Test Bank For Varcarolis Canadian Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing 3rd Edition By Cheryl L.
Pollard, Sonya L. Jakubec| 9780323778800|
All Chapters|
Section 1: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing (Questions 1-25)
1. A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. Which
of the following would the nurse expect as an advanced practice
intervention?
a. Conducting mental health assessments
b. Prescribing psychotropic medication
c. Prescribing psychotropic medication
d. Individualizing nursing care plans
Answer: b. Prescribing psychotropic medication
Rationale: Prescriptive privileges are granted to master’s-prepared
Nurse Practitioners (advanced practice). Conducting assessments,
establishing relationships, and individualizing care plans are basic-level
interventions .
2. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, which
has been identified as a priority for national plans and strategies?
a. Decrease in the aging population
b. Increase in cultural diversity
,c. Role of the advanced practice nurse
d. Shortage of physicians
Answer: b. Increase in cultural diversity
Rationale: The MHCC identified cultural diversity as a priority,
highlighting the need for culturally safe care and attention to the
mental health consequences of colonization and racism in Canada .
3. A patient asks the nurse, "What are neurotransmitters? My
doctor says mine are out of balance." What is the nurse's best
response?
a. "You must feel relieved to know it has a physical basis."
b. "Neurotransmitters are chemicals that pass messages between brain
cells."
c. "You should ask the doctor to explain it further."
d. "They are substances we eat that influence memory."
Answer: b. "Neurotransmitters are chemicals that pass messages
between brain cells."
Rationale: This provides accurate, understandable information.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers released from axon
terminals that diffuse across the synapse .
4. The term "stigma" in mental health refers to:
a. The medical diagnosis of a disorder.
b. Negative stereotypes and attitudes toward people with mental
illness.
c. The legal rights of people with mental illness.
d. The financial cost of treatment.
,Answer: b. Negative stereotypes and attitudes toward people with
mental illness.
Rationale: Stigma involves negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes
that lead to discrimination and social exclusion .
5. Which serves as the official guide for diagnosing psychiatric
disorders in North America?
a. International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11)
b. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)
c. Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)
d. A behavioral health reference manual
Answer: b. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5-TR)
Rationale: The DSM-5-TR (published by the American Psychiatric
Association) provides clinicians, educators, and researchers with a
common framework and diagnostic criteria for mental disorders .
6. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I will ever get better.
There's no hope for me." The nurse's best response is:
a. "Don't worry, you'll get better with time."
b. "It sounds like you are feeling hopeless. Can you tell me more?"
c. "You have so much to live for; think about your family."
d. "Just take your medication and you will feel better soon."
Answer: b. "It sounds like you are feeling hopeless. Can you tell me
more?"
Rationale: This uses reflection and validation, acknowledging the
patient's feelings and encouraging exploration (therapeutic
communication). False reassurance is non-therapeutic .
, 7. A patient with depression is afraid of medication side effects.
The most therapeutic response is:
a. "You need to take it; it's the only way you'll get better."
b. "Tell me more about your concerns regarding the medication."
c. "Don't worry; the side effects are usually mild."
d. "If you don't take it, you may end up in the hospital."
Answer: b. "Tell me more about your concerns regarding the
medication."
Rationale: This open-ended question explores the patient's concerns,
validates feelings, and allows for collaborative problem-solving .
8. A patient with depression demonstrates poor hygiene and social
withdrawal. According to the Recovery model, what is the priority
goal?
a. Complete elimination of all symptoms
b. Returning to the exact level of functioning prior to illness
c. Living a meaningful life in the community despite ongoing symptoms
d. Hospitalization until all symptoms resolve
Answer: c. Living a meaningful life in the community despite ongoing
symptoms
Rationale: Recovery is a process of change where individuals improve
health and wellness and live a self-directed life, even while
experiencing symptoms .
9. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, what
percentage of Canadians will experience a mental health problem in
their lifetime?
a. 10%
b. 20%
Mental Health Nursing 3rd Edition By Cheryl L.
Pollard, Sonya L. Jakubec| 9780323778800|
All Chapters|
Section 1: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing (Questions 1-25)
1. A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. Which
of the following would the nurse expect as an advanced practice
intervention?
a. Conducting mental health assessments
b. Prescribing psychotropic medication
c. Prescribing psychotropic medication
d. Individualizing nursing care plans
Answer: b. Prescribing psychotropic medication
Rationale: Prescriptive privileges are granted to master’s-prepared
Nurse Practitioners (advanced practice). Conducting assessments,
establishing relationships, and individualizing care plans are basic-level
interventions .
2. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, which
has been identified as a priority for national plans and strategies?
a. Decrease in the aging population
b. Increase in cultural diversity
,c. Role of the advanced practice nurse
d. Shortage of physicians
Answer: b. Increase in cultural diversity
Rationale: The MHCC identified cultural diversity as a priority,
highlighting the need for culturally safe care and attention to the
mental health consequences of colonization and racism in Canada .
3. A patient asks the nurse, "What are neurotransmitters? My
doctor says mine are out of balance." What is the nurse's best
response?
a. "You must feel relieved to know it has a physical basis."
b. "Neurotransmitters are chemicals that pass messages between brain
cells."
c. "You should ask the doctor to explain it further."
d. "They are substances we eat that influence memory."
Answer: b. "Neurotransmitters are chemicals that pass messages
between brain cells."
Rationale: This provides accurate, understandable information.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers released from axon
terminals that diffuse across the synapse .
4. The term "stigma" in mental health refers to:
a. The medical diagnosis of a disorder.
b. Negative stereotypes and attitudes toward people with mental
illness.
c. The legal rights of people with mental illness.
d. The financial cost of treatment.
,Answer: b. Negative stereotypes and attitudes toward people with
mental illness.
Rationale: Stigma involves negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes
that lead to discrimination and social exclusion .
5. Which serves as the official guide for diagnosing psychiatric
disorders in North America?
a. International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11)
b. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)
c. Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)
d. A behavioral health reference manual
Answer: b. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5-TR)
Rationale: The DSM-5-TR (published by the American Psychiatric
Association) provides clinicians, educators, and researchers with a
common framework and diagnostic criteria for mental disorders .
6. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I will ever get better.
There's no hope for me." The nurse's best response is:
a. "Don't worry, you'll get better with time."
b. "It sounds like you are feeling hopeless. Can you tell me more?"
c. "You have so much to live for; think about your family."
d. "Just take your medication and you will feel better soon."
Answer: b. "It sounds like you are feeling hopeless. Can you tell me
more?"
Rationale: This uses reflection and validation, acknowledging the
patient's feelings and encouraging exploration (therapeutic
communication). False reassurance is non-therapeutic .
, 7. A patient with depression is afraid of medication side effects.
The most therapeutic response is:
a. "You need to take it; it's the only way you'll get better."
b. "Tell me more about your concerns regarding the medication."
c. "Don't worry; the side effects are usually mild."
d. "If you don't take it, you may end up in the hospital."
Answer: b. "Tell me more about your concerns regarding the
medication."
Rationale: This open-ended question explores the patient's concerns,
validates feelings, and allows for collaborative problem-solving .
8. A patient with depression demonstrates poor hygiene and social
withdrawal. According to the Recovery model, what is the priority
goal?
a. Complete elimination of all symptoms
b. Returning to the exact level of functioning prior to illness
c. Living a meaningful life in the community despite ongoing symptoms
d. Hospitalization until all symptoms resolve
Answer: c. Living a meaningful life in the community despite ongoing
symptoms
Rationale: Recovery is a process of change where individuals improve
health and wellness and live a self-directed life, even while
experiencing symptoms .
9. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, what
percentage of Canadians will experience a mental health problem in
their lifetime?
a. 10%
b. 20%
