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DHA Mental Health Nursing Practice Questions
Mental health questions test therapeutic communication, safety and medication side effects across common psychiatric conditions. Below are 5 free sample questions for the DHA Registered Nurse exam, each with the answer and a rationale.
What this topic covers
- Therapeutic vs non-therapeutic communication
- Suicide risk and safety
- Depression and bipolar disorder (lithium)
- Schizophrenia and antipsychotic side effects
- Alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens
- De-escalation and restraint principles
The full bank has 70 mental health nursing questions, part of 1,500 questions across 16 nursing topics.
Free DHA mental health nursing questions
1. What is the most dangerous effect of an overdose of a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline?
- A. Hypoglycaemia
- B. Tardive dyskinesia
- C. Cardiac dysrhythmias
- D. Hyperthyroidism
Show answer and rationale
Tricyclic antidepressants are cardiotoxic in overdose and can cause life-threatening dysrhythmias, seizures and hypotension. For this reason patients at suicide risk are given limited supplies.
Reference: Standard nursing pharmacology – tricyclic antidepressants
2. A caller asks the nurse whether a named person is a patient on the mental health unit. The patient has not given consent to share information. What should the nurse say?
- A. "Yes, but I can't tell you anything more."
- B. "Let me put you through to the patient's room."
- C. "No, there is nobody here by that name."
- D. "I'm unable to confirm or deny whether that person is a patient here."
Show answer and rationale
Without consent, the nurse must not disclose whether someone is receiving mental health care. Confirming admission breaches confidentiality, and lying about it is dishonest.
Reference: Varcarolis Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing – legal and ethical issues
3. A patient insists that staff are poisoning the hospital food. What is the most appropriate nursing approach?
- A. Agree with the patient to build trust
- B. Tell the patient the belief is silly and ignore it
- C. Avoid arguing and offer food in sealed, unopened packages
- D. Explain logically that the food is safe and insist the patient eats
Show answer and rationale
Delusions are fixed false beliefs that do not respond to logic, so arguing is unhelpful; offering sealed foods respects the patient's fear and helps maintain nutrition. Agreeing reinforces the delusion.
Reference: Varcarolis Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing – schizophrenia
4. A patient with severe depression becomes distressed when asked to choose what to wear and what to eat. Which approach is most appropriate?
- A. Offer simple, limited choices, such as between two items
- B. Ask the patient to plan the full week's activities
- C. Wait until the depression has lifted before offering any choices
- D. Encourage the patient to join a competitive group game
Show answer and rationale
Severe depression impairs concentration and decision-making, so offering simple, limited choices reduces stress while keeping some independence. Complex planning and competitive activities can increase feelings of failure.
Reference: Varcarolis Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing – depression
5. A patient in an acute manic episode is losing weight because he will not sit down to eat. Which intervention is most appropriate?
- A. Insist he sits at the table for full meals
- B. Provide high-calorie finger foods and drinks he can take while moving
- C. Serve meals in the busy dining room to encourage socialising
- D. Wait until he asks for food
Show answer and rationale
Portable, high-calorie finger foods and fluids meet nutritional needs of an overactive patient who cannot sit still. A busy dining room increases stimulation, which worsens mania.
Reference: Varcarolis Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing – bipolar disorder
Study tip
In communication questions, choose the answer that acknowledges feelings and invites the patient to talk, not the one that reassures or gives advice.
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