Mental health nursing worksheet with answers

Which nurse response is an example of giving advice, a non-therapeutic technique?

1. A"What options have you thought about?"
2. B"How do you feel about leaving him?"
3. C"If I were you, I would leave him."
4. D"Tell me more about your relationship."

In behaviour therapy, what is negative reinforcement?

1. APunishing a behaviour with an unpleasant consequence so that it becomes less likely
2. BTaking away something unpleasant after a behaviour, which makes it more likely
3. CAdding a reward after a behaviour so that it happens more often
4. DIgnoring a behaviour so that it slowly disappears over time

What is agoraphobia?

1. AFear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable, such as crowds or public transport
2. BFear of one specific object or animal, such as spiders, dogs or snakes
3. CFear of being judged or embarrassed while speaking or eating in front of others
4. DFear of having a serious, undiagnosed illness despite many normal medical test results and reassurance

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

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

Which item is part of a safety plan for a person experiencing domestic violence?

1. AAvoiding contact with friends and support services so as not to provoke him
2. BKeeping an emergency bag with documents, money and keys somewhere safe
3. CKeeping all important documents in the shared house
4. DTelling the abuser about plans to leave so that he can prepare

A patient at high risk of suicide is placed on constant (one-to-one) observation. What does this mean?

1. AThe patient is checked every hour during the day only
2. BThe patient is seen once a shift by the nurse in charge, and otherwise checked by camera from the office when staff are free
3. CThe patient can be left alone while asleep
4. DA staff member stays with the patient at all times, at the distance set by policy, including in the bathroom

A patient with an anxiety disorder speaks so quickly about her worries that the nurse cannot follow. Which response is most helpful?

1. A"You're talking too fast, so we'll have to stop for today."
2. B"Let me tell you what I think your problem is, and then we can talk."
3. C"There's really nothing to worry about, so just try to relax."
4. D"Let's slow down and talk about one thing at a time. What worries you most right now?"

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. BEnergy may return before mood improves, which can increase the risk that he acts on suicidal thoughts
3. CIt means the dose is too low, so the antidepressant should be stopped and a different one started straight away
4. DIt means the antidepressant has fully worked