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CAPSTONE MENTAL HEALTH FINAL EXAM
LATEST UPDATE 2026(VARCAROLIS)
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES|ALREADY GRADED
A+
Question 1
A new patient presents with the chief concern, “I’m tired of crying
every day.” Which comment from the patient would prompt the
nurse to suspect that a medical reason is causing the problem
rather than depression?
A. “I usually drink two or three cups of coffee in the morning.”
B. “I often have headaches, especially when the pollen count is
high.”
C. “Years ago I had thyroid problems, but they cleared up and I
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stopped the medicine.”
D. “I recently had three moles removed because my doctor
thought they were suspicious.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A history of thyroid problems that resolved but
required treatment (medication) can reappear later in life and
produce symptoms of depression (e.g., fatigue, crying, depressed
mood). The other options—caffeine intake, headaches, or mole
removal—lack a direct physiologic link to mood symptoms. This
question highlights the importance of ruling out medical causes
before assuming a primary psychiatric disorder.
Question 2
A patient's relationships are intense and unstable. The patient
initially idealizes a significant other and then devalues them,
resulting in frequent feelings of emptiness. This patient will
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benefit from interventions to develop which aspect of mental
health?
A. Effectiveness in work
B. Communication skills
C. Productive activities
D. Fulfilling relationships
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The key description centers on unstable, “intense and
unstable” relationships (idealization followed by devaluation).
The core of mental health in this context is the ability to form
stable, satisfying, and socially integrated relationships. The
distracters (work effectiveness, communication skills, productive
activities) are not directly indicated by the presenting data.
Question 3
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A 55-year-old female lives 100 miles from her parents and
mother-in-law. In the past year, her father had back surgery, her
mother broke her hip, and her mother-in-law had a cardiac
event. Which nursing diagnosis is most applicable?
A. Risk for dysfunctional grief related to impending deaths of
parents
B. Risk for injury related to frequent long drives to care for aging
parents
C. Risk for situational low self-esteem related to overwhelming
responsibilities
D. Risk for caregiver role strain related to responsibilities for
care of aging parents
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient is at risk for caregiver role strain because
she lives at a distance from three aging relatives who have each
experienced significant health events requiring care and likely
CAPSTONE MENTAL HEALTH FINAL EXAM
LATEST UPDATE 2026(VARCAROLIS)
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES|ALREADY GRADED
A+
Question 1
A new patient presents with the chief concern, “I’m tired of crying
every day.” Which comment from the patient would prompt the
nurse to suspect that a medical reason is causing the problem
rather than depression?
A. “I usually drink two or three cups of coffee in the morning.”
B. “I often have headaches, especially when the pollen count is
high.”
C. “Years ago I had thyroid problems, but they cleared up and I
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stopped the medicine.”
D. “I recently had three moles removed because my doctor
thought they were suspicious.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A history of thyroid problems that resolved but
required treatment (medication) can reappear later in life and
produce symptoms of depression (e.g., fatigue, crying, depressed
mood). The other options—caffeine intake, headaches, or mole
removal—lack a direct physiologic link to mood symptoms. This
question highlights the importance of ruling out medical causes
before assuming a primary psychiatric disorder.
Question 2
A patient's relationships are intense and unstable. The patient
initially idealizes a significant other and then devalues them,
resulting in frequent feelings of emptiness. This patient will
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benefit from interventions to develop which aspect of mental
health?
A. Effectiveness in work
B. Communication skills
C. Productive activities
D. Fulfilling relationships
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The key description centers on unstable, “intense and
unstable” relationships (idealization followed by devaluation).
The core of mental health in this context is the ability to form
stable, satisfying, and socially integrated relationships. The
distracters (work effectiveness, communication skills, productive
activities) are not directly indicated by the presenting data.
Question 3
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A 55-year-old female lives 100 miles from her parents and
mother-in-law. In the past year, her father had back surgery, her
mother broke her hip, and her mother-in-law had a cardiac
event. Which nursing diagnosis is most applicable?
A. Risk for dysfunctional grief related to impending deaths of
parents
B. Risk for injury related to frequent long drives to care for aging
parents
C. Risk for situational low self-esteem related to overwhelming
responsibilities
D. Risk for caregiver role strain related to responsibilities for
care of aging parents
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient is at risk for caregiver role strain because
she lives at a distance from three aging relatives who have each
experienced significant health events requiring care and likely
