,NUR253/NUR 253 Exam 1 | Mental Health |
**1. The nurse is explaining the concept of mental health to a group of nursing students. Which
statement best defines mental health?**
A) The absence of any emotional distress
B) A state of well-being where an individual copes with normal stress and contributes to their
community
C) A condition requiring ongoing psychiatric medication
D) The ability to avoid all life stressors
Correct Answer: A state of well-being where an individual copes with normal stress and contributes to
their community
Rationale: Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which a person realizes their own
potential, can cope with normal life stresses, works productively, and contributes to their community. It
is not simply the absence of illness, nor does it mean avoiding all stress. This definition guides holistic
nursing assessment and is foundational to psychiatric nursing practice.
**2. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which patient need should the nurse address first?**
A) The patient expresses feelings of loneliness
B) The patient has not eaten in 24 hours
C) The patient states, "I have no purpose in life"
D) The patient wants to discuss future goals
Correct Answer: The patient has not eaten in 24 hours
Rationale: According to Maslow's hierarchy, physiological needs such as food, water, air, and shelter
take priority over safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs. A patient who has not
eaten must have this basic physiological need addressed before higher-level needs can be explored.
**3. A nurse is using Erikson's psychosocial stages to guide care. A young adult patient is struggling to
form close relationships. This patient is most likely experiencing a conflict in which stage?**
,A) Identity vs. role confusion
B) Intimacy vs. isolation
C) Generativity vs. stagnation
D) Integrity vs. despair
Correct Answer: Intimacy vs. isolation
Rationale: Erikson's stage for early adulthood (ages 20-35) is intimacy vs. isolation, where the primary
conflict is forming intimate relationships. Identity vs. role confusion occurs in adolescence, generativity
vs. stagnation occurs in middle adulthood, and integrity vs. despair occurs in later years.
**4. A school-age child is struggling to complete assignments and feels inferior to classmates. According
to Erikson, which psychosocial crisis is this child experiencing?**
A) Trust vs. mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
C) Initiative vs. guilt
D) Industry vs. inferiority
Correct Answer: Industry vs. inferiority
Rationale: Erikson's stage for school-age children (6-12 years) is industry vs. inferiority. During this stage,
children develop a sense of competence and achievement through mastering new skills. Failure to do so
can lead to feelings of inferiority.
**5. A 70-year-old patient is reflecting on life with a sense of fulfillment and acceptance. According to
Erikson, this patient has successfully resolved which psychosocial crisis?**
A) Generativity vs. stagnation
B) Intimacy vs. isolation
C) Industry vs. inferiority
D) Integrity vs. despair
, Correct Answer: Integrity vs. despair
Rationale: Erikson's stage for later years (age 65 and up) is integrity vs. despair. Successful resolution
leads to a sense of integrity and acceptance of one's life, while failure results in despair and regret. A
sense of fulfillment indicates successful navigation of this stage.
**6. The nurse is caring for a patient in the acute phase of bipolar disorder, manic episode. Which
biopsychosocial need should the nurse prioritize?**
A) Psychological
B) Physical
C) Intellectual
D) Relational
Correct Answer: Physical
Rationale: In the acute phase of a manic episode, patients may neglect basic physical needs such as
sleep, nutrition, and hydration, leading to exhaustion and physical deterioration. Addressing physical
needs is the priority to prevent medical complications and stabilize the patient.
**7. A patient experiencing severe depression is started on an SSRI. Which statement by the nurse is
most accurate regarding the onset of therapeutic effect?**
A) "You should feel better within 24 hours."
B) "It typically takes 4 to 6 weeks for the full therapeutic effect."
C) "You will notice immediate improvement."
D) "It depends on how positive your attitude is."
Correct Answer: "It typically takes 4 to 6 weeks for the full therapeutic effect."
Rationale: SSRIs require time to desensitize serotonin receptors and achieve full clinical response.
Patients often experience improvement in sleep or appetite first, but full mood elevation takes 4-6
weeks. Providing accurate education prevents premature discontinuation.
**1. The nurse is explaining the concept of mental health to a group of nursing students. Which
statement best defines mental health?**
A) The absence of any emotional distress
B) A state of well-being where an individual copes with normal stress and contributes to their
community
C) A condition requiring ongoing psychiatric medication
D) The ability to avoid all life stressors
Correct Answer: A state of well-being where an individual copes with normal stress and contributes to
their community
Rationale: Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which a person realizes their own
potential, can cope with normal life stresses, works productively, and contributes to their community. It
is not simply the absence of illness, nor does it mean avoiding all stress. This definition guides holistic
nursing assessment and is foundational to psychiatric nursing practice.
**2. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which patient need should the nurse address first?**
A) The patient expresses feelings of loneliness
B) The patient has not eaten in 24 hours
C) The patient states, "I have no purpose in life"
D) The patient wants to discuss future goals
Correct Answer: The patient has not eaten in 24 hours
Rationale: According to Maslow's hierarchy, physiological needs such as food, water, air, and shelter
take priority over safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs. A patient who has not
eaten must have this basic physiological need addressed before higher-level needs can be explored.
**3. A nurse is using Erikson's psychosocial stages to guide care. A young adult patient is struggling to
form close relationships. This patient is most likely experiencing a conflict in which stage?**
,A) Identity vs. role confusion
B) Intimacy vs. isolation
C) Generativity vs. stagnation
D) Integrity vs. despair
Correct Answer: Intimacy vs. isolation
Rationale: Erikson's stage for early adulthood (ages 20-35) is intimacy vs. isolation, where the primary
conflict is forming intimate relationships. Identity vs. role confusion occurs in adolescence, generativity
vs. stagnation occurs in middle adulthood, and integrity vs. despair occurs in later years.
**4. A school-age child is struggling to complete assignments and feels inferior to classmates. According
to Erikson, which psychosocial crisis is this child experiencing?**
A) Trust vs. mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
C) Initiative vs. guilt
D) Industry vs. inferiority
Correct Answer: Industry vs. inferiority
Rationale: Erikson's stage for school-age children (6-12 years) is industry vs. inferiority. During this stage,
children develop a sense of competence and achievement through mastering new skills. Failure to do so
can lead to feelings of inferiority.
**5. A 70-year-old patient is reflecting on life with a sense of fulfillment and acceptance. According to
Erikson, this patient has successfully resolved which psychosocial crisis?**
A) Generativity vs. stagnation
B) Intimacy vs. isolation
C) Industry vs. inferiority
D) Integrity vs. despair
, Correct Answer: Integrity vs. despair
Rationale: Erikson's stage for later years (age 65 and up) is integrity vs. despair. Successful resolution
leads to a sense of integrity and acceptance of one's life, while failure results in despair and regret. A
sense of fulfillment indicates successful navigation of this stage.
**6. The nurse is caring for a patient in the acute phase of bipolar disorder, manic episode. Which
biopsychosocial need should the nurse prioritize?**
A) Psychological
B) Physical
C) Intellectual
D) Relational
Correct Answer: Physical
Rationale: In the acute phase of a manic episode, patients may neglect basic physical needs such as
sleep, nutrition, and hydration, leading to exhaustion and physical deterioration. Addressing physical
needs is the priority to prevent medical complications and stabilize the patient.
**7. A patient experiencing severe depression is started on an SSRI. Which statement by the nurse is
most accurate regarding the onset of therapeutic effect?**
A) "You should feel better within 24 hours."
B) "It typically takes 4 to 6 weeks for the full therapeutic effect."
C) "You will notice immediate improvement."
D) "It depends on how positive your attitude is."
Correct Answer: "It typically takes 4 to 6 weeks for the full therapeutic effect."
Rationale: SSRIs require time to desensitize serotonin receptors and achieve full clinical response.
Patients often experience improvement in sleep or appetite first, but full mood elevation takes 4-6
weeks. Providing accurate education prevents premature discontinuation.
