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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Mental Health Nursing Quiz Questions: Test Core Skills

Quick, free psychiatric nursing quiz. Instant feedback and explanations.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Joshua WilsonUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of nurse head silhouette brain question marks on sky blue background for mental health nursing quiz

This mental health nursing quiz helps you check core skills in safety, mood disorders, meds, and therapeutic communication with instant feedback. If you want more practice, explore psych nursing practice questions and strengthen assessment skills with nursing assessment questions, or refresh basics with a nursing fundamentals quiz.

Which therapeutic communication technique encourages a patient to elaborate on their thoughts?
Closed-ended question
Suggesting
Broad opening
Focusing
A broad opening allows the patient to take the initiative in introducing the topic or direction of the conversation. It is open-ended and non-directive, facilitating the patient's elaboration of thoughts and feelings. This technique promotes a patient-centered dialogue and helps establish rapport.
Which primary neurotransmitter is most closely associated with the pathophysiology of depression?
GABA
Dopamine
Serotonin
Acetylcholine
Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter implicated in mood regulation, and depletion of serotonin levels is strongly linked to depressive symptoms. Many antidepressants, including SSRIs, function by increasing serotonin availability in synaptic clefts. Dysfunction in serotonin pathways can lead to mood disturbances and cognitive changes.
At which level of anxiety does a patient focus on specific details and exclude other environmental stimuli?
Panic
Moderate anxiety
Severe anxiety
Mild anxiety
Moderate anxiety narrows a patient's perceptual field to focus on specific details, which can improve problem-solving on a limited basis but may exclude other stimuli. The nurse can help by providing a calm presence and helping prioritize concerns. Understanding anxiety levels aids in appropriate intervention.
What term describes the release of emotional tension through verbal expression of feelings?
Projection
Catharsis
Countertransference
Transference
Catharsis refers to the therapeutic release of emotional tension through expression of feelings. It can help patients process experiences and reduce symptom burden. Facilitating catharsis is a goal in many psychotherapeutic interventions.
Which therapy is considered first-line for mild to moderate depression in mental health nursing practice?
Psychoanalysis
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy
Benzodiazepine therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is widely regarded as first-line treatment for mild to moderate depression due to its strong evidence base. It focuses on identifying and modifying distorted thought patterns and behavior. CBT is effective in reducing relapse rates when combined with medication when needed.
Which symptom is most characteristic of a manic episode?
Social withdrawal
Psychomotor retardation
Increased need for sleep
Decreased need for sleep
A decreased need for sleep is a hallmark symptom of mania and distinguishes manic episodes from depression. It often accompanies elevated mood, increased energy, and risky behaviors. Recognizing this pattern is essential for early intervention in bipolar disorder.
Which of the following medications is a classic mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder?
Haloperidol
Lithium
Diazepam
Fluoxetine
Lithium is one of the most established mood stabilizers for the treatment and maintenance of bipolar disorder. It has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of manic and depressive episodes. Regular monitoring of blood levels is required to avoid toxicity.
What defense mechanism involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings onto another person?
Transference
Sublimation
Projection
Denial
Projection is a defense mechanism where a person unconsciously attributes their unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else. It protects self-esteem by avoiding awareness of undesirable impulses. Recognizing projection can enhance therapeutic insight.
A patient with schizophrenia reports hearing voices that are not present. This symptom is classified as:
Flight of ideas
Echolalia
Delusion of reference
Auditory hallucination
Auditory hallucinations involve perceiving sounds or voices that are not actually present and are a positive symptom of schizophrenia. They can be commanding, commenting, or conversational in nature. Management includes antipsychotic medication and patient-centered coping strategies.
A patient treated with haloperidol develops acute dystonia. Which intervention is most appropriate?
Teach deep breathing exercises
Administer IM benztropine
Decrease haloperidol dose
Apply hot compresses
Acute dystonia from first-generation antipsychotics like haloperidol is effectively treated with anticholinergic agents such as benztropine. Administering IM benztropine rapidly reverses muscle spasms. Dose reduction alone would not provide immediate relief.
Under which circumstance is it ethically permissible to breach client confidentiality?
Client requests medication change
Client is diagnosed with depression
Client expresses intent to harm another person
Client is over 18 years old
Duty to warn and protect third parties overrides confidentiality when a client expresses a serious threat of violence toward another. This ethical exception allows clinicians to notify potential victims or authorities. It is mandated by most jurisdictions after the Tarasoff decision.
Which electrolyte level must be monitored regularly for a patient on long-term lithium therapy?
Potassium
Sodium
Magnesium
Calcium
Lithium and sodium compete for reabsorption in the kidneys, so changes in sodium balance can affect lithium levels and toxicity risk. Hyponatremia can precipitate lithium toxicity, while hypernatremia can reduce its efficacy. Regular monitoring of sodium and lithium serum levels is essential.
What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient expressing suicidal ideation with a plan?
Encourage verbalization of feelings
Schedule outpatient therapy
Remove potential means of self-harm
Provide medication education
The highest priority is ensuring the patient's immediate safety by removing any objects or means they could use to harm themselves. This intervention prevents impulsive actions. Therapeutic dialogue and referrals follow once safety is secured.
Which psychotherapeutic approach uses free association and dream analysis?
Group therapy
Cognitive therapy
Behavior therapy
Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis, founded by Freud, emphasizes exploring unconscious processes through techniques such as free association and dream analysis. It aims to uncover repressed conflicts influencing current behavior. This method requires a significant time commitment.
In the acronym SIGECAPS for depression screening, what does the first 'S' represent?
Self-esteem low
Sleep disturbance
Sad mood
Substance use
The first 'S' in SIGECAPS stands for Sleep disturbance, which can manifest as insomnia or hypersomnia in depression. Recognizing changes in sleep patterns is crucial for accurate screening. SIGECAPS is a mnemonic widely used in clinical practice.
A patient experiences a panic attack on the unit. What is the nurse's first intervention?
Allow the patient to hyperventilate
Stay with the patient and speak calmly
Provide written educational materials
Teach relaxation techniques
Staying with the patient and speaking calmly provides a reassuring presence and helps reduce panic symptoms. Immediate emotional support and a calm environment are critical during acute panic. Teaching techniques follows once the patient stabilizes.
Which of the following is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
Hallucinations
Alogia
Anhedonia
Flat affect
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech or behavior. Hallucinations are perceptual disturbances without external stimuli. Negative symptoms, such as flat affect and alogia, reflect deficits in normal functioning.
Which component of the mental status examination evaluates the organization and flow of a patient's thoughts?
Perception
Thought content
Affect
Thought process
Thought process refers to the manner in which ideas are connected and expressed, reflecting organization, coherence, and logical sequence. Disruptions such as tangentiality or flight of ideas are examples of formal thought disorders. Evaluating thought process is central to diagnosing psychotic disorders.
A patient taking an MAOI eats aged cheese and develops a severe headache and hypertension. What is the underlying cause?
Anticholinergic toxicity
Serotonin syndrome
Tyramine-induced hypertensive crisis
Orthostatic hypotension
MAOIs block the breakdown of tyramine, which can accumulate and cause a hypertensive crisis when high-tyramine foods are consumed. Symptoms include severe headache, neck stiffness, and increased blood pressure. Dietary restrictions are crucial to prevent this reaction.
What is the primary mechanism of action of benzodiazepines in anxiety management?
Block serotonin reuptake
Inhibit dopamine D2 receptors
Enhance GABA-A receptor activity
Antagonize NMDA receptors
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor complex, increasing the frequency of chloride channel opening and enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission. This mechanism reduces neuronal excitability and produces anxiolytic effects. They are effective for acute anxiety relief but carry risk of dependence.
In a therapeutic milieu on an inpatient psychiatric unit, why is setting professional boundaries essential?
Allows for nonjudgmental acceptance
Ensures the nurse's personal needs are met
Maintains the therapeutic relationship and safety
Facilitates peer support among patients
Professional boundaries protect both patient and nurse by clarifying roles and expectations, which fosters trust and therapeutic alliance. They prevent exploitation and maintain focus on client care objectives. Breaches can lead to impaired judgment and risk to patient safety.
Which screening tool is specifically designed for detecting postpartum depression?
GAD-7
Beck Depression Inventory
Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a 10-item self-report tool validated for screening postpartum depression. It focuses on mood, anxiety, and guilt symptoms specific to the perinatal period. Scores above threshold indicate need for further evaluation.
After electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a patient is confused and disoriented. What is the nurse's best intervention?
Delay the next ECT session
Restrain until lucid
Reorient and provide support
Administer diazepam
Post-ECT confusion and disorientation are common and usually transient. Reorienting the patient, providing reassurance, and a calm environment help reduce distress. Pharmacologic interventions are not typically needed.
Which laboratory value requires weekly monitoring during the first six months of clozapine therapy?
Liver function tests
Renal function tests
Absolute neutrophil count
Serum prolactin
Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, so weekly monitoring of the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is mandatory for the first six months of treatment. This surveillance helps detect potentially life-threatening neutropenia early. After six months, monitoring may become biweekly.
A patient with borderline personality disorder frequently tests limits on the unit. What nursing strategy is most effective?
Avoid discussing behaviors
Use confrontation to correct
Set clear, consistent boundaries
Provide inconsistent rewards
Clear and consistent boundaries provide structure and predictability, which patients with borderline personality disorder often need to feel safe and supported. Inconsistent responses can exacerbate splitting and testing behaviors. Consistency promotes trust and therapeutic progress.
In cognitive behavioral therapy, what is the process of examining evidence for and against a dysfunctional belief called?
Behavior modification
Exposure therapy
Aversion therapy
Cognitive restructuring
Cognitive restructuring is a core CBT technique where clients evaluate and challenge maladaptive thoughts by examining supporting and opposing evidence. This process helps develop balanced thinking patterns. It is effective in treating depression and anxiety disorders.
What is the priority nursing intervention when admitting a patient with severe anorexia nervosa?
Implement cognitive restructuring
Develop a meal plan
Provide structured group therapy
Assess vital signs and orthostatic blood pressures
In severe anorexia nervosa, assessing medical stability through vital signs, including orthostatic blood pressures, is critical to identify cardiovascular compromise and risk of collapse. Early detection of hypotension or bradycardia guides urgent medical intervention. Nutritional and psychological plans follow medical stabilization.
Which clinical sign is most indicative of lithium toxicity?
Fine motor tremor
Polyuria
Weight gain
Coarse tremors and confusion
Coarse tremors, confusion, and ataxia are hallmark signs of moderate to severe lithium toxicity. Early identification and prompt intervention, including serum level checks and hydration, are essential. Fine tremors may occur at therapeutic levels, but coarse tremors signal toxicity.
Which neural circuit is most implicated in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
Mesolimbic dopamine pathway
Cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical loop
Default mode network
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
The cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) loop is central to OCD pathophysiology, involving overactivity in orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate, and basal ganglia circuits. Dysregulation leads to intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Targeted therapies aim to modulate this circuit.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Key Mental Health Nursing Concepts -

    Readers will be able to define core psychiatric nursing principles and articulate the roles and responsibilities of a mental health nurse.

  2. Apply Comprehensive Assessment Techniques -

    Readers will learn to conduct focused mental health assessments, incorporating evidence-based screening tools and communication strategies.

  3. Analyze Case Scenarios Effectively -

    Readers will practice interpreting psychiatric symptoms in clinical vignettes to determine appropriate nursing diagnoses.

  4. Differentiate Nursing Interventions -

    Readers will identify and select tailored therapeutic interventions for various psychiatric conditions and crisis situations.

  5. Evaluate Patient Outcomes -

    Readers will develop skills to assess and measure the effectiveness of nursing care plans in mental health settings.

  6. Demonstrate Test-Taking Confidence -

    Readers will enhance their quiz-taking strategies and build confidence in their knowledge of psychiatric nursing content.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Comprehensive Psychiatric Assessment -

    Dive into mental health nursing practice questions by mastering the Mental Status Examination (MSE) domains: Appearance, Behavior, Cognition, and Thought Processes. Use the "ABCT" mnemonic (Appearance, Behavior, Cognition, Thought) endorsed by the DSM-5 to structure your assessment and ensure you cover vital diagnostic clues.

  2. DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria Mnemonics -

    Solidify your knowledge of psychiatric mental health nursing questions by memorizing key DSM-5 criteria with mnemonics like "SIG E CAPS" for major depressive disorder (Sleep, Interest, Guilt, Energy, Concentration, Appetite, Psychomotor, Suicide). This technique, recommended by the American Psychiatric Association, simplifies complex diagnostic frameworks into bite-sized memory tools.

  3. Therapeutic Communication Techniques -

    Boost your confidence on the psychiatric nursing test by practicing evidence-based communication strategies such as active listening, reflection, and the "SOLER" posture (Square, Open, Lean, Eye contact, Relax). These approaches, referenced by WHO guidelines, build trust and enhance patient engagement during mental health nursing assessments.

  4. Pharmacological Intervention Essentials -

    Review first-line medications like SSRIs (e.g., sertraline 50 - 200 mg daily) and atypical antipsychotics, focusing on mechanisms, side effects, and nursing considerations sourced from the National Institute of Mental Health. Understanding pharmacodynamics and patient monitoring protocols will help you excel in free nursing practice quizzes.

  5. Crisis Intervention & Safety Planning -

    Prepare for mental health nursing practice questions on crisis management by learning the "SAD PERSONS" suicide risk scale (Sex, Age, Depression, Previous attempt, Ethanol use, Rational thinking loss, Social support lack, Organized plan, No spouse, Sickness). This validated tool, from peer-reviewed psychiatric research, guides you through rapid risk assessment and safety planning.

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