NURS 222 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING STUDY
GUIDE 2026 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
AND STEP BY STEP SOLUTIONS
◉ Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Answer: Contemporary version of psychoanalysis that still
emphasizes unconscious processes and conflicts but is briefer and
more focused on specific problems.
◉ EMDR
Answer: -Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.
-Uses rapid eye movements during desensitization
-Contraindicated in clients who have suicidal ideation, psychosis,
severe dissociative disorders, detached retina or glaucoma, or severe
substance abuse disorder
◉ Group/family therapy
Answer: Support groups or formal therapy
◉ Somatic therapy for dissociative disorders
Answer: Psychotherapy works over time to increase awareness of
the present and decrease dissociation episodes
,◉ Hypnotherapy
Answer: Can be used for dissociative disorders
◉ Biofeedback/neurofeedback
Answer: Helps client learn how to increase awareness and gain
control of reactions to a trigger
◉ Somatic Symptom Disorder
Answer: -When the patient is actually experiencing physical
symptoms (i.e. pain, fatigue, indigestion) from a specific disease
process or of an inexplicable cause.
-Experience intense thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to the
symptoms to the point that they interfere with daily life.
-Not so much about the physical symptoms, but about the
PSYCHOLOGICAL effects.
-May be due to heightened sensory awareness, such as increased
response to pain.
◉ SSD
Predisposing Factors
Answer: Genetics
-First-degree relative who has somatic symptom disorder
,Being more physically and emotionally sensitive to pain and other
sensations
-Decreased levels of serotonin and endorphins
Having a negative outlook or personality
-Depressive disorder, personality disorder, anxiety disorder, learned
helplessness
Family history or upbringing
-Childhood trauma, abuse, neglect
Gender
-Female
Age
-16~25
◉ SSD
Expected Findings
Answer: -Somatic symptoms disrupt client's daily life
-Preoccupation with somatic symptoms
, -Symptoms present for longer than 6 months
-Remissions and exacerbation of symptoms
-Probable alcohol or substance abuse
-Over-medication with analgesics and anti-anxiety medications
◉ SSD
Laboratory/Diagnostic Tests
Answer: Attempt to identify the cause of the symptoms
-CT Scan
-MRIs
◉ Patient Health Questionnaire 15
Answer: Used to identify presenece of 15 most commonly reported
somatic symptoms
◉ Commonly reported somatic symptoms
Answer: -Abdominal pain
-Back pain
-Pain in extremities/joints
-Menstrual problems/cramps
-Headaches
-Chest pain
GUIDE 2026 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
AND STEP BY STEP SOLUTIONS
◉ Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Answer: Contemporary version of psychoanalysis that still
emphasizes unconscious processes and conflicts but is briefer and
more focused on specific problems.
◉ EMDR
Answer: -Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.
-Uses rapid eye movements during desensitization
-Contraindicated in clients who have suicidal ideation, psychosis,
severe dissociative disorders, detached retina or glaucoma, or severe
substance abuse disorder
◉ Group/family therapy
Answer: Support groups or formal therapy
◉ Somatic therapy for dissociative disorders
Answer: Psychotherapy works over time to increase awareness of
the present and decrease dissociation episodes
,◉ Hypnotherapy
Answer: Can be used for dissociative disorders
◉ Biofeedback/neurofeedback
Answer: Helps client learn how to increase awareness and gain
control of reactions to a trigger
◉ Somatic Symptom Disorder
Answer: -When the patient is actually experiencing physical
symptoms (i.e. pain, fatigue, indigestion) from a specific disease
process or of an inexplicable cause.
-Experience intense thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to the
symptoms to the point that they interfere with daily life.
-Not so much about the physical symptoms, but about the
PSYCHOLOGICAL effects.
-May be due to heightened sensory awareness, such as increased
response to pain.
◉ SSD
Predisposing Factors
Answer: Genetics
-First-degree relative who has somatic symptom disorder
,Being more physically and emotionally sensitive to pain and other
sensations
-Decreased levels of serotonin and endorphins
Having a negative outlook or personality
-Depressive disorder, personality disorder, anxiety disorder, learned
helplessness
Family history or upbringing
-Childhood trauma, abuse, neglect
Gender
-Female
Age
-16~25
◉ SSD
Expected Findings
Answer: -Somatic symptoms disrupt client's daily life
-Preoccupation with somatic symptoms
, -Symptoms present for longer than 6 months
-Remissions and exacerbation of symptoms
-Probable alcohol or substance abuse
-Over-medication with analgesics and anti-anxiety medications
◉ SSD
Laboratory/Diagnostic Tests
Answer: Attempt to identify the cause of the symptoms
-CT Scan
-MRIs
◉ Patient Health Questionnaire 15
Answer: Used to identify presenece of 15 most commonly reported
somatic symptoms
◉ Commonly reported somatic symptoms
Answer: -Abdominal pain
-Back pain
-Pain in extremities/joints
-Menstrual problems/cramps
-Headaches
-Chest pain
