Mental health nursing worksheet with answers

How does delirium usually differ from dementia?

1. AThey are the same condition
2. BDementia always starts suddenly
3. CDelirium develops slowly over years; dementia starts suddenly and fluctuates from hour to hour
4. DDelirium starts suddenly and fluctuates; dementia develops gradually over months or years

In substance use, what does "tolerance" mean?

1. AFeeling a strong craving to use the substance after a long period without it
2. BNeeding more of the substance to get the same effect
3. CBeing able to stop using the substance at any time without symptoms
4. DHaving withdrawal symptoms when the substance is stopped suddenly

A patient says, "I feel so alone since my wife died." Which nurse response belittles the patient's feelings?

1. A"Losing your wife must have been very hard for you."
2. B"It sounds very lonely without her."
3. C"Tell me what it has been like since she died."
4. D"Everybody feels that way sometimes. You'll get over it."

Which communication approach is best for a patient with moderate dementia?

1. ASpeak loudly and quickly so that the patient stays alert
2. BUse short, simple sentences and give one instruction at a time
3. CAsk several questions together to save time
4. DUse abstract language and long explanations so the patient feels respected

How may depression present differently in adolescents than in adults?

1. AWith increased energy and less need for sleep
2. BWith irritability rather than obvious sadness
3. CAlways with psychotic symptoms
4. DWith a high fever and a rash

Which effect is expected and temporary after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?

1. APermanent loss of all long-term memories from before the treatment
2. BLoss of speech for months
3. CShort-term confusion and memory loss around the time of treatment
4. DParalysis of the legs

A patient's lithium level is 1.8 mmol/L. He says he feels fine apart from mild nausea. What should the nurse do?

1. AGive the next dose, since he feels fine
2. BWithhold the next dose and inform the prescriber promptly
3. CRepeat the test in 1 month
4. DIncrease the dose to prevent relapse

A patient who is stable on lithium tells the nurse she has started taking ibuprofen every day for back pain. What should the nurse do?

1. AAdvise her to double her lithium dose
2. BInform the prescriber, because ibuprofen can raise lithium to toxic levels
3. CTell her it is fine, because ibuprofen is sold without a prescription and is safe
4. DTell her to also take a diuretic for the swelling