Quiz: Can You Ace Our RN Learning System Mental Health Final Exam?

1. What term describes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities?

Anxiety

Depression

Bipolar disorder

Schizophrenia

Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable.

Explanation

Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable.

2. What is the primary goal of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in treating anxiety disorders?

Uncovering unconscious conflicts

Exploring past traumas

Identifying and changing negative thought patterns

Enhancing mindfulness skills

CBT aims to identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. It helps individuals develop healthier ways of thinking and coping with anxious feelings.

Explanation

CBT aims to identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. It helps individuals develop healthier ways of thinking and coping with anxious feelings.

3. Which neurotransmitter is often targeted by antidepressant medications?

Serotonin

Acetylcholine

Dopamine

GABA

When serotonin is at normal levels, you feel more focused, emotionally stable, happier and calmer. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression. Many medications used to treat anxiety, depression and other mood disorders often target ways to increase the level of serotonin in your brain.

Explanation

When serotonin is at normal levels, you feel more focused, emotionally stable, happier and calmer. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression. Many medications used to treat anxiety, depression and other mood disorders often target ways to increase the level of serotonin in your brain.

4. What is a hallmark symptom of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Intense fear of public spaces

Excessive handwashing or cleaning

Paranoia and delusions

Emotional numbness and detachment

OCD is characterized by intrusive and distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). Excessive handwashing or cleaning is a common compulsion aimed at reducing anxiety related to contamination.

Explanation

OCD is characterized by intrusive and distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). Excessive handwashing or cleaning is a common compulsion aimed at reducing anxiety related to contamination.

5. A person experiencing a panic attack is likely to feel:

Calm and relaxed

Extreme sadness and hopelessness

Overwhelming fear and physical symptoms such as palpitations and shortness of breath

Indifferent and emotionally detached

Panic attacks are characterized by sudden and intense episodes of fear or anxiety, accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, trembling, and a feeling of impending doom.

Explanation

Panic attacks are characterized by sudden and intense episodes of fear or anxiety, accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, trembling, and a feeling of impending doom.

6. What disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings, including manic episodes?

Generalized anxiety disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Bipolar disorder

Major depressive disorder

Bipolar disorder involves alternating periods of depression and mania. Manic episodes are characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and impulsive behavior.

Explanation

Bipolar disorder involves alternating periods of depression and mania. Manic episodes are characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and impulsive behavior.

7. Which concept refers to a person's ability to understand and manage their own emotions as well as recognize and influence the emotions of others?

Emotional intelligence

Affective disorder

Dissociation

Cognitive dissonance

Emotional intelligence involves the capacity to recognize, understand, and manage emotions in oneself and others. It also encompasses the ability to use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior effectively.

Explanation

Emotional intelligence involves the capacity to recognize, understand, and manage emotions in oneself and others. It also encompasses the ability to use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior effectively.

8. Which neurotransmitter is often associated with mood regulation?

Serotonin

Insulin

Dopamine

Estrogen

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in regulating mood, sleep, and appetite. Imbalances in serotonin levels are often associated with mood disorders like depression.

Explanation

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in regulating mood, sleep, and appetite. Imbalances in serotonin levels are often associated with mood disorders like depression.

9. A patient with borderline personality disorder often exhibits which of the following traits?

Avoidant behavior and social isolation

Rapid mood swings and intense fear of abandonment

Grandiose sense of self and lack of empathy

Disorganized thinking and hallucinations

Individuals with borderline personality disorder often experience unstable emotions, including rapid mood swings. They also frequently struggle with a fear of abandonment, which can lead to intense relationships and emotional instability.

Explanation

Individuals with borderline personality disorder often experience unstable emotions, including rapid mood swings. They also frequently struggle with a fear of abandonment, which can lead to intense relationships and emotional instability.

10. What is a key feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Rapid mood cycling

Persistent worry and anxiety

Re-experiencing traumatic events through flashbacks or nightmares

Social withdrawal and avoidance of public spaces

One of the hallmark symptoms of PTSD is the re-experiencing of traumatic events through distressing flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts. These symptoms can cause significant distress and impairment.

Explanation

One of the hallmark symptoms of PTSD is the re-experiencing of traumatic events through distressing flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts. These symptoms can cause significant distress and impairment.

11. What therapeutic approach involves gradually exposing a person to their feared object or situation in order to reduce anxiety?

Psychodynamic therapy

Humanistic therapy

Exposure therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy

Exposure therapy is a technique used to treat anxiety disorders by exposing individuals to the feared object or situation in a controlled and gradual manner. This exposure helps desensitize the individual and reduce their anxiety over time.

Explanation

Exposure therapy is a technique used to treat anxiety disorders by exposing individuals to the feared object or situation in a controlled and gradual manner. This exposure helps desensitize the individual and reduce their anxiety over time.

12. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for the rights of others and a lack of empathy?

Narcissistic personality disorder

Avoidant personality disorder

Schizoid personality disorder

Antisocial personality disorder

Antisocial personality disorder involves a consistent pattern of disregarding the rights of others, lying, impulsivity, irritability, and a lack of empathy or remorse for one's actions.

Explanation

Antisocial personality disorder involves a consistent pattern of disregarding the rights of others, lying, impulsivity, irritability, and a lack of empathy or remorse for one's actions.

13. An irrational fear of specific objects or situations is called

Schizophrenia

Agoraphobia

Panic disorder

Phobia

A phobia is an intense and irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. It can lead to avoidance behavior and significant distress when faced with the phobic stimulus.

Explanation

A phobia is an intense and irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. It can lead to avoidance behavior and significant distress when faced with the phobic stimulus.

14. Which type of therapy emphasizes the importance of understanding the unconscious mind and unresolved conflicts from early childhood experiences?

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Mindfulness-based therapy

Psychodynamic therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on exploring unconscious thoughts and unresolved conflicts from early life experiences that may contribute to current emotional and psychological struggles.

Explanation

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on exploring unconscious thoughts and unresolved conflicts from early life experiences that may contribute to current emotional and psychological struggles.

15. What is a common symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Excessive happiness

Intrusive memories

Social withdrawal

Apathy

Intrusive memories, also known as flashbacks, are a common symptom of PTSD. They involve involuntary and distressing recollections of the traumatic event.

Explanation

Intrusive memories, also known as flashbacks, are a common symptom of PTSD. They involve involuntary and distressing recollections of the traumatic event.