TIA Mental Health Nursing 2

Question 1

A patient with major depressive disorder is started on an SSRI. The nurse should teach the patient that the antidepressant effect typically takes:

Accepted Answer

2–4 weeks

Answer

SSRIs take 2–4 weeks to show initial antidepressant effects, with full therapeutic benefit often at 6–8 weeks.

Question 2

A patient with anorexia nervosa is admitted weighing 82 lbs at 5'4". Which initial intervention is the priority?

Accepted Answer

Assess and stabilize vital signs and electrolytes

Answer

Physiologic stabilization — addressing electrolyte imbalances, hypotension, and cardiac dysrhythmias — is the priority in severe anorexia nervosa.

Question 3

A patient with borderline personality disorder repeatedly calls the nursing station requesting different nurses. The most therapeutic response is to:

Accepted Answer

Maintain consistent staff assignments and clear limits

Answer

Consistency and limit-setting are the cornerstones of care for borderline personality disorder to address splitting behavior.

Question 4

A patient is prescribed a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Which food must be strictly avoided?

Accepted Answer

Aged cheeses and cured meats

Answer

MAOIs combined with tyramine-rich foods (aged cheeses, cured meats) can cause a hypertensive crisis.

Question 5

A nurse is caring for a patient who was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric unit. Which patient right must still be upheld?

Accepted Answer

The right to communicate with an attorney

Answer

Even involuntarily committed patients retain the right to legal counsel and communication with an attorney.

TIA - Assessment Technologies Institute Practice Test