UNIT VI MENTAL HEALTH TEST BANK-
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025/2026
A newly admitted client is diagnosed with major depressive disorder with suicidal
ideations. Which would be the priority nursing intervention for this client? - Answer-
ANSWER: B. Carefully and unobtrusively observe on the basis of assessed data, at
varied intervals around the clock.
RATIONALE: The most effective way to interrupt a suicide attempt is to carefully,
unobtrusively observe on the basis of assessed data at varied intervals around the
clock. If a nurse observes behavior that indicates self-harm, the nurse can intervene
to stop the behavior and keep the client safe.
The nurse is providing counseling to clients diagnosed with major depressive
disorder. The nurse chooses to help the clients alter their mood by learning how to
change the way they think. The nurse is functioning under which theoretical
framework? - Answer-ANSWER: C. Cognitive theory
RATIONALE: Cognitive theory suggests that depression is a product of negative
thinking. Helping the individual change the way they think is believed to have a
positive impact on mood and self-esteem.
Which client statement expresses a typical underlying feeling of clients diagnosed
with major depressive disorder? - Answer-ANSWER: D. Nothing will help me feel
better.
RATIONALE: Hopelessness and helplessness are typical symptoms of clients
diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
A 75-year-old client with a long history of depression is currently on doxepin
(Sinequan), 100 mg daily. The client takes a daily diuretic for hypertension and is
recovering from the flu. Which nursing diagnosis should the nurse assign highest
priority? - Answer-ANSWER: C. Risk for injury R/T orthostatic hypotension
RATIONALE: A side effect of Sinequan is orthostatic hypotension. Dehydration due
to fluid loss from a combination of diuretic medication and flu symptoms can also
contribute to this problem, putting this client at risk for injury R/T orthostatic
hypotension.
A client is admitted with a diagnosis of persistent depressive disorder. Which client
statement would describe a symptom consistent with this diagnosis? - Answer-
, ANSWER: A. I am sad most of the time and Ive felt this way for the last several
years.
RATIONALE: Persistent depressive disorder is characterized by depressed mood for
most of day, for more days than not, for at least 2 years. Thoughts of death would be
more consistent with major depressive disorder; hearing voices is more consistent
with a psychotic disorder; and fear of leaving the house is more consistent with a
phobia.
A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder was raised in a strongly religious
family where bad behavior was equated with sins against God. Which nursing
intervention would be most appropriate to help the client address spirituality as it
relates to his illness? - Answer-ANSWER: A. Encourage the client to bring into
awareness underlying sources of guilt.
RATIONALE: A client raised in an environment that reinforces ones inadequacy may
be at risk for experiencing guilt, shame, low self-esteem, and hopelessness, which
can contribute to depression. Assisting the client to bring these feelings into
awareness allows the client to realistically appraise distorted responsibility and
dysfunctional guilt.
A nurse is caring for four clients taking various medications, including imipramine
(Tofranil), doxepine (Sinequan), ziprasidone (Geodon), and tranylcypromine
(Parnate). The nurse orders a special diet for the client receiving which medication? -
Answer-ANSWER: D. Parnate
RATIONALE: Hypertensive crisis occurs in clients receiving a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) who consume foods or drugs with a high tyramine content.
A client admitted to the psychiatric unit following a suicide attempt is diagnosed with
major depressive disorder. Which behavioral symptoms should the nurse expect to
assess? - Answer-ANSWER: B. Lack of attention to grooming and hygiene
RATIONALE: Lack of attention to grooming and hygiene is the only behavioral
symptom presented. Lack of energy, low self-esteem, and feelings of helplessness
and hopelessness (all common symptoms of depression) contribute to lack of
attention to activities of daily living, including grooming and hygiene.
A psychiatrist prescribes a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for a client. Which
foods should the nurse teach the client to avoid? - Answer-ANSWER: A. Pepperoni
pizza and red wine
RATIONALE: The nurse should instruct the client to avoid pepperoni pizza and red
wine. Foods with high tyramine content can induce hypertensive crisis within 2 hours
of ingestion. Symptoms of hypertensive crisis include severe occipital and/or
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025/2026
A newly admitted client is diagnosed with major depressive disorder with suicidal
ideations. Which would be the priority nursing intervention for this client? - Answer-
ANSWER: B. Carefully and unobtrusively observe on the basis of assessed data, at
varied intervals around the clock.
RATIONALE: The most effective way to interrupt a suicide attempt is to carefully,
unobtrusively observe on the basis of assessed data at varied intervals around the
clock. If a nurse observes behavior that indicates self-harm, the nurse can intervene
to stop the behavior and keep the client safe.
The nurse is providing counseling to clients diagnosed with major depressive
disorder. The nurse chooses to help the clients alter their mood by learning how to
change the way they think. The nurse is functioning under which theoretical
framework? - Answer-ANSWER: C. Cognitive theory
RATIONALE: Cognitive theory suggests that depression is a product of negative
thinking. Helping the individual change the way they think is believed to have a
positive impact on mood and self-esteem.
Which client statement expresses a typical underlying feeling of clients diagnosed
with major depressive disorder? - Answer-ANSWER: D. Nothing will help me feel
better.
RATIONALE: Hopelessness and helplessness are typical symptoms of clients
diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
A 75-year-old client with a long history of depression is currently on doxepin
(Sinequan), 100 mg daily. The client takes a daily diuretic for hypertension and is
recovering from the flu. Which nursing diagnosis should the nurse assign highest
priority? - Answer-ANSWER: C. Risk for injury R/T orthostatic hypotension
RATIONALE: A side effect of Sinequan is orthostatic hypotension. Dehydration due
to fluid loss from a combination of diuretic medication and flu symptoms can also
contribute to this problem, putting this client at risk for injury R/T orthostatic
hypotension.
A client is admitted with a diagnosis of persistent depressive disorder. Which client
statement would describe a symptom consistent with this diagnosis? - Answer-
, ANSWER: A. I am sad most of the time and Ive felt this way for the last several
years.
RATIONALE: Persistent depressive disorder is characterized by depressed mood for
most of day, for more days than not, for at least 2 years. Thoughts of death would be
more consistent with major depressive disorder; hearing voices is more consistent
with a psychotic disorder; and fear of leaving the house is more consistent with a
phobia.
A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder was raised in a strongly religious
family where bad behavior was equated with sins against God. Which nursing
intervention would be most appropriate to help the client address spirituality as it
relates to his illness? - Answer-ANSWER: A. Encourage the client to bring into
awareness underlying sources of guilt.
RATIONALE: A client raised in an environment that reinforces ones inadequacy may
be at risk for experiencing guilt, shame, low self-esteem, and hopelessness, which
can contribute to depression. Assisting the client to bring these feelings into
awareness allows the client to realistically appraise distorted responsibility and
dysfunctional guilt.
A nurse is caring for four clients taking various medications, including imipramine
(Tofranil), doxepine (Sinequan), ziprasidone (Geodon), and tranylcypromine
(Parnate). The nurse orders a special diet for the client receiving which medication? -
Answer-ANSWER: D. Parnate
RATIONALE: Hypertensive crisis occurs in clients receiving a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) who consume foods or drugs with a high tyramine content.
A client admitted to the psychiatric unit following a suicide attempt is diagnosed with
major depressive disorder. Which behavioral symptoms should the nurse expect to
assess? - Answer-ANSWER: B. Lack of attention to grooming and hygiene
RATIONALE: Lack of attention to grooming and hygiene is the only behavioral
symptom presented. Lack of energy, low self-esteem, and feelings of helplessness
and hopelessness (all common symptoms of depression) contribute to lack of
attention to activities of daily living, including grooming and hygiene.
A psychiatrist prescribes a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for a client. Which
foods should the nurse teach the client to avoid? - Answer-ANSWER: A. Pepperoni
pizza and red wine
RATIONALE: The nurse should instruct the client to avoid pepperoni pizza and red
wine. Foods with high tyramine content can induce hypertensive crisis within 2 hours
of ingestion. Symptoms of hypertensive crisis include severe occipital and/or
