NUR 3450 Exam 1 Study Guide | A+ Verified Exam
Questions and Answers | Complete Mental Health Nursing
Review | Mental Health Concepts | Mental Status
Examination (MSE) | DSM-5 | General Adaptation
Syndrome | Stress Response | Anxiety Levels | Grief and
Loss | Therapeutic Communication | Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (CBT) | Milieu Therapy | Counseling | Health
Promotion | Case Management | HEADSS Assessment |
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) | Neurons and
Synapses | Neurotransmitters | Psychotropic Medications |
Defense Mechanisms | Suicide Risk Assessment |
Psychiatric Nursing Interventions | NCLEX Review Latest
Updated 2026
Define mental health
- A person's condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.
- A wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior
Factors that affect mental health
Genes, trauma, family, lifestyle, stressors, biological factors, childhood abuse, neglect, social
isolation, racism, losing someone close to you, severe long-term stress
What are the 3 general adaptation syndrome
Alarm Reaction Stage, Stage of Resistance, Stage of Exhaustion
,What is the alarm reaction stage
The initial reaction stage your body experiences when under stress. Prepapres you for the
flight or fight response. Heart rate and the adrenal gland releases cortisol (stress hormone)
and a boost of adrenaline.
What is the Stage of Resistance
The body begins to repair itself. Releases a lower amount of cortisol and heart rate and blood
pressure are stabilized. Remains on high alert. Signs of resistance are irritability, frustration,
and poor concentration.
What is the Stage of Exhaustion
The stage that results after prolonged stress. Signs are fatigue, burnout, depression, anxiety,
decreased stress tolerance.
What are the 4 levels of anxiety
Mild - Anxious throughout the day, but not all day. Some changes in concentration and sleep.
Stomach-ache and muscle tension
Moderate - Anxious most of the day. Changes in sleep appetite, and concentration.
Avoidance. Feeling panicky, headaches, and fatigue.
Severe - Anxiety all day. Feeling breathless, chest tightness, digestive issues, unable to focus,
and sensory overload. Isolation.
,Panic - Sever anxiety all day. Panic attack, can't function. Obsessive thoughts.
What are the 5 stages of grief?
Denial - Denying the situation. Usually, to numb the intensity of the situation.
Anger - Anger is hiding many of the emotions and pain that you carry
Bargaining - You may find yourself creating a lot of "what if" and "only if" statements
Depression - Where you isolate yourself from the others in order to fully cope with the loss
Acceptance - Accepted the situation. You understand what it meant in your life
What is the DSM5?
The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, DSM-5 is the current official
guidebook for categorizing and diagnosing psychiatric mental health disorders in the United
States.
What are ways to check for mental status?
Level of Consciousness - refers to the state of wakefulness of the patient and depends both on
brainstem and cortical components. Altered & Oriented, Comatose.
Physical appearance - Manner of dress, level of cleanliness, appearance
, Behavior - Level of eye contact, restless/anxious, withdrawn, disinhibited behavior, rapport,
level of motor activity
Cognitive and intellectual abilities - Patients level of orientation, attention, memory, alertness
and visuospatial functioning. The cognition section assesses their awareness of itself, their
environment, higher cortical functioning, frontal functioning, language, mental calculation,
drawing and copying.
What is a HEADSS assessment?
Home, Education, Activities, Drugs, Sex, Suicide. Assessment is a psychosocial screening tool
designed for the adolescent population. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other
organizaitons recommend using this assessment in order to address risk behaviors.
What is the MMSE
The mini mental state exam, or MMSE, is a simple pen and paper test of cognitive function
based on a total possible score of 30 points; it includes tests of orientation, concentration,
attention, verbal memory, naming and visuospatial skills.
Therapeutic strategies: What is counseling?
Process of meeting with a therapist to resolve problematic behaviors, beliefs, feelings,
relationship issues, and/or somatic responses.
Therapeutic strategies: What is milieu therapy?
Safe, structured, group treatment method for mental health issues. Interaction in a
community setting.
Questions and Answers | Complete Mental Health Nursing
Review | Mental Health Concepts | Mental Status
Examination (MSE) | DSM-5 | General Adaptation
Syndrome | Stress Response | Anxiety Levels | Grief and
Loss | Therapeutic Communication | Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (CBT) | Milieu Therapy | Counseling | Health
Promotion | Case Management | HEADSS Assessment |
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) | Neurons and
Synapses | Neurotransmitters | Psychotropic Medications |
Defense Mechanisms | Suicide Risk Assessment |
Psychiatric Nursing Interventions | NCLEX Review Latest
Updated 2026
Define mental health
- A person's condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.
- A wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior
Factors that affect mental health
Genes, trauma, family, lifestyle, stressors, biological factors, childhood abuse, neglect, social
isolation, racism, losing someone close to you, severe long-term stress
What are the 3 general adaptation syndrome
Alarm Reaction Stage, Stage of Resistance, Stage of Exhaustion
,What is the alarm reaction stage
The initial reaction stage your body experiences when under stress. Prepapres you for the
flight or fight response. Heart rate and the adrenal gland releases cortisol (stress hormone)
and a boost of adrenaline.
What is the Stage of Resistance
The body begins to repair itself. Releases a lower amount of cortisol and heart rate and blood
pressure are stabilized. Remains on high alert. Signs of resistance are irritability, frustration,
and poor concentration.
What is the Stage of Exhaustion
The stage that results after prolonged stress. Signs are fatigue, burnout, depression, anxiety,
decreased stress tolerance.
What are the 4 levels of anxiety
Mild - Anxious throughout the day, but not all day. Some changes in concentration and sleep.
Stomach-ache and muscle tension
Moderate - Anxious most of the day. Changes in sleep appetite, and concentration.
Avoidance. Feeling panicky, headaches, and fatigue.
Severe - Anxiety all day. Feeling breathless, chest tightness, digestive issues, unable to focus,
and sensory overload. Isolation.
,Panic - Sever anxiety all day. Panic attack, can't function. Obsessive thoughts.
What are the 5 stages of grief?
Denial - Denying the situation. Usually, to numb the intensity of the situation.
Anger - Anger is hiding many of the emotions and pain that you carry
Bargaining - You may find yourself creating a lot of "what if" and "only if" statements
Depression - Where you isolate yourself from the others in order to fully cope with the loss
Acceptance - Accepted the situation. You understand what it meant in your life
What is the DSM5?
The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, DSM-5 is the current official
guidebook for categorizing and diagnosing psychiatric mental health disorders in the United
States.
What are ways to check for mental status?
Level of Consciousness - refers to the state of wakefulness of the patient and depends both on
brainstem and cortical components. Altered & Oriented, Comatose.
Physical appearance - Manner of dress, level of cleanliness, appearance
, Behavior - Level of eye contact, restless/anxious, withdrawn, disinhibited behavior, rapport,
level of motor activity
Cognitive and intellectual abilities - Patients level of orientation, attention, memory, alertness
and visuospatial functioning. The cognition section assesses their awareness of itself, their
environment, higher cortical functioning, frontal functioning, language, mental calculation,
drawing and copying.
What is a HEADSS assessment?
Home, Education, Activities, Drugs, Sex, Suicide. Assessment is a psychosocial screening tool
designed for the adolescent population. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other
organizaitons recommend using this assessment in order to address risk behaviors.
What is the MMSE
The mini mental state exam, or MMSE, is a simple pen and paper test of cognitive function
based on a total possible score of 30 points; it includes tests of orientation, concentration,
attention, verbal memory, naming and visuospatial skills.
Therapeutic strategies: What is counseling?
Process of meeting with a therapist to resolve problematic behaviors, beliefs, feelings,
relationship issues, and/or somatic responses.
Therapeutic strategies: What is milieu therapy?
Safe, structured, group treatment method for mental health issues. Interaction in a
community setting.
