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. ASeclusion in a quiet room
2. BLithium carbonate
3. CElectroconvulsive therapy
4. DBright light therapy

Which feature is typical of bulimia nervosa?

1. ASevere restriction of food intake without any bingeing or compensatory behaviour
2. BVery low body weight in all cases
3. CRecurrent binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours such as vomiting
4. DNo concern about body shape

For which patients is clozapine mainly used?

1. APatients having their very first episode of mild psychosis
2. BOlder patients with dementia who become agitated and restless in the evening
3. CPatients with schizophrenia that has not responded to two other antipsychotics
4. DPatients with mild anxiety who need a short-term sedative

An 86-year-old nursing home resident becomes acutely confused over two days. Which cause should be considered first?

1. AA first episode of schizophrenia caused by moving into the home
2. BAn infection such as a urinary tract infection, or a medicine side effect
3. CThe normal ageing process
4. DA sudden onset of Alzheimer's disease

A patient shouts at the nurse, "You're useless! You never help me!" Which response is most therapeutic?

1. A"You sound very angry. Tell me what has happened."
2. B"That's not true. I've helped you all day."
3. C"If you speak to me like that, I'm leaving."
4. D"You shouldn't talk to people like that."

A 4-year-old asks when her grandmother, who died last week, will come back. How should the nurse explain this to the parents?

1. AThe child does not care about her grandmother and has not been affected by the death
2. BThe child is in denial and needs psychiatric treatment
3. CYoung children often do not yet see death as permanent, so simple, honest words help
4. DThe child should not be told anything about the death until she is older

An 8-year-old with separation anxiety disorder has missed two weeks of school. What is the most helpful approach?

1. ALet a parent stay with him in class every day for the rest of the year
2. BAllow him to stay at home until he wants to go back
3. CTell him that he is being silly and must go
4. DSupport a gradual, planned return to school with a consistent goodbye routine

The daughter of a man with moderate dementia says she is exhausted, is not sleeping and feels guilty for getting angry with him. What is the most helpful nursing response?

1. AAdvise her to take on more responsibility for his care so that she feels less guilty
2. BAcknowledge her strain and discuss support such as respite care and carers' groups
3. CTell her that good daughters do not get angry with their parents
4. DSuggest that she stops visiting him for a few months so that she can rest and forget about her guilt