Mental health nursing worksheet with answers

A patient's depression returns every winter and improves in spring. Which treatment is specific to this pattern?

1. ALithium carbonate
2. BSeclusion in a quiet room
3. CBright light therapy
4. DElectroconvulsive therapy

A patient says, "If I don't get top marks, I'm a complete failure." Which cognitive distortion is this?

1. AMind reading
2. BCatastrophising
3. CAll-or-nothing thinking
4. DPersonalisation

In behaviour therapy, what is positive reinforcement?

1. ARemoving a reward so that a behaviour becomes less likely
2. BAdding a reward after a behaviour so that the behaviour becomes more likely
3. CIgnoring all of the patient's behaviour so that the patient learns to cope alone without staff
4. DAdding an unpleasant consequence so that a behaviour stops

A teenager is starting atomoxetine for ADHD. What should the nurse teach the family to watch for?

1. ANew or worsening suicidal thoughts or unusual changes in mood or behaviour
2. BSigns of physical dependence, because it is a controlled stimulant
3. CA dangerous rise in blood pressure after eating foods that contain tyramine
4. DSevere weight gain in the first week

Which psychological treatment is most effective for obsessive-compulsive disorder?

1. AEncouraging the patient to perform the rituals more often
2. BPsychoanalysis focused on early childhood memories
3. CExposure and response prevention, a form of CBT
4. DHypnosis to remove the obsessive thoughts permanently in a single session

What is the CIWA-Ar scale used for?

1. ARating the severity of alcohol withdrawal to guide treatment
2. BScreening for dementia in older adults
3. CMeasuring the depth of sedation in patients on a ventilator in intensive care
4. DMeasuring the risk of falls in hospital

A patient started an antidepressant 10 days ago. He says he now has more energy, but he still feels hopeless. Why does this need careful monitoring?

1. AIt is a sign of serotonin syndrome
2. BIt means the dose is too low, so the antidepressant should be stopped and a different one started straight away
3. CIt means the antidepressant has fully worked
4. DEnergy may return before mood improves, which can increase the risk that he acts on suicidal thoughts

A patient has had delusions and hallucinations for a year. For most of this time he has also had episodes of major depression, but for at least two weeks at a time his psychotic symptoms continued without any mood symptoms. Which diagnosis best fits this pattern?

1. AMajor depression with psychotic features
2. BDelusional disorder
3. CBrief psychotic disorder
4. DSchizoaffective disorder