N322 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
EXAMINATION: 310 UNIQUE MULTIPLE-
CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES
SECTION A: FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
1. The nurse assesses a client to be mentally well based on which of the
following findings?
A. Feels indifference related to changing jobs
B. Adheres rigidly to religious beliefs of parents and family of origin
C. Rarely considers past experiences when deciding about the future
D. Recognizes challenges but voices feeling important to family and friends
Answer: D
Rationale: Mental health is defined by the WHO as "a state of well-being in
which each individual is able to realize his or her own potential, cope with
normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and make a
contribution to the community." Traits of mental health include rational
thinking, appropriate social relationships and communication, resiliency, and
,positive self-esteem. A client who recognizes challenges while feeling valued
by family and friends demonstrates these characteristics. Indifference, rigid
adherence to others' beliefs, and failure to learn from past experiences
suggest poor mental health.
2. Which statement about mental health and mental illness is most accurate?
A. Behavior acceptable in one culture is always unacceptable in other cultures
B. It is easy to determine if a person is mentally healthy or mentally ill
C. Mental health is a state of emotional, psychological, and social wellness
evidenced by satisfying interpersonal relationships, effective coping, positive
self-concept, and emotional stability
D. Persons who engage in fantasies are mentally ill
Answer: C
Rationale: Mental health is a state of emotional, psychological, and social
wellness evidenced by satisfying interpersonal relationships, effective behavior
and coping, positive self-concept, and emotional stability. What one society
views as acceptable, another may view as maladaptive. Mental health and
illness exist on a continuum, and it is not always easy to determine where a
person falls. Fantasies alone do not indicate mental illness.
3. A nurse is planning care for a group of clients on a mental health unit. Which
action should the nurse plan to take to create a therapeutic environment?
A. Plan to discuss any topic that is presented
B. Focus on client weaknesses to increase adaptation
C. Provide continuity of care by assigning the same staff
D. Allow clients to determine the boundaries of the environment
,Answer: C
Rationale: Consistent interactions are important in any care setting, but
especially in mental health. This will help clients establish trust and a sense of
security. Assigning the same staff provides consistency, which is therapeutic
for clients with mental health conditions.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is terminally ill and exhibiting signs of
impending death. The client's medical record states the client is a practicing
Roman Catholic. Which nursing action is appropriate?
A. Offer to make arrangements for the Sacrament of the Sick
B. Prepare to stay with the client's body after death until family arrives
C. Arrange for a member of the client's faith to bathe the body after death
D. Post a sign on the client's door stating "No Talking"
Answer: A
Rationale: Practicing Roman Catholics often wish to receive the Sacrament of
the Sick from a priest during times of illness or when death is approaching.
Clients who practice Judaism believe that the body should not be left
unattended until after the funeral. Clients who practice Islam believe that an
individual from the client's mosque should perform bathing rituals after death.
5. A charge nurse is preparing a staff education session on personality
disorders. Which personality characteristics associated with all personality
disorders should the charge nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that
apply.)
, A. Difficulty in getting along with other members of a group
B. Belief in the ability to become invisible during times of stress
C. Display of defense mechanisms when routines are changed
D. Claiming to be more important than other persons
E. Difficulty understanding why it is inappropriate to have a personal
relationship with staff
Answer: A, C, E
Rationale: All personality disorders are characterized by difficulty in
interpersonal relationships, use of defense mechanisms when stressed, and
impaired social judgment. Belief in becoming invisible is not a general
characteristic of personality disorders, and claiming to be more important than
others is specific to narcissistic personality disorder, not all personality
disorders.
6. A college student has been experiencing significant stress associated with
academic demands. Last month, the student began attending yoga sessions
three times a week. Which outcome indicates this activity has been successful?
A. The student reports improved feelings of well-being
B. The student increases use of caffeine to enhance concentration
C. The student reports sleeping about 10 hours every day
D. The student withdrew from two courses to reduce academic load
Answer: A
EXAMINATION: 310 UNIQUE MULTIPLE-
CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES
SECTION A: FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
1. The nurse assesses a client to be mentally well based on which of the
following findings?
A. Feels indifference related to changing jobs
B. Adheres rigidly to religious beliefs of parents and family of origin
C. Rarely considers past experiences when deciding about the future
D. Recognizes challenges but voices feeling important to family and friends
Answer: D
Rationale: Mental health is defined by the WHO as "a state of well-being in
which each individual is able to realize his or her own potential, cope with
normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and make a
contribution to the community." Traits of mental health include rational
thinking, appropriate social relationships and communication, resiliency, and
,positive self-esteem. A client who recognizes challenges while feeling valued
by family and friends demonstrates these characteristics. Indifference, rigid
adherence to others' beliefs, and failure to learn from past experiences
suggest poor mental health.
2. Which statement about mental health and mental illness is most accurate?
A. Behavior acceptable in one culture is always unacceptable in other cultures
B. It is easy to determine if a person is mentally healthy or mentally ill
C. Mental health is a state of emotional, psychological, and social wellness
evidenced by satisfying interpersonal relationships, effective coping, positive
self-concept, and emotional stability
D. Persons who engage in fantasies are mentally ill
Answer: C
Rationale: Mental health is a state of emotional, psychological, and social
wellness evidenced by satisfying interpersonal relationships, effective behavior
and coping, positive self-concept, and emotional stability. What one society
views as acceptable, another may view as maladaptive. Mental health and
illness exist on a continuum, and it is not always easy to determine where a
person falls. Fantasies alone do not indicate mental illness.
3. A nurse is planning care for a group of clients on a mental health unit. Which
action should the nurse plan to take to create a therapeutic environment?
A. Plan to discuss any topic that is presented
B. Focus on client weaknesses to increase adaptation
C. Provide continuity of care by assigning the same staff
D. Allow clients to determine the boundaries of the environment
,Answer: C
Rationale: Consistent interactions are important in any care setting, but
especially in mental health. This will help clients establish trust and a sense of
security. Assigning the same staff provides consistency, which is therapeutic
for clients with mental health conditions.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is terminally ill and exhibiting signs of
impending death. The client's medical record states the client is a practicing
Roman Catholic. Which nursing action is appropriate?
A. Offer to make arrangements for the Sacrament of the Sick
B. Prepare to stay with the client's body after death until family arrives
C. Arrange for a member of the client's faith to bathe the body after death
D. Post a sign on the client's door stating "No Talking"
Answer: A
Rationale: Practicing Roman Catholics often wish to receive the Sacrament of
the Sick from a priest during times of illness or when death is approaching.
Clients who practice Judaism believe that the body should not be left
unattended until after the funeral. Clients who practice Islam believe that an
individual from the client's mosque should perform bathing rituals after death.
5. A charge nurse is preparing a staff education session on personality
disorders. Which personality characteristics associated with all personality
disorders should the charge nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that
apply.)
, A. Difficulty in getting along with other members of a group
B. Belief in the ability to become invisible during times of stress
C. Display of defense mechanisms when routines are changed
D. Claiming to be more important than other persons
E. Difficulty understanding why it is inappropriate to have a personal
relationship with staff
Answer: A, C, E
Rationale: All personality disorders are characterized by difficulty in
interpersonal relationships, use of defense mechanisms when stressed, and
impaired social judgment. Belief in becoming invisible is not a general
characteristic of personality disorders, and claiming to be more important than
others is specific to narcissistic personality disorder, not all personality
disorders.
6. A college student has been experiencing significant stress associated with
academic demands. Last month, the student began attending yoga sessions
three times a week. Which outcome indicates this activity has been successful?
A. The student reports improved feelings of well-being
B. The student increases use of caffeine to enhance concentration
C. The student reports sleeping about 10 hours every day
D. The student withdrew from two courses to reduce academic load
Answer: A
