Free Mood and Anxiety Disorders MCQs with Answers
40 Mood and Anxiety Disorders MCQs from Mental Health Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Mood and anxiety disorders include major depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Key areas include depressive and manic symptoms, suicide risk, anxiety levels, diagnostic differences, and nursing interventions, while distinguishing normal sadness or fear from clinically impairing conditions.
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- A. Elevated mood with increased goal-directed activity
- B. Persistent low mood with loss of interest and energy
- C. Excessive fear occurring only during a specific situation
- D. Recurrent thoughts followed by a compulsive ritual
Explanation: Major depression commonly causes persistent low mood or loss of interest, along with symptoms such as fatigue, sleep change, appetite…
Correct answer: Persistent low mood with loss of interest and energy- A. Ask directly about suicidal intent and access to the tablets
- B. Encourage the client to discuss childhood experiences
- C. Offer a quiet room for rest and reduced stimulation
- D. Teach the client to use positive self-talk each morning
Explanation: The statement indicates possible suicidal intent and access to a method, so the nurse must assess intent, plan, means, and immediacy…
Correct answer: Ask directly about suicidal intent and access to the tablets- A. Reduced speech, slowed movement, and feelings of worthlessness
- B. Excessive sleep, increased appetite, and social withdrawal
- C. Decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, and risky activity
- D. Recurrent fear of contamination with repeated hand washing
Explanation: Mania is marked by abnormally elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, reduced need for sleep, rapid speech, grandiosity…
Correct answer: Decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, and risky activity- A. Provide lengthy explanations about the illness
- B. Offer high-calorie finger foods and fluids frequently
- C. Encourage participation in a competitive group activity
- D. Ask the client to describe the causes of the manic episode
Explanation: Mania may cause severe activity, poor attention, and inadequate nutrition, so frequent portable food and fluids address an immediate…
Correct answer: Offer high-calorie finger foods and fluids frequently- A. Worry is excessive, difficult to control, and causes impairment
- B. Fear occurs only when the person sees a particular animal
- C. Anxiety begins suddenly and peaks within several minutes
- D. Sadness follows a stressful event and improves with support
Explanation: Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive and difficult-to-control worry about several areas of life, usually with symptoms such as…
Correct answer: Worry is excessive, difficult to control, and causes impairment- A. Stay with the client and use short, calm statements
- B. Ask the client to explain the meaning of the panic
- C. Leave the client alone to regain emotional control
- D. Teach detailed relaxation theory using a written leaflet
Explanation: During severe panic, the nurse should remain with the client, reduce stimulation, and use brief simple communication because attention and…
Correct answer: Stay with the client and use short, calm statements- A. Delusion
- B. Compulsion
- C. Phobia
- D. Flight of ideas
Explanation: A compulsion is a repetitive behaviour or mental act performed to reduce anxiety caused by an intrusive obsession.
Correct answer: Compulsion- A. I will avoid every situation that causes intrusive thoughts
- B. I will face the trigger gradually and delay the usual ritual
- C. I will perform the ritual more quickly to reduce anxiety
- D. I will use alcohol whenever the intrusive thoughts return
Explanation: Exposure and response prevention gradually exposes the client to an anxiety-provoking trigger while preventing or delaying the compulsive…
Correct answer: I will face the trigger gradually and delay the usual ritual9. Which feature most strongly supports a diagnosis of panic disorder rather than a specific phobia?
- A. Fear is limited to injections and leads to avoidance
- B. Panic attacks are recurrent and followed by concern about more attacks
- C. Anxiety occurs about several routine responsibilities each day
- D. Fear is linked to an intrusive thought and a repeated ritual
Explanation: Panic disorder involves recurrent unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern or behavioural change related to further attacks.
Correct answer: Panic attacks are recurrent and followed by concern about more attacks- A. Tell the client that suicide risk has ended because energy improved
- B. Assess suicide risk immediately and increase safety observation
- C. Advise the client to stop the medicine until mood improves
- D. Explain that antidepressants always work fully within seven days
Explanation: Energy may improve before hopelessness and suicidal thinking, which can temporarily increase the ability to act on suicidal thoughts.
Correct answer: Assess suicide risk immediately and increase safety observation- A. At least one manic episode
- B. At least one panic attack
- C. Persistent fear of social judgment
- D. Repeated unwanted thoughts
Explanation: Bipolar I disorder requires at least one manic episode, although depressive episodes may also occur.
Correct answer: At least one manic episode- A. Hypomania causes severe occupational impairment
- B. Hypomania always includes psychotic symptoms
- C. Hypomania is less severe and does not require hospitalisation
- D. Hypomania includes a persistently depressed mood
Explanation: Hypomania is a noticeable period of elevated or irritable mood with increased activity, but it does not cause marked impairment, require…
Correct answer: Hypomania is less severe and does not require hospitalisation- A. Mild anxiety
- B. Moderate anxiety
- C. Severe anxiety
- D. Panic-level anxiety
Explanation: Moderate anxiety causes a narrowed perceptual field, increased tension, restlessness, and reduced concentration, while the person can…
Correct answer: Moderate anxiety- A. Give the next lithium dose with food
- B. Hold lithium and notify the prescriber promptly
- C. Encourage vigorous exercise to reduce tremors
- D. Reassure the client that these effects are expected
Explanation: Diarrhoea, coarse tremor, visual changes, and ataxia suggest lithium toxicity and require withholding the drug and prompt medical review.
Correct answer: Hold lithium and notify the prescriber promptly- A. I have mild nausea after breakfast
- B. I feel sleepy during the afternoon
- C. I have a dry mouth since starting treatment
- D. I have fever, confusion, sweating, and muscle stiffness
Explanation: Fever, confusion, sweating, and muscle stiffness may indicate serotonin syndrome, which can become life-threatening and requires urgent…
Correct answer: I have fever, confusion, sweating, and muscle stiffness- A. Help the client avoid every feared situation
- B. Support gradual exposure with anxiety-management skills
- C. Encourage immediate exposure without preparation
- D. Explain that the fear is irrational and harmless
Explanation: Gradual exposure, combined with coping and relaxation skills, helps reduce avoidance and fear over time.
Correct answer: Support gradual exposure with anxiety-management skills- A. Three large meals in a noisy dining room
- B. Small frequent meals in a calm setting
- C. A fasting period followed by one large meal
- D. Only caffeinated drinks until appetite improves
Explanation: Small, frequent, nutritious meals in a calm environment are easier for a depressed client with poor appetite to manage.
Correct answer: Small frequent meals in a calm setting- A. Agree that the feared event will certainly happen
- B. Provide calm support without participating in rituals
- C. Punish the client for repeating the ritual
- D. Force the client to stop all rituals immediately
Explanation: The nurse should acknowledge the distress, avoid arguing about the thought, and avoid reinforcing compulsive rituals.
Correct answer: Provide calm support without participating in rituals- A. Ask several complex questions at once
- B. Use brief, clear questions and allow extra response time
- C. Tell the client to think more positively
- D. Change the subject whenever sadness is mentioned
Explanation: Depression can slow thinking, reduce concentration, and make decision-making difficult, so brief clear questions with adequate time are…
Correct answer: Use brief, clear questions and allow extra response time- A. Teach several new coping methods at the same time
- B. Stay with the client and use short, simple statements
- C. Leave the client alone to regain control independently
- D. Ask the client to analyse the cause in detail
Explanation: Severe anxiety narrows attention and reduces the ability to process information, so the nurse should remain present and use simple, calm…
Correct answer: Stay with the client and use short, simple statementsMood and Anxiety Disorders MCQs: common questions
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There are 40 Mood and Anxiety Disorders MCQs in the Mental Health Nursing bank, shown ten to a page with the correct answer and an explanation on each.
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Yes. Each Mood and Anxiety Disorders question shows the correct option and a written explanation of why it is correct, so a wrong answer teaches you something rather than just being marked wrong.
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