Below is a sample revision test designed to review key concepts typically
covered in mental health nursing. These questions and rationales are modeled
on the type of content you might encounter in Linda M. Gorman’s Mental
Health Nursing, 6th Edition (ISBN 9781719645607). Chapter1-25 They are meant
to serve as a study aid and to prompt deeper review of topics including
therapeutic communication, assessment, legal and ethical issues, and nursing
interventions.
Revision Test: Mental Health Nursing
Question 1:
A patient with acute anxiety begins pacing and speaking rapidly. Which of the following responses is
most therapeutic?
A. “Calm down; you’re overreacting.”
B. “I see you’re very upset—can you tell me what you’re feeling right now?”
C. “Please sit down and stop moving so much.”
D. “You need to focus on your breathing; that will help.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An open-ended, empathic inquiry (option B) validates the patient’s feelings and encourages
dialogue. Dismissing the patient’s feelings or giving commands (A, C, D) can increase anxiety and hinder
rapport.
Question 2:
Which of the following is a key principle of establishing a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship?
A. Maintaining strict professional boundaries
B. Sharing personal stories to build trust
C. Ensuring the patient feels “listened to”
D. Being directive and giving orders
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A therapeutic relationship is founded on active listening and genuine empathy. While
maintaining professional boundaries is important (A), it is the process of truly listening and
understanding (C) that helps build trust. Sharing too much personal information (B) or being overly
directive (D) may compromise the therapeutic relationship.
Question 3:
In a crisis intervention situation, the primary goal of mental health nursing is to:
A. Solve all of the patient’s problems immediately
B. Ensure patient safety and stabilize the situation
,C. Force the patient to adhere to the treatment plan
D. Provide a detailed analysis of the patient’s past
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The immediate priorities in crisis intervention are to ensure safety and to stabilize the
patient. Solving all problems immediately (A) is unrealistic, coercion (C) is contraindicated, and an in-
depth analysis (D) is not appropriate during an acute crisis.
Question 4:
Which statement best reflects a patient’s right to confidentiality in mental health nursing?
A. “Your treatment details can be shared with family if they ask.”
B. “I am required by law to keep your information private unless there is imminent danger.”
C. “I will tell your friends about your progress if you give me permission.”
D. “There’s no need to worry about confidentiality in our sessions.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Option B accurately explains that confidentiality is maintained except in cases of immediate
risk or harm. Sharing information without consent (A, C) violates ethical principles, and dismissing
confidentiality (D) undermines patient trust.
Question 5:
When planning care for a patient with schizophrenia, which intervention is considered most appropriate
during an acute psychotic episode?
A. Encouraging the patient to discuss delusional content in detail
B. Minimizing external stimuli and offering clear, simple communication
C. Involving the patient in complex decision-making about treatment
D. Allowing the patient to remain isolated to avoid conflict
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During an acute psychotic episode, a calm environment with minimized stimuli and clear,
concise communication (B) can reduce confusion and agitation. Delving into delusions (A) or expecting
complex decision-making (C) can overwhelm the patient, and isolation (D) may increase feelings of
abandonment.
Question 6:
A patient expresses suicidal ideation during a routine assessment. The nurse’s immediate responsibility
is to:
A. Document the comment and continue with the assessment
B. Ask direct questions to assess the level of risk and intent
C. Advise the patient to think positive thoughts
D. Inform the patient’s family immediately
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a patient expresses suicidal thoughts, it is critical to assess the risk by asking direct,
specific questions about intent, plan, and means (B). Simply documenting (A) or giving platitudes (C) fails
to ensure safety, and involving family (D) should only occur after proper risk assessment and with
consideration of confidentiality protocols.
Question 7:
In the context of psychopharmacology, which statement is true regarding the management of side
effects?
A. Side effects are rare and usually do not require intervention.
B. The nurse should educate the patient about potential side effects and monitor for them.
C. Only the prescriber is responsible for managing side effects.
D. Side effects indicate that the medication is not working.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Educating patients and monitoring for side effects (B) is a key nursing responsibility. Side
effects are common (A), and while the prescriber plays a role in management, nurses are crucial for
early detection and intervention. Side effects do not necessarily mean the medication is ineffective (D).
Question 8:
Which of the following interventions is most appropriate for a patient experiencing auditory
hallucinations?
A. Commanding the patient to ignore the voices
B. Encouraging the patient to describe the voices and their impact
C. Suggesting that the voices are imaginary and should be dismissed
D. Telling the patient that hallucinations are a sign of weakness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging the patient to discuss their experiences (B) helps in understanding the impact of
the hallucinations and forms the basis for collaborative treatment planning. Dismissing or demeaning
the patient (A, C, D) can increase distress and reduce treatment engagement.
Question 9:
When a patient is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the nurse should include which of the following in
the teaching plan?
A. The importance of maintaining a regular sleep schedule
B. That medications can be discontinued once mood stabilizers take effect
C. That therapy is unnecessary if medication is effective
D. That mood swings are entirely under personal control
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Maintaining a regular sleep schedule (A) is an important stabilizing factor for mood regulation
covered in mental health nursing. These questions and rationales are modeled
on the type of content you might encounter in Linda M. Gorman’s Mental
Health Nursing, 6th Edition (ISBN 9781719645607). Chapter1-25 They are meant
to serve as a study aid and to prompt deeper review of topics including
therapeutic communication, assessment, legal and ethical issues, and nursing
interventions.
Revision Test: Mental Health Nursing
Question 1:
A patient with acute anxiety begins pacing and speaking rapidly. Which of the following responses is
most therapeutic?
A. “Calm down; you’re overreacting.”
B. “I see you’re very upset—can you tell me what you’re feeling right now?”
C. “Please sit down and stop moving so much.”
D. “You need to focus on your breathing; that will help.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An open-ended, empathic inquiry (option B) validates the patient’s feelings and encourages
dialogue. Dismissing the patient’s feelings or giving commands (A, C, D) can increase anxiety and hinder
rapport.
Question 2:
Which of the following is a key principle of establishing a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship?
A. Maintaining strict professional boundaries
B. Sharing personal stories to build trust
C. Ensuring the patient feels “listened to”
D. Being directive and giving orders
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A therapeutic relationship is founded on active listening and genuine empathy. While
maintaining professional boundaries is important (A), it is the process of truly listening and
understanding (C) that helps build trust. Sharing too much personal information (B) or being overly
directive (D) may compromise the therapeutic relationship.
Question 3:
In a crisis intervention situation, the primary goal of mental health nursing is to:
A. Solve all of the patient’s problems immediately
B. Ensure patient safety and stabilize the situation
,C. Force the patient to adhere to the treatment plan
D. Provide a detailed analysis of the patient’s past
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The immediate priorities in crisis intervention are to ensure safety and to stabilize the
patient. Solving all problems immediately (A) is unrealistic, coercion (C) is contraindicated, and an in-
depth analysis (D) is not appropriate during an acute crisis.
Question 4:
Which statement best reflects a patient’s right to confidentiality in mental health nursing?
A. “Your treatment details can be shared with family if they ask.”
B. “I am required by law to keep your information private unless there is imminent danger.”
C. “I will tell your friends about your progress if you give me permission.”
D. “There’s no need to worry about confidentiality in our sessions.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Option B accurately explains that confidentiality is maintained except in cases of immediate
risk or harm. Sharing information without consent (A, C) violates ethical principles, and dismissing
confidentiality (D) undermines patient trust.
Question 5:
When planning care for a patient with schizophrenia, which intervention is considered most appropriate
during an acute psychotic episode?
A. Encouraging the patient to discuss delusional content in detail
B. Minimizing external stimuli and offering clear, simple communication
C. Involving the patient in complex decision-making about treatment
D. Allowing the patient to remain isolated to avoid conflict
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During an acute psychotic episode, a calm environment with minimized stimuli and clear,
concise communication (B) can reduce confusion and agitation. Delving into delusions (A) or expecting
complex decision-making (C) can overwhelm the patient, and isolation (D) may increase feelings of
abandonment.
Question 6:
A patient expresses suicidal ideation during a routine assessment. The nurse’s immediate responsibility
is to:
A. Document the comment and continue with the assessment
B. Ask direct questions to assess the level of risk and intent
C. Advise the patient to think positive thoughts
D. Inform the patient’s family immediately
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a patient expresses suicidal thoughts, it is critical to assess the risk by asking direct,
specific questions about intent, plan, and means (B). Simply documenting (A) or giving platitudes (C) fails
to ensure safety, and involving family (D) should only occur after proper risk assessment and with
consideration of confidentiality protocols.
Question 7:
In the context of psychopharmacology, which statement is true regarding the management of side
effects?
A. Side effects are rare and usually do not require intervention.
B. The nurse should educate the patient about potential side effects and monitor for them.
C. Only the prescriber is responsible for managing side effects.
D. Side effects indicate that the medication is not working.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Educating patients and monitoring for side effects (B) is a key nursing responsibility. Side
effects are common (A), and while the prescriber plays a role in management, nurses are crucial for
early detection and intervention. Side effects do not necessarily mean the medication is ineffective (D).
Question 8:
Which of the following interventions is most appropriate for a patient experiencing auditory
hallucinations?
A. Commanding the patient to ignore the voices
B. Encouraging the patient to describe the voices and their impact
C. Suggesting that the voices are imaginary and should be dismissed
D. Telling the patient that hallucinations are a sign of weakness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging the patient to discuss their experiences (B) helps in understanding the impact of
the hallucinations and forms the basis for collaborative treatment planning. Dismissing or demeaning
the patient (A, C, D) can increase distress and reduce treatment engagement.
Question 9:
When a patient is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the nurse should include which of the following in
the teaching plan?
A. The importance of maintaining a regular sleep schedule
B. That medications can be discontinued once mood stabilizers take effect
C. That therapy is unnecessary if medication is effective
D. That mood swings are entirely under personal control
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Maintaining a regular sleep schedule (A) is an important stabilizing factor for mood regulation
