All Free Mental Health Nursing MCQs with Answers

• A. Auditory hallucinations
• B. Social withdrawal
• C. Reduced speech
• D. Lack of motivation

Explanation: Auditory hallucinations are positive symptoms because they add an abnormal experience to the person's mental state.

• A. Thought broadcasting
• B. Delusion of reference
• C. Thought insertion
• D. Delusion of persecution

Explanation: A delusion of reference occurs when a person incorrectly believes that ordinary events or media messages are directed specifically at…

• A. Ask what the voices are saying and assess intent
• B. Tell the patient the voices are not real
• C. Leave the patient alone in a quiet room
• D. Ask the patient to describe childhood experiences

Explanation: Command hallucinations require immediate assessment of their content, the patient's intention, and access to means, because they may…

• A. Gradual social withdrawal over several months
• B. Stable auditory hallucinations for several years
• C. Acute fluctuating attention and awareness
• D. Persistent grandiose beliefs without confusion

Explanation: Delirium usually has an acute onset with fluctuating attention and awareness, often caused by a medical condition, medication or…

• A. "What do you believe is happening?"
• B. "Do you hear or see things others do not?"
• C. "What plans do you have for tomorrow?"
• D. "How do you usually solve problems?"

Explanation: Perception concerns the way a person experiences sensory information, including hallucinations.

• A. Give the next dose with food
• B. Report the findings and withhold the drug
• C. Encourage walking to reduce stiffness
• D. Offer reassurance and reassess tomorrow

Explanation: This combination suggests neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a potentially fatal reaction to antipsychotic medication.

• A. Believing neighbours are spying on the patient
• B. Hearing two voices arguing
• C. Showing little facial expression or emotion
• D. Speaking in rhyming, unrelated phrases

Explanation: Blunted or reduced emotional expression is a negative symptom because normal emotional activity is diminished.

• A. "That belief is false, so you must eat now."
• B. "I do not share that belief, but I see you are afraid."
• C. "You should trust staff because we are professionals."
• D. "If you refuse food, treatment will be stopped."

Explanation: The nurse acknowledges the patient's fear without reinforcing the delusion or arguing about its truth.

• A. Psychotic symptoms begin during intoxication
• B. The patient has a family history of schizophrenia
• C. The patient has reduced emotional expression
• D. The patient reports voices speaking clearly

Explanation: A close temporal relationship between psychotic symptoms and intoxication or withdrawal supports substance-induced psychosis.

• A. Hyperprolactinaemia
• B. Acute dystonia
• C. Agranulocytosis
• D. Tardive dyskinesia

Explanation: Risperidone can increase prolactin by blocking dopamine pathways, leading to galactorrhoea, breast changes and menstrual or sexual…

• A. A false belief held despite evidence
• B. A sensory perception without an external stimulus
• C. A sudden loss of previously learned skills
• D. A repeated movement without a clear purpose

Explanation: An auditory hallucination is hearing a sound or voice when no external sound is present.

• A. Flight of ideas
• B. Loose associations
• C. Thought blocking
• D. Circumstantiality

Explanation: Loose associations are weak or absent logical connections between ideas, causing the patient to move to unrelated topics.

• A. Place the patient in a busy day-room activity
• B. Approach calmly and arrange immediate safety measures
• C. Argue that the threatened person has done nothing wrong
• D. Leave the patient alone until the anger has settled

Explanation: A specific threat with escalating agitation requires immediate attention to safety, using a calm approach and available risk-management…

• A. Chlorpromazine
• B. Haloperidol
• C. Risperidone
• D. Fluphenazine

Explanation: Risperidone is a second-generation, or atypical, antipsychotic. Chlorpromazine, haloperidol and fluphenazine are first-generation…

• A. Stand slowly and sit down if light-headed
• B. Stop the drug immediately after one dizzy episode
• C. Take an extra dose before changing position
• D. Restrict all fluids until the dizziness disappears

Explanation: Chlorpromazine may cause orthostatic hypotension, so the patient should change position slowly and prevent falls.

• A. Benztropine
• B. Fluoxetine
• C. Lithium carbonate
• D. Propranolol

Explanation: Acute dystonia is an extrapyramidal reaction that can cause painful neck spasms and oculogyric crisis.

• A. Involuntary chewing and tongue movements
• B. Mild drowsiness after the evening dose
• C. Increased appetite during the first week
• D. Slight dryness of the mouth

Explanation: Repetitive involuntary movements of the mouth, tongue or face may indicate tardive dyskinesia, which can become persistent and requires…

• A. Schizoaffective disorder
• B. Major depressive disorder with psychotic features
• C. Brief psychotic disorder
• D. Delusional disorder, persecutory type

Explanation: Psychotic features that occur during a severe depressive episode and are related to the mood are consistent with major depressive disorder…

• A. Arrange urgent blood testing and notify the prescriber
• B. Advise the patient to take the next dose with food
• C. Reassure the patient that these effects are expected
• D. Encourage strenuous exercise to improve energy

Explanation: Fever and sore throat during clozapine treatment may indicate neutropenia or agranulocytosis, which can lead to serious infection.

• A. Hallucination
• B. Illusion
• C. Delusion
• D. Depersonalization

Explanation: An illusion is a misinterpretation of a real external stimulus, such as mistaking a coat for a person.