All Free Mental Health Nursing MCQs with Answers
Every Mental Health Nursing question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
320 questions · page 1 of 16
- A. Symptoms occur only during mathematics lessons
- B. Inattention and impulsivity occur across several settings
- C. The child prefers playing alone after school
- D. The child becomes tired after physical activity
Explanation: ADHD symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity are persistent and impair functioning in more than one setting, such as…
Correct answer: Inattention and impulsivity occur across several settings- A. Use abstract questions about future relationships
- B. Maintain a quiet setting with simple direct questions
- C. Require continuous eye contact during the interview
- D. Separate the child from caregivers throughout assessment
Explanation: A quiet environment and simple, concrete communication reduce anxiety and support accurate assessment.
Correct answer: Maintain a quiet setting with simple direct questions- A. Ask directly about suicidal thoughts and a plan
- B. Encourage the adolescent to join a recreational group
- C. Tell the adolescent to focus on positive achievements
- D. Arrange a routine appointment for the following month
Explanation: A statement suggesting hopelessness requires immediate suicide risk assessment, including thoughts, plan, means, and intent.
Correct answer: Ask directly about suicidal thoughts and a plan- A. Repeated refusal to attend school because of fear of separation
- B. Repeated hand washing because of contamination fears
- C. Persistent argument with adults over household rules
- D. Repetitive movements without concern about a caregiver leaving
Explanation: Separation anxiety involves excessive fear or distress when separated from an attachment figure and may present as school refusal.
Correct answer: Repeated refusal to attend school because of fear of separation- A. Normal age-related memory change
- B. Major neurocognitive disorder
- C. Delirium caused by an acute illness
- D. Late-life depression without cognitive change
Explanation: Delirium has an acute onset, fluctuating course, impaired attention, and is often caused by infection, medication, or another medical…
Correct answer: Delirium caused by an acute illness- A. Forgetting a familiar route and becoming lost
- B. Occasionally needing extra time to recall a name
- C. Unable to manage familiar medicines independently
- D. Repeatedly asking the same question within minutes
Explanation: Slower recall with eventual remembering can occur with normal aging and does not usually impair daily function.
Correct answer: Occasionally needing extra time to recall a name- A. Give several instructions quickly to finish the care
- B. Speak calmly and use one simple instruction at a time
- C. Correct every inaccurate statement immediately
- D. Ask the patient to explain the entire past history
Explanation: Short, simple statements delivered calmly help a patient with dementia understand and participate in care.
Correct answer: Speak calmly and use one simple instruction at a time- A. Assess suicide risk and ensure immediate safety
- B. Explain that sadness is a normal part of aging
- C. Encourage daytime naps to improve sleep
- D. Suggest increased social activity at the next visit
Explanation: Depression in later life is not a normal or unavoidable part of aging, and thoughts that life is not worth living require immediate…
Correct answer: Assess suicide risk and ensure immediate safety- A. Dementia usually begins suddenly after an infection
- B. Dementia usually has a gradual, progressive course
- C. Dementia usually causes fluctuating attention within hours
- D. Dementia usually resolves after the underlying illness is treated
Explanation: Dementia generally develops gradually and causes progressive decline in memory and other cognitive functions.
Correct answer: Dementia usually has a gradual, progressive course- A. “Only the specialist should decide the daily routine.”
- B. “Use consistent routines and share helpful observations with the team.”
- C. “Avoid discussing behaviour because it may increase anxiety.”
- D. “Wait until adolescence before addressing communication needs.”
Explanation: Family participation, consistent routines, and communication with the healthcare team improve continuity and help individualise care.
Correct answer: “Use consistent routines and share helpful observations with the team.”- A. “The medicine should be given late in the evening.”
- B. “We should monitor appetite, weight, sleep, and growth.”
- C. “The medicine will permanently cure the disorder.”
- D. “We should stop the medicine whenever school is closed.”
Explanation: Methylphenidate may reduce appetite and affect sleep, weight, and growth, so these findings require monitoring.
Correct answer: “We should monitor appetite, weight, sleep, and growth.”- A. “These symptoms are probably only attention-seeking.”
- B. “You should avoid school until the symptoms disappear.”
- C. “Let us explore what worries you about going to school.”
- D. “You need to stop thinking about frightening events.”
Explanation: Children may express anxiety through physical complaints rather than clearly describing feelings.
Correct answer: “Let us explore what worries you about going to school.”13. Which finding in a child most strongly suggests major depression rather than a brief mood change?
- A. Sadness after losing a favourite toy for one day
- B. Irritability and loss of interest lasting several weeks
- C. Occasional crying after receiving a school correction
- D. Temporary quietness during an unfamiliar social event
Explanation: Persistent irritability or sadness with loss of interest and impaired functioning suggests depressive illness in children.
Correct answer: Irritability and loss of interest lasting several weeks- A. Use simple, open-ended questions and allow time to answer.
- B. Ask several detailed questions rapidly to save time.
- C. Promise that no information will be shared with anyone.
- D. Ask the parent to answer every question for the child.
Explanation: Simple open-ended questions support the child’s developmental level and allow the child to describe events in their own words.
Correct answer: Use simple, open-ended questions and allow time to answer.- A. Correct the patient firmly each time the question is asked.
- B. Provide brief reassurance and redirect the patient to a familiar activity.
- C. Leave the patient alone to prevent dependence on staff.
- D. Explain the entire daily schedule in complex detail.
Explanation: Brief reassurance, repetition, and redirection reduce distress without arguing about the patient’s impaired memory.
Correct answer: Provide brief reassurance and redirect the patient to a familiar activity.- A. Gradual difficulty recalling recently learned information
- B. Stable difficulty finding words over several years
- C. Sudden change in attention and level of consciousness
- D. Occasional need for extra time to remember a name
Explanation: A sudden change in attention and consciousness is characteristic of delirium and may indicate an acute medical problem.
Correct answer: Sudden change in attention and level of consciousness- A. Apply physical restraints whenever the patient approaches the exit.
- B. Assess for unmet needs and provide a safe supervised walking area.
- C. Keep the patient in bed throughout the daytime hours.
- D. Scold the patient so the behaviour will not be repeated.
Explanation: Safety is the priority, and wandering may reflect pain, toileting needs, boredom, or a search for a familiar place.
Correct answer: Assess for unmet needs and provide a safe supervised walking area.- A. Change the subject to a pleasant childhood memory.
- B. Ask directly about thoughts, plans, and means of self-harm.
- C. Tell the patient that older people often feel lonely.
- D. Arrange a routine follow-up visit next month.
Explanation: Giving away possessions can be a warning sign of suicide risk, so the nurse must assess suicidal thoughts, plan, intent, and access to…
Correct answer: Ask directly about thoughts, plans, and means of self-harm.- A. Rely only on the family member’s description of behaviour.
- B. Use a quiet setting, speak clearly, and assess hearing and vision.
- C. Assume confusion is a normal part of growing older.
- D. Complete the interview quickly before the patient becomes tired.
Explanation: Sensory impairment, noise, and fatigue can make an older adult appear confused or unable to respond.
Correct answer: Use a quiet setting, speak clearly, and assess hearing and vision.- A. “Depression is an unavoidable part of normal aging.”
- B. “Antidepressants usually improve mood immediately after one dose.”
- C. “Treatment can improve mood, sleep, appetite, and daily functioning.”
- D. “Medication removes the need to assess suicide risk.”
Explanation: Effective treatment of late-life depression can improve mood and associated changes in sleep, appetite, energy, and functioning.
Correct answer: “Treatment can improve mood, sleep, appetite, and daily functioning.”