Mental health nursing worksheet with answers

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

For which patients is clozapine mainly used?

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

A patient changes quickly from crying to laughing and back again within a few minutes, without an obvious reason. How is this affect described?

1. ALabile
2. BBlunted
3. CCongruent
4. DFlat

A patient is switching from an MAOI to an SSRI. What is essential?

1. ATake both drugs together for a month
2. BA washout period of about 2 weeks before starting the SSRI
3. CStart the SSRI the same day
4. DDouble the SSRI dose at the start

A patient taking oxycodone for chronic pain has also been prescribed diazepam. What is the main safety concern?

1. AThe combination will cause high blood pressure
2. BIncreased sedation and respiratory depression
3. CThere is no interaction between these two drugs
4. DThe diazepam will block the pain-relieving effect of oxycodone

A patient insists that the staff are poisoning his food. What is the best initial approach?

1. AArgue logically until he admits he is wrong
2. BAgree with him so he trusts you
3. CTell him firmly that he will not be given any food until he stops making the accusation
4. DAcknowledge his fear without arguing about the belief and focus on reality-based topics

Two weeks after starting an SSRI, a patient says, "This isn't working. I'll stop taking it." What is the best response?

1. ATell him to double the dose
2. BAgree that he should stop it at once, because an antidepressant that has not helped after two weeks is unlikely ever to work
3. CTell him antidepressants never work
4. DExplain that it often takes several weeks to work fully, encourage him to continue and monitor his mood and safety

A patient says, "I'm such a failure. My wife left me and I lost my job." The nurse answers, "Don't worry, things will get better soon." What is wrong with this response?

1. AIt is too direct and confronting
2. BIt is false reassurance that dismisses the patient's feelings
3. CIt uses the technique of presenting reality wrongly
4. DIt explores the problem too deeply too early