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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40 questions · page 2 of 2
- A. At least 3 days of symptoms
- B. At least 1 week of symptoms
- C. At least 2 weeks of symptoms
- D. At least 1 month of symptoms
Explanation: A major depressive episode requires a persistent change in mood or function lasting at least 2 weeks, with associated symptoms and…
Correct answer: At least 2 weeks of symptoms- A. I will sharply reduce my salt intake.
- B. I will keep my fluid and salt intake steady.
- C. I will stop the medicine when my mood improves.
- D. I will double the dose after missing one dose.
Explanation: Consistent fluid and sodium intake helps maintain a relatively stable lithium level.
Correct answer: I will keep my fluid and salt intake steady.- A. A client with mild situational sadness
- B. A client with severe depression and catatonia
- C. A client with occasional performance anxiety
- D. A client with uncomplicated specific phobia
Explanation: Electroconvulsive therapy is used when severe depression requires a rapid response, especially with catatonia, psychosis, or serious…
Correct answer: A client with severe depression and catatonia- A. Social anxiety disorder
- B. Generalized anxiety disorder
- C. Panic disorder
- D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Explanation: Social anxiety disorder involves marked fear of scrutiny, embarrassment, or negative evaluation in social or performance situations.
Correct answer: Social anxiety disorder- A. Compulsion
- B. Obsession
- C. Delusion
- D. Phobic avoidance
Explanation: An obsession is a recurrent, intrusive, unwanted thought, image, or urge that causes distress.
Correct answer: Obsession- A. Electroconvulsive therapy
- B. Psychoeducation alone
- C. Routine sleep restriction
- D. Brief reassurance from staff
Explanation: Electroconvulsive therapy can produce a faster response than medication in severe or treatment-resistant depression.
Correct answer: Electroconvulsive therapy- A. Cyclothymic disorder
- B. Bipolar I disorder
- C. Major depressive disorder
- D. Adjustment disorder
Explanation: Cyclothymic disorder involves chronic fluctuating hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not meet full episode criteria, lasting at…
Correct answer: Cyclothymic disorder- A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- B. Serotonin syndrome
- C. Anticholinergic toxicity
- D. Lithium toxicity
Explanation: Sertraline and tramadol can increase serotonin activity, and agitation, sweating, fever, rigidity, and hyperreflexia suggest serotonin…
Correct answer: Serotonin syndrome- A. Avoid alcohol and other sedatives.
- B. Take extra doses before driving.
- C. Stop the drug suddenly when calm.
- D. Expect increased alertness after each dose.
Explanation: Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that can cause sedation, impaired coordination, respiratory depression, tolerance, and dependence.
Correct answer: Avoid alcohol and other sedatives.- A. Give brief, clear information and encourage questions.
- B. Leave the client alone until the anxiety disappears.
- C. Use lengthy technical explanations without pauses.
- D. Ask the client to make major decisions immediately.
Explanation: Mild anxiety can increase attention and learning, so the nurse should provide clear information and allow the client to ask questions.
Correct answer: Give brief, clear information and encourage questions.- A. Fear of being judged during social interaction
- B. Fear of places where escape may be difficult
- C. Fear of a specific animal or object
- D. Fear of having intrusive contamination thoughts
Explanation: Agoraphobia involves fear or avoidance of situations where escape or help may be difficult, such as crowds or public transport.
Correct answer: Fear of places where escape may be difficult- A. Aged cheddar cheese
- B. Cured salami
- C. Fresh grilled chicken
- D. Fermented soybean paste
Explanation: Fresh grilled chicken is not a significant tyramine source and is the safest choice listed.
Correct answer: Fresh grilled chicken- A. Mild increased appetite after meals
- B. Occasional difficulty falling asleep
- C. Right upper abdominal pain with jaundice
- D. Slight reduction in daily activity
Explanation: Right upper abdominal pain and jaundice may indicate hepatotoxicity, a serious adverse effect of valproate.
Correct answer: Right upper abdominal pain with jaundice- A. Give several teaching points at the same time
- B. Use short, clear statements and remain with the client
- C. Leave the client alone until the anxiety completely resolves
- D. Ask the client to analyse the cause in great detail
Explanation: Moderate anxiety narrows attention, so brief directions and a calm presence help the client process information.
Correct answer: Use short, clear statements and remain with the client- A. An unwanted recurring thought about causing harm
- B. A fixed false belief that others accept as true
- C. A repetitive act performed to reduce distress
- D. A sudden episode of intense fear with palpitations
Explanation: A compulsion is a repetitive behaviour or mental act performed in response to an obsession or according to rigid rules.
Correct answer: A repetitive act performed to reduce distress- A. Set one small achievable activity and provide encouragement
- B. Require participation in a full group programme immediately
- C. Tell the client to make an independent daily schedule
- D. Offer frequent choices requiring complex decisions
Explanation: Psychomotor slowing and low motivation make small, structured tasks more achievable than demanding activities.
Correct answer: Set one small achievable activity and provide encouragement- A. Stop the medicine immediately without contacting the prescriber
- B. Explain that mild nausea can occur and monitor its progress
- C. Tell the client that nausea proves the dose is toxic
- D. Advise the client to double the next dose if nausea continues
Explanation: Mild nausea is a common early SSRI effect and often improves as the body adjusts.
Correct answer: Explain that mild nausea can occur and monitor its progress- A. Two days of feeling cheerful after good news
- B. Several weeks of elevated mood with risky spending and poor judgment
- C. One evening of increased talking during a family gathering
- D. A single night of reduced sleep before an examination
Explanation: A sustained elevated or irritable mood with risky behaviour and impaired judgment supports mania rather than a normal temporary mood…
Correct answer: Several weeks of elevated mood with risky spending and poor judgment- A. Drive normally because the drug improves alertness
- B. Avoid alcohol and use caution with activities requiring alertness
- C. Stop the medicine abruptly when anxiety improves
- D. Take extra doses before operating machinery
Explanation: Clonazepam can cause sedation, impaired coordination, and respiratory depression, effects that may worsen with alcohol or other sedatives.
Correct answer: Avoid alcohol and use caution with activities requiring alertness- A. Have you experienced this feeling in the past?
- B. Do you have a plan to harm yourself?
- C. Why do you think you feel this way?
- D. Would talking with your family make you feel better?
Explanation: The nurse should directly assess suicidal intent by asking whether the client has a plan, because immediate safety is the priority.
Correct answer: Do you have a plan to harm yourself?