All Free Mental Health Nursing MCQs with Answers

• A. Elevated mood with increased goal-directed activity
• B. Persistent low mood with loss of interest and energy
• C. Excessive fear occurring only during a specific situation
• D. Recurrent thoughts followed by a compulsive ritual

Explanation: Major depression commonly causes persistent low mood or loss of interest, along with symptoms such as fatigue, sleep change, appetite…

• A. Ask directly about suicidal intent and access to the tablets
• B. Encourage the client to discuss childhood experiences
• C. Offer a quiet room for rest and reduced stimulation
• D. Teach the client to use positive self-talk each morning

Explanation: The statement indicates possible suicidal intent and access to a method, so the nurse must assess intent, plan, means, and immediacy…

• A. Reduced speech, slowed movement, and feelings of worthlessness
• B. Excessive sleep, increased appetite, and social withdrawal
• C. Decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, and risky activity
• D. Recurrent fear of contamination with repeated hand washing

Explanation: Mania is marked by abnormally elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, reduced need for sleep, rapid speech, grandiosity…

• A. Provide lengthy explanations about the illness
• B. Offer high-calorie finger foods and fluids frequently
• C. Encourage participation in a competitive group activity
• D. Ask the client to describe the causes of the manic episode

Explanation: Mania may cause severe activity, poor attention, and inadequate nutrition, so frequent portable food and fluids address an immediate…

• A. Worry is excessive, difficult to control, and causes impairment
• B. Fear occurs only when the person sees a particular animal
• C. Anxiety begins suddenly and peaks within several minutes
• D. Sadness follows a stressful event and improves with support

Explanation: Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive and difficult-to-control worry about several areas of life, usually with symptoms such as…

• A. Stay with the client and use short, calm statements
• B. Ask the client to explain the meaning of the panic
• C. Leave the client alone to regain emotional control
• D. Teach detailed relaxation theory using a written leaflet

Explanation: During severe panic, the nurse should remain with the client, reduce stimulation, and use brief simple communication because attention and…

• A. Delusion
• B. Compulsion
• C. Phobia
• D. Flight of ideas

Explanation: A compulsion is a repetitive behaviour or mental act performed to reduce anxiety caused by an intrusive obsession.

• A. I will avoid every situation that causes intrusive thoughts
• B. I will face the trigger gradually and delay the usual ritual
• C. I will perform the ritual more quickly to reduce anxiety
• D. I will use alcohol whenever the intrusive thoughts return

Explanation: Exposure and response prevention gradually exposes the client to an anxiety-provoking trigger while preventing or delaying the compulsive…

• A. Fear is limited to injections and leads to avoidance
• B. Panic attacks are recurrent and followed by concern about more attacks
• C. Anxiety occurs about several routine responsibilities each day
• D. Fear is linked to an intrusive thought and a repeated ritual

Explanation: Panic disorder involves recurrent unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern or behavioural change related to further attacks.

• A. Tell the client that suicide risk has ended because energy improved
• B. Assess suicide risk immediately and increase safety observation
• C. Advise the client to stop the medicine until mood improves
• D. Explain that antidepressants always work fully within seven days

Explanation: Energy may improve before hopelessness and suicidal thinking, which can temporarily increase the ability to act on suicidal thoughts.

• A. At least one manic episode
• B. At least one panic attack
• C. Persistent fear of social judgment
• D. Repeated unwanted thoughts

Explanation: Bipolar I disorder requires at least one manic episode, although depressive episodes may also occur.

• A. Hypomania causes severe occupational impairment
• B. Hypomania always includes psychotic symptoms
• C. Hypomania is less severe and does not require hospitalisation
• D. Hypomania includes a persistently depressed mood

Explanation: Hypomania is a noticeable period of elevated or irritable mood with increased activity, but it does not cause marked impairment, require…

• A. Mild anxiety
• B. Moderate anxiety
• C. Severe anxiety
• D. Panic-level anxiety

Explanation: Moderate anxiety causes a narrowed perceptual field, increased tension, restlessness, and reduced concentration, while the person can…

• A. Give the next lithium dose with food
• B. Hold lithium and notify the prescriber promptly
• C. Encourage vigorous exercise to reduce tremors
• D. Reassure the client that these effects are expected

Explanation: Diarrhoea, coarse tremor, visual changes, and ataxia suggest lithium toxicity and require withholding the drug and prompt medical review.

• A. I have mild nausea after breakfast
• B. I feel sleepy during the afternoon
• C. I have a dry mouth since starting treatment
• D. I have fever, confusion, sweating, and muscle stiffness

Explanation: Fever, confusion, sweating, and muscle stiffness may indicate serotonin syndrome, which can become life-threatening and requires urgent…

• A. Help the client avoid every feared situation
• B. Support gradual exposure with anxiety-management skills
• C. Encourage immediate exposure without preparation
• D. Explain that the fear is irrational and harmless

Explanation: Gradual exposure, combined with coping and relaxation skills, helps reduce avoidance and fear over time.

• A. Three large meals in a noisy dining room
• B. Small frequent meals in a calm setting
• C. A fasting period followed by one large meal
• D. Only caffeinated drinks until appetite improves

Explanation: Small, frequent, nutritious meals in a calm environment are easier for a depressed client with poor appetite to manage.

• A. Agree that the feared event will certainly happen
• B. Provide calm support without participating in rituals
• C. Punish the client for repeating the ritual
• D. Force the client to stop all rituals immediately

Explanation: The nurse should acknowledge the distress, avoid arguing about the thought, and avoid reinforcing compulsive rituals.

• A. Ask several complex questions at once
• B. Use brief, clear questions and allow extra response time
• C. Tell the client to think more positively
• D. Change the subject whenever sadness is mentioned

Explanation: Depression can slow thinking, reduce concentration, and make decision-making difficult, so brief clear questions with adequate time are…

• A. Teach several new coping methods at the same time
• B. Stay with the client and use short, simple statements
• C. Leave the client alone to regain control independently
• D. Ask the client to analyse the cause in detail

Explanation: Severe anxiety narrows attention and reduces the ability to process information, so the nurse should remain present and use simple, calm…