All Free Mental Health Nursing MCQs with Answers

• A. Psychosis occurs only during manic episodes
• B. Psychosis occurs only during depressive episodes
• C. Psychosis occurs for a period without a mood episode
• D. Psychosis begins after stopping an antipsychotic

Explanation: Schizoaffective disorder includes major mood episodes together with schizophrenia symptoms, plus a period of delusions or hallucinations…

• A. Flight of ideas
• B. Thought blocking
• C. Circumstantial thinking
• D. Clang association

Explanation: Thought blocking is a sudden interruption in the flow of thinking and speech, often leaving the patient unable to continue briefly.

• A. Blood glucose and lipid levels
• B. Hearing acuity and visual fields
• C. Serum calcium and uric acid
• D. Peak flow and oxygen saturation

Explanation: Olanzapine can cause weight gain, hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia, so metabolic monitoring is required.

• A. “Stop the medicine when your thoughts become clear.”
• B. “The injections help prevent relapse even when you feel well.”
• C. “Take two oral doses whenever an injection is missed.”
• D. “Continue treatment only when hallucinations return.”

Explanation: Maintenance antipsychotic treatment helps prevent relapse, and improvement does not mean the illness has resolved.

• A. Akathisia
• B. Agranulocytosis
• C. Pseudoparkinsonism
• D. Tardive dyskinesia

Explanation: Akathisia causes severe inner restlessness with an inability to remain still.

• A. Give several complex tasks at once
• B. Provide a simple routine with step-by-step prompts
• C. Leave the patient alone until motivation improves
• D. Insist on independent bathing without assistance

Explanation: A simple structured routine with small achievable steps supports a patient with avolition and self-care impairment.

• A. The finding confirms schizophrenia
• B. The symptoms may be medication-induced
• C. The patient is experiencing a negative symptom
• D. The patient has a primary personality disorder

Explanation: Corticosteroids can produce psychiatric effects, including mood changes and psychosis, so the medication history must be reviewed.

• A. Somatic delusion
• B. Grandiose delusion
• C. Persecutory delusion
• D. Nihilistic delusion

Explanation: A grandiose delusion is a fixed false belief of exceptional identity, power, wealth or importance.

• A. Stop it immediately to prevent dependence
• B. Continue it as prescribed and discuss concerns with the prescriber
• C. Skip doses whenever sleepiness occurs
• D. Double the next dose after any missed dose

Explanation: Antipsychotics should be continued as prescribed and not stopped suddenly without medical advice, because abrupt discontinuation can lead…

• A. Tactile hallucination
• B. Visual hallucination
• C. Somatic delusion
• D. Illusion

Explanation: A tactile hallucination is a false sensation of touch or movement without an external stimulus.

• A. At least one week
• B. At least one month
• C. At least six months
• D. At least one year

Explanation: Schizophrenia requires continuous signs of disturbance for at least six months, with at least one month of active-phase symptoms.

• A. Schizophrenia
• B. Schizoaffective disorder
• C. Major depression with psychotic features
• D. Brief psychotic disorder

Explanation: In major depression with psychotic features, psychosis occurs only during the depressive episode.

• A. Assume the symptoms are schizophrenia
• B. Assess physical health and medication use
• C. Begin long-term family therapy
• D. Restrict all social interaction

Explanation: New psychosis can result from medical illness, prescribed drugs, or substance use, so physical assessment and medication history are…

• A. Anticholinergic effect
• B. Extrapyramidal effect
• C. Serotonin syndrome
• D. Agranulocytosis

Explanation: Dry mouth, blurred vision and urinary retention are typical anticholinergic effects.

• A. Mild increased appetite
• B. Prolonged QT interval
• C. Slight daytime sleepiness
• D. Occasional dry mouth

Explanation: A prolonged QT interval increases the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias and requires prompt clinical review.

• A. Perseveration
• B. Neologism
• C. Flight of ideas
• D. Thought blocking

Explanation: Perseveration is the persistent repetition of a word, idea or response even when the subject has changed.

• A. Ask several questions rapidly
• B. Use brief, simple and clear questions
• C. Insist on prolonged eye contact
• D. Speak for the patient when silence occurs

Explanation: Brief, simple questions allow a withdrawn patient time to process information and respond.

• A. Encourage the patient to walk alone
• B. Place the patient near the nursing station
• C. Offer an extra dose at bedtime
• D. Limit oral fluids throughout the shift

Explanation: Sedation and impaired balance increase the risk of falls, so close observation and a safer environment are the priority.

• A. “You should continue it when symptoms return.”
• B. “The voices are imaginary, so ignore them.”
• C. “Cannabis can worsen psychosis; let us discuss safer treatment.”
• D. “You should stop every prescribed medicine immediately.”

Explanation: Cannabis may worsen psychosis and is not a safe treatment for hallucinations.

• A. “I will stop medicine when my sleep improves.”
• B. “I will report early changes and keep follow-up visits.”
• C. “I will avoid all contact with my family.”
• D. “I will double the dose if I hear a voice.”

Explanation: Keeping follow-up appointments, taking treatment as prescribed and reporting early warning signs can help identify relapse promptly.