,Chapter 1: Mental Health and Mental Illness
1. Which of the following best defines mental health according to the World
Health Organization (WHO)?
A) The absence of all mental disorders and symptoms
B) A state of well-being in which an individual realizes their own abilities,
can cope with normal stresses, work productively, and contribute to the
community
C) The ability to avoid all stressful situations
D) Being free from anxiety and depression symptoms
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The WHO defines mental health as a state of well-being where
individuals can realize their abilities, cope with normal stresses, work
productively, and contribute to their community. It’s not merely the absence
of illness or symptoms, but a positive state of mental wellness.
2. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most commonly associated with the
development of schizophrenia?
A) Decreased serotonin
B) Increased dopamine
C) Decreased acetylcholine
D) Increased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Schizophrenia is strongly linked to increased dopamine activity in
certain brain pathways, particularly the mesolimbic pathway, which
contributes to positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
3. Which of the following is the best example of a mental health continuum
concept?
A) Mental health is either present or absent
B) Mental health fluctuates over time depending on various factors and
stressors
,C) Mental illness is permanent once diagnosed
D) Mental health status cannot change after childhood
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The mental health continuum concept recognizes mental health as
dynamic, fluctuating along a spectrum from wellness to illness influenced by
internal and external factors, rather than a fixed state.
4. In the context of cultural competence in mental health, why is it critical for
nurses to understand cultural views of mental illness?
A) To diagnose patients more quickly
B) To ensure culturally appropriate care and avoid misinterpretation of
symptoms
C) To replace medical treatment with cultural practices
D) To limit communication with family members
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Understanding cultural views allows nurses to provide culturally
sensitive care, avoid misdiagnosing culturally normative behaviors as
pathological, and improve patient outcomes by respecting cultural context.
5. Which of the following best distinguishes between mental health and
mental illness?
A) Mental health is physical health of the brain; mental illness is emotional
instability
B) Mental health is a positive state of functioning; mental illness is
diagnosable conditions causing distress or dysfunction
C) Mental health refers only to mood; mental illness refers to personality
disorders
D) Mental health is always permanent; mental illness is temporary
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mental health is a positive state of emotional and psychological
, well-being, while mental illness refers to diagnosable mental disorders that
cause significant distress and functional impairment.
6. The concept of recovery in mental health emphasizes:
A) Complete cure and absence of all symptoms
B) Living a satisfying, hopeful, and contributing life even with ongoing
symptoms
C) Avoiding all medications and therapy
D) Isolation from society to prevent stress
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recovery in mental health focuses on the individual’s ability to
live a fulfilling life with hope and purpose, despite the presence of symptoms,
emphasizing resilience and empowerment.
7. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is
primarily used for:
A) Treating mental illnesses
B) Classifying and diagnosing mental disorders based on specific criteria
C) Measuring severity of symptoms only
D) Preventing mental illness
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DSM-5 provides standardized criteria for diagnosing mental
disorders to ensure consistent, reliable identification and classification in
clinical practice.
8. Which historical perspective most contributed to the medical model of
mental illness?
A) Ancient spiritual beliefs in possession by spirits
B) Hippocrates’ theory of imbalances in bodily humors
1. Which of the following best defines mental health according to the World
Health Organization (WHO)?
A) The absence of all mental disorders and symptoms
B) A state of well-being in which an individual realizes their own abilities,
can cope with normal stresses, work productively, and contribute to the
community
C) The ability to avoid all stressful situations
D) Being free from anxiety and depression symptoms
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The WHO defines mental health as a state of well-being where
individuals can realize their abilities, cope with normal stresses, work
productively, and contribute to their community. It’s not merely the absence
of illness or symptoms, but a positive state of mental wellness.
2. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most commonly associated with the
development of schizophrenia?
A) Decreased serotonin
B) Increased dopamine
C) Decreased acetylcholine
D) Increased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Schizophrenia is strongly linked to increased dopamine activity in
certain brain pathways, particularly the mesolimbic pathway, which
contributes to positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
3. Which of the following is the best example of a mental health continuum
concept?
A) Mental health is either present or absent
B) Mental health fluctuates over time depending on various factors and
stressors
,C) Mental illness is permanent once diagnosed
D) Mental health status cannot change after childhood
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The mental health continuum concept recognizes mental health as
dynamic, fluctuating along a spectrum from wellness to illness influenced by
internal and external factors, rather than a fixed state.
4. In the context of cultural competence in mental health, why is it critical for
nurses to understand cultural views of mental illness?
A) To diagnose patients more quickly
B) To ensure culturally appropriate care and avoid misinterpretation of
symptoms
C) To replace medical treatment with cultural practices
D) To limit communication with family members
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Understanding cultural views allows nurses to provide culturally
sensitive care, avoid misdiagnosing culturally normative behaviors as
pathological, and improve patient outcomes by respecting cultural context.
5. Which of the following best distinguishes between mental health and
mental illness?
A) Mental health is physical health of the brain; mental illness is emotional
instability
B) Mental health is a positive state of functioning; mental illness is
diagnosable conditions causing distress or dysfunction
C) Mental health refers only to mood; mental illness refers to personality
disorders
D) Mental health is always permanent; mental illness is temporary
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mental health is a positive state of emotional and psychological
, well-being, while mental illness refers to diagnosable mental disorders that
cause significant distress and functional impairment.
6. The concept of recovery in mental health emphasizes:
A) Complete cure and absence of all symptoms
B) Living a satisfying, hopeful, and contributing life even with ongoing
symptoms
C) Avoiding all medications and therapy
D) Isolation from society to prevent stress
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recovery in mental health focuses on the individual’s ability to
live a fulfilling life with hope and purpose, despite the presence of symptoms,
emphasizing resilience and empowerment.
7. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is
primarily used for:
A) Treating mental illnesses
B) Classifying and diagnosing mental disorders based on specific criteria
C) Measuring severity of symptoms only
D) Preventing mental illness
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DSM-5 provides standardized criteria for diagnosing mental
disorders to ensure consistent, reliable identification and classification in
clinical practice.
8. Which historical perspective most contributed to the medical model of
mental illness?
A) Ancient spiritual beliefs in possession by spirits
B) Hippocrates’ theory of imbalances in bodily humors
