Free Psychiatric Emergencies MCQs with Answers
40 Psychiatric Emergencies MCQs from Mental Health Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Psychiatric emergencies include suicidal behavior, homicide risk, severe agitation, panic, acute psychosis, delirium, overdose, and withdrawal states. Students examine rapid risk assessment, crisis intervention, de-escalation, environmental safety, emergency medication, observation levels, and the immediate priorities that differ from routine psychiatric nursing care.
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- A. Ask the patient to promise not to self-harm
- B. Leave the patient briefly to inform the family
- C. Stay with the patient and remove access to the tablets
- D. Encourage the patient to discuss positive future plans
Explanation: Immediate safety and continuous observation take priority because the patient has intent, a time, and access to means.
Correct answer: Stay with the patient and remove access to the tablets- A. Ask the patient about the drug taken
- B. Place the patient in a quiet observation room
- C. Assess the airway and support breathing
- D. Obtain a detailed psychiatric history
Explanation: Airway and breathing are the immediate priorities because severe respiratory depression and cyanosis indicate a life-threatening problem.
Correct answer: Assess the airway and support breathing- A. The patient refuses to attend group therapy
- B. The patient reports a dislike of the hospital food
- C. The patient has a sudden change in attention and awareness
- D. The patient asks repeatedly when discharge will occur
Explanation: A sudden fluctuating disturbance in attention and awareness suggests delirium, which may result from infection, hypoxia, medication…
Correct answer: The patient has a sudden change in attention and awareness- A. Place the patient in a brightly lit activity room
- B. Institute seizure precautions and notify the provider
- C. Encourage the patient to walk to reduce anxiety
- D. Tell the patient that the visual experiences are imaginary
Explanation: Tremor, autonomic overactivity, and hallucinations can indicate severe alcohol withdrawal, which may progress to seizures and delirium.
Correct answer: Institute seizure precautions and notify the provider- A. Maintain confidentiality and document the statement later
- B. Challenge the patient to prove the threat is serious
- C. Protect the potential victim and notify the treatment team
- D. Tell the patient that violent thoughts are unacceptable
Explanation: A specific threat, target, and available weapon indicate an immediate risk of violence.
Correct answer: Protect the potential victim and notify the treatment team- A. Stand very close and maintain prolonged eye contact
- B. Use a calm voice and offer two simple choices
- C. Argue about the patient's inaccurate statements
- D. Crowd the patient with several staff members
Explanation: A calm approach, personal space, reduced stimulation, and limited choices can lower arousal while preserving the patient's sense of…
Correct answer: Use a calm voice and offer two simple choices- A. Leave the patient alone until the attack ends
- B. Use short calm statements and guide slow breathing
- C. Ask the patient to explain childhood stressors in detail
- D. Tell the patient that there is no reason to feel frightened
Explanation: During panic, the nurse should remain with the patient, reduce stimulation, use brief reassuring statements, and guide slow breathing.
Correct answer: Use short calm statements and guide slow breathing- A. “Why do you believe the voices are real?”
- B. “What are the voices telling you to do, and will you act on it?”
- C. “Have you always had unusual religious beliefs?”
- D. “Can you ignore the voices until they stop?”
Explanation: Command hallucinations require immediate assessment of the command's content, the patient's intent, and access to means.
Correct answer: “What are the voices telling you to do, and will you act on it?”- A. Administer the next antipsychotic dose with food
- B. Encourage exercise to relieve the muscle stiffness
- C. Stop the suspected medication and seek urgent medical help
- D. Place the patient in seclusion without further assessment
Explanation: The combination of high fever, rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic instability suggests neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a…
Correct answer: Stop the suspected medication and seek urgent medical help- A. Apply restraints and leave the patient unobserved
- B. Use the most restrictive method for the entire shift
- C. Monitor circulation, breathing, behaviour, and ongoing need
- D. Remove all restraints only after the patient falls asleep
Explanation: Restraint is a last resort and requires continuous assessment of airway, breathing, circulation, mental status, and whether it remains…
Correct answer: Monitor circulation, breathing, behaviour, and ongoing need- A. Routine checks at two-hour intervals
- B. Constant observation within visual range
- C. Observation only during medication rounds
- D. A private room with the door closed
Explanation: Constant observation helps the nurse identify and interrupt sudden self-harm while maintaining a safe environment.
Correct answer: Constant observation within visual range- A. Flumazenil
- B. Naloxone
- C. N-acetylcysteine
- D. Disulfiram
Explanation: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Correct answer: Naloxone- A. “That belief is completely impossible.”
- B. “I do not share that belief, but I know it feels real to you.”
- C. “Tell me exactly what the presenter wants you to do.”
- D. “You should watch another programme to test the message.”
Explanation: The nurse acknowledges the patient's experience without agreeing with the delusion and gently presents reality.
Correct answer: “I do not share that belief, but I know it feels real to you.”- A. Mild hand tremor
- B. Moderate anxiety
- C. Respiratory rate of 8 per minute
- D. Reduced appetite at breakfast
Explanation: A respiratory rate of 8 per minute suggests dangerous central nervous system depression, possibly from benzodiazepine treatment, and…
Correct answer: Respiratory rate of 8 per minute- A. Stand directly over the patient while speaking
- B. Reduce noise and limit the number of staff present
- C. Ask several staff members to question the patient
- D. Leave the patient alone until the medication works
Explanation: A quiet environment with one calm nurse reduces stimulation and supports de-escalation.
Correct answer: Reduce noise and limit the number of staff present- A. Ask about childhood emotional stress
- B. Check airway, breathing, circulation, and blood glucose
- C. Begin a detailed psychiatric history
- D. Offer privacy and postpone physical assessment
Explanation: Sudden altered mental status after an unknown substance may indicate poisoning or a metabolic emergency, so ABC assessment and glucose…
Correct answer: Check airway, breathing, circulation, and blood glucose- A. Allow other patients to remain nearby
- B. Remove potential weapons and unnecessary furniture
- C. Place the patient in a crowded waiting area
- D. Turn on loud music to distract the patient
Explanation: Removing possible weapons and excess hazards decreases the risk of injury while further assessment and treatment occur.
Correct answer: Remove potential weapons and unnecessary furniture- A. Naloxone infusion
- B. N-acetylcysteine therapy
- C. Thiamine followed by glucose only
- D. Flumazenil injection
Explanation: N-acetylcysteine reduces liver injury after acetaminophen overdose and is most effective when started promptly.
Correct answer: N-acetylcysteine therapy- A. Coach slow breathing while remaining calmly with the patient
- B. Ask the patient to describe the most stressful life event
- C. Leave the patient alone to regain control
- D. Have the patient breathe rapidly into a paper bag
Explanation: Staying with the patient and coaching slow breathing provides safety and reduces hyperventilation without reinforcing fear.
Correct answer: Coach slow breathing while remaining calmly with the patient- A. Assess respiratory rate and oxygen saturation
- B. Ask whether the patient feels socially isolated
- C. Offer a meal and fluids
- D. Begin a written relapse-prevention plan
Explanation: Emergency sedatives can depress consciousness and breathing, so respiratory status and oxygenation must be checked first.
Correct answer: Assess respiratory rate and oxygen saturationPsychiatric Emergencies MCQs: common questions
Are these Psychiatric Emergencies MCQs free?
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How many Psychiatric Emergencies MCQs are on this page?
There are 40 Psychiatric Emergencies MCQs in the Mental Health Nursing bank, shown ten to a page with the correct answer and an explanation on each.
Does every Psychiatric Emergencies MCQ have an explanation?
Yes. Each Psychiatric Emergencies question shows the correct option and a written explanation of why it is correct, so a wrong answer teaches you something rather than just being marked wrong.
Can I take a timed Psychiatric Emergencies test?
Yes. The practice button on this page starts a free Psychiatric Emergencies test drawn from the Mental Health Nursing bank. It marks each answer instantly, gives you a score at the end, and can be retaken as many times as you like.