ELITE COMPREHENSIVE
VARCAROLIS — CPT 14 DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS
Comprehensive Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing
Review
NCLEX-RN • ATI • HESI • Mental Health Nursing Final
Exam Preparation
SPRING SEMESTER EXAMINATION MAY 2026
What is the major reason for hospitalization of the depressed patient?
A. Inability to go to work
B. Suicidal Ideation
C. Loss of appetite
D. Psychomotor agitation
• Answer: B
• Suicidal thoughts are a major reason for hospitalization for patients
with major depression. It is imperative to intervene with such patients
to keep them safe from self-harm. The other options describe
symptoms of major depression but aren't by themselves the major
reason for hospitalization
1|Page
,A client admitted with major depression and suicidal ideation with a plan to overdose is
preparing for discharge and asks you, "Why did I get a prescription for only 7 days of
amitriptyline?" The nurse's response is based on what fact?
A. Amtriptyline is very expensive, so the patient may have to buy fewer at a time.
B. The goal is to see how the client responds to the first week of medication to evaluate
its effectiveness.
C. The health care provider wants to see whether any side effects occur within the first
week of administration
D. Amtriptyline is lethal in overdose.
• Answer: D
• Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA); these drugs are
known to be lethal in smaller doses than other antidepressants.
Because the patient had a plan of overdose, the best course of action
is to give a small prescription requiring her to visit her provider's office
more often for monitoring of suicidal ideation and plan. Tricyclics are
not known to be expensive. Antidepressant therapy usually takes
several weeks to produce full results, so the patient would not be
evaluated after only 1 week. Side effects are always a consideration
but not the most important consideration with TCAs.
When the nurse asks whether a client is having any thoughts of suicide, the client
becomes angry and defensive, shouting, "I'm sick of you people! Are you ever do is ask
me the same question over and over. Get out of here!" The nurse's response is based
on what fact concerning hostility?
A. The client is getting better and is able to be assertive.
B. The client may be at high risk for self-harm.
C. The client is probably experiencing transference.
2|Page
, D. The client may be angry at someone else and projecting that anger to staff.
• Answer: B
• Overt hostility is highly correlated with suicide; therefore the patient
may be considered high risk, and appropriate precautions should be
taken. The other responses are incorrect with no evidence to support
them
A client prescribed fluoxetine demonstrates an understanding of the medication
teaching when making which statement?
A. "I will make sure to get plenty of sunshine and not use sunscreen to avoid a skin
reaction."
B. "I will not take any over-the-counter medication while on the fluoxetine."
C. "I will report any symptoms of high fever, fast heartbeat, or abdominal pain to my
provider right away."
D. "I will report increased thirst and urination to my provider."
• Answer: C
• This describes symptoms of serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening
complication of SRRI medication. The other options are incorrect
because the patient should be wearing sunscreen to avoid sunburn,
may take over-the-counter medications if sanctioned by the provider,
and would not have been educated to report increased thirst and
urination as a side effect of fluoxetine.
3|Page
VARCAROLIS — CPT 14 DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS
Comprehensive Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing
Review
NCLEX-RN • ATI • HESI • Mental Health Nursing Final
Exam Preparation
SPRING SEMESTER EXAMINATION MAY 2026
What is the major reason for hospitalization of the depressed patient?
A. Inability to go to work
B. Suicidal Ideation
C. Loss of appetite
D. Psychomotor agitation
• Answer: B
• Suicidal thoughts are a major reason for hospitalization for patients
with major depression. It is imperative to intervene with such patients
to keep them safe from self-harm. The other options describe
symptoms of major depression but aren't by themselves the major
reason for hospitalization
1|Page
,A client admitted with major depression and suicidal ideation with a plan to overdose is
preparing for discharge and asks you, "Why did I get a prescription for only 7 days of
amitriptyline?" The nurse's response is based on what fact?
A. Amtriptyline is very expensive, so the patient may have to buy fewer at a time.
B. The goal is to see how the client responds to the first week of medication to evaluate
its effectiveness.
C. The health care provider wants to see whether any side effects occur within the first
week of administration
D. Amtriptyline is lethal in overdose.
• Answer: D
• Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA); these drugs are
known to be lethal in smaller doses than other antidepressants.
Because the patient had a plan of overdose, the best course of action
is to give a small prescription requiring her to visit her provider's office
more often for monitoring of suicidal ideation and plan. Tricyclics are
not known to be expensive. Antidepressant therapy usually takes
several weeks to produce full results, so the patient would not be
evaluated after only 1 week. Side effects are always a consideration
but not the most important consideration with TCAs.
When the nurse asks whether a client is having any thoughts of suicide, the client
becomes angry and defensive, shouting, "I'm sick of you people! Are you ever do is ask
me the same question over and over. Get out of here!" The nurse's response is based
on what fact concerning hostility?
A. The client is getting better and is able to be assertive.
B. The client may be at high risk for self-harm.
C. The client is probably experiencing transference.
2|Page
, D. The client may be angry at someone else and projecting that anger to staff.
• Answer: B
• Overt hostility is highly correlated with suicide; therefore the patient
may be considered high risk, and appropriate precautions should be
taken. The other responses are incorrect with no evidence to support
them
A client prescribed fluoxetine demonstrates an understanding of the medication
teaching when making which statement?
A. "I will make sure to get plenty of sunshine and not use sunscreen to avoid a skin
reaction."
B. "I will not take any over-the-counter medication while on the fluoxetine."
C. "I will report any symptoms of high fever, fast heartbeat, or abdominal pain to my
provider right away."
D. "I will report increased thirst and urination to my provider."
• Answer: C
• This describes symptoms of serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening
complication of SRRI medication. The other options are incorrect
because the patient should be wearing sunscreen to avoid sunburn,
may take over-the-counter medications if sanctioned by the provider,
and would not have been educated to report increased thirst and
urination as a side effect of fluoxetine.
3|Page
