NURS 3554 EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE | QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
Mental illness Answer - Mental impairment/change in emotions, thinking and
behaviors that interferes with daily functioning
Mental health disorders Answer - Diagnostic term categorized by group of
clinical manifestations
Diathesis-stress model Answer - A diagnostic model that proposes mental
health disorders may develop when an underlying vulnerability (diathesis) is
coupled with a precipitating event (stress)
Stigma Answer - Negative attitude towards an individual or group (public, self,
or institutional)
Bias Answer - Prejudice or predisposition toward one side of a subject or issue
DSM-5 Answer - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (defines
and diagnoses mental health conditions)
Serious mental illness (SMI) Answer - Mental illness resulting in profound
functional impairment which substantially interferes with or limits one or more
major life activities (shorter life expectancy, reduced quality of life, unhealthy
lifestyle habits)
, Mental health continuum Answer - Well-being -> excelling -> thriving ->
surviving -> struggling -> crisis -> mental illness
Erikson's Developmental Theory Answer - Development begins in early
childhood and occurs in stages
Each stage has a task, and failing that task negatively affects you in further
stages
Trust vs. Mistrust Answer - Erikson's first stage during the first year of life
where infants learn to trust when they are cared for in a consistent warm
manner; failure to do so causes fear, mistrust, and difficulty bonding
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Answer - Erikson's second stage in which a
toddler learns to exercise will and to do things independently; failure to do so
causes shame and doubt
Initiative vs. Guilt Answer - Erikson's third stage in which the child finds
independence by asserting power and control through play; failure to do so
causes hesitancy to take initiative, guilt, and poor self confidence
Industry vs. Inferiority Answer - Erikson's fourth stage between 6 and 11 years,
when the child masters skills and feels competent; failure to do so leads to
poor self-esteem and avoiding challenges
Identity vs. Role Confusion Answer - Erikson's fifth stage between 12 and 18
years, when the adolescent is developing a personal identity; failure to do so
creates confusion about self, trying on extreme identities, and peer pressure
vulnerability
Intimacy vs. Isolation Answer - Erikson's sixth stage where the adult is forming
meaningful relationships; failure to do so leads to loneliness
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
Mental illness Answer - Mental impairment/change in emotions, thinking and
behaviors that interferes with daily functioning
Mental health disorders Answer - Diagnostic term categorized by group of
clinical manifestations
Diathesis-stress model Answer - A diagnostic model that proposes mental
health disorders may develop when an underlying vulnerability (diathesis) is
coupled with a precipitating event (stress)
Stigma Answer - Negative attitude towards an individual or group (public, self,
or institutional)
Bias Answer - Prejudice or predisposition toward one side of a subject or issue
DSM-5 Answer - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (defines
and diagnoses mental health conditions)
Serious mental illness (SMI) Answer - Mental illness resulting in profound
functional impairment which substantially interferes with or limits one or more
major life activities (shorter life expectancy, reduced quality of life, unhealthy
lifestyle habits)
, Mental health continuum Answer - Well-being -> excelling -> thriving ->
surviving -> struggling -> crisis -> mental illness
Erikson's Developmental Theory Answer - Development begins in early
childhood and occurs in stages
Each stage has a task, and failing that task negatively affects you in further
stages
Trust vs. Mistrust Answer - Erikson's first stage during the first year of life
where infants learn to trust when they are cared for in a consistent warm
manner; failure to do so causes fear, mistrust, and difficulty bonding
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Answer - Erikson's second stage in which a
toddler learns to exercise will and to do things independently; failure to do so
causes shame and doubt
Initiative vs. Guilt Answer - Erikson's third stage in which the child finds
independence by asserting power and control through play; failure to do so
causes hesitancy to take initiative, guilt, and poor self confidence
Industry vs. Inferiority Answer - Erikson's fourth stage between 6 and 11 years,
when the child masters skills and feels competent; failure to do so leads to
poor self-esteem and avoiding challenges
Identity vs. Role Confusion Answer - Erikson's fifth stage between 12 and 18
years, when the adolescent is developing a personal identity; failure to do so
creates confusion about self, trying on extreme identities, and peer pressure
vulnerability
Intimacy vs. Isolation Answer - Erikson's sixth stage where the adult is forming
meaningful relationships; failure to do so leads to loneliness
