NSG 221 Mental Health Exam Three - (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Anxiety,
Mood, Eating, & OCD Disorders | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified
Answers)
Subject: Mental Health Nursing / Anxiety, Mood, Eating, & OCD Disorders
Source: NSG 221 Exam Three – Modules 7, 8, 9, & 10
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
1: True or False: Depressed individuals who are newly taking antidepressant medication are at an
increased risk for suicide.
Correct Answer: True.
1. Improved energy and mood may give patient ability to act on suicidal thoughts.
2. Highest risk period is first 1-2 months of treatment and during dose changes.
3. Close monitoring is essential during this time.
2: True or False: Antidepressant medications can be discontinued quickly by a client.
Correct Answer: False.
1. Abrupt discontinuation can cause withdrawal symptoms (discontinuation syndrome).
2. Tapering over weeks reduces withdrawal risk.
3. Paroxetine and venlafaxine have higher withdrawal risk.
3: True or False: Electroconvulsive therapy can be safely administered to pregnant women.
Correct Answer: True.
1. ECT is considered safe during pregnancy, especially for severe depression.
2. Risks of untreated severe depression (poor nutrition, self-harm) may outweigh ECT risks.
3. Fetal monitoring during procedure is recommended.
4: True or False: Depressed individuals can experience a lack of energy known as anhedonia.
Correct Answer: False (anhedonia is loss of pleasure/interest, not lack of energy).
1. Anhedonia is inability to feel pleasure or interest in activities.
2. Fatigue/lack of energy is a separate symptom called anergia.
3. Both are common in major depression but are different symptoms.
5: True or False: A lithium level of 1.6 mEq/L is within the therapeutic range.
Correct Answer: False (therapeutic range is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L).
1. Acute mania: target 0.8-1.2 mEq/L.
2. Maintenance: 0.6-0.8 mEq/L.
3. Level >1.5 mEq/L is approaching toxicity (nausea, tremors, confusion).
, 6: What is the definition of kindling?
Correct Answer: A process by which seizure activity in the brain is initially stimulated by the
cumulative effects of stress, low amounts of electrical impulses, or chemicals that sensitize the neuronal
pathways.
1. Kindling theory explains why anxiety/panic episodes become more frequent over time.
2. Also applies to alcohol withdrawal seizures.
3. Early treatment may prevent kindling progression.
7: Clients taking MAOIs who eat foods containing tyramine risk experiencing what potentially fatal
condition?
Correct Answer: Hypertensive crisis.
1. Tyramine causes release of norepinephrine from nerve endings.
2. MAOIs block breakdown of tyramine and norepinephrine.
3. Symptoms: severe headache, hypertension, stroke risk; avoid aged cheeses, cured meats, red
wine.
8: An individual experiencing mania can exhibit rapidly changing emotions, also known as what?
Correct Answer: Liable (mood lability).
1. Rapid shifts between euphoria, irritability, anger, and sadness.
2. Often precipitated by environmental triggers or limits.
3. Differentiates bipolar mania from other conditions.
9: What is the term that refers to having thoughts of killing oneself?
Correct Answer: Suicidal ideation.
1. Active suicidal ideation: thoughts with plan and intent.
2. Passive suicidal ideation: thoughts of death without plan.
3. Requires immediate assessment and intervention.
10: What is the definition of mild anxiety?
Correct Answer: Mild anxiety is a sensation that something is different and warrants special attention.
Sensory stimulation increases and helps the person focus attention to learn, solve problems, think, act,
feel, and protect him or herself. Mild anxiety often motivates people to make changes or engage in goal-
directed activity.
1. Mild anxiety is adaptive and enhances learning.
2. No intervention needed; can be an asset.
3. Often motivates positive behavior change.
Mood, Eating, & OCD Disorders | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified
Answers)
Subject: Mental Health Nursing / Anxiety, Mood, Eating, & OCD Disorders
Source: NSG 221 Exam Three – Modules 7, 8, 9, & 10
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
1: True or False: Depressed individuals who are newly taking antidepressant medication are at an
increased risk for suicide.
Correct Answer: True.
1. Improved energy and mood may give patient ability to act on suicidal thoughts.
2. Highest risk period is first 1-2 months of treatment and during dose changes.
3. Close monitoring is essential during this time.
2: True or False: Antidepressant medications can be discontinued quickly by a client.
Correct Answer: False.
1. Abrupt discontinuation can cause withdrawal symptoms (discontinuation syndrome).
2. Tapering over weeks reduces withdrawal risk.
3. Paroxetine and venlafaxine have higher withdrawal risk.
3: True or False: Electroconvulsive therapy can be safely administered to pregnant women.
Correct Answer: True.
1. ECT is considered safe during pregnancy, especially for severe depression.
2. Risks of untreated severe depression (poor nutrition, self-harm) may outweigh ECT risks.
3. Fetal monitoring during procedure is recommended.
4: True or False: Depressed individuals can experience a lack of energy known as anhedonia.
Correct Answer: False (anhedonia is loss of pleasure/interest, not lack of energy).
1. Anhedonia is inability to feel pleasure or interest in activities.
2. Fatigue/lack of energy is a separate symptom called anergia.
3. Both are common in major depression but are different symptoms.
5: True or False: A lithium level of 1.6 mEq/L is within the therapeutic range.
Correct Answer: False (therapeutic range is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L).
1. Acute mania: target 0.8-1.2 mEq/L.
2. Maintenance: 0.6-0.8 mEq/L.
3. Level >1.5 mEq/L is approaching toxicity (nausea, tremors, confusion).
, 6: What is the definition of kindling?
Correct Answer: A process by which seizure activity in the brain is initially stimulated by the
cumulative effects of stress, low amounts of electrical impulses, or chemicals that sensitize the neuronal
pathways.
1. Kindling theory explains why anxiety/panic episodes become more frequent over time.
2. Also applies to alcohol withdrawal seizures.
3. Early treatment may prevent kindling progression.
7: Clients taking MAOIs who eat foods containing tyramine risk experiencing what potentially fatal
condition?
Correct Answer: Hypertensive crisis.
1. Tyramine causes release of norepinephrine from nerve endings.
2. MAOIs block breakdown of tyramine and norepinephrine.
3. Symptoms: severe headache, hypertension, stroke risk; avoid aged cheeses, cured meats, red
wine.
8: An individual experiencing mania can exhibit rapidly changing emotions, also known as what?
Correct Answer: Liable (mood lability).
1. Rapid shifts between euphoria, irritability, anger, and sadness.
2. Often precipitated by environmental triggers or limits.
3. Differentiates bipolar mania from other conditions.
9: What is the term that refers to having thoughts of killing oneself?
Correct Answer: Suicidal ideation.
1. Active suicidal ideation: thoughts with plan and intent.
2. Passive suicidal ideation: thoughts of death without plan.
3. Requires immediate assessment and intervention.
10: What is the definition of mild anxiety?
Correct Answer: Mild anxiety is a sensation that something is different and warrants special attention.
Sensory stimulation increases and helps the person focus attention to learn, solve problems, think, act,
feel, and protect him or herself. Mild anxiety often motivates people to make changes or engage in goal-
directed activity.
1. Mild anxiety is adaptive and enhances learning.
2. No intervention needed; can be an asset.
3. Often motivates positive behavior change.
