MENTAL HEALTH- FINAL EXAM WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025
A client is diagnosed with persistent depressive (dysthymia)
disorder. Which should a nurse classify as an affective symptom
of this disorder?
A. Social isolation with a focus on self
B. Low energy level
C. Difficulty concentrating
D. Gloomy and pessimistic outlook on life correct answers >>
ANS: D
A client is diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which
nursing diagnosis should a nurse assign to this client to address a
behavioral symptom of this disorder?
A. Altered communication R/T feelings of worthlessness AEB
anhedonia
B. Social isolation R/T poor self-esteem AEB secluding self in room
,C. Altered thought processes R/T hopelessness AEB persecutory
delusions
D. Altered nutrition: less than body requirements R/T high anxiety
AEB anorexia correct answers >> ANS: B
A nurse assesses a client suspected of having major depressive
disorder. Which client symptom would eliminate this diagnosis?
A. The client is disheveled and malodorous.
B. The client refuses to interact with others.
C. The client is unable to feel any pleasure.
D. The client has maxed-out charge cards and exhibits
promiscuous behaviors. correct answers >> ANS: D
A nurse reviews the laboratory data of a 29-year-old client
suspected of having major depressive disorder. Which laboratory
value would potentially rule out this diagnosis?
A. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level of 6.2 U/mL
B. Potassium (K+) level of 4.2 mEq/L
C. Sodium (Na+) level of 140 mEq/L
,D. Calcium (Ca2+) level of 9.5 mg/dL correct answers >>
ANS: A
A depressed client reports to a nurse a history of divorce, job loss,
family estrangement, and cocaine abuse. According to learning
theory, what is the cause of this clients symptoms?
A. Depression is a result of anger turned inward.
B. Depression is a result of abandonment.
C. Depression is a result of repeated failures.
D. Depression is a result of negative thinking. correct answers
>> ANS: C
What is the priority reason for a nurse to perform a full physical
health assessment on a client admitted with a diagnosis of major
depressive disorder?
A. The attention during the assessment is beneficial in decreasing
social isolation.
B. Depression is a symptom of several medical conditions.
C. Physical health complications are likely to arise from
antidepressant therapy.
, D. Depressed clients avoid addressing physical health and ignore
medical problems. correct answers >> ANS: B
A nurse is planning care for a child who is experiencing
depression. Which medication is approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression in
children and adolescents?
A. Paroxetine (Paxil)
B. Sertraline (Zoloft)
C. Citalopram (Celexa)
D. Fluoxetine (Prozac) correct answers >> ANS: D
A nurse admits an older client who is experiencing memory loss,
confused thinking, and apathy. A psychiatrist suspects
depression. What is the rationale for performing a mini-mental
status exam?
A. To rule out bipolar disorder
B. To rule out schizophrenia
C. To rule out neurocognitive disorder
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025
A client is diagnosed with persistent depressive (dysthymia)
disorder. Which should a nurse classify as an affective symptom
of this disorder?
A. Social isolation with a focus on self
B. Low energy level
C. Difficulty concentrating
D. Gloomy and pessimistic outlook on life correct answers >>
ANS: D
A client is diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which
nursing diagnosis should a nurse assign to this client to address a
behavioral symptom of this disorder?
A. Altered communication R/T feelings of worthlessness AEB
anhedonia
B. Social isolation R/T poor self-esteem AEB secluding self in room
,C. Altered thought processes R/T hopelessness AEB persecutory
delusions
D. Altered nutrition: less than body requirements R/T high anxiety
AEB anorexia correct answers >> ANS: B
A nurse assesses a client suspected of having major depressive
disorder. Which client symptom would eliminate this diagnosis?
A. The client is disheveled and malodorous.
B. The client refuses to interact with others.
C. The client is unable to feel any pleasure.
D. The client has maxed-out charge cards and exhibits
promiscuous behaviors. correct answers >> ANS: D
A nurse reviews the laboratory data of a 29-year-old client
suspected of having major depressive disorder. Which laboratory
value would potentially rule out this diagnosis?
A. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level of 6.2 U/mL
B. Potassium (K+) level of 4.2 mEq/L
C. Sodium (Na+) level of 140 mEq/L
,D. Calcium (Ca2+) level of 9.5 mg/dL correct answers >>
ANS: A
A depressed client reports to a nurse a history of divorce, job loss,
family estrangement, and cocaine abuse. According to learning
theory, what is the cause of this clients symptoms?
A. Depression is a result of anger turned inward.
B. Depression is a result of abandonment.
C. Depression is a result of repeated failures.
D. Depression is a result of negative thinking. correct answers
>> ANS: C
What is the priority reason for a nurse to perform a full physical
health assessment on a client admitted with a diagnosis of major
depressive disorder?
A. The attention during the assessment is beneficial in decreasing
social isolation.
B. Depression is a symptom of several medical conditions.
C. Physical health complications are likely to arise from
antidepressant therapy.
, D. Depressed clients avoid addressing physical health and ignore
medical problems. correct answers >> ANS: B
A nurse is planning care for a child who is experiencing
depression. Which medication is approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression in
children and adolescents?
A. Paroxetine (Paxil)
B. Sertraline (Zoloft)
C. Citalopram (Celexa)
D. Fluoxetine (Prozac) correct answers >> ANS: D
A nurse admits an older client who is experiencing memory loss,
confused thinking, and apathy. A psychiatrist suspects
depression. What is the rationale for performing a mini-mental
status exam?
A. To rule out bipolar disorder
B. To rule out schizophrenia
C. To rule out neurocognitive disorder
