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 8 of 16
- A. Intravenous sodium bicarbonate
- B. Intravenous calcium gluconate
- C. Oral activated charcoal only
- D. Intramuscular naloxone
Explanation: Sodium bicarbonate helps correct the cardiac sodium-channel blockade and metabolic acidosis associated with serious tricyclic…
Correct answer: Intravenous sodium bicarbonate- A. Give the next antidepressant dose
- B. Withhold serotonergic medicines and notify the prescriber
- C. Encourage the patient to walk to reduce restlessness
- D. Place the patient in a brightly lit activity room
Explanation: The combination of mental status change, autonomic overactivity, tremor, and hyperreflexia suggests serotonin syndrome.
Correct answer: Withhold serotonergic medicines and notify the prescriber- A. Administer the scheduled lithium dose
- B. Withhold lithium and notify the prescriber
- C. Give an extra dose with food
- D. Restrict oral fluids until symptoms settle
Explanation: Coarse tremor, gastrointestinal symptoms, ataxia, and slurred speech are warning signs of lithium toxicity.
Correct answer: Withhold lithium and notify the prescriber- A. Apply firm direct pressure to the wound
- B. Ask the patient to describe the reason for self-harm
- C. Search the patient’s room for sharp objects
- D. Arrange a routine psychiatric interview
Explanation: Spurting bleeding and signs of poor perfusion make circulation the immediate priority.
Correct answer: Apply firm direct pressure to the wound- A. Give thiamine before glucose when possible
- B. Give a large dose of haloperidol first
- C. Restrict fluids until orientation improves
- D. Encourage the person to eat a high-protein meal
Explanation: Confusion, ataxia, and abnormal eye movements suggest possible Wernicke encephalopathy caused by thiamine deficiency.
Correct answer: Give thiamine before glucose when possible- A. Assess the airway and prepare prescribed benztropine
- B. Encourage the patient to lie flat and rest
- C. Give the next dose of haloperidol with food
- D. Ask the patient to perform neck exercises
Explanation: Acute dystonia can involve the laryngeal muscles and threaten the airway, so airway assessment comes first.
Correct answer: Assess the airway and prepare prescribed benztropine- A. Begin active cooling and obtain emergency medical support
- B. Place the patient alone in a dark room without monitoring
- C. Offer coffee to improve alertness and cooperation
- D. Encourage vigorous exercise to release excess energy
Explanation: Severe hyperthermia with stimulant toxicity can cause seizures, rhabdomyolysis, kidney injury, and cardiovascular collapse.
Correct answer: Begin active cooling and obtain emergency medical support- A. Reduce stimulation and set clear, consistent limits
- B. Allow unrestricted activity to use the patient’s energy
- C. Argue about the patient’s unrealistic plans
- D. Keep the patient awake for a longer assessment
Explanation: A low-stimulation environment and clear limits reduce escalation while protecting the patient and others.
Correct answer: Reduce stimulation and set clear, consistent limits- A. Respiratory rate and oxygen saturation
- B. Long-term employment and family history
- C. Meal preferences and usual sleep pattern
- D. Degree of social interaction on the ward
Explanation: Sedative overdose can progress to respiratory depression, so breathing and oxygenation require repeated assessment.
Correct answer: Respiratory rate and oxygen saturation- A. Intramuscular injection
- B. Delayed-release oral tablet
- C. Topical skin preparation
- D. Rectal medication without assessment
Explanation: When oral medication cannot be taken safely, a prescribed intramuscular medicine can provide relatively rapid treatment during a…
Correct answer: Intramuscular injection- A. Oral lithium therapy
- B. Prescribed lorazepam therapy
- C. Routine antidepressant therapy
- D. Fluid restriction therapy
Explanation: Lorazepam is commonly used as the initial treatment for catatonia and may produce a rapid improvement.
Correct answer: Prescribed lorazepam therapy- A. Institute seizure precautions and notify the prescriber
- B. Encourage vigorous exercise to reduce anxiety
- C. Place the patient alone in a dark room
- D. Administer the next dose only after symptoms settle
Explanation: Abrupt benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause seizures, delirium, and severe autonomic symptoms.
Correct answer: Institute seizure precautions and notify the prescriber- A. Insert a padded tongue blade between the teeth
- B. Restrain the arms and legs to stop movement
- C. Protect the patient and maintain the airway after the seizure
- D. Offer oral fluids immediately during the seizure
Explanation: The nurse protects the patient from injury, maintains airway safety, and turns the patient laterally when possible.
Correct answer: Protect the patient and maintain the airway after the seizure- A. Acute dystonia
- B. Akathisia
- C. Tardive dyskinesia
- D. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Explanation: Akathisia causes intense inner restlessness and an inability to remain still, often soon after starting or increasing an antipsychotic.
Correct answer: Akathisia- A. Leave the patient unobserved to reduce stimulation
- B. Maintain continuous observation and reassess safety needs
- C. Keep the door locked until the next scheduled review
- D. Withhold fluids until the patient becomes cooperative
Explanation: Seclusion requires continuous observation, regular assessment, and release as soon as the patient is safe.
Correct answer: Maintain continuous observation and reassess safety needs- A. Assess cardiac rhythm with an ECG and monitor vital signs
- B. Give an antipsychotic to control the confusion
- C. Induce vomiting to remove the remaining tablets
- D. Restrict oral fluids to prevent urinary retention
Explanation: These findings suggest an anticholinergic toxidrome, which can cause dangerous tachyarrhythmias and hyperthermia.
Correct answer: Assess cardiac rhythm with an ECG and monitor vital signs- A. Place the patient supine and offer water
- B. Maintain the airway and position the patient laterally
- C. Induce further vomiting with warm salt water
- D. Give activated charcoal without checking consciousness
Explanation: Airway protection is the immediate priority because drowsiness and vomiting increase aspiration risk.
Correct answer: Maintain the airway and position the patient laterally- A. Continue seclusion and reassess after the patient calms
- B. Assess airway, breathing, circulation, and obtain urgent help
- C. Offer reassurance that anxiety commonly causes chest pain
- D. Administer the next psychiatric medication as prescribed
Explanation: Chest pain with sweating and breathlessness may indicate a life-threatening medical emergency, so ABC assessment and urgent assistance…
Correct answer: Assess airway, breathing, circulation, and obtain urgent help- A. Place the patient in a stimulating group activity
- B. Recognize possible medical instability and obtain urgent review
- C. Ask the patient to walk until the agitation improves
- D. Delay physical assessment until psychiatric symptoms settle
Explanation: Fever, tachycardia, and hypotension indicate possible medical deterioration, intoxication, infection, or a serious medication reaction.
Correct answer: Recognize possible medical instability and obtain urgent review- A. Leave the patient alone to encourage independent coping
- B. Assess suicide risk directly and increase safety supervision
- C. Promise that the information will never be shared
- D. Encourage the patient to make important decisions immediately
Explanation: Hopelessness, refusal of intake, and suicidal language require direct suicide-risk assessment and immediate safety measures.
Correct answer: Assess suicide risk directly and increase safety supervision