NURS 222 | Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing: Week 5 Quiz - Mood
Disorders and Wellness 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is being started on an SSRI.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching regarding
the medication’s therapeutic effect?
A. I need to keep taking this even if I start feeling better in a few weeks.
B. It might take 4 to 6 weeks for me to feel the full benefits of this medicine.
C. I should feel significantly better within the first 48 hours of taking this pill.
D. I should notify my doctor if I experience increased suicidal thoughts after starting.
Answer: C
Rationale: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) typically take 2 to 4 weeks
(sometimes up to 6 weeks) to achieve therapeutic effects; they do not work within 48
hours.
2. A patient is admitted in an acute manic phase of Bipolar I Disorder. Which
nursing intervention is the highest priority?
A. Encouraging the patient to participate in group therapy sessions.
B. Ensuring the patient remains in a high-stimulation environment.
C. Assisting the patient in identifying personal triggers for mania.
D. Providing high-calorie finger foods and fluids for nutrition.
Answer: D
Rationale: In acute mania, patients are often too hyperactive to sit for meals. High-calorie
finger foods allow them to maintain nutrition while moving. Safety and physiological needs
are the priority.
,3. A patient taking Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder reports blurred
vision, severe diarrhea, and tremors. The nurse suspects Lithium toxicity. What
is the most appropriate action?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled and document symptoms.
B. Encourage the patient to increase salt intake immediately.
C. Withhold the medication and obtain a serum lithium level.
D. Request a prescription for an anti-diarrheal medication.
Answer: C
Rationale: Blurred vision, diarrhea, and tremors are signs of lithium toxicity. The
medication must be held and blood levels checked immediately to prevent further toxicity.
4. Which dietary choice indicates that a patient taking Phenelzine (Nardil)
understands the required dietary restrictions?
A. Pepperoni pizza and a glass of red wine.
B. Grilled chicken breast, steamed broccoli, and a fresh apple.
C. Aged cheddar cheese and crackers.
D. Smoked salmon and cream cheese on a bagel.
Answer: B
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Patients must avoid tyramine-rich foods (aged cheeses,
cured meats, red wine, smoked fish) to prevent a hypertensive crisis.
5. A patient with Bipolar Disorder is prescribed Lamotrigine. The nurse should
instruct the patient to immediately report which life-threatening side effect?
A. Mild nausea and vomiting.
B. Increased appetite.
C. Weight gain of 2 pounds in a week.
D. A new skin rash or blistering.
Answer: D
, Rationale: Lamotrigine is associated with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a potentially fatal
skin reaction. Any rash must be reported and evaluated immediately.
6. Which of the following is considered a ‘lethal’ method of suicide that requires
the highest level of immediate intervention?
A. Using a firearm.
B. Ingesting a bottle of multivitamins.
C. Cutting one’s wrists with a dull blade.
D. Inhaling natural gas.
Answer: A
Rationale: Firearms are considered a high-lethality (hard) method because there is little
time for rescue once the action is taken.
7. A patient hospitalized for MDD has suddenly become cheerful and is giving
away personal possessions. How should the nurse interpret this change?
A. The patient’s depression is lifting and they are recovering.
B. The antidepressant medication has reached therapeutic levels.
C. The patient may have finalized a suicide plan and feels relief.
D. The patient is experiencing a manic episode triggered by meds.
Answer: C
Rationale: A sudden improvement in mood or ‘peace’ in a severely depressed patient often
indicates they have decided to end their life and feel relief from the decision.
8. What is the therapeutic serum lithium range for a patient in the maintenance
phase of Bipolar treatment?
A. 0.2 to 0.5 mEq/L
B. 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
C. 1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.5 to 3.5 mEq/L
Answer: B
Disorders and Wellness 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is being started on an SSRI.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching regarding
the medication’s therapeutic effect?
A. I need to keep taking this even if I start feeling better in a few weeks.
B. It might take 4 to 6 weeks for me to feel the full benefits of this medicine.
C. I should feel significantly better within the first 48 hours of taking this pill.
D. I should notify my doctor if I experience increased suicidal thoughts after starting.
Answer: C
Rationale: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) typically take 2 to 4 weeks
(sometimes up to 6 weeks) to achieve therapeutic effects; they do not work within 48
hours.
2. A patient is admitted in an acute manic phase of Bipolar I Disorder. Which
nursing intervention is the highest priority?
A. Encouraging the patient to participate in group therapy sessions.
B. Ensuring the patient remains in a high-stimulation environment.
C. Assisting the patient in identifying personal triggers for mania.
D. Providing high-calorie finger foods and fluids for nutrition.
Answer: D
Rationale: In acute mania, patients are often too hyperactive to sit for meals. High-calorie
finger foods allow them to maintain nutrition while moving. Safety and physiological needs
are the priority.
,3. A patient taking Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder reports blurred
vision, severe diarrhea, and tremors. The nurse suspects Lithium toxicity. What
is the most appropriate action?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled and document symptoms.
B. Encourage the patient to increase salt intake immediately.
C. Withhold the medication and obtain a serum lithium level.
D. Request a prescription for an anti-diarrheal medication.
Answer: C
Rationale: Blurred vision, diarrhea, and tremors are signs of lithium toxicity. The
medication must be held and blood levels checked immediately to prevent further toxicity.
4. Which dietary choice indicates that a patient taking Phenelzine (Nardil)
understands the required dietary restrictions?
A. Pepperoni pizza and a glass of red wine.
B. Grilled chicken breast, steamed broccoli, and a fresh apple.
C. Aged cheddar cheese and crackers.
D. Smoked salmon and cream cheese on a bagel.
Answer: B
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Patients must avoid tyramine-rich foods (aged cheeses,
cured meats, red wine, smoked fish) to prevent a hypertensive crisis.
5. A patient with Bipolar Disorder is prescribed Lamotrigine. The nurse should
instruct the patient to immediately report which life-threatening side effect?
A. Mild nausea and vomiting.
B. Increased appetite.
C. Weight gain of 2 pounds in a week.
D. A new skin rash or blistering.
Answer: D
, Rationale: Lamotrigine is associated with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a potentially fatal
skin reaction. Any rash must be reported and evaluated immediately.
6. Which of the following is considered a ‘lethal’ method of suicide that requires
the highest level of immediate intervention?
A. Using a firearm.
B. Ingesting a bottle of multivitamins.
C. Cutting one’s wrists with a dull blade.
D. Inhaling natural gas.
Answer: A
Rationale: Firearms are considered a high-lethality (hard) method because there is little
time for rescue once the action is taken.
7. A patient hospitalized for MDD has suddenly become cheerful and is giving
away personal possessions. How should the nurse interpret this change?
A. The patient’s depression is lifting and they are recovering.
B. The antidepressant medication has reached therapeutic levels.
C. The patient may have finalized a suicide plan and feels relief.
D. The patient is experiencing a manic episode triggered by meds.
Answer: C
Rationale: A sudden improvement in mood or ‘peace’ in a severely depressed patient often
indicates they have decided to end their life and feel relief from the decision.
8. What is the therapeutic serum lithium range for a patient in the maintenance
phase of Bipolar treatment?
A. 0.2 to 0.5 mEq/L
B. 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
C. 1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.5 to 3.5 mEq/L
Answer: B
