NSG 221
Mental Health Nursing
READINESS EXAM GUIDE
Q&S
©2024/2025
,1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the
pathophysiology of schizophrenia?
a) Serotonin
b) Dopamine
c) Norepinephrine
d) GABA
Correct Answer: b) Dopamine
Rationale: Schizophrenia is associated with dopamine
dysregulation, particularly in the mesolimbic pathway.
2. What is the primary purpose of using cognitive-
behavioral therapy (CBT) in patients with anxiety disorders?
a) To prescribe medication
b) To change maladaptive thought patterns
c) To conduct psychoeducation
d) To focus on childhood experiences
Correct Answer: b) To change maladaptive thought
patterns
Rationale: CBT is designed to identify and modify
negative thinking patterns that contribute to anxiety.
3. Which assessment tool is commonly used to gauge
suicide risk in patients?
a) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
b) Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale
c) Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
d) Beck Depression Inventory
Correct Answer: c) Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating
Scale (C-SSRS)
Rationale: C-SSRS is specifically designed to assess
suicide ideation and behaviors.
©2024/2025
, 4. In psychopharmacology, what class of medications is
primarily utilized to manage bipolar disorder?
a) Antidepressants
b) Antipsychotics
c) Mood stabilizers
d) Anxiolytics
Correct Answer: c) Mood stabilizers
Rationale: Mood stabilizers, especially lithium, are the
first-line treatment for bipolar disorder.
5. Which of the following symptoms is most characteristic
of a manic episode?
a) Anhedonia
b) Excessive energy and euphoric mood
c) A lack of motivation
d) Suicidal ideation
Correct Answer: b) Excessive energy and euphoric
mood
Rationale: Manic episodes are typified by increased
mood, energy, and goal-directed activity.
### Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
6. The primary goal of ________ therapy is to help clients
develop coping strategies for managing symptoms of their
mental health disorders.
Correct Answer: psychoeducation
Rationale: Psychoeducation helps clients understand
their conditions and develop coping strategies.
7. The DSM-5 outlines a classification of mental disorders,
with a focus on ________ as a categorical system.
©2024/2025
Mental Health Nursing
READINESS EXAM GUIDE
Q&S
©2024/2025
,1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the
pathophysiology of schizophrenia?
a) Serotonin
b) Dopamine
c) Norepinephrine
d) GABA
Correct Answer: b) Dopamine
Rationale: Schizophrenia is associated with dopamine
dysregulation, particularly in the mesolimbic pathway.
2. What is the primary purpose of using cognitive-
behavioral therapy (CBT) in patients with anxiety disorders?
a) To prescribe medication
b) To change maladaptive thought patterns
c) To conduct psychoeducation
d) To focus on childhood experiences
Correct Answer: b) To change maladaptive thought
patterns
Rationale: CBT is designed to identify and modify
negative thinking patterns that contribute to anxiety.
3. Which assessment tool is commonly used to gauge
suicide risk in patients?
a) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
b) Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale
c) Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
d) Beck Depression Inventory
Correct Answer: c) Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating
Scale (C-SSRS)
Rationale: C-SSRS is specifically designed to assess
suicide ideation and behaviors.
©2024/2025
, 4. In psychopharmacology, what class of medications is
primarily utilized to manage bipolar disorder?
a) Antidepressants
b) Antipsychotics
c) Mood stabilizers
d) Anxiolytics
Correct Answer: c) Mood stabilizers
Rationale: Mood stabilizers, especially lithium, are the
first-line treatment for bipolar disorder.
5. Which of the following symptoms is most characteristic
of a manic episode?
a) Anhedonia
b) Excessive energy and euphoric mood
c) A lack of motivation
d) Suicidal ideation
Correct Answer: b) Excessive energy and euphoric
mood
Rationale: Manic episodes are typified by increased
mood, energy, and goal-directed activity.
### Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
6. The primary goal of ________ therapy is to help clients
develop coping strategies for managing symptoms of their
mental health disorders.
Correct Answer: psychoeducation
Rationale: Psychoeducation helps clients understand
their conditions and develop coping strategies.
7. The DSM-5 outlines a classification of mental disorders,
with a focus on ________ as a categorical system.
©2024/2025
