NUR 2520 | NUR2520— EXAM I HIGH-YIELD STUDY GUIDE Fall 2026-2027 — Memorize the
Clue → Know the Answer Miami Dade College
1. FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental Health vs Mental Illness
Mental Health
• Successful adaptation to stress
• Thoughts, feelings, behaviors appropriate for age/culture
• Effective coping
• Healthy relationships
• Able to function socially/occupationally
• Reality-based thinking
• Control of behavior
Example: Stressful semester → exercises, talks to friends, still goes to school.
Mental Illness
• Maladaptive response to stress
• Thoughts/feelings/behaviors interfere with functioning
• Social, occupational, or physical functioning affected
Example: Anxiety becomes so severe the patient stops working and isolates.
EXAM CLUE
Stress + still functioning = healthier adaptation
Stress + impaired daily functioning = possible mental illness
,Adaptive vs Maladaptive Responses to Stress
Adaptive
• Exercise
• Journaling
• Relaxation
• Therapy
• Healthy social support
• Problem solving
Maladaptive
• Isolation
• Avoidance
• Substance misuse
• Aggression
• Coping that interferes with functioning
Example:
“I started yoga.” → Adaptive
“I avoid everyone so I don’t have to deal with problems.” → Maladaptive
Effects of Mental Illness on Daily Functioning
Assess whether symptoms interfere with:
• Work
• School
• Relationships
• Hygiene
• Sleep
• Eating
• Responsibilities
• Safety
• Social interaction
• Physical functioning
EXAM CLUE
Mental illness is especially concerning when symptoms cause:
,FUNCTIONAL IMPAIRMENT
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Know the order:
1. Physiological
o Oxygen
o Food
o Water
o Sleep
o Elimination
2. Safety and Security
o Protection
o Suicide prevention
o Violence prevention
o Safe environment
3. Love and Belonging
o Relationships
o Family
o Friendship
4. Esteem
o Self-worth
o Confidence
o Achievement
5. Self-Actualization
o Reaching full potential
o Self-fulfillment
EXAM CLUE
Safety threat beats emotional needs.
Patient attacking another patient → priority over patient saying, “Nobody cares about me.”
Self-Actualization
Highest Maslow level.
, Terms:
• Full potential
• Self-fulfillment
• Personal growth
• Purpose
• Achievement
Example: “I feel fulfilled and I’m becoming the person I want to be.”
DSM
DSM = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Used to:
• Classify psychiatric disorders
• Establish diagnostic criteria
• Help providers make psychiatric diagnoses
• Standardize psychiatric diagnoses
EXAM CLUE
“Where does psychiatrist get criteria for diagnosis?”
DSM
Levels of Prevention
Primary Prevention
BEFORE disorder develops
• Prevent occurrence
• Reduce incidence
• Education
• Target at-risk populations
Clue → Know the Answer Miami Dade College
1. FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental Health vs Mental Illness
Mental Health
• Successful adaptation to stress
• Thoughts, feelings, behaviors appropriate for age/culture
• Effective coping
• Healthy relationships
• Able to function socially/occupationally
• Reality-based thinking
• Control of behavior
Example: Stressful semester → exercises, talks to friends, still goes to school.
Mental Illness
• Maladaptive response to stress
• Thoughts/feelings/behaviors interfere with functioning
• Social, occupational, or physical functioning affected
Example: Anxiety becomes so severe the patient stops working and isolates.
EXAM CLUE
Stress + still functioning = healthier adaptation
Stress + impaired daily functioning = possible mental illness
,Adaptive vs Maladaptive Responses to Stress
Adaptive
• Exercise
• Journaling
• Relaxation
• Therapy
• Healthy social support
• Problem solving
Maladaptive
• Isolation
• Avoidance
• Substance misuse
• Aggression
• Coping that interferes with functioning
Example:
“I started yoga.” → Adaptive
“I avoid everyone so I don’t have to deal with problems.” → Maladaptive
Effects of Mental Illness on Daily Functioning
Assess whether symptoms interfere with:
• Work
• School
• Relationships
• Hygiene
• Sleep
• Eating
• Responsibilities
• Safety
• Social interaction
• Physical functioning
EXAM CLUE
Mental illness is especially concerning when symptoms cause:
,FUNCTIONAL IMPAIRMENT
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Know the order:
1. Physiological
o Oxygen
o Food
o Water
o Sleep
o Elimination
2. Safety and Security
o Protection
o Suicide prevention
o Violence prevention
o Safe environment
3. Love and Belonging
o Relationships
o Family
o Friendship
4. Esteem
o Self-worth
o Confidence
o Achievement
5. Self-Actualization
o Reaching full potential
o Self-fulfillment
EXAM CLUE
Safety threat beats emotional needs.
Patient attacking another patient → priority over patient saying, “Nobody cares about me.”
Self-Actualization
Highest Maslow level.
, Terms:
• Full potential
• Self-fulfillment
• Personal growth
• Purpose
• Achievement
Example: “I feel fulfilled and I’m becoming the person I want to be.”
DSM
DSM = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Used to:
• Classify psychiatric disorders
• Establish diagnostic criteria
• Help providers make psychiatric diagnoses
• Standardize psychiatric diagnoses
EXAM CLUE
“Where does psychiatrist get criteria for diagnosis?”
DSM
Levels of Prevention
Primary Prevention
BEFORE disorder develops
• Prevent occurrence
• Reduce incidence
• Education
• Target at-risk populations
