, Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric-
x& x& x& x&
Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach, 10th Edition
x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
MULTIPLE CHOICE x&
1. The scope of practiced for an advanced nurse practitioner would include which interventi
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
on?
a. Conducting a mental health assessment. x& x& x& x&
b. Prescribing psychotropic medication. x& x&
c. Establishing a therapeutic relationship. x& x& x&
d. Individualizing a nursing care plan. x& x& x& x&
ANS: x & B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master‘s-
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
prepared nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists who have taken special courses
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
on prescribing medication. The nurse prepared at the basic level is permitted to perform
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
mental health assessments, establish relationships, and provide individualized care plannin
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
g.
PTS: x & x & 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) x& x& x&
TOP: x & Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
x& x& x & x& x& x& x& x&
2. A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses ―lose all their clinical nu
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
rsing skills.‖ Select the best response by the mental health nurse.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
a. ―Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
-to-
client ratios must be better because of the nature of the clients‘ problems.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
b. ―Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thin
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
king to solve multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those situation
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
s.‖
c. ―That‘s a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technolo
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
gy monitoring equipment and manage complex intravenous therapies.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
d. ―Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and sufferi
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
ng as medical–surgical nurses do. That appeals to me.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
ANS: x & B
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of skills than medical–
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
surgical nursing, though there is substantial overlap. Psychiatric nurses must be able to h
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
elp clients with medical as well as mental health problems, reflecting the holistic perspect
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
ive these nurses must have. Nurse–
x& x& x& x& x&
client ratios and workloads in psychiatric settings have increased, just like other specialti
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
es. Psychiatric nursing involves clinical practice, not just documentation.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
Psychosocial pain and suffering are as real as physical pain and suffering.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
PTS: x & x & 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) x& x& x&
TOP: x & Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
x& x& x & x& x& x& x& x&
3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons diagnosed
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
x&with mental illness, a group of nurses write letters to their elected representatives in o
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
pposition to the legislation. Which role have the nurses fulfilled?
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
a. Recovery
,b. Attending
c. Advocacy
d. Evidence-based practice
x&
, ANS: x & C
An advocate defends or asserts another‘s cause, particularly when the other person lacks
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x
&the ability to do that for self. Examples of individual advocacy include helping clients u
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
nderstand their rights or make decisions. On a community scale, advocacy includes politi
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
cal activity, public speaking, and publication in the interest of improving the human con
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
dition. Since funding is necessary to deliver quality programming for persons with mental
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
illness, the letter-
x& x& x&
x&writing campaign advocates for that cause on behalf of clients who are unable to articu
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
late their own needs.
x& x& x&
PTS: x & x & 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) x& x& x&
TOP: x & Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
x& x& x & x& x& x& x& x&
4. A family has a long history of conflicted relationships among the members. Which fa
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
mily member‘s comment best reflects a mentally healthy perspective?
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
a. ―I‘ve made mistakes but everyone else in this family has also.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
b. ―I remember joy and mutual respect from our early years together.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
c. ―I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
d. ―It‘s best for me to move away from my family. Things will never change.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
ANS: x & C
The correct response demonstrates the best evidence of a healthy recognition of the imp
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
ortance of relationships. Mental health includes rational thinking, communication skills,
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
learning, emotional growth, resilience, and self-
x& x& x& x& x&
esteem. Recalling joy from earlier in life may be healthy, but the correct response shows
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
a higher level of mental health. The other incorrect responses show blaming and avoida
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
nce.
PTS: x & x & 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis) x& x& x&
TOP: x & Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
x& x& x & x& x& x&
5. Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a client may be experiencing a m
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
ental illness? x&
a. reporting occasional sleeplessness and anxiety.
x& x& x& x&
b. reporting a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
c. being able to describe the difference between ―as if‖ and ―for real.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
d. experiencing difficulty making a decision about whether to change jobs.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
ANS: x & B
The correct response describes a mood alteration, which reflects mental illness. The distra
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
cters describe behaviors that are mentally healthy or within the usual scope of human ex
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
perience.
PTS: x & x & 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) x& x& x&
TOP: x & Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
x& x& x & x& x& x&
6. Which finding best indicates that the goal ―Demonstrate mentally healthy behavior‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
was achieved for an adult client?
x& x& x& x& x&
a. being willing to work towards achieving ideals and meeting demands.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
b. behaving without considering the consequences of personal actions.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
c. aggressively meeting personal needs without considering the rights of others.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
d. seeking help from others to avoid assuming responsibility for major areas of
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x
own life.
& x&
x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric-
x& x& x& x&
Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach, 10th Edition
x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
MULTIPLE CHOICE x&
1. The scope of practiced for an advanced nurse practitioner would include which interventi
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
on?
a. Conducting a mental health assessment. x& x& x& x&
b. Prescribing psychotropic medication. x& x&
c. Establishing a therapeutic relationship. x& x& x&
d. Individualizing a nursing care plan. x& x& x& x&
ANS: x & B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master‘s-
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
prepared nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists who have taken special courses
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
on prescribing medication. The nurse prepared at the basic level is permitted to perform
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
mental health assessments, establish relationships, and provide individualized care plannin
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
g.
PTS: x & x & 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) x& x& x&
TOP: x & Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
x& x& x & x& x& x& x& x&
2. A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses ―lose all their clinical nu
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
rsing skills.‖ Select the best response by the mental health nurse.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
a. ―Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
-to-
client ratios must be better because of the nature of the clients‘ problems.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
b. ―Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thin
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
king to solve multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those situation
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
s.‖
c. ―That‘s a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technolo
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
gy monitoring equipment and manage complex intravenous therapies.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
d. ―Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and sufferi
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
ng as medical–surgical nurses do. That appeals to me.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
ANS: x & B
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of skills than medical–
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
surgical nursing, though there is substantial overlap. Psychiatric nurses must be able to h
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
elp clients with medical as well as mental health problems, reflecting the holistic perspect
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
ive these nurses must have. Nurse–
x& x& x& x& x&
client ratios and workloads in psychiatric settings have increased, just like other specialti
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
es. Psychiatric nursing involves clinical practice, not just documentation.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
Psychosocial pain and suffering are as real as physical pain and suffering.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
PTS: x & x & 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) x& x& x&
TOP: x & Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
x& x& x & x& x& x& x& x&
3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons diagnosed
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
x&with mental illness, a group of nurses write letters to their elected representatives in o
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
pposition to the legislation. Which role have the nurses fulfilled?
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
a. Recovery
,b. Attending
c. Advocacy
d. Evidence-based practice
x&
, ANS: x & C
An advocate defends or asserts another‘s cause, particularly when the other person lacks
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x
&the ability to do that for self. Examples of individual advocacy include helping clients u
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
nderstand their rights or make decisions. On a community scale, advocacy includes politi
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
cal activity, public speaking, and publication in the interest of improving the human con
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
dition. Since funding is necessary to deliver quality programming for persons with mental
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
illness, the letter-
x& x& x&
x&writing campaign advocates for that cause on behalf of clients who are unable to articu
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
late their own needs.
x& x& x&
PTS: x & x & 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) x& x& x&
TOP: x & Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
x& x& x & x& x& x& x& x&
4. A family has a long history of conflicted relationships among the members. Which fa
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
mily member‘s comment best reflects a mentally healthy perspective?
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
a. ―I‘ve made mistakes but everyone else in this family has also.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
b. ―I remember joy and mutual respect from our early years together.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
c. ―I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
d. ―It‘s best for me to move away from my family. Things will never change.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
ANS: x & C
The correct response demonstrates the best evidence of a healthy recognition of the imp
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
ortance of relationships. Mental health includes rational thinking, communication skills,
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
learning, emotional growth, resilience, and self-
x& x& x& x& x&
esteem. Recalling joy from earlier in life may be healthy, but the correct response shows
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
a higher level of mental health. The other incorrect responses show blaming and avoida
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
nce.
PTS: x & x & 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis) x& x& x&
TOP: x & Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
x& x& x & x& x& x&
5. Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a client may be experiencing a m
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
ental illness? x&
a. reporting occasional sleeplessness and anxiety.
x& x& x& x&
b. reporting a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
c. being able to describe the difference between ―as if‖ and ―for real.‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
d. experiencing difficulty making a decision about whether to change jobs.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
ANS: x & B
The correct response describes a mood alteration, which reflects mental illness. The distra
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
cters describe behaviors that are mentally healthy or within the usual scope of human ex
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
perience.
PTS: x & x & 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) x& x& x&
TOP: x & Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
x& x& x & x& x& x&
6. Which finding best indicates that the goal ―Demonstrate mentally healthy behavior‖
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
was achieved for an adult client?
x& x& x& x& x&
a. being willing to work towards achieving ideals and meeting demands.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
b. behaving without considering the consequences of personal actions.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
c. aggressively meeting personal needs without considering the rights of others.
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x&
d. seeking help from others to avoid assuming responsibility for major areas of
x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x& x
own life.
& x&
