THE PRACTICE OF MENTAL HEALTH/ PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
1. A nurse working on a unit in a psychiatric hospital is responsible for
performing a variety of functions. Which are the ones that a registered nurse
is legally permitted to perform? Select all that apply.
1. Psychotherapy
2. Health promotion
3. Case management
4. Prescribing medication
5. Treating human responses Ans: 2. Health promotion
3. Case management
5. Treating human responses
2. The psychiatrist orders "Restraints PRN" for a client who has a history of
violent behavior. Then nurse should:
1. Utilize the restraint order if the client begins to act-out
2. Ask the psychiatrist to clarify the type of restraint order
3. Ensure that the entire staff is aware of the restraint order
4. Recognize that PRN orders for restraints are unacceptable Ans: 4.
Recognize that PRN orders for restraints are unacceptable
New orders must be written each time a client requires restraints. When a client is
acting-out, the nurse may use restraints or a seclusion room and then obtain the
necessary order.
3. A client on the psychiatric unit asks the nurse about psychiatric advance
directives (PAD). The nurse explains that these advanced directives:
,1. Make the appointment of a surrogate decision maker unnecessary
2. Permit the client to dictate what treatment will be given during the future
hospitalizations
3. Eliminate the need for involuntary admissions when the client is a threat to
self or others
4. Allow the client, while having the capacity, to consent or refuse potential
psychiatric treatments in the event of a future incapacitating mental health
crisis Ans: 4. Allow the client, while having the capacity, to consent or refuse
potential psychiatric treatments in the event of a future incapacitating mental
health crisis
The purpose of a PAD is to allow psychiatric clients the opportunity to provide input
into future treatment decisions.
,4. The statement that best describes the practice of psychiatric nursing is:
1. Helps people with present or potential mental health problems
2. Ensures clients' legal and ethical rights by acting as a client advocate
3. Focuses interpersonal skills on people with physical or emotional prob-
lems
4. Acts in a therapeutic way with people who are diagnosed as having a mental
disorder Ans: 1. Helps people with present or potential mental health problems
An important aspect of the role of the psychiatric nurse is primary, secondary, and
tertiary interventions to promote emotional equilibrium.
5. A 45-year-old physician is admitted to the psychiatric unit of a community
hospital. The client is restless, loud, aggressive, and resistive during the
admission procedure and states, "I will take my own blood pressure." What
is the most therapeutic response by the nurse?
1. "Right now, doctor, you are just another client."
2. "If you would rather, doctor, I'm sure you will do it OK."
3. "If you do not cooperate, I will get the attendants to hold you down."
4. "I am sorry, but I cannot allow that. I must take your blood pressure." Ans:
4. "I am sorry, but I cannot allow that. I must take your blood pressure."
This simply states facts without getting involved in role conflict.
6. For most nurses the most difficult part of the nurse-client relationship is:
1. Remaining therapeutic and professional
2. Being able to understand and accept the client's behavior
, 3. Developing an awareness of self and the professional role in the relation-
ship
4. Accepting responsibility in identifying and evaluating the real needs of
the client Ans: 3. Developing an awareness of self and the professional role
in the relationship
The nurse's major tool in psychiatric nursing is the therapeutic use of self. Psychiatric
nurses must learn to identify their own feelings and understand who they affect the
situation.
7. The father of a 16-year-old boy who has just been diagnosed with Hodgkin's
disease tells the nurse he does not want his son to know the diagnosis. What
response by the nurse is best in this situation?
1. A nurse working on a unit in a psychiatric hospital is responsible for
performing a variety of functions. Which are the ones that a registered nurse
is legally permitted to perform? Select all that apply.
1. Psychotherapy
2. Health promotion
3. Case management
4. Prescribing medication
5. Treating human responses Ans: 2. Health promotion
3. Case management
5. Treating human responses
2. The psychiatrist orders "Restraints PRN" for a client who has a history of
violent behavior. Then nurse should:
1. Utilize the restraint order if the client begins to act-out
2. Ask the psychiatrist to clarify the type of restraint order
3. Ensure that the entire staff is aware of the restraint order
4. Recognize that PRN orders for restraints are unacceptable Ans: 4.
Recognize that PRN orders for restraints are unacceptable
New orders must be written each time a client requires restraints. When a client is
acting-out, the nurse may use restraints or a seclusion room and then obtain the
necessary order.
3. A client on the psychiatric unit asks the nurse about psychiatric advance
directives (PAD). The nurse explains that these advanced directives:
,1. Make the appointment of a surrogate decision maker unnecessary
2. Permit the client to dictate what treatment will be given during the future
hospitalizations
3. Eliminate the need for involuntary admissions when the client is a threat to
self or others
4. Allow the client, while having the capacity, to consent or refuse potential
psychiatric treatments in the event of a future incapacitating mental health
crisis Ans: 4. Allow the client, while having the capacity, to consent or refuse
potential psychiatric treatments in the event of a future incapacitating mental
health crisis
The purpose of a PAD is to allow psychiatric clients the opportunity to provide input
into future treatment decisions.
,4. The statement that best describes the practice of psychiatric nursing is:
1. Helps people with present or potential mental health problems
2. Ensures clients' legal and ethical rights by acting as a client advocate
3. Focuses interpersonal skills on people with physical or emotional prob-
lems
4. Acts in a therapeutic way with people who are diagnosed as having a mental
disorder Ans: 1. Helps people with present or potential mental health problems
An important aspect of the role of the psychiatric nurse is primary, secondary, and
tertiary interventions to promote emotional equilibrium.
5. A 45-year-old physician is admitted to the psychiatric unit of a community
hospital. The client is restless, loud, aggressive, and resistive during the
admission procedure and states, "I will take my own blood pressure." What
is the most therapeutic response by the nurse?
1. "Right now, doctor, you are just another client."
2. "If you would rather, doctor, I'm sure you will do it OK."
3. "If you do not cooperate, I will get the attendants to hold you down."
4. "I am sorry, but I cannot allow that. I must take your blood pressure." Ans:
4. "I am sorry, but I cannot allow that. I must take your blood pressure."
This simply states facts without getting involved in role conflict.
6. For most nurses the most difficult part of the nurse-client relationship is:
1. Remaining therapeutic and professional
2. Being able to understand and accept the client's behavior
, 3. Developing an awareness of self and the professional role in the relation-
ship
4. Accepting responsibility in identifying and evaluating the real needs of
the client Ans: 3. Developing an awareness of self and the professional role
in the relationship
The nurse's major tool in psychiatric nursing is the therapeutic use of self. Psychiatric
nurses must learn to identify their own feelings and understand who they affect the
situation.
7. The father of a 16-year-old boy who has just been diagnosed with Hodgkin's
disease tells the nurse he does not want his son to know the diagnosis. What
response by the nurse is best in this situation?
