Enhance your psychiatric nursing skills and prepare for your upcoming exams with this comprehensive mental health practice test. Covering a wide range of topics related to suicide risk assessment, protective factors, interventions, and more, this test bank features multiple-choice questions with detailed answers. Whether you’re studying for a nursing admission test or seeking to sharpen your knowledge in mental health, this quiz provides valuable insights and serves as a helpful resource for free nursing exam preparation. Test your understanding of key concepts and strengthen your proficiency in psychiatric nursing today.
Subject: Psychiatric Nursing
Time: 45 Minutes
1. Which of the following is not considered a risk factor for suicide?
a) Depression
b) Substance abuse
c) Social support
d) Previous suicide attempt
2. When assessing suicide risk, the nurse should prioritize:
a) The client’s mental health diagnosis
b) The client’s previous suicide attempts
c) The presence of a suicide plan
d) The client’s family history of suicide
3. Which of the following is an example of a protective factor against suicide?
a) Access to lethal means
b) Family history of suicide
c) Social isolation
d) Strong problem-solving skills
4. Which statement regarding suicide risk assessment is correct?
a) Only mental health professionals can assess suicide risk.
b) A client who denies suicidal ideation cannot be at risk for suicide.
c) Assessing for hopelessness is not relevant to suicide risk assessment.
d) Assessing for ambivalence about suicide is important in risk assessment.
5. The SAD PERSONS scale is a tool used to:
a) Assess the severity of depression
b) Evaluate a client’s social support system
c) Identify risk factors for suicide
d) Measure the effectiveness of suicide interventions
6. When assessing a client’s suicide plan, the nurse should determine:
a) The specific details of the plan
b) The client’s reasons for wanting to die
c) The client’s current level of distress
d) The client’s history of self-harm
7. Which of the following statements regarding self-harm is correct?
a) Self-harm is always a suicidal gesture.
b) Self-harm is always a cry for attention.
c) Self-harm can serve as a coping mechanism for emotional pain.
d) Self-harm is only seen in individuals with borderline personality disorder.
8. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention for a client at high risk for suicide?
a) Leaving the client alone in a private room to prevent triggering emotional distress
b) Providing close supervision and observation
c) Allowing the client unrestricted access to personal belongings
d) Engaging in detailed discussions about suicide methods with the client
9. Which statement regarding suicide risk assessment in children and adolescents is true?
a) Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are extremely rare in this age group.
b) The risk for suicide decreases with age in children and adolescents.
c) Adolescents are at higher risk for suicide than younger children.
d) Family history is not a relevant factor in suicide risk assessment in this age group.
10. Which of the following is an appropriate question for the nurse to ask when assessing a client’s suicide risk?
a) “Have you ever had a manic episode?”
b) “Are you feeling better today?”
c) “Do you have access to firearms?”
d) “Do you have any plans for the future?”
11. Which of the following is an example of an indirect suicide risk factor?
a) Personal history of trauma
b) Family history of mental illness
c) Recent loss or bereavement
d) Lack of social support
12. When assessing a client’s suicide risk, the nurse should pay attention to:
a) The client’s socioeconomic status
b) The client’s cultural background
c) The client’s educational level
d) The client’s physical health status
13. Which statement regarding suicide assessment documentation is correct?
a) Detailed documentation of suicide risk assessments is not necessary.
b) Documentation should only include objective information.
c) Documentation should reflect the nurse’s opinion about the client’s risk.
d) Documentation should include risk factors, protective factors, and interventions.
14. Which of the following is not a warning sign for suicide?
a) Talking about death or wanting to die
b) Giving away personal belongings
c) Expressing feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
d) Seeking help from a mental health professional
15. Which of the following is not a recommended intervention when caring for a client at risk for suicide?
a) Encouraging the client to establish a safety plan
b) Providing education about coping skills and stress management
c) Restricting the client’s access to visitors and communication
d) Collaborating with the client’s support system for ongoing care
16. Which of the following factors increases suicide risk in the elderly population?
a) Improved physical health and well-being
b) Strong social connections and support systems
c) Loss of independence and functional decline
d) Active engagement in meaningful activities
17. The use of “no-harm contracts” with clients at risk for suicide is:
a) An effective strategy to prevent suicide
b) Supported by research evidence
c) A substitute for close supervision and intervention
d) Not recommended due to limitations in effectiveness
18. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse when a client discloses suicidal ideation?
a) “You don’t really mean that.”
b) “Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
c) “Tell me more about what you’re experiencing.”
d) “I can’t help you if you’re feeling that way.”
19. Which of the following is an example of an environmental risk factor for suicide?
a) History of mental illness
b) Family history of suicide
c) Availability of firearms
d) Lack of access to mental health services
20. Which of the following is an important component of a safety plan for a client at risk for suicide?
a) A list of emergency contacts
b) A detailed account of the client’s suicidal thoughts
c) A schedule for ongoing therapy sessions
d) A description of the client’s emotional triggers
21. When assessing a client’s suicide risk, the nurse should consider:
a) The client’s gender identity
b) The client’s religious beliefs
c) The client’s political affiliation
d) The client’s level of physical activity
22. Which statement regarding suicide assessment is true?
a) Suicide risk assessment is a one-time evaluation.
b) Clients with a history of suicide attempts are no longer at risk.
c) Only mental health professionals can assess suicide risk.
d) Suicide risk can fluctuate over time.
23. Which of the following statements regarding suicide contagion is true?
a) Suicide contagion is not a real phenomenon.
b) Suicide contagion occurs only in close-knit communities.
c) Media reporting of suicides has no impact on suicide rates.
d) Suicide contagion can occur after high-profile suicides.
24. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention for a client who self-harms?
a) Ignoring the behavior to discourage attention-seeking
b) Punishing the client for engaging in self-harm
c) Encouraging the client to explore alternative coping strategies
d) Providing the client with self-harm tools to maintain control
25. The nurse is assessing a client who exhibits suicidal ideation. Which finding should be of most concern?
a) Expressing a specific suicide plan
b) Sharing feelings of sadness and hopelessness
c) Having a history of depression
d) Demonstrating difficulty concentrating
26. The nurse is assessing a client for suicide risk. Which statement by the client warrants immediate intervention?
a) “Sometimes I think about what it would be like if I weren’t here.”
b) “I don’t really enjoy things anymore.”
c) “I’ve been feeling really down lately.”
d) “I don’t think anyone would miss me if I were gone.”
27. Which of the following is an appropriate intervention for a client at moderate risk for suicide?
a) Leaving the client alone in a safe environment
b) Ensuring the client has access to sharp objects for self-expression
c) Encouraging the client to keep suicidal thoughts to themselves
d) Collaborating with the client to develop a safety plan
28. Which statement is true regarding suicide prevention strategies?
a) Suicide prevention strategies have been proven to eliminate suicide risk entirely.
b) There is no evidence to support the effectiveness of suicide prevention strategies.
c) Suicide prevention strategies should be tailored to the specific needs of each individual.
d) Suicide prevention strategies are only applicable to specific age groups.
29. Which of the following is not a recommended protective factor against suicide?
a) Strong social support
b) Problem-solving skills
c) Access to lethal means
d) Religious or spiritual beliefs
30. The nurse is assessing a client who has a history of self-harm. Which question is most important to ask during the assessment?
a) “Have you ever attempted suicide?”
b) “Why do you engage in self-harming behaviors?”
c) “Do you have a support system you can turn to in times of distress?”
d) “Have you experienced any recent life stressors?”
Answers:
- c) Social support
- c) The presence of a suicide plan
- d) Strong problem-solving skills
- d) Assessing for ambivalence about suicide is important in risk assessment.
- c) Identify risk factors for suicide
- a) The specific details of the plan
- c) Self-harm can serve as a coping mechanism for emotional pain.
- b) Providing close supervision and observation
- c) Adolescents are at higher risk for suicide than younger children.
- c) “Do you have access to firearms?”
- c) Recent loss or bereavement
- b) The client’s cultural background
- d) Documentation should include risk factors, protective factors, and interventions.
- d) Seeking help from a mental health professional
- c) Restricting the client’s access to visitors and communication
- c) Loss of independence and functional decline
- d) Not recommended due to limitations in effectiveness
- c) “Tell me more about what you’re experiencing.”
- c) Availability of firearms
- a) A list of emergency contacts
- a) The client’s gender identity
- d) Suicide risk can fluctuate over time.
- d) Suicide contagion can occur after high-profile suicides.
- c) Encouraging the client to explore alternative coping strategies
- a) Expressing a specific suicide plan
- d) “I don’t think anyone would miss me if I were gone.”
- d) Collaborating with the client to develop a safety plan
- c) Suicide prevention strategies should be tailored to the specific needs of each individual.
- c) Access to lethal means
- b) “Why do you engage in self-harming behaviors?”