NSG 322 Behavioral Health Exam 3: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Bipolar &
Related Disorders | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers) –
Nursing Program
Subject: NSG 322 – Behavioral Health / Psychiatric Nursing
Source: NSG 322 Behavioral Health Exam 3 Blueprint 2026/2027
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale | Verified Grade A
1. What is anosognosia?
Correct Answer: A condition in which a person with an illness seems unaware of the existence of his
or her illness (lack of insight).
1. Common in schizophrenia and bipolar mania.
2. Not denial—this is lack of awareness due to brain changes.
3. Contributes to medication nonadherence; use motivational interviewing.
2. What are the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for a manic episode (bipolar I)?
Correct Answer: 3 or more symptoms (4 if irritable): inflated self-esteem/grandiosity, decreased need
for sleep, talkativeness or pressured speech, flight of ideas or racing thoughts, distractibility, increased
goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation, excessive involvement in high-risk activities (lasting at
least 1 week).
1. Manic episode impairs social/occupational functioning.
2. May require hospitalization to prevent harm.
3. Psychotic features (delusions, hallucinations) may occur.
3. What is hypomania?
Correct Answer: Euphoric and increased functioning; low-level and less dramatic mania; source of
significant morbidity and mortality.
1. Hypomania lasts ≤4 days, does not cause severe impairment.
2. No psychotic features; hospitalization rarely required.
3. Distinguishes bipolar II disorder (hypomania + major depression).
4. What is cyclothymic disorder?
Correct Answer: Hypomania and mild to moderate depression for at least 2 years in adults (1 year in
children); social and occupational impairment; irritable hypomanic (in children, irritability and sleep
disturbance). 15-50% risk of progressing to bipolar I or II. Major risk factor: first-degree relative with
bipolar I.
1. Chronic, fluctuating mood disturbance without meeting full criteria for major depression or
mania.
2. Symptoms never symptom-free for >2 months.
3. Often begins in adolescence/early adulthood.
, 5. What is rapid cycling in bipolar disorder?
Correct Answer: 4 mood episodes (major depressive, manic, or hypomanic) in a 12-month period.
May occur over a month or 24-hour period. Severe symptoms, poor global functioning, high recurrence
risk, resistance to conventional somatic treatments.
1. More common in women and bipolar II.
2. Thyroid dysfunction may contribute; treat underlying hypothyroidism.
3. May respond to lamotrigine or valproate (lithium less effective).
6. What is substance/medication-induced bipolar and related disorder?
Correct Answer: Specific substances causing intoxication or withdrawal with symptoms of elevated,
expansive, irritable, or depressed mood causing significant distress and functional impairment.
Diagnosis only if symptoms persist beyond expected course of substance effect.
1. Rule out substance-induced cause before primary bipolar diagnosis.
2. Medications: steroids, antidepressants, levodopa, stimulants.
3. Symptoms resolve within days to weeks of substance cessation.
7. What is bipolar and related disorder due to another medical condition?
Correct Answer: Mania, hypomania, or mixed depression related to specific medical condition;
verified by history, physical exam, lab findings; causes significant distress and functional impairment.
1. Conditions: hyperthyroidism, Cushing disease, multiple sclerosis, TBI, stroke.
2. Diagnosis of exclusion after other causes ruled out.
3. Treat underlying medical condition.
8. What are characteristics of men with bipolar disorder?
Correct Answer: Legal problems and committing acts of violence.
1. Men more likely to have manic episodes with aggression.
2. Higher rates of substance use, incarceration.
3. Women more likely to have depressive episodes.
9. What are characteristics of women with bipolar disorder?
Correct Answer: Misuse alcohol, commit suicide, and develop thyroid disease. Postpartum psychosis
within 2 weeks of birth has 4x risk of subsequent conversion to bipolar disorder (hormonal changes and
sleep deprivation trigger mania and psychosis).
1. Lithium use more risky during pregnancy (Ebstein anomaly).
2. Mood stabilizer adjustment needed postpartum (changes in drug metabolism).
3. Screen for postpartum depression/psychosis at 2, 6, 12 weeks postpartum.
Related Disorders | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers) –
Nursing Program
Subject: NSG 322 – Behavioral Health / Psychiatric Nursing
Source: NSG 322 Behavioral Health Exam 3 Blueprint 2026/2027
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale | Verified Grade A
1. What is anosognosia?
Correct Answer: A condition in which a person with an illness seems unaware of the existence of his
or her illness (lack of insight).
1. Common in schizophrenia and bipolar mania.
2. Not denial—this is lack of awareness due to brain changes.
3. Contributes to medication nonadherence; use motivational interviewing.
2. What are the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for a manic episode (bipolar I)?
Correct Answer: 3 or more symptoms (4 if irritable): inflated self-esteem/grandiosity, decreased need
for sleep, talkativeness or pressured speech, flight of ideas or racing thoughts, distractibility, increased
goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation, excessive involvement in high-risk activities (lasting at
least 1 week).
1. Manic episode impairs social/occupational functioning.
2. May require hospitalization to prevent harm.
3. Psychotic features (delusions, hallucinations) may occur.
3. What is hypomania?
Correct Answer: Euphoric and increased functioning; low-level and less dramatic mania; source of
significant morbidity and mortality.
1. Hypomania lasts ≤4 days, does not cause severe impairment.
2. No psychotic features; hospitalization rarely required.
3. Distinguishes bipolar II disorder (hypomania + major depression).
4. What is cyclothymic disorder?
Correct Answer: Hypomania and mild to moderate depression for at least 2 years in adults (1 year in
children); social and occupational impairment; irritable hypomanic (in children, irritability and sleep
disturbance). 15-50% risk of progressing to bipolar I or II. Major risk factor: first-degree relative with
bipolar I.
1. Chronic, fluctuating mood disturbance without meeting full criteria for major depression or
mania.
2. Symptoms never symptom-free for >2 months.
3. Often begins in adolescence/early adulthood.
, 5. What is rapid cycling in bipolar disorder?
Correct Answer: 4 mood episodes (major depressive, manic, or hypomanic) in a 12-month period.
May occur over a month or 24-hour period. Severe symptoms, poor global functioning, high recurrence
risk, resistance to conventional somatic treatments.
1. More common in women and bipolar II.
2. Thyroid dysfunction may contribute; treat underlying hypothyroidism.
3. May respond to lamotrigine or valproate (lithium less effective).
6. What is substance/medication-induced bipolar and related disorder?
Correct Answer: Specific substances causing intoxication or withdrawal with symptoms of elevated,
expansive, irritable, or depressed mood causing significant distress and functional impairment.
Diagnosis only if symptoms persist beyond expected course of substance effect.
1. Rule out substance-induced cause before primary bipolar diagnosis.
2. Medications: steroids, antidepressants, levodopa, stimulants.
3. Symptoms resolve within days to weeks of substance cessation.
7. What is bipolar and related disorder due to another medical condition?
Correct Answer: Mania, hypomania, or mixed depression related to specific medical condition;
verified by history, physical exam, lab findings; causes significant distress and functional impairment.
1. Conditions: hyperthyroidism, Cushing disease, multiple sclerosis, TBI, stroke.
2. Diagnosis of exclusion after other causes ruled out.
3. Treat underlying medical condition.
8. What are characteristics of men with bipolar disorder?
Correct Answer: Legal problems and committing acts of violence.
1. Men more likely to have manic episodes with aggression.
2. Higher rates of substance use, incarceration.
3. Women more likely to have depressive episodes.
9. What are characteristics of women with bipolar disorder?
Correct Answer: Misuse alcohol, commit suicide, and develop thyroid disease. Postpartum psychosis
within 2 weeks of birth has 4x risk of subsequent conversion to bipolar disorder (hormonal changes and
sleep deprivation trigger mania and psychosis).
1. Lithium use more risky during pregnancy (Ebstein anomaly).
2. Mood stabilizer adjustment needed postpartum (changes in drug metabolism).
3. Screen for postpartum depression/psychosis at 2, 6, 12 weeks postpartum.
