Question 1

The nurse is conducting a health history for a patient who is exhibiting symptoms of anxiety. Which medication notes during the history could be the cause for this symptom?

Accepted Answer

A)   Ibuprofen
B)   Pseudoephedrine
C)   St. John's wort
D)   Kava kava B

Question 2

The nurse is assessing a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the mental health clinic. The patient is exhibiting symptoms of mania. When reviewing the patient's current medications, which medication could be the cause of the current manic episode?

Accepted Answer

A)   Beta blockers
B)   Birth control pills
C)   MAO inhibitors
D)   Methyldopa C

Question 3

The nurse is providing care to an older adult patient who is experiencing atypical manifestations of depression. Which clinical manifestations is the patient experiencing? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Constipation
B)   Joint pain
C)   Fatigue
D)   Social withdrawal
E)   Loss of motivation A,B,C

Question 4

The nurse is providing care to an older adult patient who is diagnosed with delirium. Which finding in the patient's health history is a risk factor for delirium?

Accepted Answer

A)   A history of a brain infarct
B)   The recent death of a family member
C)   A recent move to a new city
D)   The diagnosis of dehydration

Question 5

The nurse uses the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to assess an older adult patient for depression. Which score range is considered normal?

Accepted Answer

A)   0-4
B)   5-8
C)   8-11
D)   12-15

Question 6

Which is an atypical clinical manifestation associated with depression for an older adult patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   Being obsessed with problems
B)   Withdrawing from social interactions
C)   Having feelings of guilt
D)   Exhibiting aggression

Question 7

The school nurse is told that a student at the school died over the weekend after playing the choking game. Which signs and symptoms would alert you that a child was playing the choking game and may require intervention? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Complaints of dizziness
B)   Complaints of headaches
C)   Red eyes
D)   Dilated pupils
E)   Marks on the neck

Question 8

The nurse is providing care to a patient who is prescribed tricyclic antidepressants for the treatment of depression. Which side effect will the nurse monitor this patient for?

Accepted Answer

A)   Insomnia
B)   Agitation
C)   Arrhythmias
D)   Dystonia

Question 9

The nurse is assessing a patient who is diagnosed with depression. Which clinical manifestation will the nurse assess for when providing care to this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   Fatigue
B)   Restlessness
C)   Diaphoresis
D)   Pruritus

Question 10

The nurse is using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GPS) to assess an older adult patient for depression. Which questions will the nurse ask the patient during the assessment process? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   "How often do you get bored?"
B)   "How old are you?"
C)   "Are you married?"
D)   "Do you feel full of energy?"
E)   "Do you often feel helpless?"

Question 11

The nurse is discharging a postpartum patient who vaginally delivered 2 days ago. When teaching the patient about postpartum blues, which statement is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Baby blues is not a normal finding, and you should seek treatment if this occurs."
B)   "Baby blues may cause you to want to hurt your baby."
C)   "Baby blues are quite common during the first month postpartum."
D)   "Baby blues are treated with an antidepressant, which has been prescribed to you."

Question 12

The nurse is assessing a patient diagnosed with anxiety. Which gastrointestinal (GI) manifestation is often associated with this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

A)   Indigestion
B)   Constipation
C)   Nausea
D)   Emesis

Question 13

The nurse is assessing a pregnant patient's risk for developing postpartum depression after the birth of her baby. Which finding in the patient's medical history increases this patient's risk for postpartum depression?

Accepted Answer

A)   Having a full-time job
B)   Having a planned pregnancy
C)   Having a history of infertility
D)   Having a history of mood disorders

Question 14

The nurse is performing a depression screening on an older adult patient. The patient scored 13 on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Which interpretation of this score by the nurse is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)   This is a normal finding.
B)   This indicates mild depression.
C)   This indicates moderate depression.
D)   This indicates severe depression.

Question 15

The nurse is providing care to a patient recently diagnosed with depression. The patient is also diagnosed with epilepsy. Which antidepressant would the nurse question if prescribed by the healthcare provider?

Accepted Answer

A)   Amitriptyline
B)   Buproprion
C)   Escitalopram
D)   Fluoxetine

Question 16

The nurse is conducting a mental health assessment for an adolescent patient diagnosed with depression. Which assessment finding would indicate the adolescent is at risk for suicide?

Accepted Answer

A)   Having a part-time job
B)   Participating in after-school activities
C)   Admitting to drinking alcohol on the weekends
D)   Applying for college admission

Question 17

The nurse is assessing a patient prescribed lithium for side effects associated with this medication. Which question is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Do you have trouble sleeping?"
B)   "Are you experiencing constipation?"
C)   "Are you experiencing tremors?"
D)   "Do you have blurred vision?"

Question 18

The nurse is assessing an older adult patient for depression. Which is an atypical clinical manifestation that occurs with depression for the older adult patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   Social withdrawal
B)   Memory changes
C)   Hostility
D)   Agitation

Question 19

The nurse is providing care to a patient who is diagnosed with dementia. Which are possible causes for this diagnosis? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Alcoholism
B)   AIDS
C)   Acute infection
D)   Electrolyte imbalance
E)   Loss of a spouse

Question 20

The mental health clinic nurse is assessing an adult patient who reports depression. Which medication noted in the patient's history could be the cause for the current depression?

Accepted Answer

A)   Beta blockers
B)   Amphetamines
C)   Monoamine oxidase (MAO)  inhibitors
D)   Levodopa

Exam 21: Approach to the Mental Health Assessment