CSN CSN Mental Health & Behavioral Support

Question 1

A student discloses to the school nurse that they have been having thoughts of suicide. The nurse's FIRST action is:

Accepted Answer

Conduct a safety assessment and ensure the student is not left alone

Answer

Contact the student's parents and have them take the student home

Answer

Refer the student directly to the school counselor and return to other duties

Answer

Document the disclosure and schedule a follow-up appointment

Question 2

Which screening tool is commonly used by school nurses to identify depression in adolescents?

Accepted Answer

Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A)

Answer

CAGE Questionnaire

Answer

AUDIT-C

Answer

Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

Question 3

A teacher refers a student for repeated school refusal and somatic complaints with no identifiable medical cause. The school nurse's BEST response is:

Accepted Answer

Conduct a comprehensive assessment including psychosocial history and collaborate with the school counselor

Answer

Inform the teacher that the student is faking illness to avoid class

Answer

Require medical documentation before the student can visit the health office again

Answer

Recommend the student be evaluated for truancy

Question 4

The school nurse is developing a support plan for a student with ADHD. Which intervention is MOST within the school nurse's scope?

Accepted Answer

Coordinating administration of prescribed ADHD medications and communicating with parents and teachers about behavioral patterns

Answer

Prescribing a stimulant medication trial

Answer

Administering psychological testing to confirm the diagnosis

Answer

Designing the student's 504 plan independently

Question 5

A student is exhibiting signs of an acute anxiety attack including rapid breathing, chest tightness, and trembling. After ruling out a medical emergency, the nurse's BEST intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Use grounding techniques and calm reassurance while monitoring vital signs

Answer

Send the student back to class to avoid reinforcing avoidance behavior

Answer

Administer the student's prescribed anxiolytic immediately

Answer

Call the student's parents to pick them up

Question 6

Under FERPA and HIPAA, when may a school nurse share a student's mental health information with a teacher without parental consent?

Accepted Answer

When it is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or others in an emergency

Answer

Whenever the teacher asks, as they have a professional need to know

Answer

Never — mental health information is absolutely protected in all circumstances

Answer

Only after obtaining written consent from the student if they are 18