Mental health nursing worksheet with answers

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. AFlat
2. BCongruent
3. CLabile
4. DBlunted

The nurse says to a withdrawn patient, "I'll sit with you for a while." Which technique is this?

1. APlacing the event in sequence
2. BPresenting reality
3. CGiving advice
4. DOffering self

What is hoarding disorder?

1. ACollecting a few favourite objects as a hobby that the person enjoys
2. BRepeated checking that all the doors and windows are locked before leaving the house each day
3. CPersistent difficulty throwing things away, so that clutter fills the living space
4. DFear of leaving the home because of crowds and public transport

A patient who has started chlorpromazine feels dizzy when she gets out of bed. What should the nurse teach her?

1. ADrink a cup of strong coffee before getting out of bed each morning
2. BSit on the edge of the bed for a moment and then stand up slowly
3. CGet up quickly to get the blood flowing to the brain
4. DStop the medicine if the dizziness happens more than once

Which group of signs suggests drug-induced pseudoparkinsonism in a patient taking haloperidol?

1. ALip smacking, tongue thrusting and grimacing after years of treatment
2. BRestless pacing and an inability to sit still
3. CSudden muscle spasm of the neck with the eyes rolled upwards
4. DShuffling gait, mask-like face, rigidity and a resting tremor

A patient with borderline personality disorder has made superficial cuts to her arm on the ward. What is the most appropriate nursing response?

1. ATreat the wounds in a calm, matter-of-fact way and assess her current risk and feelings
2. BScold her for breaking the ward rules and remove all her privileges
3. CGive her a lot of extra attention for the rest of the day
4. DIgnore the wounds completely so as not to reinforce the self-harming behaviour in any way

A patient in DBT feels a strong urge to self-harm after a distressing phone call. Which DBT skill module is designed to help her get through this moment without making things worse?

1. AInterpersonal effectiveness
2. BCognitive restructuring of core beliefs
3. CSystematic desensitisation
4. DDistress tolerance

A patient with somatic symptom disorder calls the nurse many times each shift to report different aches. Which approach is most helpful?

1. AArrange regular, planned contacts, assess any new symptoms and focus conversations on feelings and coping
2. BTell her that her symptoms are all in her mind, so there is no need to assess them or treat them in any way
3. CAsk the doctor to order new tests every time she reports a symptom
4. DStop answering her calls, because the symptoms are imaginary