Test Bank –
Townsend's Essentials of Psychiatric Mental
Health Nursing,
By Morgan
11th edition
,TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. BASIC CONCEPTS IN PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
1. The Concept of Stress Adaptation
2. Mental Health and Mental Illness: Historical and Theoretical Concepts
II. FOUNDATIONS FOR PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
3. Concepts of Psychobiology
4. Psychopharmacology
5. Ethical and Legal Issues
III. THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN PSYCHIATRIC NURSING CARE
6. Relationship Development
7. Therapeutic Communication
8. The Nursing Process in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
9. Therapeutic Groups
10. Intervention with Families
11. Psychosocial Interventions and Spiritual Care
12. Crisis Intervention
13. Assertiveness Training
14. Promoting Self Esteem
15. Anger and Aggression Management
16. Suicide Prevention
17. Behavior Therapy
18. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
19. Electroconvulsive Therapy
20. The Recovery Model
IV. NURSING CARE OF CLIENTS WITH ALTERATIONS IN PSYCHOSOCIAL ADAPTATION
21. Caring for Patients with Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders in General Practice Settings
22. Neurocognitive Disorders
23. Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
24. Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
25. Depressive Disorders
26. Bipolar and Related Disorders
27. Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Related Disorders
28. Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
29. Somatic Symptom and Dissociative Disorders
30. Eating Disorders
31. Personality Disorders
V. PSYCHIATRIC/MENTAL HEALTH NURSING OF SPECIAL POPULATIONS
32. Children and Adolescents
33. The Aging Individual
34. Survivors of Abuse or Neglect
35. Community Mental Health Nursing
36. The Bereaved Individual
37. Military Families
,UNIT I: BASIC CONCEPTS IN PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
CHAPTER 1: The Concept of Stress Adaptation
1. A nursing student is studying Hans Selye's stress adaptation theory. Which statement best describes
Selye's definition of stress?
A. A specific emotional response to a threatening situation
B. A nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it
C. A psychological reaction to perceived danger in the environment
D. A voluntary physiological response to an identified stressor
Answer: B
Rationale: Hans Selye defined stress as the "nonspecific response of the body to any demand made
upon it." This definition emphasizes that stress is a physiological response that occurs regardless of the
nature of the stressor. It is not limited to emotional responses (A), psychological reactions (C), or
voluntary responses (D). Selye's definition is foundational to understanding the general adaptation
syndrome.
2. A nurse is explaining the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) to a group of nursing students. Which
phase is characterized by the body's initial "fight-or-flight" response?
A. Exhaustion stage
B. Resistance stage
C. Alarm reaction stage
D. Recovery stage
Answer: C
Rationale: The alarm reaction stage is the first phase of the GAS and involves the body's initial "fight-or-
flight" response, which activates the sympathetic nervous system. The resistance stage (B) is the second
phase where the body attempts to adapt to the stressor. The exhaustion stage (A) occurs when the body
can no longer maintain resistance. There is no "recovery stage" (D) in Selye's GAS model.
3. A client who recently lost a spouse has developed hypertension and gastric ulcers over several
months. According to Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome, in which stage is this client most likely
functioning?
A. Alarm reaction stage
B. Resistance stage
C. Exhaustion stage
D. Adaptation stage
, Answer: C
Rationale: The exhaustion stage occurs when the body's adaptive energy is depleted after prolonged
exposure to stress. Physical symptoms such as hypertension and gastric ulcers are characteristic of this
stage, indicating the body can no longer maintain resistance. The alarm stage (A) is the initial fight-or-
flight response. The resistance stage (B) involves successful adaptation. There is no formal "adaptation
stage" (D) in GAS.
4. Which neurotransmitter is primarily released during the fight-or-flight response associated with
stress?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Norepinephrine
D. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Answer: C
Rationale: Norepinephrine (along with epinephrine) is the primary neurotransmitter released during the
fight-or-flight response. It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels to prepare the
body for action. Serotonin (A) is primarily involved in mood regulation. Dopamine (B) is involved in
pleasure and reward pathways. GABA (D) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neuronal
excitability.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's use of coping mechanisms. Which of the following is an example of a
task-oriented coping reaction?
A. Denial of the stressful situation
B. Developing a plan to address the problem
C. Regression to earlier behaviors
D. Projecting blame onto others
Answer: B
Rationale: Task-oriented reactions involve using cognitive abilities to reduce stress, solve problems, and
resolve conflicts. Developing a plan to address the problem is a direct, action-oriented approach. Denial
(A), regression (C), and projection (D) are all ego defense mechanisms, which are considered
intrapsychic rather than task-oriented coping strategies.
6. A nursing student is differentiating between adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies. Which
behavior represents maladaptive coping?
A. Joining a support group after a cancer diagnosis
B. Using alcohol daily to manage work stress
C. Practicing deep breathing during anxiety episodes
D. Discussing feelings with a trusted friend
Townsend's Essentials of Psychiatric Mental
Health Nursing,
By Morgan
11th edition
,TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. BASIC CONCEPTS IN PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
1. The Concept of Stress Adaptation
2. Mental Health and Mental Illness: Historical and Theoretical Concepts
II. FOUNDATIONS FOR PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
3. Concepts of Psychobiology
4. Psychopharmacology
5. Ethical and Legal Issues
III. THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN PSYCHIATRIC NURSING CARE
6. Relationship Development
7. Therapeutic Communication
8. The Nursing Process in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
9. Therapeutic Groups
10. Intervention with Families
11. Psychosocial Interventions and Spiritual Care
12. Crisis Intervention
13. Assertiveness Training
14. Promoting Self Esteem
15. Anger and Aggression Management
16. Suicide Prevention
17. Behavior Therapy
18. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
19. Electroconvulsive Therapy
20. The Recovery Model
IV. NURSING CARE OF CLIENTS WITH ALTERATIONS IN PSYCHOSOCIAL ADAPTATION
21. Caring for Patients with Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders in General Practice Settings
22. Neurocognitive Disorders
23. Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
24. Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
25. Depressive Disorders
26. Bipolar and Related Disorders
27. Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Related Disorders
28. Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
29. Somatic Symptom and Dissociative Disorders
30. Eating Disorders
31. Personality Disorders
V. PSYCHIATRIC/MENTAL HEALTH NURSING OF SPECIAL POPULATIONS
32. Children and Adolescents
33. The Aging Individual
34. Survivors of Abuse or Neglect
35. Community Mental Health Nursing
36. The Bereaved Individual
37. Military Families
,UNIT I: BASIC CONCEPTS IN PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
CHAPTER 1: The Concept of Stress Adaptation
1. A nursing student is studying Hans Selye's stress adaptation theory. Which statement best describes
Selye's definition of stress?
A. A specific emotional response to a threatening situation
B. A nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it
C. A psychological reaction to perceived danger in the environment
D. A voluntary physiological response to an identified stressor
Answer: B
Rationale: Hans Selye defined stress as the "nonspecific response of the body to any demand made
upon it." This definition emphasizes that stress is a physiological response that occurs regardless of the
nature of the stressor. It is not limited to emotional responses (A), psychological reactions (C), or
voluntary responses (D). Selye's definition is foundational to understanding the general adaptation
syndrome.
2. A nurse is explaining the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) to a group of nursing students. Which
phase is characterized by the body's initial "fight-or-flight" response?
A. Exhaustion stage
B. Resistance stage
C. Alarm reaction stage
D. Recovery stage
Answer: C
Rationale: The alarm reaction stage is the first phase of the GAS and involves the body's initial "fight-or-
flight" response, which activates the sympathetic nervous system. The resistance stage (B) is the second
phase where the body attempts to adapt to the stressor. The exhaustion stage (A) occurs when the body
can no longer maintain resistance. There is no "recovery stage" (D) in Selye's GAS model.
3. A client who recently lost a spouse has developed hypertension and gastric ulcers over several
months. According to Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome, in which stage is this client most likely
functioning?
A. Alarm reaction stage
B. Resistance stage
C. Exhaustion stage
D. Adaptation stage
, Answer: C
Rationale: The exhaustion stage occurs when the body's adaptive energy is depleted after prolonged
exposure to stress. Physical symptoms such as hypertension and gastric ulcers are characteristic of this
stage, indicating the body can no longer maintain resistance. The alarm stage (A) is the initial fight-or-
flight response. The resistance stage (B) involves successful adaptation. There is no formal "adaptation
stage" (D) in GAS.
4. Which neurotransmitter is primarily released during the fight-or-flight response associated with
stress?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Norepinephrine
D. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Answer: C
Rationale: Norepinephrine (along with epinephrine) is the primary neurotransmitter released during the
fight-or-flight response. It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels to prepare the
body for action. Serotonin (A) is primarily involved in mood regulation. Dopamine (B) is involved in
pleasure and reward pathways. GABA (D) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neuronal
excitability.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's use of coping mechanisms. Which of the following is an example of a
task-oriented coping reaction?
A. Denial of the stressful situation
B. Developing a plan to address the problem
C. Regression to earlier behaviors
D. Projecting blame onto others
Answer: B
Rationale: Task-oriented reactions involve using cognitive abilities to reduce stress, solve problems, and
resolve conflicts. Developing a plan to address the problem is a direct, action-oriented approach. Denial
(A), regression (C), and projection (D) are all ego defense mechanisms, which are considered
intrapsychic rather than task-oriented coping strategies.
6. A nursing student is differentiating between adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies. Which
behavior represents maladaptive coping?
A. Joining a support group after a cancer diagnosis
B. Using alcohol daily to manage work stress
C. Practicing deep breathing during anxiety episodes
D. Discussing feelings with a trusted friend
