PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH
DISORDERS
Health Promotion
Review Exam
Q&A
2024
, 1. Which of the following is a common symptom of major depressive
disorder (MDD)?
a) Hypomania
b) Anhedonia
c) Delusions
d) Dissociation
Answer: B. Anhedonia is the loss of interest or pleasure in previously
enjoyed activities, and it is one of the core features of MDD. Hypomania,
delusions, and dissociation are not typical of MDD, although they may
occur in other psychiatric disorders or in severe cases of MDD with
psychotic features.
Rationale: Anhedonia is a key indicator of MDD and can help
differentiate it from other mood disorders or mental health conditions.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with schizophrenia who has been
prescribed clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic medication. What is the
most important laboratory test that the nurse should monitor for this
patient?
a) Liver function tests
b) Blood glucose levels
c) Complete blood count
d) Serum electrolytes
Answer: C. Clozapine can cause a potentially fatal side effect called
agranulocytosis, which is a severe reduction in white blood cells that
increases the risk of infection. Therefore, patients taking clozapine need to
have regular blood tests to monitor their white blood cell count and stop
the medication if it drops below a certain level. Liver function tests, blood
glucose levels, and serum electrolytes are also important to monitor for
patients taking antipsychotic medications, but they are not as critical as the
complete blood count.
Rationale: Clozapine is a very effective medication for schizophrenia, but
it has a high risk of agranulocytosis, which requires close monitoring and
prompt intervention.
3. A nurse is conducting a mental status examination for a patient who has
bipolar disorder. The nurse observes that the patient is speaking rapidly,
jumping from one topic to another, and making grandiose claims about
DISORDERS
Health Promotion
Review Exam
Q&A
2024
, 1. Which of the following is a common symptom of major depressive
disorder (MDD)?
a) Hypomania
b) Anhedonia
c) Delusions
d) Dissociation
Answer: B. Anhedonia is the loss of interest or pleasure in previously
enjoyed activities, and it is one of the core features of MDD. Hypomania,
delusions, and dissociation are not typical of MDD, although they may
occur in other psychiatric disorders or in severe cases of MDD with
psychotic features.
Rationale: Anhedonia is a key indicator of MDD and can help
differentiate it from other mood disorders or mental health conditions.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with schizophrenia who has been
prescribed clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic medication. What is the
most important laboratory test that the nurse should monitor for this
patient?
a) Liver function tests
b) Blood glucose levels
c) Complete blood count
d) Serum electrolytes
Answer: C. Clozapine can cause a potentially fatal side effect called
agranulocytosis, which is a severe reduction in white blood cells that
increases the risk of infection. Therefore, patients taking clozapine need to
have regular blood tests to monitor their white blood cell count and stop
the medication if it drops below a certain level. Liver function tests, blood
glucose levels, and serum electrolytes are also important to monitor for
patients taking antipsychotic medications, but they are not as critical as the
complete blood count.
Rationale: Clozapine is a very effective medication for schizophrenia, but
it has a high risk of agranulocytosis, which requires close monitoring and
prompt intervention.
3. A nurse is conducting a mental status examination for a patient who has
bipolar disorder. The nurse observes that the patient is speaking rapidly,
jumping from one topic to another, and making grandiose claims about
