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 4 of 16
- A. Establishing trust and identifying the patient’s main concerns
- B. Encouraging the patient to end the relationship independently
- C. Reviewing progress after all treatment goals are completed
- D. Interpreting the patient’s unconscious conflicts in depth
Explanation: During orientation, the nurse introduces the relationship, establishes trust, and identifies the patient’s needs.
Correct answer: Establishing trust and identifying the patient’s main concerns- A. Loose associations in the thought process
- B. Restricted range in the emotional affect
- C. Auditory hallucinations in perception
- D. Short-term memory loss in cognition
Explanation: Loose associations describe a weak or unclear connection between ideas.
Correct answer: Loose associations in the thought process- A. Check vital signs and blood glucose level
- B. Ask about childhood relationships and conflicts
- C. Encourage the patient to join a group activity
- D. Begin detailed discharge teaching about medicines
Explanation: Sudden confusion with autonomic signs may indicate a medical emergency such as hypoglycaemia or withdrawal.
Correct answer: Check vital signs and blood glucose level- A. Distressing emotions may result from inaccurate or unhelpful thoughts
- B. Behavior is shaped only by unconscious childhood experiences
- C. Mental illness results mainly from an imbalance of body fluids
- D. Behavior changes only when rewards and punishments are removed
Explanation: Cognitive theory links emotions and behavior with the way a person interprets events.
Correct answer: Distressing emotions may result from inaccurate or unhelpful thoughts- A. “You feel unsuccessful since you lost your job.”
- B. “You should focus on the positive things in your life.”
- C. “Many people lose jobs, so you should not feel this way.”
- D. “Why did you allow the job loss to affect you so much?”
Explanation: Reflection of feeling acknowledges the patient’s experience and encourages further expression.
Correct answer: “You feel unsuccessful since you lost your job.”- A. A predictable schedule with clear, consistent limits
- B. A completely unstructured environment with few expectations
- C. Frequent changes in staff to increase social stimulation
- D. Removal of all activities until the anxiety disappears
Explanation: Consistency, clear expectations, and predictable routines promote safety and reduce anxiety.
Correct answer: A predictable schedule with clear, consistent limits- A. Follow the legal reporting procedure and inform the appropriate authority
- B. Promise the patient that the information will remain completely private
- C. Wait until the next family meeting before taking any action
- D. Ask another patient whether the disclosure seems believable
Explanation: Suspected child abuse must be managed according to applicable law and institutional reporting procedures.
Correct answer: Follow the legal reporting procedure and inform the appropriate authority- A. The patient paces the corridor for 15 minutes
- B. The patient feels that staff members dislike them
- C. The patient reports feeling hopeless today
- D. The patient believes neighbours are watching them
Explanation: Objective data are directly observed or measured by the nurse, such as pacing for a stated period.
Correct answer: The patient paces the corridor for 15 minutes- A. “I understand that you believe this, but I do not receive those messages.”
- B. “Yes, the television is probably sending you secret warnings.”
- C. “That idea is foolish, so stop watching television immediately.”
- D. “Tell me exactly which staff members arranged the messages.”
Explanation: The nurse acknowledges the patient’s experience without agreeing with the delusion and gently states reality.
Correct answer: “I understand that you believe this, but I do not receive those messages.”- A. The patient reports sleeping six hours and appears rested
- B. The nurse records that sleep problems remain unchanged
- C. The patient says the prescribed medicine is interesting
- D. The patient attends one group but leaves before it ends
Explanation: Evaluation compares measurable patient outcomes with the stated goal. Reporting improved sleep and a rested appearance directly indicates…
Correct answer: The patient reports sleeping six hours and appears rested- A. Assess biological, psychological, and social factors
- B. Assess only the patient’s current mood
- C. Assess only family history of mental illness
- D. Assess only the patient’s prescribed medicines
Explanation: A biopsychosocial assessment considers physical health, thoughts and emotions, relationships, environment, and social functioning.
Correct answer: Assess biological, psychological, and social factors- A. Psychoanalytic theory
- B. Behavioral theory
- C. Humanistic theory
- D. Biological theory
Explanation: Behavioral theory explains behavior through learning and its consequences.
Correct answer: Behavioral theory- A. Judgment
- B. Orientation
- C. Insight
- D. Abstract thinking
Explanation: Orientation refers to awareness of time, place, person, and situation. Judgment concerns decision-making, while insight concerns…
Correct answer: Orientation- A. Hide the feelings and speak rapidly
- B. Recognize the feelings and regain calm
- C. Tell the patient that the fear is unreasonable
- D. Ask another patient to approach first
Explanation: Self-awareness helps the nurse recognize personal feelings and prevent them from affecting care.
Correct answer: Recognize the feelings and regain calm- A. “You should continue because it is prescribed.”
- B. “You seem unsure about continuing the treatment.”
- C. “Your family probably knows what is best.”
- D. “You will feel better if you stop discussing it.”
Explanation: Clarification reflects the patient’s message and invites the patient to explain the uncertainty more fully.
Correct answer: “You seem unsure about continuing the treatment.”- A. Provide clear information about routines and unit rules
- B. Tell the patient to learn the routines independently
- C. Change the rules according to the patient’s requests
- D. Avoid discussing routines until the patient is settled
Explanation: Clear explanations reduce uncertainty and help the patient understand expectations in the milieu.
Correct answer: Provide clear information about routines and unit rules- A. Refuse because psychiatric notes are always private
- B. Follow the approved process for providing access
- C. Allow the patient to remove any unwanted entries
- D. Give the record to a family member for review
Explanation: Patients have rights regarding access to their health information, subject to applicable law and institutional policy.
Correct answer: Follow the approved process for providing access- A. Confidentiality without exception
- B. Protection from foreseeable serious harm
- C. Personal preference of the nurse
- D. Avoidance of all patient distress
Explanation: Confidentiality is important, but essential information may need to be disclosed when required to prevent serious and foreseeable harm…
Correct answer: Protection from foreseeable serious harm- A. “Patient was rude and attention-seeking.”
- B. “Patient is probably having a personality problem.”
- C. “Patient paced for 10 minutes and shouted, ‘Leave me alone.’”
- D. “Patient behaved badly because of poor coping.”
Explanation: Objective documentation records observable behavior and the patient’s exact words without unsupported conclusions.
Correct answer: “Patient paced for 10 minutes and shouted, ‘Leave me alone.’”- A. Discontinue the entire care plan
- B. Continue every intervention without review
- C. Reassess the unmet problem and modify interventions
- D. Document that treatment has completely failed
Explanation: Evaluation compares the patient’s response with each expected outcome and guides revision of care.
Correct answer: Reassess the unmet problem and modify interventions