All Mental Health Nursing MCQs

Question 1

A patient says, “I have decided to kill myself tonight,” and reports having tablets hidden in the bedside locker. What is the priority nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Stay with the patient and remove access to the tablets

Answer

Ask the patient to promise not to self-harm

Answer

Leave the patient briefly to inform the family

Answer

Encourage the patient to discuss positive future plans

Question 2

A drowsy patient is brought to the emergency department after an unknown drug overdose. The respiratory rate is 7 per minute and the lips appear blue. Which action should the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

Assess the airway and support breathing

Answer

Ask the patient about the drug taken

Answer

Place the patient in a quiet observation room

Answer

Obtain a detailed psychiatric history

Question 3

An older inpatient becomes confused over two hours, cannot maintain attention, and alternates between drowsiness and agitation. Which finding should the nurse report first?

Accepted Answer

The patient has a sudden change in attention and awareness

Answer

The patient refuses to attend group therapy

Answer

The patient reports a dislike of the hospital food

Answer

The patient asks repeatedly when discharge will occur

Question 4

A patient with heavy alcohol use becomes tremulous, sweaty, anxious, and reports seeing insects on the wall. What is the priority nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Institute seizure precautions and notify the provider

Answer

Place the patient in a brightly lit activity room

Answer

Encourage the patient to walk to reduce anxiety

Answer

Tell the patient that the visual experiences are imaginary

Question 5

A patient tells the nurse, “I am going to stab my neighbour when I leave,” and describes where a knife is kept. Which action is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Protect the potential victim and notify the treatment team

Answer

Maintain confidentiality and document the statement later

Answer

Challenge the patient to prove the threat is serious

Answer

Tell the patient that violent thoughts are unacceptable

Question 6

A severely agitated patient is pacing, shouting, and clenching both fists. Which nursing approach is most appropriate initially?

Accepted Answer

Use a calm voice and offer two simple choices

Answer

Stand very close and maintain prolonged eye contact

Answer

Argue about the patient's inaccurate statements

Answer

Crowd the patient with several staff members

Question 7

A patient experiencing a panic attack is trembling, breathless, and repeatedly saying, “I am going to die.” After checking immediate physical safety, what should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Use short calm statements and guide slow breathing

Answer

Leave the patient alone until the attack ends

Answer

Ask the patient to explain childhood stressors in detail

Answer

Tell the patient that there is no reason to feel frightened

Question 8

A patient with acute psychosis says, “The voices are ordering me to cut my wrists.” Which question should the nurse ask first?

Accepted Answer

“What are the voices telling you to do, and will you act on it?”

Answer

“Why do you believe the voices are real?”

Answer

“Have you always had unusual religious beliefs?”

Answer

“Can you ignore the voices until they stop?”

Question 9

A patient who received an antipsychotic develops a temperature of 39.5°C, severe muscle rigidity, confusion, and unstable blood pressure. Which action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

Stop the suspected medication and seek urgent medical help

Answer

Administer the next antipsychotic dose with food

Answer

Encourage exercise to relieve the muscle stiffness

Answer

Place the patient in seclusion without further assessment

Question 10

A patient remains physically aggressive despite verbal de-escalation, and staff cannot maintain safety. When restraint is authorized, which action is essential?

Accepted Answer

Monitor circulation, breathing, behaviour, and ongoing need

Answer

Apply restraints and leave the patient unobserved

Answer

Use the most restrictive method for the entire shift

Answer

Remove all restraints only after the patient falls asleep

Question 11

A patient who attempted suicide earlier today is medically stable and admitted to a psychiatric unit. Which observation level is most appropriate while the immediate risk remains high?

Accepted Answer

Constant observation within visual range

Answer

Routine checks at two-hour intervals

Answer

Observation only during medication rounds

Answer

A private room with the door closed

Question 12

A patient with a known opioid overdose is unconscious, has pinpoint pupils, and breathes very slowly. Which medication does the nurse anticipate administering?

Accepted Answer

Naloxone

Answer

Flumazenil

Answer

N-acetylcysteine

Answer

Disulfiram

Question 13

A patient with acute psychosis insists that the television presenter is sending secret personal messages. Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?

Accepted Answer

“I do not share that belief, but I know it feels real to you.”

Answer

“That belief is completely impossible.”

Answer

“Tell me exactly what the presenter wants you to do.”

Answer

“You should watch another programme to test the message.”

Question 14

A patient in alcohol withdrawal is receiving benzodiazepine treatment. Which finding requires the nurse to report immediately?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory rate of 8 per minute

Answer

Mild hand tremor

Answer

Moderate anxiety

Answer

Reduced appetite at breakfast

Question 15

A patient with severe agitation agrees to take prescribed oral medication and moves to a quiet room with the nurse. Which intervention should the nurse use next?

Accepted Answer

Reduce noise and limit the number of staff present

Answer

Stand directly over the patient while speaking

Answer

Ask several staff members to question the patient

Answer

Leave the patient alone until the medication works

Question 16

A patient suddenly becomes restless, confused, sweaty, and disoriented after receiving an unknown substance. Which assessment should the nurse prioritize?

Accepted Answer

Check airway, breathing, circulation, and blood glucose

Answer

Ask about childhood emotional stress

Answer

Begin a detailed psychiatric history

Answer

Offer privacy and postpone physical assessment

Question 17

A patient in a psychiatric emergency department repeatedly threatens staff and is unable to follow verbal directions. Which environmental action is safest?

Accepted Answer

Remove potential weapons and unnecessary furniture

Answer

Allow other patients to remain nearby

Answer

Place the patient in a crowded waiting area

Answer

Turn on loud music to distract the patient

Question 18

A patient has taken a large amount of acetaminophen in a suicide attempt and arrives before symptoms appear. Which treatment does the nurse expect after emergency assessment?

Accepted Answer

N-acetylcysteine therapy

Answer

Naloxone infusion

Answer

Thiamine followed by glucose only

Answer

Flumazenil injection

Question 19

A patient with a history of severe panic becomes dizzy and says, “I cannot get enough air.” The oxygen saturation is normal and the airway is clear. Which nursing action is best?

Accepted Answer

Coach slow breathing while remaining calmly with the patient

Answer

Ask the patient to describe the most stressful life event

Answer

Leave the patient alone to regain control

Answer

Have the patient breathe rapidly into a paper bag

Question 20

A patient receiving an emergency intramuscular sedative for extreme agitation becomes difficult to awaken. Which assessment is the priority?

Accepted Answer

Assess respiratory rate and oxygen saturation

Answer

Ask whether the patient feels socially isolated

Answer

Offer a meal and fluids

Answer

Begin a written relapse-prevention plan

All Free Mental Health Nursing MCQs with Answers