NUR 326 FINAL PREP EXAM MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING 250 QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST VERSION (2026/2027) | EXPERT
VERIFIED
University: Chamberlain University
Course Code: NUR 326 / NR 326
Course Title: Mental Health Nursing
Exam Type: Final Exam Preparation
Content Areas: Psychiatric Disorders, Psychopharmacology, Therapeutic Communication, Crisis
Intervention, Legal/Ethical Issues
SECTION A: DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS & SUICIDE PREVENTION (Questions 1–50)
Question 1:
You have a client that has just been diagnosed with depression. Which of the following are
expected findings related to depression? (Select all that apply.)
A) Increased libido
B) Anhedonia
C) Generalized pain
D) Anergia
E) Increased socialization
Answer: B, C, D
Rationale: A patient experiencing depression will exhibit decreased libido, lack of pleasure in
normal activities (anhedonia), anxiety, reports of sluggishness (anergia), changes in eating
patterns, changes in bowel habits, sleep disturbances, and somatic reports such as fatigue,
gastrointestinal changes, and pain .
Question 2:
You are sitting with a client who has depression and you ask them, "Have you thought about
harming yourself or others?" The patient does not respond. What should you, as the nurse, do
next?
A) Repeat the question because they might not have heard you the first time
,B) Sit with the patient quietly until they are ready to respond
C) Hug the patient
D) Implement one-to-one observation because of suicide risk
Answer: B
Rationale: The answer will almost always be to sit with the patient quietly. This allows the patient
time to process the question and respond when ready, without forcing interaction or escalating
anxiety .
Question 3:
What anti-depressant has been found to be an effective, non-dependence-forming sleep aid?
A) Wellbutrin (Bupropion)
B) Trazodone (Desyrel)
C) Fluoxetine (Prozac)
D) Citalopram (Celexa)
Answer: B
Rationale: Trazodone is an antidepressant that is frequently prescribed off-label as a sleep aid
due to its sedating properties. It is not associated with dependence formation, unlike
benzodiazepines or Z-drugs .
Question 4:
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder is admitted for inpatient care. Which of the
following is the primary goal during the admission assessment?
A) Establishing desired outcomes for the patient
B) Administering antidepressant medications
C) Collecting and organizing patient data
D) Reviewing the policies for patient conduct
Answer: C
Rationale: The primary goal during the admission assessment is to collect and organize
objective and subjective data so patient problems and needs can be identified. This data forms
the foundation for care planning .
,Question 5:
Which of the following statements by a client being started on an MAO inhibitor (Phenelzine)
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will avoid eating aged cheese and meats."
B) "I should avoid drinking red wine."
C) "I can eat chocolate as long as it's in small amounts."
D) "I should check with my doctor before taking any over-the-counter cold medications."
Answer: C
Rationale: Patients on MAO inhibitors must strictly avoid tyramine-rich foods including aged
cheeses, meats, wine, and chocolate. Even small amounts can precipitate a hypertensive crisis.
All OTC medications should be approved by the provider .
Question 6:
A client prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac) reports nausea, headache, and insomnia. The nurse's
best response is:
A) "These symptoms are temporary and should resolve within 1-2 weeks."
B) "You should stop the medication immediately."
C) "These symptoms indicate you are allergic to the medication."
D) "This means the medication is not working for you."
Answer: A
Rationale: Common side effects of SSRIs include nausea, headache, insomnia, and sexual
dysfunction. These typically improve within the first 1-2 weeks of therapy. Patients should be
encouraged to continue the medication unless symptoms are severe.
Question 7:
Which of the following are individual risk factors for suicide? (Select all that apply.)
A) Female gender
B) Command hallucinations
C) Patient's age is 16 years old
D) No history of depression or mental health disorder
E) The patient has Parkinson's disease
, Answer: B, C, E
Rationale: Risk factors for suicide include: male sex, age (<19 or >45), history of depression,
previous suicide attempt, ethanol abuse, rational thinking loss (e.g., command hallucinations),
lack of social supports, organized plan, no spouse, and chronic debilitating disease such as
Parkinson's .
Question 8:
Which of the following would NOT be a protective factor against suicide?
A) Having limited access to highly lethal methods of suicide
B) Easy access to a variety of resources and support
C) Lack of coping skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent handling of
disputes
D) Having a significant other
Answer: C
Rationale: Protective factors include: effective clinical care, easy access to interventions,
restricted access to lethal methods, family/community support, learned problem-solving skills,
cultural/religious beliefs that discourage suicide, and having a significant other. Lack of coping
skills is a risk factor, not a protective factor .
Question 9:
A client with depression tells the nurse, "I just can't go on anymore. Everyone would be better
off without me." What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Document the statement
B) Ask the client if they have a plan to harm themselves
C) Tell the client to think about their family
D) Notify the healthcare provider after the shift ends
Answer: B
Rationale: When a client makes statements suggesting suicidal ideation, the nurse must
immediately assess for presence of a plan, means, and intent. Asking directly about suicidal
thoughts does not plant the idea but rather allows for appropriate safety interventions.
NURSING 250 QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST VERSION (2026/2027) | EXPERT
VERIFIED
University: Chamberlain University
Course Code: NUR 326 / NR 326
Course Title: Mental Health Nursing
Exam Type: Final Exam Preparation
Content Areas: Psychiatric Disorders, Psychopharmacology, Therapeutic Communication, Crisis
Intervention, Legal/Ethical Issues
SECTION A: DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS & SUICIDE PREVENTION (Questions 1–50)
Question 1:
You have a client that has just been diagnosed with depression. Which of the following are
expected findings related to depression? (Select all that apply.)
A) Increased libido
B) Anhedonia
C) Generalized pain
D) Anergia
E) Increased socialization
Answer: B, C, D
Rationale: A patient experiencing depression will exhibit decreased libido, lack of pleasure in
normal activities (anhedonia), anxiety, reports of sluggishness (anergia), changes in eating
patterns, changes in bowel habits, sleep disturbances, and somatic reports such as fatigue,
gastrointestinal changes, and pain .
Question 2:
You are sitting with a client who has depression and you ask them, "Have you thought about
harming yourself or others?" The patient does not respond. What should you, as the nurse, do
next?
A) Repeat the question because they might not have heard you the first time
,B) Sit with the patient quietly until they are ready to respond
C) Hug the patient
D) Implement one-to-one observation because of suicide risk
Answer: B
Rationale: The answer will almost always be to sit with the patient quietly. This allows the patient
time to process the question and respond when ready, without forcing interaction or escalating
anxiety .
Question 3:
What anti-depressant has been found to be an effective, non-dependence-forming sleep aid?
A) Wellbutrin (Bupropion)
B) Trazodone (Desyrel)
C) Fluoxetine (Prozac)
D) Citalopram (Celexa)
Answer: B
Rationale: Trazodone is an antidepressant that is frequently prescribed off-label as a sleep aid
due to its sedating properties. It is not associated with dependence formation, unlike
benzodiazepines or Z-drugs .
Question 4:
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder is admitted for inpatient care. Which of the
following is the primary goal during the admission assessment?
A) Establishing desired outcomes for the patient
B) Administering antidepressant medications
C) Collecting and organizing patient data
D) Reviewing the policies for patient conduct
Answer: C
Rationale: The primary goal during the admission assessment is to collect and organize
objective and subjective data so patient problems and needs can be identified. This data forms
the foundation for care planning .
,Question 5:
Which of the following statements by a client being started on an MAO inhibitor (Phenelzine)
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will avoid eating aged cheese and meats."
B) "I should avoid drinking red wine."
C) "I can eat chocolate as long as it's in small amounts."
D) "I should check with my doctor before taking any over-the-counter cold medications."
Answer: C
Rationale: Patients on MAO inhibitors must strictly avoid tyramine-rich foods including aged
cheeses, meats, wine, and chocolate. Even small amounts can precipitate a hypertensive crisis.
All OTC medications should be approved by the provider .
Question 6:
A client prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac) reports nausea, headache, and insomnia. The nurse's
best response is:
A) "These symptoms are temporary and should resolve within 1-2 weeks."
B) "You should stop the medication immediately."
C) "These symptoms indicate you are allergic to the medication."
D) "This means the medication is not working for you."
Answer: A
Rationale: Common side effects of SSRIs include nausea, headache, insomnia, and sexual
dysfunction. These typically improve within the first 1-2 weeks of therapy. Patients should be
encouraged to continue the medication unless symptoms are severe.
Question 7:
Which of the following are individual risk factors for suicide? (Select all that apply.)
A) Female gender
B) Command hallucinations
C) Patient's age is 16 years old
D) No history of depression or mental health disorder
E) The patient has Parkinson's disease
, Answer: B, C, E
Rationale: Risk factors for suicide include: male sex, age (<19 or >45), history of depression,
previous suicide attempt, ethanol abuse, rational thinking loss (e.g., command hallucinations),
lack of social supports, organized plan, no spouse, and chronic debilitating disease such as
Parkinson's .
Question 8:
Which of the following would NOT be a protective factor against suicide?
A) Having limited access to highly lethal methods of suicide
B) Easy access to a variety of resources and support
C) Lack of coping skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent handling of
disputes
D) Having a significant other
Answer: C
Rationale: Protective factors include: effective clinical care, easy access to interventions,
restricted access to lethal methods, family/community support, learned problem-solving skills,
cultural/religious beliefs that discourage suicide, and having a significant other. Lack of coping
skills is a risk factor, not a protective factor .
Question 9:
A client with depression tells the nurse, "I just can't go on anymore. Everyone would be better
off without me." What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Document the statement
B) Ask the client if they have a plan to harm themselves
C) Tell the client to think about their family
D) Notify the healthcare provider after the shift ends
Answer: B
Rationale: When a client makes statements suggesting suicidal ideation, the nurse must
immediately assess for presence of a plan, means, and intent. Asking directly about suicidal
thoughts does not plant the idea but rather allows for appropriate safety interventions.
