Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What term describes a client exhibiting intense, frequently shifting emotional extremes?

1. Stable affect

2. Labile affect

3. Flat affect

4. Blunted affect

The correct answer is: Labile affect

The term that describes a client exhibiting intense, frequently shifting emotional extremes is "labile affect." This term specifically refers to a rapid and extreme variability in emotional expression, where a person may quickly switch between different emotional states, such as happiness, sadness, anger, or anxiety. This variability can often be observed in specific mental health conditions and is characterized by its unpredictability and intensity. In contrast, "stable affect" would indicate consistent emotional expressions without significant fluctuations. "Flat affect" refers to a lack of emotional expression, where the individual displays little to no emotions, often appearing indifferent or unresponsive. "Blunted affect" describes a reduction in the intensity of emotional expression, but not to the extent of being completely flat; the person may show some emotion, but it is markedly less than what might be expected in a given situation. Hence, "labile affect" is the most accurate descriptor for the condition of intense and shifting emotional states.