid?" Which foods should the nurse mention? -
ANS Blue cheese, beer, pepperoni
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
