• Psychiatric Mental 09/07/2026
Health
Test Bank 3 for Varcarolis' Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing A Clinical,
9th Edition by Halter, 9780323697071,
Covering Chapters 1-36 | Includes Rationales
A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. This nurse may expect an advanced practice nurse to
perform which additional intervention?
a. Conduct mental health assessments.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication.
c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
d. Individualize nursing care plans. –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
P 1
, • Psychiatric Mental 09/07/2026
Health
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master's-prepared nurse practitioners who have taken
special courses on prescribing medication. The nurse prepared at the basic level is permitted to perform mental
health assessments, establish relationships, and provide individualized care planning.
When a nursing student expresses concerns about how mental health nurses "lose all their nursing skills," the
best response by the mental health nurse is:
a. "Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse-to-patient ratios must be
better because of the nature of the patients' problems."
b. "Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thinking to solve multidimensional
problems. I am challenged by those situations."
c. "That's a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technology monitoring equipment and
manage complex intravenous therapies."
d. "Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as medical-surgical nurses do. That
appeals to me." –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of skills than medical-surgical nursing, though there is
substantial overlap. Psychiatric nurses must be able to help patients with medical as well as mental health
problems, reflecting the holistic perspective these nurses must have. Nurse-patient ratios and workloads in
psychiatric settings have increased, just like other specialties. Psychiatric nursing involves clinical practice, not
just documentation. Psychosocial pain and suffering are as real as physical pain and suffering.
When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons with mental illness, a group of
nurses writes letters to their elected representatives in opposition to the legislation. Which role have the nurses
fulfilled?
a. Recovery
b. Attending
c. Advocacy
d. Evidence-based practice - Correct Answer :ANS: C
An advocate defends or asserts another's cause, particularly when the other person lacks the ability to do that
for self. Examples of individual advocacy include helping patients understand their rights or make decisions. On a
community scale, advocacy includes political activity, public speaking, and publication in the interest of
improving the human condition. Since funding is necessary to deliver quality programming for persons with
P 2
, • Psychiatric Mental 09/07/2026
Health
mental illness, the letter- writing campaign advocates for that cause on behalf of patients who are unable to
articulate their own needs.
Which comment best indicates that a patient perceived the nurse was caring? "My nurse:
a. always asks me which type of juice I want to help me swallow my medication."
b. explained my treatment plan to me and asked for my ideas about how to make it better."
c. spends time listening to me talk about my problems. That helps me feel like I am not alone."
d. told me that if I take all the medicines the doctor prescribes, then I will get discharged sooner." –
Correct Answer :ANS: C
Caring evidences empathetic understanding as well as competency. It helps change pain and suffering into a
shared experience, creating a human connection that alleviates feelings of isolation. The distracters give
examples of statements that demonstrate advocacy or giving advice.
Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a patient may be experiencing a mental illness? The patient:
a. reports occasional sleeplessness and anxiety.
b. reports a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood.
c. is able to describe the difference between "as if" and "for real."
d. perceives difficulty making a decision about whether to change jobs. –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
The correct response describes a mood alteration, which reflects mental illness. The distracters describe
behaviors that are mentally healthy or within the usual scope of human experience.
Which finding best indicates that the goal "Demonstrate mentally healthy behavior" was achieved? A patient:
a. sees self as capable of achieving ideals and meeting demands.
b. behaves without considering the consequences of personal actions.
c. aggressively meets own needs without considering the rights of others.
P 3
, • Psychiatric Mental 09/07/2026
Health
d. seeks help from others when assuming responsibility for major areas of own life. –
Correct Answer :ANS: A
The correct response describes an adaptive, healthy behavior. The distracters describe maladaptive behaviors.
A nurse encounters an unfamiliar psychiatric disorder on a new patient's admission form. Which resource should
the nurse consult to determine criteria used to establish this diagnosis?
a. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10)
b. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
c. A behavioral health reference manual
d. Wikipedia –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
The DSM-5 gives the criteria used to diagnose each mental disorder. The distracters may not contain diagnostic
criteria for a psychiatric illness.
A nurse wants to find a description of diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders. Which resource would have the
most complete information?
a. Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)
b. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
c. The ANA's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
d. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
The DSM-5 details the diagnostic criteria for psychiatric clinical conditions. The other references are good
resources but do not define the diagnostic criteria.
Which individual is demonstrating the highest level of resilience? One who:
a. is able to repress stressors.
P 4
Health
Test Bank 3 for Varcarolis' Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing A Clinical,
9th Edition by Halter, 9780323697071,
Covering Chapters 1-36 | Includes Rationales
A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. This nurse may expect an advanced practice nurse to
perform which additional intervention?
a. Conduct mental health assessments.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication.
c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
d. Individualize nursing care plans. –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
P 1
, • Psychiatric Mental 09/07/2026
Health
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master's-prepared nurse practitioners who have taken
special courses on prescribing medication. The nurse prepared at the basic level is permitted to perform mental
health assessments, establish relationships, and provide individualized care planning.
When a nursing student expresses concerns about how mental health nurses "lose all their nursing skills," the
best response by the mental health nurse is:
a. "Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse-to-patient ratios must be
better because of the nature of the patients' problems."
b. "Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thinking to solve multidimensional
problems. I am challenged by those situations."
c. "That's a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technology monitoring equipment and
manage complex intravenous therapies."
d. "Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as medical-surgical nurses do. That
appeals to me." –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of skills than medical-surgical nursing, though there is
substantial overlap. Psychiatric nurses must be able to help patients with medical as well as mental health
problems, reflecting the holistic perspective these nurses must have. Nurse-patient ratios and workloads in
psychiatric settings have increased, just like other specialties. Psychiatric nursing involves clinical practice, not
just documentation. Psychosocial pain and suffering are as real as physical pain and suffering.
When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons with mental illness, a group of
nurses writes letters to their elected representatives in opposition to the legislation. Which role have the nurses
fulfilled?
a. Recovery
b. Attending
c. Advocacy
d. Evidence-based practice - Correct Answer :ANS: C
An advocate defends or asserts another's cause, particularly when the other person lacks the ability to do that
for self. Examples of individual advocacy include helping patients understand their rights or make decisions. On a
community scale, advocacy includes political activity, public speaking, and publication in the interest of
improving the human condition. Since funding is necessary to deliver quality programming for persons with
P 2
, • Psychiatric Mental 09/07/2026
Health
mental illness, the letter- writing campaign advocates for that cause on behalf of patients who are unable to
articulate their own needs.
Which comment best indicates that a patient perceived the nurse was caring? "My nurse:
a. always asks me which type of juice I want to help me swallow my medication."
b. explained my treatment plan to me and asked for my ideas about how to make it better."
c. spends time listening to me talk about my problems. That helps me feel like I am not alone."
d. told me that if I take all the medicines the doctor prescribes, then I will get discharged sooner." –
Correct Answer :ANS: C
Caring evidences empathetic understanding as well as competency. It helps change pain and suffering into a
shared experience, creating a human connection that alleviates feelings of isolation. The distracters give
examples of statements that demonstrate advocacy or giving advice.
Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a patient may be experiencing a mental illness? The patient:
a. reports occasional sleeplessness and anxiety.
b. reports a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood.
c. is able to describe the difference between "as if" and "for real."
d. perceives difficulty making a decision about whether to change jobs. –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
The correct response describes a mood alteration, which reflects mental illness. The distracters describe
behaviors that are mentally healthy or within the usual scope of human experience.
Which finding best indicates that the goal "Demonstrate mentally healthy behavior" was achieved? A patient:
a. sees self as capable of achieving ideals and meeting demands.
b. behaves without considering the consequences of personal actions.
c. aggressively meets own needs without considering the rights of others.
P 3
, • Psychiatric Mental 09/07/2026
Health
d. seeks help from others when assuming responsibility for major areas of own life. –
Correct Answer :ANS: A
The correct response describes an adaptive, healthy behavior. The distracters describe maladaptive behaviors.
A nurse encounters an unfamiliar psychiatric disorder on a new patient's admission form. Which resource should
the nurse consult to determine criteria used to establish this diagnosis?
a. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10)
b. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
c. A behavioral health reference manual
d. Wikipedia –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
The DSM-5 gives the criteria used to diagnose each mental disorder. The distracters may not contain diagnostic
criteria for a psychiatric illness.
A nurse wants to find a description of diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders. Which resource would have the
most complete information?
a. Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)
b. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
c. The ANA's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
d. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
The DSM-5 details the diagnostic criteria for psychiatric clinical conditions. The other references are good
resources but do not define the diagnostic criteria.
Which individual is demonstrating the highest level of resilience? One who:
a. is able to repress stressors.
P 4
