Townsend Chapter 1 Mental Health & Mental Illness Test Questions
with Correct Answers
A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing occasional feelings of sadness because of the recent
death of a beloved pet. The client's appetite, sleep patterns, and daily routine have not changed. How
should the nurse interpret the client's behaviors?
1. The client's behaviors demonstrate mental illness in the form of depression.
2. The client's behaviors are extensive, which indicates the presence of mental illness.
3. The client's behaviors are not congruent with cultural norms.
4. The client's behaviors demonstrate no functional impairment, indicating no mental illness. - correct
answers4. The client's behaviors demonstrate no functional impairment, indicating no mental illness.
Rationale: The nurse should assess that the client's daily functioning is not impaired. The client who
experiences feelings of sadness after the loss of a pet is responding within normal expectations. Without
significant impairment, the client's distress does not indicate a mental illness.
At what point should the nurse determine that a client is at risk for developing a mental illness?
1. When thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are not reflective of the DSM-5 criteria.
2. When maladaptive responses to stress are coupled with interference in daily functioning.
3. When a client communicates significant distress.
4. When a client uses defense mechanisms as ego protection. - correct answers2. When maladaptive
responses to stress are coupled with interference in daily functioning.
Rationale: The nurse should determine that the client is at risk for mental illness when responses to
stress are maladaptive and interfere with daily functioning. The DSM-5 indicates that in order to be
, diagnosed with a mental illness, daily functioning must be significantly impaired. The client's ability to
communicate distress would be considered a positive attribute.
A nurse is assessing a set of 15-year-old identical twins who respond very differently to stress. One twin
becomes anxious and irritable, and the other withdraws and cries. How should the nurse explain these
different stress responses to the parents?
1. Reactions to stress are relative rather than absolute; individual responses to stress vary.
2. It is abnormal for identical twins to react differently to similar stressors.
3. Identical twins should share the same temperament and respond similarly to stress.
4. Environmental influences to stress weigh more heavily than genetic influences. - correct answers1.
Reactions to stress are relative rather than absolute; individual responses to stress vary.
Rationale: The nurse should explain to the parents that, although the twins have identical DNA, there
are several other factors that affect reactions to stress. Mental health is a state of being that is relative
to the individual client. Environmental influences and temperament can affect stress reactions.
Which client should the nurse anticipate to be most receptive to psychiatric treatment?
1. A Jewish, female social worker.
2. A Baptist, homeless male.
3. A Catholic, black male.
4. A Protestant, Swedish business executive. - correct answers1. A Jewish, female social worker.
with Correct Answers
A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing occasional feelings of sadness because of the recent
death of a beloved pet. The client's appetite, sleep patterns, and daily routine have not changed. How
should the nurse interpret the client's behaviors?
1. The client's behaviors demonstrate mental illness in the form of depression.
2. The client's behaviors are extensive, which indicates the presence of mental illness.
3. The client's behaviors are not congruent with cultural norms.
4. The client's behaviors demonstrate no functional impairment, indicating no mental illness. - correct
answers4. The client's behaviors demonstrate no functional impairment, indicating no mental illness.
Rationale: The nurse should assess that the client's daily functioning is not impaired. The client who
experiences feelings of sadness after the loss of a pet is responding within normal expectations. Without
significant impairment, the client's distress does not indicate a mental illness.
At what point should the nurse determine that a client is at risk for developing a mental illness?
1. When thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are not reflective of the DSM-5 criteria.
2. When maladaptive responses to stress are coupled with interference in daily functioning.
3. When a client communicates significant distress.
4. When a client uses defense mechanisms as ego protection. - correct answers2. When maladaptive
responses to stress are coupled with interference in daily functioning.
Rationale: The nurse should determine that the client is at risk for mental illness when responses to
stress are maladaptive and interfere with daily functioning. The DSM-5 indicates that in order to be
, diagnosed with a mental illness, daily functioning must be significantly impaired. The client's ability to
communicate distress would be considered a positive attribute.
A nurse is assessing a set of 15-year-old identical twins who respond very differently to stress. One twin
becomes anxious and irritable, and the other withdraws and cries. How should the nurse explain these
different stress responses to the parents?
1. Reactions to stress are relative rather than absolute; individual responses to stress vary.
2. It is abnormal for identical twins to react differently to similar stressors.
3. Identical twins should share the same temperament and respond similarly to stress.
4. Environmental influences to stress weigh more heavily than genetic influences. - correct answers1.
Reactions to stress are relative rather than absolute; individual responses to stress vary.
Rationale: The nurse should explain to the parents that, although the twins have identical DNA, there
are several other factors that affect reactions to stress. Mental health is a state of being that is relative
to the individual client. Environmental influences and temperament can affect stress reactions.
Which client should the nurse anticipate to be most receptive to psychiatric treatment?
1. A Jewish, female social worker.
2. A Baptist, homeless male.
3. A Catholic, black male.
4. A Protestant, Swedish business executive. - correct answers1. A Jewish, female social worker.
