COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHIATRIC
NURSING STUDY GUIDE 2026 | GRADED
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Updated 2026 Questions and Answers | 100% Verified
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,What does the DSM-5 provide? - Describes mental disorders
- Outlines specific diagnostic criteria based on clinical experiences & research
- Used by all MH clinicians who diagnose psych disorders.
A ______ is the belief that an individual is flawed and is A stigma
characterized by shunning, disgrace, and isolation.
Often the reason people don't seek MH help.
What influences mental illness and health? Individual, interpersonal and societal/cultural factors
What occured in the 1960's that improved the support for Deinstitutionalization
people struggling with MH, allowing for less restrictive
treatment?
What are the negative effects of non-treatment of MH? Homelessness, arrest/incarceration, victimization, suicide, DV, danger to others.
Name the basic-level functions of an RN in MH counseling
mileiu TX
self-care activities
psychobiological interventions
health teaching
case management
health promotion and maintenance.
__________ are the chemical substances manufactured by Neurotransmitters
neurons that aid in transmission of info throughout the
body.
What are the two things that can happen to an NT after it 1. Reuptake, transported back to the synapse to the axon to be used later.
is released from the synapse and relays its message? 2. metabolized (by MOAs)
What do Neurotransmitters regulate? heart rate, breathing, sleep, digestion, mood, concentration, appetite, muscle
movement.
What is believed to be a potential cause of mental Deficient NTs or receptors (not enough, too many). They should be in just the right
illness? proportion in the brain. If they are imbalanced, could = mental illness.
Name 5 excitatory Neurotransmitters Dopamine
Norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
Epinephrine (adrenaline)
Acetycholine (can be both excite/inhibit)
Glutamate
, Name 3 inhibitory NTs Seratonin
Acetylcholine (can be both)
y-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
______________ is a major inhibitory NT that modulates other GABA - Gamma-Aminobutryic Acid
NTs.
Drugs are used to increase GABA function include Benzodiazepines, which are used to treat anxiety or induce sleep.
______________
A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is Benztropine (cogentin), 2mg PO
taking haloperidol. Client complains of restlessness, can't Client is exhibiting akathisia (restless) and Parkinsonism (stiff), both of which are
sit still and has stiff muscles. Which PRN med should the EPS symptoms.
nurse administer? Benztropine is an anticholinergic agent used to treat EPS
1. Haloperidol 5mg PO
2. Benztropine (cogentin), 2mg PO
3. Propranolol, 20mg PO
4. Trazodone, 50mg PO
Client teaching for lamotrigine (Lamictal) should B. Report any rashes to your doctor immediately.
include which instructions? This could be a sign of SJS, a life threatening skin rash.
A. Eat a well-balanced diet to avoid weight gain. Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic drug and mood stabilizer
B. Report any rashes to your doctor immediately.
C. Take each dose with food to avoid nausea.
D. This drug may cause psychological dependence.
What does the NT epinephrine control? Causes fight or flight response
What does the NT serotonin control? Food intake, sleep/wake, temp regulation, pain control, sex behaviors, regulation
of emotions
What is the NT histamine? Neuromodulator that controls alertness, gastric secretions, cardiac stim,
peripheral allergy responses.
What does the NT acetylcholine control? Sleep/Wake cycles, signals muscles to become alert
What are three main cause categories of Mental Illness 1. Genetics & Heredity (huntingtons, duchenne MD)
2. Stress & Immune system (psychoimmunology) - a compromised immune system
could contribute to the dev of illnesses
3. Infections - viral theories have focused on schizophrenia, but none has
provided specific/conclusive evidence.