1
TEST BANK FOR
Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach 8 th
Edition by Margaret Jordan Halter
Chapter 1-36
of business principles.1.4. Preparing for Business ExamsPreparing for business exams involves mastering both conceptual understanding and practical application. Students are encouraged to
study theories and frameworks but also to keep up-to
Table of Contents
Table of Contents 1
Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness 2
Chapter 02: Theories and Therapies 14
Chapter 03: Psychobiology and Psychopharmacology 30
Chapter 04: Treatment Settings 45
Chapter 05: Cultural Implications 62
Chapter 06: Legal and Ethical Considerations 78
Chapter 07: The Nursing Process and Standards of Care 92
Chapter 08: Therapeutic Relationships 106
Chapter 09: Therapeutic Communication 120
Chapter 10: Stress Responses and Stress Management 132
Chapter 11: Childhood and Neurodevelopmental Disorders 144
Chapter 12: Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders 157
Chapter 13: Bipolar and Related Disorders 175
Chapter 14: Depressive Disorders 192
Chapter 15: Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders 207
Chapter 16: Trauma, Stressor-Related, and Dissociative Disorders 223
Chapter 17: Somatic Symptom Disorders 237
Chapter 18: Eating and Feeding Disorders 250
Chapter 19: Sleep-Wake Disorders 264
Chapter 20: Sexual Dysfunctions, Gender Dysphoria, and Paraphilias 276
Chapter 21: Impulse Control Disorders 288
Chapter 22: Substance Related and Addictive Disorders 299
Chapter 23: Neurocognitive Disorders 315
Chapter 24: Personality Disorders 329
Chapter 25: Suicide and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury 344
Chapter 26: Crisis and Disaster 357
Chapter 27: Anger, Aggression, and Violence 370
Chapter 28: Child, Older Adult, and Intimate Partner Violence 383
Chapter 29: Sexual Assault 394
Chapter 30: Dying, Death, and Grieving 405
Chapter 31: Older Adults 415
Chapter 32: Serious Mental Illness 431
Chapter 33: Forensic Nursing 447
Chapter 34: Therapeutic Groups 458
Chapter 35: Family Interventions 472
Chapter 36: Integrative Care 485
, 2
Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. This nurse may expect an advanced practice nurse
to perform which additional intervention?
a. Conduct mental health assessments. c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication. d. Individualize nursing care plans.
ANS: B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to masters-prepared nurse practitioners who have taken
special courses on prescribing medication. The nurse prepared at the basic level is permitted to perform mental
health assessments, establish relationships, and provide individualized care planning.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: 15 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
of business principles.1.4. Preparing for Business ExamsPreparing for business exams involves mastering both conceptual understanding and practical application. Students are encouraged to
study theories and frameworks but also to keep up-to
2. When a nursing student expresses concerns about how mental health nurses lose all their nursing skills, the
best response by the mental health nurse is:
a. Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse-to-patient ratios must
be better because of the nature of the patients problems.
b. Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thinking to solve
multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those situations.
c. Thats a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technology monitoring equipment and
manage complex intravenous therapies.
d. Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as medical-surgical nurses do.
That appeals to me.
ANS: B
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of skills than medical-surgical nursing, though there
is substantial overlap. Psychiatric nurses must be able to help patients with medical as well as mental health
problems, reflecting the holistic perspective these nurses must have. Nurse-patient ratios and workloads in
psychiatric settings have increased, just like other specialties. Psychiatric nursing involves clinical practice, not
just documentation. Psychosocial pain and suffering are as real as physical pain and suffering.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: 10 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons with mental illness, a group of
, 3
nurses writes letters to their elected representatives in opposition to the legislation. Which role have the nurses
fulfilled?
a. Recovery c. Advocacy
b. Attending d. Evidence-based practice
ANS: C
An advocate defends or asserts anothers cause, particularly when the other person lacks the ability to do that
for self. Examples of individual advocacy include helping patients understand their rights or make decisions.
On a community scale, advocacy includes political activity, public speaking, and publication in the interest of
improving the human condition. Since funding is necessary to deliver quality programming for persons with
mental illness, the letter- writing campaign advocates for that cause on behalf of patients who are unable to
articulate their own needs.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: 16 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
of business principles.1.4. Preparing for Business ExamsPreparing for business exams involves mastering both conceptual understanding and practical application. Students are
encouraged to study theories and frameworks but also to keep up-to
4. Which comment best indicates that a patient perceived the nurse was caring? My nurse:
a. always asks me which type of juice I want to help me swallow my medication.
b. explained my treatment plan to me and asked for my ideas about how to make it better.
c. spends time listening to me talk about my problems. That helps me feel like I am not alone.
d. told me that if I take all the medicines the doctor prescribes, then I will get discharged sooner.
ANS: C
Caring evidences empathetic understanding as well as competency. It helps change pain and suffering into a
shared experience, creating a human connection that alleviates feelings of isolation. The distracters give
examples of statements that demonstrate advocacy or giving advice.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: 7 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
5. Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a patient may be experiencing a mental illness? The
patient:
a. reports occasional sleeplessness and anxiety.
b. reports a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood.
c. is able to describe the difference between as if and for real.
, 4
d. perceives difficulty making a decision about whether to change jobs.
ANS: B
The correct response describes a mood alteration, which reflects mental illness. The distracters describe
behaviors that are mentally healthy or within the usual scope of human experience.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: 2 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
of business principles.1.4. Preparing for Business ExamsPreparing for business exams involves mastering both conceptual understanding and practical application. Students are
encouraged to study theories and frameworks but also to keep up-to
6. Which finding best indicates that the goal Demonstrate mentally healthy behavior was achieved? A patient:
a. sees self as capable of achieving ideals and meeting demands.
b. behaves without considering the consequences of personal actions.
c. aggressively meets own needs without considering the rights of others.
d. seeks help from others when assuming responsibility for major areas of own life.
ANS: A
The correct response describes an adaptive, healthy behavior. The distracters describe maladaptive behaviors.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: 2 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A nurse encounters an unfamiliar psychiatric disorder on a new patients admission form. Which resource
should the nurse consult to determine criteria used to establish this diagnosis?
a. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10)
b. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
c. A behavioral health reference manual
d. Wikipedia
ANS: B
The DSM-5 gives the criteria used to diagnose each mental disorder. The distracters may not contain diagnostic
criteria for a psychiatric illness.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
TEST BANK FOR
Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach 8 th
Edition by Margaret Jordan Halter
Chapter 1-36
of business principles.1.4. Preparing for Business ExamsPreparing for business exams involves mastering both conceptual understanding and practical application. Students are encouraged to
study theories and frameworks but also to keep up-to
Table of Contents
Table of Contents 1
Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness 2
Chapter 02: Theories and Therapies 14
Chapter 03: Psychobiology and Psychopharmacology 30
Chapter 04: Treatment Settings 45
Chapter 05: Cultural Implications 62
Chapter 06: Legal and Ethical Considerations 78
Chapter 07: The Nursing Process and Standards of Care 92
Chapter 08: Therapeutic Relationships 106
Chapter 09: Therapeutic Communication 120
Chapter 10: Stress Responses and Stress Management 132
Chapter 11: Childhood and Neurodevelopmental Disorders 144
Chapter 12: Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders 157
Chapter 13: Bipolar and Related Disorders 175
Chapter 14: Depressive Disorders 192
Chapter 15: Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders 207
Chapter 16: Trauma, Stressor-Related, and Dissociative Disorders 223
Chapter 17: Somatic Symptom Disorders 237
Chapter 18: Eating and Feeding Disorders 250
Chapter 19: Sleep-Wake Disorders 264
Chapter 20: Sexual Dysfunctions, Gender Dysphoria, and Paraphilias 276
Chapter 21: Impulse Control Disorders 288
Chapter 22: Substance Related and Addictive Disorders 299
Chapter 23: Neurocognitive Disorders 315
Chapter 24: Personality Disorders 329
Chapter 25: Suicide and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury 344
Chapter 26: Crisis and Disaster 357
Chapter 27: Anger, Aggression, and Violence 370
Chapter 28: Child, Older Adult, and Intimate Partner Violence 383
Chapter 29: Sexual Assault 394
Chapter 30: Dying, Death, and Grieving 405
Chapter 31: Older Adults 415
Chapter 32: Serious Mental Illness 431
Chapter 33: Forensic Nursing 447
Chapter 34: Therapeutic Groups 458
Chapter 35: Family Interventions 472
Chapter 36: Integrative Care 485
, 2
Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. This nurse may expect an advanced practice nurse
to perform which additional intervention?
a. Conduct mental health assessments. c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication. d. Individualize nursing care plans.
ANS: B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to masters-prepared nurse practitioners who have taken
special courses on prescribing medication. The nurse prepared at the basic level is permitted to perform mental
health assessments, establish relationships, and provide individualized care planning.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: 15 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
of business principles.1.4. Preparing for Business ExamsPreparing for business exams involves mastering both conceptual understanding and practical application. Students are encouraged to
study theories and frameworks but also to keep up-to
2. When a nursing student expresses concerns about how mental health nurses lose all their nursing skills, the
best response by the mental health nurse is:
a. Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse-to-patient ratios must
be better because of the nature of the patients problems.
b. Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thinking to solve
multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those situations.
c. Thats a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technology monitoring equipment and
manage complex intravenous therapies.
d. Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as medical-surgical nurses do.
That appeals to me.
ANS: B
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of skills than medical-surgical nursing, though there
is substantial overlap. Psychiatric nurses must be able to help patients with medical as well as mental health
problems, reflecting the holistic perspective these nurses must have. Nurse-patient ratios and workloads in
psychiatric settings have increased, just like other specialties. Psychiatric nursing involves clinical practice, not
just documentation. Psychosocial pain and suffering are as real as physical pain and suffering.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: 10 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons with mental illness, a group of
, 3
nurses writes letters to their elected representatives in opposition to the legislation. Which role have the nurses
fulfilled?
a. Recovery c. Advocacy
b. Attending d. Evidence-based practice
ANS: C
An advocate defends or asserts anothers cause, particularly when the other person lacks the ability to do that
for self. Examples of individual advocacy include helping patients understand their rights or make decisions.
On a community scale, advocacy includes political activity, public speaking, and publication in the interest of
improving the human condition. Since funding is necessary to deliver quality programming for persons with
mental illness, the letter- writing campaign advocates for that cause on behalf of patients who are unable to
articulate their own needs.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: 16 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
of business principles.1.4. Preparing for Business ExamsPreparing for business exams involves mastering both conceptual understanding and practical application. Students are
encouraged to study theories and frameworks but also to keep up-to
4. Which comment best indicates that a patient perceived the nurse was caring? My nurse:
a. always asks me which type of juice I want to help me swallow my medication.
b. explained my treatment plan to me and asked for my ideas about how to make it better.
c. spends time listening to me talk about my problems. That helps me feel like I am not alone.
d. told me that if I take all the medicines the doctor prescribes, then I will get discharged sooner.
ANS: C
Caring evidences empathetic understanding as well as competency. It helps change pain and suffering into a
shared experience, creating a human connection that alleviates feelings of isolation. The distracters give
examples of statements that demonstrate advocacy or giving advice.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: 7 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
5. Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a patient may be experiencing a mental illness? The
patient:
a. reports occasional sleeplessness and anxiety.
b. reports a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood.
c. is able to describe the difference between as if and for real.
, 4
d. perceives difficulty making a decision about whether to change jobs.
ANS: B
The correct response describes a mood alteration, which reflects mental illness. The distracters describe
behaviors that are mentally healthy or within the usual scope of human experience.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: 2 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
of business principles.1.4. Preparing for Business ExamsPreparing for business exams involves mastering both conceptual understanding and practical application. Students are
encouraged to study theories and frameworks but also to keep up-to
6. Which finding best indicates that the goal Demonstrate mentally healthy behavior was achieved? A patient:
a. sees self as capable of achieving ideals and meeting demands.
b. behaves without considering the consequences of personal actions.
c. aggressively meets own needs without considering the rights of others.
d. seeks help from others when assuming responsibility for major areas of own life.
ANS: A
The correct response describes an adaptive, healthy behavior. The distracters describe maladaptive behaviors.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: 2 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A nurse encounters an unfamiliar psychiatric disorder on a new patients admission form. Which resource
should the nurse consult to determine criteria used to establish this diagnosis?
a. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10)
b. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
c. A behavioral health reference manual
d. Wikipedia
ANS: B
The DSM-5 gives the criteria used to diagnose each mental disorder. The distracters may not contain diagnostic
criteria for a psychiatric illness.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
