Mental Health Assessment: A Comprehensive Guide for Nursing Students

Question 1

Which of the following is not assessed during a mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Medical history

Answer

Appearance

Answer

Behavior

Answer

Thought processes

Question 2

Which of the following is not a component of a mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Neurological examination

Answer

Appearance

Answer

Behavior

Answer

Thought processes

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a component of a comprehensive mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Neurological examination

Answer

Appearance

Answer

Behavior

Answer

Thought processes

Question 4

When assessing a patient's mood, which of the following is a potential indicator of mania?

Accepted Answer

Elevated and expansive mood

Answer

Flat affect

Answer

Restricted range of affect

Answer

Sad affect

Question 5

Which of the following thought processes involves a rapid succession of unconnected ideas?

Accepted Answer

Flight of ideas

Answer

Circumstantiality

Answer

Loose associations

Answer

Delusions of reference

Question 6

When assessing a patient's appearance, which of the following observations is NOT relevant?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure

Answer

Hygiene

Answer

Grooming

Answer

Posture

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a type of cognitive impairment?

Accepted Answer

Depression

Answer

Dementia

Answer

Delirium

Answer

Amnesia

Question 8

Which characteristic indicates clear and organized thought processes during a mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Logical and goal-directed responses

Answer

Disorganized and incoherent speech

Answer

Racing thoughts and pressured speech

Answer

Slow and perseverative speech

Question 9

When assessing a patient's appearance, which of the following observations might indicate a potential mental health concern?

Accepted Answer

Disheveled clothing and poor hygiene

Answer

Pupil dilation

Answer

Cyanosis

Answer

Jaundice

Question 10

Which of the following behaviors during an exam may indicate agitation?

Accepted Answer

Pacing and restlessness

Answer

Decreased speech

Answer

Stuporous state

Answer

Fixed gaze

Question 11

Which of the following thought process abnormalities is characterized by an accelerated rate of speech, racing thoughts, and flight of ideas?

Accepted Answer

Flight of ideas

Answer

Circumstantiality

Answer

Perseveration

Answer

Clang associations

Question 12

When assessing a patient's memory, which type of memory is typically tested first?

Accepted Answer

Immediate recall

Answer

Remote memory

Answer

Procedural memory

Answer

Semantic memory

Question 13

What is the term for a belief that is held despite evidence to the contrary, often associated with psychotic disorders?

Accepted Answer

Delusion

Answer

Obsession

Answer

Compulsion

Answer

Hallucination

Question 14

Which of the following is a key principle of therapeutic communication in psychiatric nursing?

Accepted Answer

Active listening without judgment

Answer

Maintaining eye contact

Answer

Providing advice and solutions

Answer

Interrupting the patient

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT typically assessed during a mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Vital signs

Answer

Appearance

Answer

Behavior

Answer

Thought processes

Question 16

What is the primary purpose of assessing a patient's mood during a mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

To determine the patient's emotional state

Answer

To rule out medical conditions affecting mood

Answer

To assess the patient's cognitive function

Answer

To establish a baseline for future comparisons

Question 17

Which of the following abnormal behaviors is NOT indicative of a psychotic disorder?

Accepted Answer

Compulsions

Answer

Delusions

Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Disorganized speech

Question 18

What is the key difference between a thought disorder and a thought disturbance?

Accepted Answer

Thought disorders are characterized by abnormal content, while thought disturbances are characterized by abnormal form.

Answer

Thought disorders are more severe than thought disturbances.

Answer

Thought disturbances are more severe than thought disorders.

Answer

There is no difference between thought disorders and thought disturbances.

Question 19

What is the primary goal of a mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

To establish a baseline for future comparisons

Answer

To diagnose psychiatric disorders

Answer

To provide immediate treatment

Answer

To predict patient outcomes

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT an aspect of a comprehensive mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Physical examination

Answer

Appearance

Answer

Mood

Answer

Thought processes

Question 21

Which mood disorder is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and anhedonia?

Accepted Answer

Major depressive disorder

Answer

Bipolar disorder

Answer

Dysthymia

Answer

Cyclothymic disorder

Question 22

A patient who firmly believes that they are constantly being watched by unknown individuals is experiencing:

Accepted Answer

Paranoid delusions

Answer

Grandiose delusions

Answer

Somatic delusions

Answer

Delusions of reference

Question 23

Which of the following cognitive functions is NOT typically assessed during a mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Problem-solving abilities

Answer

Orientation

Answer

Attention

Answer

Memory

Question 24

A patient who is able to recall three objects after a five-minute delay has:

Accepted Answer

Intact short-term memory

Answer

Mild impairment in short-term memory

Answer

Moderate impairment in short-term memory

Answer

Severe impairment in short-term memory

Question 25

Which type of hallucination involves perceiving things that are not present and can be seen or visualized?

Accepted Answer

Visual

Answer

Auditory

Answer

Olfactory

Answer

Tactile

Question 26

In conducting a mental status examination, which ethical consideration is paramount?

Accepted Answer

Securing the patient's informed consent prior to the examination

Answer

Accurately documenting the patient's responses for legal purposes

Answer

Employing leading questions to elicit desired responses

Answer

Sharing the patient's personal information with family members without consent

Question 27

During a mental status examination, you observe the patient sitting slumped with their head down. This posture is most indicative of which mental state?

Accepted Answer

Depression

Answer

Elation

Answer

Anxiety

Answer

Mania

Question 28

A patient expresses a belief that they can read minds. This belief is best described as a:

Accepted Answer

Delusion

Answer

Hallucination

Answer

Phobia

Answer

Obsession

Question 29

When assessing a patient's mood, which of the following questions is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

How are you feeling today?

Answer

Are you feeling sad?

Answer

Do you have thoughts of self-harm?

Answer

What brings you joy?

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT a typical manifestation of cognitive impairment?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced creativity

Answer

Memory loss

Answer

Altered attention and concentration

Answer

Impaired judgment

Question 31

Which of the following is an example of an organic mental disorder?

Accepted Answer

Dementia

Answer

Schizophrenia

Answer

Depression

Answer

Anxiety disorder

Question 32

What is the primary goal of conducting a mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate an individual's current mental state and functioning

Answer

To establish a diagnosis of mental illness

Answer

To predict future behavior

Answer

To develop a comprehensive treatment plan

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT an aspect of physical appearance assessed during a mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Thought content

Answer

Grooming and hygiene

Answer

Posture and stance

Answer

Eye contact

Question 34

What term describes a mood that shifts rapidly and unpredictably?

Accepted Answer

Labile

Answer

Euthymic

Answer

Depressed

Answer

Manic

Question 35

A patient who believes they have extraordinary powers and abilities may be experiencing:

Accepted Answer

Delusions of grandeur

Answer

Delusions of persecution

Answer

Delusions of reference

Answer

Delusions of guilt

Question 36

Which of the following is an example of a positive symptom of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Alogia

Answer

Avolition

Answer

Anhedonia

Question 37

A patient who exhibits slowed movements and speech is likely experiencing:

Accepted Answer

Psychomotor retardation

Answer

Psychomotor agitation

Answer

Psychomotor excitement

Answer

Catatonic stupor

Question 38

To effectively assess a patient's emotional state during a Mental Status Examination, which combination of observations and questions is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Observe facial expressions and posture, and ask, 'How are you feeling today?'

Answer

Evaluate speech patterns and eye contact, and ask about family history

Answer

Assess grooming and hygiene, and ask about past medical history

Question 39

How should mental status examination techniques be adapted for use in community mental health centers?

Accepted Answer

Adjust the assessment to the client's comfort and needs, including pace and depth.

Answer

Use formal language and structured questions exclusively.

Answer

Focus primarily on cognitive function, as severe mental illness is less common in community settings.

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT a standard component of a comprehensive mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Thought disorders

Answer

Appearance

Answer

Mood

Answer

Speech

Question 41

Which of the following is not a component of a mental status examination as it pertains to psychiatric nursing?

Accepted Answer

Physical examination

Answer

Appearance

Answer

Behavior

Answer

Cognition

Question 42

A patient who presents unkempt, with poor hygiene, and withdrawn behavior is exhibiting what aspect of appearance?

Accepted Answer

Disheveled

Answer

Tidy

Answer

Neat

Answer

Appropriate

Question 43

Which behavior observation is indicative of agitation?

Accepted Answer

Pacing and hand wringing

Answer

Making eye contact

Answer

Sitting quietly

Answer

Speaking slowly

Question 44

A patient who is cheerful, optimistic, and has appropriate affect is experiencing what mood?

Accepted Answer

Euthymic

Answer

Depressed

Answer

Anxious

Answer

Manic

Question 45

A patient who struggles with maintaining focus and poor memory is exhibiting impairment in which cognitive function?

Accepted Answer

Attention and memory

Answer

Perception

Answer

Language

Answer

Executive function

Question 46

Which of the following is a sign of impaired judgment?

Accepted Answer

Spending excessive savings on lottery tickets

Answer

Comprehending cause and effect relationships

Answer

Following instructions

Answer

Recognizing familiar objects

Question 47

A patient who maintains a fixed belief that is not supported by reality, despite evidence to the contrary, is experiencing:

Accepted Answer

Delusion

Answer

Hallucination

Answer

Illusion

Answer

Obsession

Question 48

Which of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention when a patient expresses suicidal ideation?

Accepted Answer

Assess safety plan and refer to mental health services.

Answer

Confront the patient about their negative beliefs.

Answer

Dismiss the concerns as attention-seeking behavior.

Question 49

A patient who reports recent changes in sleep patterns and decreased appetite is experiencing symptoms of:

Accepted Answer

Depression

Answer

Schizophrenia

Answer

Mania

Answer

Anxiety

Question 50

During a mental status examination, a patient reports feeling hopeless and having no motivation. Which aspect of the mental status exam is this information related to?

Accepted Answer

Mood

Answer

Thought processes

Answer

Appearance

Answer

Cognitive function

Question 51

A patient speaks in a rapid, pressured manner and jumps from one topic to another without any logical connection. Which thought process abnormality is most likely being exhibited?

Accepted Answer

Flight of ideas

Answer

Tangentiality

Answer

Blocking

Answer

Circumstantiality

Question 52

A patient is unable to recall recent events, but remembers details from their childhood clearly. This suggests a potential impairment in which cognitive function?

Accepted Answer

Short-term memory

Answer

Attention span

Answer

Long-term memory

Answer

Orientation

Question 53

While assessing a patient's appearance, you observe that they are wearing mismatched clothing and have poor personal hygiene. What does this observation suggest?

Accepted Answer

Possible disorganization or lack of self-care

Answer

A sign of anxiety

Answer

A preference for unconventional style

Question 54

A patient is constantly fidgeting and shifting their weight during the interview. Which aspect of the mental status examination does this behavior relate to?

Accepted Answer

Behavior

Answer

Mood

Answer

Thought processes

Answer

Cognitive function

Question 55

You ask a patient to subtract 7 from 100 repeatedly. This assessment evaluates which cognitive function?

Accepted Answer

Concentration

Answer

Orientation

Answer

Memory

Question 56

A patient reports hearing voices that tell them to harm themselves. This is an example of which type of symptom?

Accepted Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Delusions

Answer

Phobias

Answer

Obsessive thoughts

Question 57

Which of the following is NOT a standard component of a mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Social history

Answer

Cognitive function

Answer

Appearance

Answer

Mood

Question 58

A patient believes they are being followed by government agents who want to control their thoughts. This is an example of which type of symptom?

Accepted Answer

Delusions

Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Phobias

Answer

Obsessive thoughts

Question 59

During a mental status exam, you observe a patient's speech to be slow and hesitant. This observation primarily relates to which aspect of the exam?

Accepted Answer

Speech

Answer

Cognitive function

Answer

Thought processes

Answer

Behavior