QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | 100% CORRECT.
1. Know alternative spiritual practices such as Aroma Therapy and a
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cupuncture
Complementary therapies that can enhance mental and physical well- sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
being alongside traditional medical treatments.
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Aromatherapy: This practice involves using essential oils derived from plant sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
s to influence mood, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. The oils can be ap
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plied to the skin or inhaled, and they are often used for calming effects (e.g., la
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vender) or to boost energy and focus (e.g., peppermint).
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Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice wh s d s d s d s d s d s d s d sd
ere thin needles are inserted into specific points on the body to balance the flo
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w of energy, or “Qi.” It is used to treat conditions like pain, anxiety, and stress
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by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes and restoring energy bala
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nce.
2. Know that suicide is ALWAYS a priority and suicides ideations fo
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llow.
3. Know parts of the brain and how they function sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
➢ Cerebrum: The largest part of the brain, responsible for thinking, e sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
motions, and movement. sd sd
➢ Frontal lobe: Controls decision-making, problem-solving, and
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emotions.
➢ Parietal lobe: Processes touch, pain, and temperature. s d s d sd sd sd sd
➢ Temporal lobe: Handles hearing, memory, and speech. sd sd sd sd sd sd
➢ Occipital lobe: Processes vision. s d s d s d
➢ Limbic system: Handles emotions and memory. s d s d sd sd sd
➢ Hippocampus: Important for making new memories. sd sd sd sd sd
➢ Amygdala: Controls emotions, like fear and anger. sd sd sd sd sd sd
➢ Thalamus: Relays sensory information to other parts of the brain and h sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
elps with alertness. sd sd
➢ Hypothalamus: Regulates basic functions like hunger, thirst, body sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
temperature, and hormones. sd sd
➢ Cerebellum: Manages balance and coordination. s d s d s d s d
➢ Brainstem: Controls basic life functions like breathing and heart rate. sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
, 4. Know Neurotransmitters such as Serotonin and Dopamine and sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
what they do. sd sd
**Serotonin and Dopamine are chemicals in the brain that play a crucia sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
l role in how we feel and behave:
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Serotonin: This neurotransmitter helps regulate mood, sleep, appetite, and d
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igestion. Low levels of serotonin are often linked to depression, anxiety, and sl
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eep disorders. sd
Dopamine: Dopamine is involved in pleasure, motivation, and reward. It also sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
affects movement and coordination. High levels are linked to conditions like sc
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hizophrenia, while low levels can contribute to Parkinson’s disease and depre sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd s d sd
ssion.
**Both serotonin and dopamine are essential for regulating mood and
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behavior, and imbalances in these neurotransmitters are often involv
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ed in mental health disorders.
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5. What Gender age is at greatest risk for Suicide: sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
According to Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing by Halter,
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middle-aged men (typically between 45- s d s d s d s d
64 years old) are at the greatest risk for suicide. Although women are mor
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e likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to die by suicide due to the us
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e of more lethal methods. Risk factors include mental health conditions, sub
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stance abuse, and social isolation. sd sd sd sd
6. Know stages of Kubler-Ross and be able to identify stages sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
Denial: Refusing to accept the reality of the situation. The person may say, “T
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his can’t be happening.”
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Anger: Feeling frustrated, helpless, or angry about the loss. This anger can be
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directed at themselves, others, or the situation. sd sd sd sd sd sd
Bargaining: Attempting to negotiate for more time or a change in the situatio sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
n. Often involves making promises, such as “If I do this, things will get better.”
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Depression: Deep sadness or despair as the person recognizes the reality o sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
f the loss. They may withdraw and feel hopeless.
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,Acceptance: Coming to terms with the loss. The person is more at peace with sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
what has happened, although it does not mean they are happy about it.
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7. Understand the proper therapeutic communication related to grief sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
Active Listening: Allow the person to express their feelings without interrupti
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ng. Let them share their thoughts and emotions openly.
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Empathy: Show understanding and compassion by acknowledging their pain sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
. For example, saying, “I can see this is really hard for you” can help the person
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feel heard.
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Avoid Giving False Reassurance: Avoid saying things like “It will be okay” or
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“They are in a better place,” which can feel dismissive. Instead, focus on the p
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erson’s feelings. sd
Open-
Ended Questions: Encourage conversation with questions like, “How are y
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ou feeling today?” or “What has been on your mind?”
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Normalize Emotions: Let the grieving person know that it is okay to feel a ransd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
ge of emotions, such as sadness, anger, or confusion. “It’s normal to feel this w
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ay after such a loss.”
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Offer Silence: Sometimes, just being present in silence is a powerful way to
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provide comfort without the need for words. sd sd sd sd sd sd
Encourage Expression: Let the person know it’s okay to cry, be angry, or ex sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
press their grief however they need to. sd sd sd sd sd sd
8. What is agonism? sd sd
Agonism means a medicine helps your brain’s chemicals work better. For exa
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mple, if you’re feeling sad or anxious, your brain might not have enough of a “f
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eel-
good” chemical like serotonin. An agonist medicine helps boost that chemical
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so you feel better. It connects to your brain and makes the chemical stronger t
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o improve your mood.
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9. Priorities when it comes to dying (priority) sd sd sd sd sd sd
, Comfort: Managing pain and symptoms is the top priority. The goal is to keep t
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he person as comfortable as possible, both physically and emotionally.
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Emotional Support: Offering emotional support to the patient and their famil
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y is important. Listening, providing reassurance, and addressing fears or conc
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erns can help ease their distress.
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Dignity: Ensuring that the person is treated with respect and dignity in their
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final moments is essential.
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Communication: Keeping open communication between the patient, fam s d s d s d s d s d s d sd
ily, and healthcare team is crucial to ensure that the patient’s wishes are respe
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cted, and needs are met.
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Spiritual Needs: Addressing any spiritual or religious concerns the person mi
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ght have is important for their emotional and spiritual peace.
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10. Depression and how it relates to dietary habits sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
Loss of Appetite: Many people with depression may lose interest in food, lead
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ing to weight loss and malnutrition. This lack of proper nutrition can make sy
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mptoms of depression worse. sd sd sd
Overeating: On the other hand, some individuals may overeat, particularly co sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
mfort foods high in sugar and fat, which can lead to weight gain and further fe
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elings of guilt or low self-esteem. sd sd sd sd sd
Poor Nutrition Choices: Depression can lead to cravings for unhealthy foo
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ds and a lack of energy to prepare nutritious meals, resulting in poor dietar
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y habits.
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Impact on Energy Levels: Poor eating habits caused by depression can red
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uce energy levels, worsening fatigue and making it harder for individuals to e
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ngage in activities that could improve their mood.
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Cycle of Symptoms: Poor nutrition can worsen depression symptoms, creatin
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g a cycle where depression leads to bad dietary habits, which in turn worsen th
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e depression.
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11. Know all brain imaging techniques sd sd sd sd
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: This technique uses X- sd sd sd sd sd sd sd
rays to create detailed images of the brain. It is useful for detecting brain inju
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ries, tumors, and structural abnormalities.
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