lOMoARcPSD|29726808
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING MCQS 2025-2026
1. Your significant other is a veteran of the war in iraq. It is very difficult for him or her to drive through a
parking ramp because “there are people hiding behind the pillars! They have guns! Be careful!” This
person is most likely experiencing:j
a. Auditory hallucinations
b. Flashbacks
c. Delusions of grandeur
d. Free-floating anxiety
2. Ms. T cannot leave her home without checking the coffee pot numerous times. This makes her late to
many functions, and she misses engagements on occasion because of it. Ms. T probably is suffering from
what kind of disorder?
a. Generalized anxiety disorder
b. Phobia
c. Post-traumatic stress disorder
d. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
3. Mr. L has a severe fear of needles. He is hospitalized on your medical unit. The lab technician enters to
draw blood for the routine cbc, and mr. L begins to cry out, “get away from me! I can’t breathe! I’m
having a heart attack!” Your first response to mr. L would be:
a. “i’ll take your vital signs and call my supervisor.”
b. “why do you think you’re having a heart attack, mr. L?”
c. “don’t worry. She’s done this many times before.”
d. “mr. L, relax. Take a few deep breaths i’ll stay with you.”
4. Which of the following is not an anxiety disorder? ( select all that apply ) a. Panic disorder
b. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
c. Multiple personality disorder
d. Agoraphobia
5. A patient with an obsessive-compulsive disorder is:
a. Suspicious and hostile
b. Flexible and adaptable to change
c. Extremely frightened of something
d. Rigid in thought and inflexible with routines and rituals
Test questions
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6. Which of the following is true regarding
A phobic disorder?
a. It involves repetitive actions.
b. It involves a loss of identity.
c. It results in sociopathic behavior.
d. It is an irrational fear that is not changed by logic.
7. In obsessive-compulsive disorder, a compulsion is:
a. A repetitive thought
b. A repetitive action
c. A repetitive fear
d. A repetitive illusion
8. The medication(s) of choice for the treatment of ocd is (are): ( select all that apply)
a. Paxil (paroxetine)
b. Prozac (fluoxetine)
c. Luvox (fluvoxamine)
d. Effexor (venlafaxine)
9. The three subcategories of phobia include all
except:
a. Agoraphobia
b. Social phobia
c. Acrophobia
d. Specific phobia
10. Which of the following are not nursing intervention( s) for people with anxiety disorders? ( select all
that apply )
a. Maximize stimuli to create diversion from the anxiety.
b. Encourage the patient to verbalize all thoughts and
feelings.
c. Observe the patient’s nonverbal communication for
data on a patient’s thoughts and feelings.
d. Observe for signs of suicidal thoughts.
e. Document only positive changes in behavior.
f. Discourage activities; activities might only increase a
patient’s anxiety level
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Answer key……………………………………………………………………………………………….
1. B. The vividness of the description suggests that the person is having a flashback.
Auditory hallucinations would most likely involve “voices” or “hearing” the guns. Delusions of grandeur
might cause the person to go after the people with guns, while being unarmed himself
Or herself. Free-floating anxiety would be less descriptive. The person would not know the cause of the
anxiety.
2. D. Repetitive behavior that interferes with daily functioning is indicative of ocd.
3. D. This is the best of the four choices because you are simply stating for the patient to relax. You are
helping him reoxygenate and refocus and you are calming him by offering to stay with
Him. It also buys you some time to make a visual assessment. Option a would be appropriate nursing
actions, but not as the first priority. Your first action needs to be calming the patient and continuing to
assess. B and c are no therapeutic responses.
4. C, d. Multiple personality disorder (also known as dissociative identity disorder) is considered to be a
dissociative disorder rather than an anxiety disorder. Some theorists believe that the dissociative
disorders are also anxiety disorders, but most are now differentiating the two types of disorders.
Obsessive compulsive disorder has traditionally been classified as an anxiety disorder but that has
changed in dsm-5 since it is now known to be neurologically based.
5. D. Rigid and inflexible behaviors are characteristic of ocd. These persons would like to be able to
control those behaviors, but without treatment it is very difficult for them. They are not
Usually hostile, unless they are prevented from performing the obsession or compulsion, because that
decreases the anxiety.
6. D. Phobia is an irrational fear that cannot be changed by reason or logic. The patient usually
understands it is irrational, but the fear remains.
7. B. A compulsion is a repetitive act; an obsession is a repetitive thought.
8. A, b, c. Luvox (fluvoxemine), prozac (fluoxetine), and paxil (paroxetine) are the current drugs of choice
for ocd. Venlafaxine is also used in treating many mental
Disorders. So be careful! All sound similar and are spelled similarly.
9. C. Acrophobia is a form of specific phobia since it is fear of a specific situation (heights).
10. A, e, and f are not appropriate nursing interventions. Stimuli should be diminished to decrease the
stressors present. All changes in behavior and responses to treatment should be documented.
Activities should be encouraged, but only those that are enjoyable and do not
Produce additional stress. People need to acknowledge the stressors and deal with them. Avoiding or
creating “diversion” is not the best nursing care. Creating an environment
Where individuals feel comfortable and want to participate in activities is more therapeutic.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Downloaded by JUSTINE NYANGARESI ()
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING MCQS 2025-2026
1. Your significant other is a veteran of the war in iraq. It is very difficult for him or her to drive through a
parking ramp because “there are people hiding behind the pillars! They have guns! Be careful!” This
person is most likely experiencing:j
a. Auditory hallucinations
b. Flashbacks
c. Delusions of grandeur
d. Free-floating anxiety
2. Ms. T cannot leave her home without checking the coffee pot numerous times. This makes her late to
many functions, and she misses engagements on occasion because of it. Ms. T probably is suffering from
what kind of disorder?
a. Generalized anxiety disorder
b. Phobia
c. Post-traumatic stress disorder
d. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
3. Mr. L has a severe fear of needles. He is hospitalized on your medical unit. The lab technician enters to
draw blood for the routine cbc, and mr. L begins to cry out, “get away from me! I can’t breathe! I’m
having a heart attack!” Your first response to mr. L would be:
a. “i’ll take your vital signs and call my supervisor.”
b. “why do you think you’re having a heart attack, mr. L?”
c. “don’t worry. She’s done this many times before.”
d. “mr. L, relax. Take a few deep breaths i’ll stay with you.”
4. Which of the following is not an anxiety disorder? ( select all that apply ) a. Panic disorder
b. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
c. Multiple personality disorder
d. Agoraphobia
5. A patient with an obsessive-compulsive disorder is:
a. Suspicious and hostile
b. Flexible and adaptable to change
c. Extremely frightened of something
d. Rigid in thought and inflexible with routines and rituals
Test questions
Downloaded by JUSTINE NYANGARESI ()
, lOMoARcPSD|29726808
6. Which of the following is true regarding
A phobic disorder?
a. It involves repetitive actions.
b. It involves a loss of identity.
c. It results in sociopathic behavior.
d. It is an irrational fear that is not changed by logic.
7. In obsessive-compulsive disorder, a compulsion is:
a. A repetitive thought
b. A repetitive action
c. A repetitive fear
d. A repetitive illusion
8. The medication(s) of choice for the treatment of ocd is (are): ( select all that apply)
a. Paxil (paroxetine)
b. Prozac (fluoxetine)
c. Luvox (fluvoxamine)
d. Effexor (venlafaxine)
9. The three subcategories of phobia include all
except:
a. Agoraphobia
b. Social phobia
c. Acrophobia
d. Specific phobia
10. Which of the following are not nursing intervention( s) for people with anxiety disorders? ( select all
that apply )
a. Maximize stimuli to create diversion from the anxiety.
b. Encourage the patient to verbalize all thoughts and
feelings.
c. Observe the patient’s nonverbal communication for
data on a patient’s thoughts and feelings.
d. Observe for signs of suicidal thoughts.
e. Document only positive changes in behavior.
f. Discourage activities; activities might only increase a
patient’s anxiety level
Downloaded by JUSTINE NYANGARESI ()
, lOMoARcPSD|29726808
Answer key……………………………………………………………………………………………….
1. B. The vividness of the description suggests that the person is having a flashback.
Auditory hallucinations would most likely involve “voices” or “hearing” the guns. Delusions of grandeur
might cause the person to go after the people with guns, while being unarmed himself
Or herself. Free-floating anxiety would be less descriptive. The person would not know the cause of the
anxiety.
2. D. Repetitive behavior that interferes with daily functioning is indicative of ocd.
3. D. This is the best of the four choices because you are simply stating for the patient to relax. You are
helping him reoxygenate and refocus and you are calming him by offering to stay with
Him. It also buys you some time to make a visual assessment. Option a would be appropriate nursing
actions, but not as the first priority. Your first action needs to be calming the patient and continuing to
assess. B and c are no therapeutic responses.
4. C, d. Multiple personality disorder (also known as dissociative identity disorder) is considered to be a
dissociative disorder rather than an anxiety disorder. Some theorists believe that the dissociative
disorders are also anxiety disorders, but most are now differentiating the two types of disorders.
Obsessive compulsive disorder has traditionally been classified as an anxiety disorder but that has
changed in dsm-5 since it is now known to be neurologically based.
5. D. Rigid and inflexible behaviors are characteristic of ocd. These persons would like to be able to
control those behaviors, but without treatment it is very difficult for them. They are not
Usually hostile, unless they are prevented from performing the obsession or compulsion, because that
decreases the anxiety.
6. D. Phobia is an irrational fear that cannot be changed by reason or logic. The patient usually
understands it is irrational, but the fear remains.
7. B. A compulsion is a repetitive act; an obsession is a repetitive thought.
8. A, b, c. Luvox (fluvoxemine), prozac (fluoxetine), and paxil (paroxetine) are the current drugs of choice
for ocd. Venlafaxine is also used in treating many mental
Disorders. So be careful! All sound similar and are spelled similarly.
9. C. Acrophobia is a form of specific phobia since it is fear of a specific situation (heights).
10. A, e, and f are not appropriate nursing interventions. Stimuli should be diminished to decrease the
stressors present. All changes in behavior and responses to treatment should be documented.
Activities should be encouraged, but only those that are enjoyable and do not
Produce additional stress. People need to acknowledge the stressors and deal with them. Avoiding or
creating “diversion” is not the best nursing care. Creating an environment
Where individuals feel comfortable and want to participate in activities is more therapeutic.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Downloaded by JUSTINE NYANGARESI ()
