PSYCHIATRIC AND MENTAL HEALTH
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Clinical Scenario: Case Study 95 & 96
Question: A 40-year-old woman working in banking is seeking treatment
following a diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Which clinical
features are most indicative of this condition?
a) Engaging in repetitive, patterned actions that the individual feels powerless to
stop. b) A significant spike in distress or tension when the individual tries to resist
their urges. c) Persistent, unwanted mental images or ideas that recur frequently. d)
All the options listed above.
✔ ✔ Answer: d) All of the above. OCD is a mental health condition defined by a
cycle of obsessions (persistent, intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (the urge to
perform specific acts). Typically, a person performs these rituals as a way to
alleviate the intense discomfort caused by their obsessions. However, the relief is
fleeting, leading to a loop of behavior. Key markers of the disorder include a
"driven" feeling to complete rituals, heightened anxiety when these routines are
interrupted, and the presence of recurring, involuntary thoughts.
Which of the following statements regarding the rehabilitation of alcoholics is
correct?
a) Al-Anon is not designed for family members of alcoholics
b) Disulfiram (Antabuse) is always effective
c) Alcoholics Anonymous is not an effective method for treating this condition
d) Patients should avoid foods or drinks that contain alcohol, such as cough syrups
-ANSWER ✔✔D - The intake of foods and medications that contain alcohol must
be avoided because it can precipitate a relapse in a recovering alcoholic. This
includes everyday products that contain alcohol, such as mouthwashes and cough
syrups. Al-Anon (for adults) and Alateen (for teens) are 12-step programs for
families and friends of alcoholics. Antabuse is effective for some patients.
, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a 12-step program that is designed to help
alcoholics.
A 30-year-old male patient with bipolar disorder refuses to take his afternoon dose
of pills. The nurse tells him of the possible consequences of his action, but the
patient still refuses to cooperate. Which of the following is the best course for the
nurse to follow?
a) Document the patient's behavior in his record and the action taken by the nurse
b) Reassure the patient that he will be fine after taking the medicine
c) Document only the patient behavior
d) Document only the nurse's action -ANSWER ✔✔A - Patients have the right to
refuse their medications. Bipolar disorder tends to worsen if it is not treated.
Explain that there is a good chance that manic and depressive episodes will
become more frequent and severe over time. If a patient is noncompliant, the
patient behavior and the actions taken by the nurse both must be documented.
All of the following patients are at higher risk for suicide except:
a) A 66-year-old White man whose wife of 40 years recently died
b) A high school student with a history of bipolar disorder
c) A depressed 45-year-old woman with family history of suicide
d) A 17-year-old teen who has only one close friend in school -ANSWER ✔✔D -
Risk factors for suicide include (a) elderly White men (especially after the death of
a spouse); (b) past history of suicide; (c) family history of suicide; (d) plans for use
of a lethal weapon such as a gun or knife; (e) gender (higher attempt rate in
females, but higher success rate in males); and (f) personal history of bipolar
disorder or depression.
All of the following are true statements regarding Munchausen syndrome except:
a) It is considered a mental illness
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Clinical Scenario: Case Study 95 & 96
Question: A 40-year-old woman working in banking is seeking treatment
following a diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Which clinical
features are most indicative of this condition?
a) Engaging in repetitive, patterned actions that the individual feels powerless to
stop. b) A significant spike in distress or tension when the individual tries to resist
their urges. c) Persistent, unwanted mental images or ideas that recur frequently. d)
All the options listed above.
✔ ✔ Answer: d) All of the above. OCD is a mental health condition defined by a
cycle of obsessions (persistent, intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (the urge to
perform specific acts). Typically, a person performs these rituals as a way to
alleviate the intense discomfort caused by their obsessions. However, the relief is
fleeting, leading to a loop of behavior. Key markers of the disorder include a
"driven" feeling to complete rituals, heightened anxiety when these routines are
interrupted, and the presence of recurring, involuntary thoughts.
Which of the following statements regarding the rehabilitation of alcoholics is
correct?
a) Al-Anon is not designed for family members of alcoholics
b) Disulfiram (Antabuse) is always effective
c) Alcoholics Anonymous is not an effective method for treating this condition
d) Patients should avoid foods or drinks that contain alcohol, such as cough syrups
-ANSWER ✔✔D - The intake of foods and medications that contain alcohol must
be avoided because it can precipitate a relapse in a recovering alcoholic. This
includes everyday products that contain alcohol, such as mouthwashes and cough
syrups. Al-Anon (for adults) and Alateen (for teens) are 12-step programs for
families and friends of alcoholics. Antabuse is effective for some patients.
, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a 12-step program that is designed to help
alcoholics.
A 30-year-old male patient with bipolar disorder refuses to take his afternoon dose
of pills. The nurse tells him of the possible consequences of his action, but the
patient still refuses to cooperate. Which of the following is the best course for the
nurse to follow?
a) Document the patient's behavior in his record and the action taken by the nurse
b) Reassure the patient that he will be fine after taking the medicine
c) Document only the patient behavior
d) Document only the nurse's action -ANSWER ✔✔A - Patients have the right to
refuse their medications. Bipolar disorder tends to worsen if it is not treated.
Explain that there is a good chance that manic and depressive episodes will
become more frequent and severe over time. If a patient is noncompliant, the
patient behavior and the actions taken by the nurse both must be documented.
All of the following patients are at higher risk for suicide except:
a) A 66-year-old White man whose wife of 40 years recently died
b) A high school student with a history of bipolar disorder
c) A depressed 45-year-old woman with family history of suicide
d) A 17-year-old teen who has only one close friend in school -ANSWER ✔✔D -
Risk factors for suicide include (a) elderly White men (especially after the death of
a spouse); (b) past history of suicide; (c) family history of suicide; (d) plans for use
of a lethal weapon such as a gun or knife; (e) gender (higher attempt rate in
females, but higher success rate in males); and (f) personal history of bipolar
disorder or depression.
All of the following are true statements regarding Munchausen syndrome except:
a) It is considered a mental illness
