NUR 326
NUR 326 Exam 1 Questions and
Answers 2025/2026
A patient has been prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
antidepressant. After taking the new medication, the patient states, "This medication isn't
working. I don't feel any different." What is the best response by the nurse? - "It usually
takes a few weeks for you to notice improvement from this medication."
- Seeing a response to antidepressants takes 3 to 6 weeks
A patient coming to the health clinic for a blood pressure check reports to the nurse that
she just does not have the energy to go out much in winter but looks forward to gardening
in summer. The nurse realizes that this patient is describing a major symptom of what
condition? - Seasonal affective disorder
seasonal affective disorder - Decreased exposure to sunlight in winter months can reduce
the production of serotonin in the brain, leading to a type of depression
- tends to resolve with the longer days and increased exposure to sun of spring and
summer
A patient who is at a health clinic with complaints of a sore throat is exhibiting signs of
depression. The nurse administers a basic screening for depression. What level of
prevention is the nurse performing? - Secondary prevention
Secondary prevention - aimed at early detection of problems, I.e. identification of
depression for early intervention
NUR 326
,NUR 326
Primary prevention for mood disorders - focuses on stress reduction and societal issues
such as reducing poverty and racism
Tertiary prevention - aims to reduce disability from a diagnosed condition; for mood
disorders, this includes prevention of relapse and protection from harm
A family member of a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder asks what behaviors would
indicate the beginnings of a manic phase. What is the best response by the nurse? - "The
person may have excess energy, talk a lot, feel restless, and spend too much money."
Signs that a person is cycling into a manic phase include - sleeping and eating less and
having increased energy and racing thoughts, increased impulsivity, and increased
spending behaviors
A patient has been admitted with major depressive disorder. What typical signs and
symptoms would the nurse expect to assess? - Poor eye contact
Appetite changes
Slowed speech
Typical signs of depression include - sleep disturbance; poor eye contact; loss of interest
in events; guilt; decreased energy, speech, and concentration; appetite changes; and
slowed motor movements
Denial stage - In this stage, grieving people are unable or unwilling to accept that the loss
has taken (or will shortly take) place
- It can feel as though they are experiencing a bad dream, that the loss is unreal, and they
are waiting to "wake up" as though from a dream, expecting that things will be normal
NUR 326
,NUR 326
Anger stage - at the loss and the unfairness of it
They may become angry at the person who has been lost (or is dying). Feelings of
abandonment may also occur.
Bargaining stage - In this stage, people beg their "higher power" to undo the loss, saying
things along the lines of, "I'll change if you bring her (or him) back to me".
This phase usually involves promises of better behavior or significant life changes which
will be made in exchange for the reversal of the loss
Grief - subjective feeling and affect that follows a loss
- Powerful emotional state
- Universal reaction
- Involves stress, pain and suffering
Mourning - the process by which grief is resolved
Types of Grief - - Uncomplicated grief
- Complicated (dysfunctional) grief
- Anticipatory
- Disenfranchised
Depression stage - stage where they confront the inevitability and reality of the loss and
their own helplessness to change it
NUR 326
, NUR 326
- During this period, grieving people may may cry, experience sleep or eating habit
changes, or withdraw from other relationships and activities while they process the loss
they have sustained
- People may also blame themselves for having caused or in some way contributed to
their loss, whether or not this is justified
Acceptance stage - where they have processed their initial grief emotions, are able to
accept that the loss has occurred and cannot be undone, and are once again able to plan
for their futures and re-engage in daily life
Situations That Precipitate Grieving - - Loss of body parts, function
- Loss of status/groups
- Failures
- Changes
- Loss of home
- Loss of job, profession
- Loss of pets
Usual Pattern of Response to grief - - Shock and disbelief
- Somatic distress
- Preoccupation
- Guilt
- Anger
- Change in behavior
- Reorganization
Stages of Mourning - - Shock and Disbelief
NUR 326
NUR 326 Exam 1 Questions and
Answers 2025/2026
A patient has been prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
antidepressant. After taking the new medication, the patient states, "This medication isn't
working. I don't feel any different." What is the best response by the nurse? - "It usually
takes a few weeks for you to notice improvement from this medication."
- Seeing a response to antidepressants takes 3 to 6 weeks
A patient coming to the health clinic for a blood pressure check reports to the nurse that
she just does not have the energy to go out much in winter but looks forward to gardening
in summer. The nurse realizes that this patient is describing a major symptom of what
condition? - Seasonal affective disorder
seasonal affective disorder - Decreased exposure to sunlight in winter months can reduce
the production of serotonin in the brain, leading to a type of depression
- tends to resolve with the longer days and increased exposure to sun of spring and
summer
A patient who is at a health clinic with complaints of a sore throat is exhibiting signs of
depression. The nurse administers a basic screening for depression. What level of
prevention is the nurse performing? - Secondary prevention
Secondary prevention - aimed at early detection of problems, I.e. identification of
depression for early intervention
NUR 326
,NUR 326
Primary prevention for mood disorders - focuses on stress reduction and societal issues
such as reducing poverty and racism
Tertiary prevention - aims to reduce disability from a diagnosed condition; for mood
disorders, this includes prevention of relapse and protection from harm
A family member of a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder asks what behaviors would
indicate the beginnings of a manic phase. What is the best response by the nurse? - "The
person may have excess energy, talk a lot, feel restless, and spend too much money."
Signs that a person is cycling into a manic phase include - sleeping and eating less and
having increased energy and racing thoughts, increased impulsivity, and increased
spending behaviors
A patient has been admitted with major depressive disorder. What typical signs and
symptoms would the nurse expect to assess? - Poor eye contact
Appetite changes
Slowed speech
Typical signs of depression include - sleep disturbance; poor eye contact; loss of interest
in events; guilt; decreased energy, speech, and concentration; appetite changes; and
slowed motor movements
Denial stage - In this stage, grieving people are unable or unwilling to accept that the loss
has taken (or will shortly take) place
- It can feel as though they are experiencing a bad dream, that the loss is unreal, and they
are waiting to "wake up" as though from a dream, expecting that things will be normal
NUR 326
,NUR 326
Anger stage - at the loss and the unfairness of it
They may become angry at the person who has been lost (or is dying). Feelings of
abandonment may also occur.
Bargaining stage - In this stage, people beg their "higher power" to undo the loss, saying
things along the lines of, "I'll change if you bring her (or him) back to me".
This phase usually involves promises of better behavior or significant life changes which
will be made in exchange for the reversal of the loss
Grief - subjective feeling and affect that follows a loss
- Powerful emotional state
- Universal reaction
- Involves stress, pain and suffering
Mourning - the process by which grief is resolved
Types of Grief - - Uncomplicated grief
- Complicated (dysfunctional) grief
- Anticipatory
- Disenfranchised
Depression stage - stage where they confront the inevitability and reality of the loss and
their own helplessness to change it
NUR 326
, NUR 326
- During this period, grieving people may may cry, experience sleep or eating habit
changes, or withdraw from other relationships and activities while they process the loss
they have sustained
- People may also blame themselves for having caused or in some way contributed to
their loss, whether or not this is justified
Acceptance stage - where they have processed their initial grief emotions, are able to
accept that the loss has occurred and cannot be undone, and are once again able to plan
for their futures and re-engage in daily life
Situations That Precipitate Grieving - - Loss of body parts, function
- Loss of status/groups
- Failures
- Changes
- Loss of home
- Loss of job, profession
- Loss of pets
Usual Pattern of Response to grief - - Shock and disbelief
- Somatic distress
- Preoccupation
- Guilt
- Anger
- Change in behavior
- Reorganization
Stages of Mourning - - Shock and Disbelief
NUR 326
