NUR 256 EXAM 2- PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (MENTAL HEALTH) 100%
CORRECT.
1. A nurse is closely monitoring a newly admitted patient who is showing signs of
worsening anxiety. At what level of anxiety might this patient become a potential
threat to himself or others?
a. Severe
b. Panic
c. Mild
d. Moderate
2. Parents of adolescents who abuse drugs are invited to attend a support group. As
their counselor, which of Erickson's characteristics would you expect these parents
to be exhibiting if they were functioning normally?
a. stagnation and distrust
b. developing identities of self
c. intimacy and sharing feelings
d. Generativity and self understanding
3. A man decides to leave his current job because he does not feel he is living up to
his full potential in the situation. Which stage of Maslow’s' Hierarchy is he
demonstrating?
a. self esteem
b. safety and security
c. self actualization
d. basic needs
4. Defense mechanisms are always nontherapeutic and maladaptive
a. True
b. False
5. A patient tells the nurse, “My doctor thinks my problems with stress relate to the
negative way I think about things and suggested I learn new ways of thinking.”
Which response by the nurse would support the recommendation?
a. Teach the patient to use instruments that give feedback about bodily
functions.
b. Teach the patient to recognize, reconsider, and reframe irrational
thoughts.
c. Encourage the patient to imagine being in calm circumstances.
d. Provide the patient with a blank journal and guidance about journaling.
6. A nurse leads a psychoeducational group for patients experiencing depression. The
nurse plans to implement an exercise regime for each patient. The rationale to use
when presenting this plan to the treatment team is that exercise
a. improves mood stability for patients with bipolar disorders.
b. detoxifies the body by removing metabolic wastes and other toxins.
c. prevents damage from overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.
d. has an antidepressant effect comparable to selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors.
7. A patient who had been experiencing significant stress learned to use progressive
muscle relaxation and deep breathing exercises. When the patient returns to the
clinic 2 weeks later, which finding most clearly shows the patient is coping more
effectively with stress?
a. The patient’s weight decreased by 3 pounds.
b. The patient reports, “I spend more time napping or sitting quietly at home.”
c. The patient’s systolic blood pressure has changed from the 140s to
the 120s mm Hg.
https://www.stuvia.com/user/mboffin
, d. The patient reports, “I feel better, and that things are not bothering me as
much.”
8. Which changes reflect short-term physiological responses to stress? (Select all that
apply.)
a. Risk of depression, autoimmune disorders, and heart disease increases.
b. Cortisol is released, increasing glucogenesis and reducing fluid loss.
c. Muscular tension, blood pressure, and triglycerides increase.
d. Immune system functioning decreases, and risk of cancer increases.
e. Corticosteroid release increases stamina and impedes digestion.
f. Epinephrine is released, increasing heart and respiratory rates.
9. Two staff nurses applied for a charge nurse position. After the promotion was
announced, the nurse who was not promoted said, “The nurse manager had a
headache the day I was interviewed.” Which defense mechanism is evident?
a. Splitting
b. Conversion
c. Projection
d. Introjection
i. Projection is the hallmark of blaming, scapegoating, prejudicial
thinking, and stigmatizing others. Conversion involves the unconscious
transformation of anxiety into a physical symptom. Introjection
involves intense, unconscious identification with another person.
Splitting is the inability to integrate the positive and negative qualities
of oneself or others into a cohesive image.
10. An individual experiences sexual dysfunction and blames it on a partner by
calling the person unattractive and unromantic. Which defense mechanism is
evident?
a. Introjection
b. Compensation
c. Rationalization
d. Regression
i. Rationalization involves unconsciously making excuses for one’s
behavior, inadequacies, or feelings. Regression involves the
unconscious use of a behavior from an earlier stage of emotional
development. Compensation involves making up for deficits in one
area by excelling in another area. Introjection is an unconscious,
intense identification with another person.
11. A person who has been unable to leave home for more than a week because
of severe anxiety says, “I know it does not make sense, but I just can’t bring
myself to leave my apartment alone.” Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
a. Ask the person to explain why the fear is so disabling.
b. Teach the person to use positive self-talk techniques.
c. Advise the person to accept the situation and use a companion.
d. Help the person use online video calls to provide interaction with others.
12. A person has minor physical injuries after an auto accident. The person is
unable to focus and says, “I feel like something awful is going to happen.” This
person has nausea, dizziness, tachycardia, and hyperventilation. What is the
person’s level of anxiety?
a. Panic
b. Mild
c. Severe
d. Moderate
https://www.stuvia.com/user/mboffin
, 13. A woman says, “I can’t take anymore. Last year my husband had an affair
and now we do not communicate. Three months ago, I found a lump in my breast.
Yesterday my daughter said she’s quitting college and moving in with her
boyfriend.” Which issue should the nurse focus on during crisis intervention?
a. The possible mastectomy
b. Coping with the reaction to the daughter’s events
c. The effects of the husband’s extramarital affair
d. The disordered family communication
i. The focus of crisis intervention is on the most recent problem: “the
straw that broke the camel’s back.” The patient had coped with the
breast lesion, the husband’s infidelity, and the disordered
communication. Disequilibrium occurred only with the introduction of
the daughter leaving college and moving.
14. A patient who is visiting the crisis clinic for the first time asks, “How long will
I be coming here?” The nurse’s reply should consider that the usual duration of
crisis intervention is
a. 8 to 12 weeks.
b. 1 to 2 weeks.
c. 4 to 6 weeks.
d. 3 to 4 weeks.
15. Six months ago, a woman had a prophylactic double mastectomy because of
a family history of breast cancer. One week ago, this woman learned her husband
was involved in an extramarital affair. The woman tearfully says to the nurse,
“What else can happen?” What type of crisis is this person experiencing?
a. Situational
b. Mitigation
c. Recurring
d. Maturational
16. A nurse driving home after work comes upon a serious automobile accident.
The driver gets out of the car with no apparent physical injuries. Which assessment
findings would the nurse expect from the driver immediately after this event?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Fecal incontinence
b. Difficulty using a cell phone
c. Long-term memory losses
d. Rapid speech
e. Trembling
17. What is the best nursing diagnosis for most of the anxiety disorders?
a. Risk for self-harm
b. Ineffective Coping
c. Impaired cognitive functioning
d. risk for injury
18. Your patient has a history of panic attacks and now comes to your unit after
being checked out in the ER and all physical problems ruled out. He is complaining
of chest palpitations and sweating profusely. What is your initial nursing
intervention?
a. Explain the physiology of panic attacks to him
b. Introduce him to the group
c. Distract him by engaging him in an activity
d. Sit with him and show support
https://www.stuvia.com/user/mboffin
CORRECT.
1. A nurse is closely monitoring a newly admitted patient who is showing signs of
worsening anxiety. At what level of anxiety might this patient become a potential
threat to himself or others?
a. Severe
b. Panic
c. Mild
d. Moderate
2. Parents of adolescents who abuse drugs are invited to attend a support group. As
their counselor, which of Erickson's characteristics would you expect these parents
to be exhibiting if they were functioning normally?
a. stagnation and distrust
b. developing identities of self
c. intimacy and sharing feelings
d. Generativity and self understanding
3. A man decides to leave his current job because he does not feel he is living up to
his full potential in the situation. Which stage of Maslow’s' Hierarchy is he
demonstrating?
a. self esteem
b. safety and security
c. self actualization
d. basic needs
4. Defense mechanisms are always nontherapeutic and maladaptive
a. True
b. False
5. A patient tells the nurse, “My doctor thinks my problems with stress relate to the
negative way I think about things and suggested I learn new ways of thinking.”
Which response by the nurse would support the recommendation?
a. Teach the patient to use instruments that give feedback about bodily
functions.
b. Teach the patient to recognize, reconsider, and reframe irrational
thoughts.
c. Encourage the patient to imagine being in calm circumstances.
d. Provide the patient with a blank journal and guidance about journaling.
6. A nurse leads a psychoeducational group for patients experiencing depression. The
nurse plans to implement an exercise regime for each patient. The rationale to use
when presenting this plan to the treatment team is that exercise
a. improves mood stability for patients with bipolar disorders.
b. detoxifies the body by removing metabolic wastes and other toxins.
c. prevents damage from overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.
d. has an antidepressant effect comparable to selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors.
7. A patient who had been experiencing significant stress learned to use progressive
muscle relaxation and deep breathing exercises. When the patient returns to the
clinic 2 weeks later, which finding most clearly shows the patient is coping more
effectively with stress?
a. The patient’s weight decreased by 3 pounds.
b. The patient reports, “I spend more time napping or sitting quietly at home.”
c. The patient’s systolic blood pressure has changed from the 140s to
the 120s mm Hg.
https://www.stuvia.com/user/mboffin
, d. The patient reports, “I feel better, and that things are not bothering me as
much.”
8. Which changes reflect short-term physiological responses to stress? (Select all that
apply.)
a. Risk of depression, autoimmune disorders, and heart disease increases.
b. Cortisol is released, increasing glucogenesis and reducing fluid loss.
c. Muscular tension, blood pressure, and triglycerides increase.
d. Immune system functioning decreases, and risk of cancer increases.
e. Corticosteroid release increases stamina and impedes digestion.
f. Epinephrine is released, increasing heart and respiratory rates.
9. Two staff nurses applied for a charge nurse position. After the promotion was
announced, the nurse who was not promoted said, “The nurse manager had a
headache the day I was interviewed.” Which defense mechanism is evident?
a. Splitting
b. Conversion
c. Projection
d. Introjection
i. Projection is the hallmark of blaming, scapegoating, prejudicial
thinking, and stigmatizing others. Conversion involves the unconscious
transformation of anxiety into a physical symptom. Introjection
involves intense, unconscious identification with another person.
Splitting is the inability to integrate the positive and negative qualities
of oneself or others into a cohesive image.
10. An individual experiences sexual dysfunction and blames it on a partner by
calling the person unattractive and unromantic. Which defense mechanism is
evident?
a. Introjection
b. Compensation
c. Rationalization
d. Regression
i. Rationalization involves unconsciously making excuses for one’s
behavior, inadequacies, or feelings. Regression involves the
unconscious use of a behavior from an earlier stage of emotional
development. Compensation involves making up for deficits in one
area by excelling in another area. Introjection is an unconscious,
intense identification with another person.
11. A person who has been unable to leave home for more than a week because
of severe anxiety says, “I know it does not make sense, but I just can’t bring
myself to leave my apartment alone.” Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
a. Ask the person to explain why the fear is so disabling.
b. Teach the person to use positive self-talk techniques.
c. Advise the person to accept the situation and use a companion.
d. Help the person use online video calls to provide interaction with others.
12. A person has minor physical injuries after an auto accident. The person is
unable to focus and says, “I feel like something awful is going to happen.” This
person has nausea, dizziness, tachycardia, and hyperventilation. What is the
person’s level of anxiety?
a. Panic
b. Mild
c. Severe
d. Moderate
https://www.stuvia.com/user/mboffin
, 13. A woman says, “I can’t take anymore. Last year my husband had an affair
and now we do not communicate. Three months ago, I found a lump in my breast.
Yesterday my daughter said she’s quitting college and moving in with her
boyfriend.” Which issue should the nurse focus on during crisis intervention?
a. The possible mastectomy
b. Coping with the reaction to the daughter’s events
c. The effects of the husband’s extramarital affair
d. The disordered family communication
i. The focus of crisis intervention is on the most recent problem: “the
straw that broke the camel’s back.” The patient had coped with the
breast lesion, the husband’s infidelity, and the disordered
communication. Disequilibrium occurred only with the introduction of
the daughter leaving college and moving.
14. A patient who is visiting the crisis clinic for the first time asks, “How long will
I be coming here?” The nurse’s reply should consider that the usual duration of
crisis intervention is
a. 8 to 12 weeks.
b. 1 to 2 weeks.
c. 4 to 6 weeks.
d. 3 to 4 weeks.
15. Six months ago, a woman had a prophylactic double mastectomy because of
a family history of breast cancer. One week ago, this woman learned her husband
was involved in an extramarital affair. The woman tearfully says to the nurse,
“What else can happen?” What type of crisis is this person experiencing?
a. Situational
b. Mitigation
c. Recurring
d. Maturational
16. A nurse driving home after work comes upon a serious automobile accident.
The driver gets out of the car with no apparent physical injuries. Which assessment
findings would the nurse expect from the driver immediately after this event?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Fecal incontinence
b. Difficulty using a cell phone
c. Long-term memory losses
d. Rapid speech
e. Trembling
17. What is the best nursing diagnosis for most of the anxiety disorders?
a. Risk for self-harm
b. Ineffective Coping
c. Impaired cognitive functioning
d. risk for injury
18. Your patient has a history of panic attacks and now comes to your unit after
being checked out in the ER and all physical problems ruled out. He is complaining
of chest palpitations and sweating profusely. What is your initial nursing
intervention?
a. Explain the physiology of panic attacks to him
b. Introduce him to the group
c. Distract him by engaging him in an activity
d. Sit with him and show support
https://www.stuvia.com/user/mboffin
