Mental Health Nursing Exam 1 Prep | Units 1 & 2 | Complete Study Guide w Questions

NUR 253 Concepts of Mental Health Nursing
Study Guide with NCLEX Style Questions
Exam 1 (Unit 1-2)
Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: A
Clinical Approach
Chapters 1 – 9
by
STAT Education
Mental health and mental illness
Psychiatric assessment
Therapeutic relationship
Therapeutic communication
Therapeutic environment
Theories and therapies
Cultural and societal norms
Legal and ethical considerations
Psychobiology and Psychopharmacology

, Chapter 1: Mental Health and Mental Illness

Psychiatric Nursing Study Notes


Stigma is the belief that a person is somehow flawed or less worthy because
of a mental illness or other condition. It is characterized by:

 Social shunning or rejection
 Disgrace
 Shame
 Discrimination
 Negative stereotypes

Stigma often prevents individuals from seeking treatment due to fear of
judgment.



QSEN Competencies (Know All 6)

QSEN = Quality and Safety Education for Nurses

These six competencies guide safe, high-quality nursing care.

Competency What It Means NCLEX Key Point
1. Patient- Respect the patient's values, The patient is the center of
Centered Care preferences, and needs. every decision.
Nurses work effectively with
2. Teamwork & the healthcare team using Collaboration improves patient
Collaboration communication and mutual outcomes.
respect.
Use the best current
3. Evidence-
research, clinical expertise, Don't rely on tradition—use
Based Practice
and patient preferences to evidence.
(EBP)
guide care.
4. Quality Continuously evaluate
Nurses help identify problems
Improvement outcomes and improve
and improve systems.
(QI) healthcare processes.
Reduce errors, infections, falls,
Prevent harm to patients
5. Safety medication mistakes, and
and healthcare workers.
injuries.
6. Informatics Use technology and Examples include electronic
information systems to health records (EHRs), barcode
improve patient care and medication scanning, and

, Competency What It Means NCLEX Key Point
reduce errors. clinical decision support.
Exam Tip

When an NCLEX question asks about QSEN, identify which competency is
being demonstrated:

 Respecting a patient's wishes → Patient-Centered Care
 Consulting another discipline → Teamwork & Collaboration
 Following current clinical guidelines → Evidence-Based Practice
 Reporting trends to improve care → Quality Improvement
 Preventing medication errors or falls → Safety
 Using electronic health record or barcode scanning → Informatics

Mental Health

Mental health is a state of emotional, psychological, and social well-being
that enables an individual to cope with life's stressors, work productively,
and contribute to society.

Characteristics of a Mentally Healthy Person

 Accepts self and others
 Adapts to change
 Maintains satisfying relationships
 Demonstrates resilience
 Uses effective coping strategies
 Thinks realistically
 Functions independently

Mental Illness

Mental illness is a disturbance in thinking, feeling, behavior, or functioning
that significantly impairs daily life.

Examples include:

 Depression
 Bipolar disorder
 Schizophrenia
 Anxiety disorders
 PTSD
 Substance use disorders

, Risk Factors

Biological

 Genetics
 Brain chemistry
 Medical illness
 Hormonal changes

Psychological

 Trauma
 Poor coping skills
 Low self-esteem

Environmental

 Abuse
 Poverty
 Social isolation
 Substance abuse

Recovery Model

 Hope
 Empowerment
 Patient-centered care
 Strengths instead of illness

Document:

 Subjective feelings
 Objective observations

Never chart:

 Incident reports
 Future events
 "Noncompliant"

Assess medical problems first.

 Abnormal vital signs = priority.
 Suicidal thoughts = highest priority.