TEST BANK: ESSENTIALS OF PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL
HEALTH NURSING CHAPTERS1- 28 (3RD EDITION BY
VARCAROLIS) 1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025/2026 GRADED A+
Chapter: Bipolar Spectrum Disorders
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A person is directing traffic on a busy street while shouting and making
obscene gestures at passing cars.
The person has not slept or eaten for 3 days. What features of mania are
evident?
a. Increased muscle tension and anxiety
b. Vegetative signs and poor grooming
c. Poor judgment and hyperactivity
d. Cognitive deficit and sad
mood ANS: C
Hyperactivity (directing traffic) and poor judgment (putting self in a
dangerous position) are characteristic of manic episodes. The distractors do
not specifically apply to mania.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension (Understanding) REF: 226
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity 2. A
patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is dressed in a red leotard and
brightly colored scarves. The patient says, Ill punch you, munch you, crunch
you, while twirling and shadowboxing. Then the patient says gaily, Do you like
my scarves? Herethey are my gift to you. How should the nurse document the
patients mood?
a. Labile and euphoric
b. Irritable and belligerent
,c. Highly suspicious and arrogant
d. Excessively happy and
confident ANS: A
The patient has demonstrated angry behavior and pleasant, happy behavior
within seconds of each other.
Excessive happiness indicates euphoria. Mood swings are often rapid and
seemingly without understandable reason in patients who are manic. These
swings are documented
,as labile. Irritability, belligerence, excessive happiness, and confidence are not
entirely correct terms for the patients mood. A high level of suspicion is not
evident.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: 226
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity 3. A
patient experiencing mania has not eaten or slept for 3 days. Which nursing
diagnosis has priority?
a. Risk for injury
b. Ineffective coping
c. Impaired social interaction
d. Ineffective therapeutic regimen
management ANS: A
Although each of the nursing diagnoses listed is appropriate for a patient
having a manic episode, the priority lies with the patients physiologic safety.
Hyperactivity and poor judgment place the patient at risk for injury.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: 232
TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis| Nursing Process: Analysis MSC: NCLEX: Safe,
Effective Care Environment
4. A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is hyperactive and manic after
discontinuing lithium. The patient threatens to hit another patient. Which
comment by the nurse is appropriate?
a. Stop that! No one did anything to provoke an attack by you.
b. If you do that one more time, you will be secluded immediately.
c. Do not hit anyone. If you are unable to control yourself, we will help you.
d. You know we will not let you hit anyone. Why do you continue this behavior?
ANS: C
, Test Bank: Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (3rd Edition by
Varcarolis) 122
When the patient is unable to control his or her behavior and violates or
threatens to violate the rights of others, limits must be set in an effort to de-
escalate the situation. Limits should be set in simple, concrete terms. The
incorrect responses do not offer appropriate assistance to the patient and
threaten the patient with seclusion as punishment. Asking why does not
provide for environmental safety.
HEALTH NURSING CHAPTERS1- 28 (3RD EDITION BY
VARCAROLIS) 1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025/2026 GRADED A+
Chapter: Bipolar Spectrum Disorders
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A person is directing traffic on a busy street while shouting and making
obscene gestures at passing cars.
The person has not slept or eaten for 3 days. What features of mania are
evident?
a. Increased muscle tension and anxiety
b. Vegetative signs and poor grooming
c. Poor judgment and hyperactivity
d. Cognitive deficit and sad
mood ANS: C
Hyperactivity (directing traffic) and poor judgment (putting self in a
dangerous position) are characteristic of manic episodes. The distractors do
not specifically apply to mania.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension (Understanding) REF: 226
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity 2. A
patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is dressed in a red leotard and
brightly colored scarves. The patient says, Ill punch you, munch you, crunch
you, while twirling and shadowboxing. Then the patient says gaily, Do you like
my scarves? Herethey are my gift to you. How should the nurse document the
patients mood?
a. Labile and euphoric
b. Irritable and belligerent
,c. Highly suspicious and arrogant
d. Excessively happy and
confident ANS: A
The patient has demonstrated angry behavior and pleasant, happy behavior
within seconds of each other.
Excessive happiness indicates euphoria. Mood swings are often rapid and
seemingly without understandable reason in patients who are manic. These
swings are documented
,as labile. Irritability, belligerence, excessive happiness, and confidence are not
entirely correct terms for the patients mood. A high level of suspicion is not
evident.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: 226
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity 3. A
patient experiencing mania has not eaten or slept for 3 days. Which nursing
diagnosis has priority?
a. Risk for injury
b. Ineffective coping
c. Impaired social interaction
d. Ineffective therapeutic regimen
management ANS: A
Although each of the nursing diagnoses listed is appropriate for a patient
having a manic episode, the priority lies with the patients physiologic safety.
Hyperactivity and poor judgment place the patient at risk for injury.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: 232
TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis| Nursing Process: Analysis MSC: NCLEX: Safe,
Effective Care Environment
4. A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is hyperactive and manic after
discontinuing lithium. The patient threatens to hit another patient. Which
comment by the nurse is appropriate?
a. Stop that! No one did anything to provoke an attack by you.
b. If you do that one more time, you will be secluded immediately.
c. Do not hit anyone. If you are unable to control yourself, we will help you.
d. You know we will not let you hit anyone. Why do you continue this behavior?
ANS: C
, Test Bank: Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (3rd Edition by
Varcarolis) 122
When the patient is unable to control his or her behavior and violates or
threatens to violate the rights of others, limits must be set in an effort to de-
escalate the situation. Limits should be set in simple, concrete terms. The
incorrect responses do not offer appropriate assistance to the patient and
threaten the patient with seclusion as punishment. Asking why does not
provide for environmental safety.
