Q.1 Which of the following is the primary purpose of a mental health assessment?
To provide a definitive diagnosis immediately
To identify current and past mental health issues
To prescribe medications without further evaluation
To test physical strength and reflexes
Explanation - Mental health assessment aims to gather comprehensive information about a patient's mental health history and current functioning to guide diagnosis and treatment.
Correct answer is: To identify current and past mental health issues
Q.2 The mental status examination (MSE) primarily assesses:
Physical health and diet habits
Cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning
Medication side effects only
Family history of illnesses
Explanation - The MSE is a structured assessment that evaluates a patient's cognitive abilities, emotional state, thought processes, and behavior.
Correct answer is: Cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning
Q.3 Which tool is commonly used to screen for depression in adults?
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
Hamilton Anxiety Scale
Glasgow Coma Scale
Explanation - The BDI is a widely used self-report questionnaire for assessing the severity of depression symptoms in adults.
Correct answer is: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
Q.4 A patient who reports hearing voices that others do not hear is experiencing:
Hallucinations
Delusions
Obsessions
Compulsions
Explanation - Hallucinations are sensory perceptions without external stimuli. Auditory hallucinations, such as hearing voices, are common in certain psychiatric conditions.
Correct answer is: Hallucinations
Q.5 During a mental health assessment, a patient is unable to concentrate or follow conversation. This is an example of:
Cognitive impairment
Mood disorder
Psychomotor agitation
Insight loss
Explanation - Difficulty concentrating or following conversation indicates cognitive deficits, which are assessed during mental status evaluation.
Correct answer is: Cognitive impairment
Q.6 Which axis of the DSM-IV multiaxial system focuses on medical conditions contributing to psychiatric symptoms?
Axis I
Axis II
Axis III
Axis IV
Explanation - Axis III in DSM-IV identifies general medical conditions that may influence or complicate psychiatric disorders.
Correct answer is: Axis III
Q.7 When assessing risk during a mental health evaluation, the nurse primarily looks for:
Physical illness only
Potential for harm to self or others
Past academic performance
Sleep patterns exclusively
Explanation - Risk assessment involves evaluating a patient's potential for suicidal or homicidal behavior, self-neglect, or vulnerability to harm.
Correct answer is: Potential for harm to self or others
Q.8 In the context of psychiatric assessment, 'insight' refers to:
The patient's awareness of their illness
Ability to see in low light
Knowledge of family history
Skill in solving puzzles
Explanation - Insight in mental health refers to how much a patient understands and recognizes their psychiatric condition and the need for treatment.
Correct answer is: The patient's awareness of their illness
Q.9 A patient consistently believes they are being watched or persecuted despite evidence to the contrary. This is called a:
Delusion
Hallucination
Phobia
Compulsion
Explanation - Delusions are fixed, false beliefs that are resistant to reason or contradictory evidence, common in psychotic disorders.
Correct answer is: Delusion
Q.10 Which of the following is a key component of a psychosocial assessment?
Genetic testing
Family, social, and occupational history
Blood pressure measurement
Lung function test
Explanation - Psychosocial assessment explores the patient's family, social networks, work, and life stressors to understand factors affecting mental health.
Correct answer is: Family, social, and occupational history
Q.11 The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale measures:
Physical mobility
Overall psychological, social, and occupational functioning
Intelligence quotient
Severity of physical pain
Explanation - GAF is a numeric scale used to assess an individual's overall level of functioning, including psychological, social, and occupational areas.
Correct answer is: Overall psychological, social, and occupational functioning
Q.12 Which interview technique is most effective for eliciting sensitive information from a patient?
Closed-ended questioning only
Non-judgmental, open-ended questioning
Rapid-fire questioning
Asking family members instead of the patient
Explanation - Open-ended, non-judgmental questions encourage patients to share experiences and feelings, which is critical for accurate mental health assessment.
Correct answer is: Non-judgmental, open-ended questioning
Q.13 Which symptom is considered an affective symptom in psychiatric assessment?
Depressed mood
Memory loss
Auditory hallucinations
Motor tics
Explanation - Affective symptoms relate to emotions and mood; depressed mood is a primary affective symptom.
Correct answer is: Depressed mood
Q.14 Cognitive distortions are best assessed under which component of the MSE?
Thought content
Speech and language
Orientation
Motor activity
Explanation - Thought content evaluates beliefs, ideas, and perceptions, including cognitive distortions such as overgeneralization or catastrophizing.
Correct answer is: Thought content
Q.15 A patient repeatedly checks the locks on doors and taps surfaces. These behaviors are examples of:
Compulsions
Delusions
Hallucinations
Phobias
Explanation - Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared event, commonly seen in OCD.
Correct answer is: Compulsions
Q.16 Which of the following is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
Auditory hallucinations
Flat affect
Avolition
Social withdrawal
Explanation - Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorders, representing an excess or distortion of normal functions.
Correct answer is: Auditory hallucinations
Q.17 In psychiatric assessment, 'judgment' refers to the patient's ability to:
Make sound decisions
Recall past events
Experience emotions
Perceive hallucinations
Explanation - Judgment is evaluated to see how well a patient can make reasonable decisions in daily life and problem-solving situations.
Correct answer is: Make sound decisions
Q.18 The term 'psychomotor retardation' refers to:
Slowed physical and emotional responses
Involuntary movements
Rapid speech and thought
Hallucinations
Explanation - Psychomotor retardation is a slowing of thought, speech, and physical movements, often seen in major depression.
Correct answer is: Slowed physical and emotional responses
Q.19 During mental health assessment, which of the following indicates poor insight?
Denial of illness despite clear symptoms
Ability to recall past events
Expressing normal emotions
Correctly performing daily activities
Explanation - Poor insight is evident when a patient cannot recognize that they have a mental health problem, which can affect treatment adherence.
Correct answer is: Denial of illness despite clear symptoms
Q.20 A patient describes persistent, unwanted thoughts about contamination and engages in repeated hand washing. This is:
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Schizophrenia
Major Depressive Disorder
Panic Disorder
Explanation - OCD is characterized by obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety).
Correct answer is: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Q.21 Which of the following best defines a psychiatric diagnosis?
Identification of a mental disorder based on criteria and assessment
Assessment of blood pressure
Measurement of IQ only
Physical examination of reflexes
Explanation - A psychiatric diagnosis involves using structured criteria, clinical judgment, and assessment data to identify a mental disorder.
Correct answer is: Identification of a mental disorder based on criteria and assessment
Q.22 The difference between a hallucination and a delusion is that a hallucination:
Is a false sensory perception, while a delusion is a false belief
Is always visual, while delusions are always auditory
Occurs only in children, while delusions occur in adults
Is temporary, while delusions are permanent
Explanation - Hallucinations involve perceiving something that is not present, whereas delusions are firmly held false beliefs.
Correct answer is: Is a false sensory perception, while a delusion is a false belief
Q.23 A patient who reports excessive fear of leaving home without a real danger is experiencing:
Agoraphobia
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Specific Phobia
Explanation - Agoraphobia is the fear of situations where escape might be difficult, often leading to avoidance of public spaces or leaving home.
Correct answer is: Agoraphobia
Q.24 Which of the following is a common screening tool for anxiety disorders?
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
Glasgow Coma Scale
Explanation - HAM-A is a clinician-rated scale used to assess the severity of anxiety symptoms in patients.
Correct answer is: Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)
Q.25 Which aspect of mental status examination evaluates a patient's mood and feelings?
Affect
Orientation
Memory
Judgment
Explanation - Affect refers to the observable expression of a patient’s emotional state during assessment, whereas mood is the subjective feeling reported by the patient.
Correct answer is: Affect