Q.1 Which of the following is the primary nursing goal for a patient experiencing major depressive disorder?
Enhancing energy through physical activity
Preventing self-harm and ensuring safety
Promoting social isolation to avoid stress
Encouraging impulsive decision-making
Explanation - In major depressive disorder, safety is the priority, as patients may have suicidal ideation or tendencies. Nursing interventions focus first on risk assessment and prevention of harm.
Correct answer is: Preventing self-harm and ensuring safety
Q.2 A patient with bipolar disorder is experiencing a manic episode. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
Encourage multiple activities simultaneously
Provide a structured, low-stimulation environment
Allow unlimited visitors and social interactions
Ignore impulsive behaviors
Explanation - During mania, patients are highly excitable and easily overstimulated. A structured environment helps prevent exhaustion, agitation, and potential injury.
Correct answer is: Provide a structured, low-stimulation environment
Q.3 Which nursing assessment finding is most indicative of a patient at risk for suicide?
Frequent mood swings
Verbalization of hopelessness and worthlessness
Excessive social interaction
Mild forgetfulness
Explanation - Hopelessness and feelings of worthlessness are key risk indicators for suicidal behavior, making immediate nursing assessment and intervention critical.
Correct answer is: Verbalization of hopelessness and worthlessness
Q.4 Which of the following is a key nursing intervention for a patient with persistent depressive disorder?
Discourage expression of feelings
Promote self-care activities and gradual social interaction
Avoid discussion of mood symptoms
Encourage high-intensity exercise immediately
Explanation - Nurses encourage small, achievable self-care and social goals to gradually improve mood, motivation, and engagement.
Correct answer is: Promote self-care activities and gradual social interaction
Q.5 A patient on lithium therapy for bipolar disorder asks about side effects. Which is correct?
Lithium causes immediate weight loss
It can cause tremors, polyuria, and mild nausea
It eliminates all manic symptoms instantly
There are no dietary restrictions
Explanation - Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index and common side effects include fine tremor, increased urination, mild nausea, and thirst. Patients need monitoring and education.
Correct answer is: It can cause tremors, polyuria, and mild nausea
Q.6 Which therapeutic communication technique is most effective for a patient with depression?
Minimizing their feelings
Encouraging elaboration of feelings and listening actively
Giving advice immediately
Changing the subject quickly
Explanation - Active listening and open-ended questions help patients express emotions, fostering therapeutic rapport and assessment of their mood state.
Correct answer is: Encouraging elaboration of feelings and listening actively
Q.7 Which is the priority nursing intervention for a patient experiencing severe insomnia due to depression?
Provide a quiet environment and establish a bedtime routine
Encourage late-night activities
Limit fluid intake entirely
Avoid discussing sleep patterns
Explanation - Structured routines and a calm environment help regulate sleep, which is essential for mood stabilization and recovery.
Correct answer is: Provide a quiet environment and establish a bedtime routine
Q.8 A patient on SSRIs reports increased anxiety and agitation. What should the nurse do first?
Discontinue the medication abruptly
Assess for worsening suicidal ideation
Ignore these early side effects
Encourage excessive caffeine intake
Explanation - SSRIs can initially increase agitation or anxiety, especially in young adults, and may elevate suicide risk. Safety assessment is the priority.
Correct answer is: Assess for worsening suicidal ideation
Q.9 Which lifestyle modification is recommended for patients with mood disorders?
Regular exercise, balanced diet, and structured routine
High caffeine and sugar intake
Total social isolation
Irregular sleep patterns
Explanation - Lifestyle interventions complement pharmacological treatment by stabilizing mood, improving sleep, and reducing stress.
Correct answer is: Regular exercise, balanced diet, and structured routine
Q.10 Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is indicated for which patient?
Mild situational depression
Severe depression with suicidal risk or treatment resistance
Bipolar disorder in remission
Mild anxiety disorders
Explanation - ECT is effective for severe, treatment-resistant depression, especially when rapid response is required to prevent suicide.
Correct answer is: Severe depression with suicidal risk or treatment resistance
Q.11 Which nursing action is appropriate for a patient experiencing rapid cycling bipolar disorder?
Encourage multiple stimulating activities
Monitor mood, medication adherence, and provide structured environment
Avoid monitoring sleep patterns
Allow unlimited caffeine consumption
Explanation - Rapid cycling requires careful monitoring, structured routine, and support for medication compliance to stabilize mood swings.
Correct answer is: Monitor mood, medication adherence, and provide structured environment
Q.12 Which sign indicates improvement in a patient with depression?
Expressing hopelessness and self-blame
Engaging in self-care and social activities
Increased withdrawal from family
Persistent lack of appetite
Explanation - Improved engagement in daily activities and social interaction indicates recovery progress in depressive disorders.
Correct answer is: Engaging in self-care and social activities
Q.13 Which assessment finding suggests a manic episode rather than depression?
Psychomotor retardation
Excessive energy, pressured speech, and grandiosity
Persistent sadness
Anhedonia
Explanation - Mania is characterized by elevated mood, hyperactivity, rapid speech, and inflated self-esteem, differentiating it from depressive symptoms.
Correct answer is: Excessive energy, pressured speech, and grandiosity
Q.14 Which intervention helps manage irritability in manic patients?
Provide frequent group therapy sessions
Use calm communication and consistent limits
Encourage confrontation with others
Ignore aggressive behavior
Explanation - Calm, consistent approaches reduce agitation, maintain safety, and help the patient regulate impulses.
Correct answer is: Use calm communication and consistent limits
Q.15 A patient with depression refuses to eat. Which nursing response is appropriate?
Force feeding immediately
Offer small, high-calorie meals and encourage self-feeding
Ignore nutritional needs
Criticize the patient for not eating
Explanation - Small, manageable meals encourage nutrition while respecting the patient's autonomy and coping ability.
Correct answer is: Offer small, high-calorie meals and encourage self-feeding
Q.16 Which factor is most important when teaching patients about antidepressant therapy?
Medication works instantly
Consistency, adherence, and awareness of side effects
Skipping doses is acceptable
All patients experience the same side effects
Explanation - Education ensures patients understand that antidepressants take time to work and adherence is critical to efficacy and safety.
Correct answer is: Consistency, adherence, and awareness of side effects
Q.17 Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a patient with depressive disorder?
Risk for self-directed violence
Impaired physical mobility related to fracture
Acute pain related to surgery
Deficient knowledge about hypertension
Explanation - Depressed patients may have suicidal ideation, making risk for self-directed violence a primary nursing concern.
Correct answer is: Risk for self-directed violence
Q.18 Which approach is effective when helping a patient cope with mood swings?
Encourage journaling and identification of triggers
Ignore emotional changes
Increase stressful activities
Discourage communication with caregivers
Explanation - Tracking mood and triggers empowers patients to anticipate episodes and implement coping strategies.
Correct answer is: Encourage journaling and identification of triggers
Q.19 Which symptom is most associated with seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?
Mood depression during winter months
Manic episodes in summer
Psychotic delusions
Chronic hyperactivity year-round
Explanation - SAD is characterized by depressive episodes during seasons with reduced daylight, often winter.
Correct answer is: Mood depression during winter months
Q.20 Which non-pharmacological therapy is effective for mood stabilization in bipolar disorder?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
High-intensity interval training only
No therapy is needed
Encouraging social withdrawal
Explanation - CBT helps patients recognize triggers, manage thought patterns, and develop coping strategies to prevent mood swings.
Correct answer is: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Q.21 Which priority action should a nurse take if a patient expresses suicidal thoughts?
Report immediately and ensure patient safety
Ignore the statement
Encourage patient to deal with it alone
Ask the patient to sign a safety waiver
Explanation - Immediate action is required to prevent harm. Nurses must follow safety protocols and communicate with the healthcare team.
Correct answer is: Report immediately and ensure patient safety
Q.22 Which assessment tool is commonly used to evaluate severity of depression?
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)
Glasgow Coma Scale
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
Braden Scale
Explanation - HDRS is a standardized tool for assessing the severity of depressive symptoms and guiding treatment.
Correct answer is: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)
Q.23 Which intervention is effective for improving social engagement in depressed patients?
Encouraging participation in structured group activities
Limiting interaction with others
Focusing solely on medication
Punishing avoidance behaviors
Explanation - Structured social interactions help reduce isolation and improve mood and self-esteem in depressed patients.
Correct answer is: Encouraging participation in structured group activities
Q.24 Which lab test is important to monitor in patients receiving lithium therapy?
Serum lithium levels, renal function, and thyroid function
Hemoglobin only
Liver enzymes exclusively
Glucose tolerance test
Explanation - Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range and can affect kidneys and thyroid; regular monitoring prevents toxicity and complications.
Correct answer is: Serum lithium levels, renal function, and thyroid function