01
True or false
1 point
A patient has a mental illness diagnosis. Should the nurse conclude from the diagnosis alone that the patient lacks decision-making capacity or has a particular level of risk?
Free Practice Quiz Question List
12 Mental Health Nursing Online Quiz Questions
Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 12 Mental Health Nursing, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.
20 questions
02
True or false
1 point
A nurse may use restraint or seclusion as a convenient way to manage a disruptive patient, even when immediate physical safety is not at risk.
- A
True
- B
False
03
Choose one
1 point
A patient is experiencing intense anxiety and reports feeling overwhelmed. Which nursing response is most appropriate?
- A
Ask several questions at once in a busy area so the patient can explain everything quickly.
- B
Speak calmly, give short directions, reduce stimulation, and assess for urgent physical symptoms.
- C
Reassure the patient that the symptoms are harmless without further assessment.
- D
Tell the patient to stop worrying before continuing the interaction.
04
Choose one
1 point
A patient says a voice is threatening them and appears frightened. Which response best supports the patient without endorsing an unshared perception?
- A
Acknowledge that the experience feels frightening without agreeing that the voice is real.
- B
Tell the patient the voice is definitely real so they feel believed.
- C
Argue until the patient admits the experience cannot be happening.
- D
Change the subject immediately to avoid reinforcing the experience.
05
Choose one
1 point
A patient who has been stable becomes suddenly confused and markedly different in behavior. What should the nurse do first?
- A
Assess physical needs and report the change rather than assuming it is caused by mental illness.
- B
Treat the behavior as proof that the patient’s mental illness has worsened.
- C
Wait to see whether the change resolves before telling the care team.
- D
Focus only on the patient’s psychiatric history.
06
Fill in the blank
1 point
Manic episodes can include unusually elevated or irritable mood, increased , and reduced need for .
07
Written response
1 point
When responding to a patient’s distressing belief that the nurse does not share, what should the nurse avoid doing with the belief? Enter a concise verb phrase.
08
Fill in the blank
1 point
A trauma-informed nurse should explain care before approaching or touching a patient and avoid pressing the patient for .
09
Choose all
1 point
Which actions support therapeutic communication? Select all that apply.
- A
Use open-ended questions and allow time for the patient to respond.
- B
Offer false reassurance to reduce the patient’s distress.
- C
Use plain language and clarify what the patient means.
- D
Listen respectfully and reflect what the patient says.
10
Choose all
1 point
A patient is becoming increasingly agitated. Which actions reflect a least-restrictive safe response? Select all that apply.
- A
Keep a nonthreatening posture and respect personal space.
- B
Crowd the patient with staff to show control.
- C
Acknowledge distress and offer simple choices.
- D
Set clear, respectful limits and request trained help early.
11
True or false
1 point
Mental health information is generally protected under HIPAA like other protected health information, with special rules for separately maintained psychotherapy notes.
- A
True
- B
False
12
Written response
1 point
In the United States, what three-digit number can a person call or text for crisis support?
13
Choose one
1 point
A patient is experiencing intense anxiety and struggling to follow conversation. Which response best supports the patient while addressing safety?
- A
Use a loud voice and give several detailed instructions at once.
- B
Use a calm voice, give short directions, and reduce stimulation while assessing for urgent physical symptoms.
- C
Ask the person to explain the full history of their anxiety before offering support.
- D
Avoid assessing physical symptoms because the distress is likely psychological.
14
Written response
1 point
What term does HIPAA guidance use for separately maintained notes about psychotherapy that have special privacy rules?
15
Choose one
1 point
A patient’s behavior changes suddenly and markedly. Which nursing response is most appropriate?
- A
Assume the change is a symptom of the person’s mental illness and wait for it to pass.
- B
Avoid reporting it unless the patient asks for help.
- C
Report the change and help assess for physical, medication-related, and substance-related causes.
- D
Focus only on whether the patient is following the care plan.
16
Choose one
1 point
A patient says a voice is threatening them. Which response best acknowledges the patient’s distress without endorsing the perception?
- A
Tell the patient the voice is real so they feel understood.
- B
Acknowledge that the experience feels frightening, explain that you do not hear the voice, and offer to stay and help.
- C
Argue that the patient’s experience is impossible and change the subject.
- D
Promise the patient that the voice will stop soon.
17
Choose one
1 point
A patient with a history of trauma appears uneasy before a routine examination. Which approach best supports safe, respectful care?
- A
Explain what you plan to do before approaching or touching the patient, offer choices when possible, and avoid pressing for trauma details.
- B
Ask the patient to recount the traumatic event before beginning any care.
- C
Proceed without explanation to avoid increasing the patient’s worry.
- D
Make decisions without the patient so care can be completed quickly.
18
Choose one
1 point
A patient’s relative asks for details about the patient’s mental health care. What should the nurse keep in mind when responding?
- A
Give a relative any information they request because they are family.
- B
Share the information if the relative says they are helping with the patient’s care, without checking further.
- C
Do not assume the relative is entitled to the information; share it only as permitted for care or another legally authorized purpose.
- D
Share all information with family unless the patient objects in writing.
19
Written response
1 point
A patient asks what broad treatment approaches might be included in an individualized plan for a mental health condition. Name one approach that may be included.
20
Open ended
1 point
A patient says they want to refuse a proposed intervention and asks whether staff must honor that choice in every circumstance. How should the nurse respond and what steps should the nurse take?