Chapter 01: Practicing the Science and Art of Psychiatric Nursing
Varcarolis: Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 3rd Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which outcome, focused on recovery, would be expected in the plan of care for a patient living in the c
with serious and persistent mental illness? Within 3 months, the patient will:
a. deny suicidal ideation.
b. report a sense of well-being.
c. take medications as prescribed.
d. attend clinic appointments on time.
ANS: B
Recovery emphasizes managing symptoms, reducing psychosocial disability, and improving role perfo
recovery is to empower the individual with mental illness to achieve a sense of meaning and satisfactio
the highest possible level of wellness. The incorrect options focus on the classic medical model rather t
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: Page 5
TOP: Nursing Process: Outcomes Identification
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A patient is hospitalized for depression and suicidal ideation after their spouse asks for a divorce. Selec
comment.
a. “Let’s discuss some means of coping other than suicide when you have these
feelings.”
b. “I understand why you’re so depressed. When I got divorced, I was devastated
too.”
c. “You should forget about your marriage and move on with your life.”
d. “How did you get so depressed that hospitalization was necessary?”
ANS: A
The nurse’s communication should evidence caring and a commitment to work with the patient. This c
know the nurse will help. Probing and advice are not helpful or therapeutic interventions.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: Page 6 | Page 7
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity
3. In the shift-change report, an off-going nurse criticizes a patient who wears heavy makeup. Which com
receives the report best demonstrates advocacy?
a. “This is a psychiatric hospital, so we expect our patients to behave bizarrely.”
b. “Let’s all show acceptance of this patient by wearing lots of makeup too.”
c. “Your comments are inconsiderate and inappropriate. Keep the report objective.”
d. “Our patients need our help to learn behaviors that will help them get along in
society.”
ANS: D
Accepting patients’ needs for self-expression and seeking to teach skills that will contribute to their we
and are important parts of advocacy. The on-coming nurse needs to take action to ensure that others are
patient. Humor can be appropriate within the privacy of a shift report but not at the expense of respect
off-going nurse in a critical way will create conflict. Nurses must show compassion for each other.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying)
REF: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 6 | Page 7 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A nurse assesses a newly admitted patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which statement
“attending”?
a. “We all have stress in life. Being in a psychiatric hospital is not the end of the
world.”
Varcarolis: Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 3rd Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which outcome, focused on recovery, would be expected in the plan of care for a patient living in the c
with serious and persistent mental illness? Within 3 months, the patient will:
a. deny suicidal ideation.
b. report a sense of well-being.
c. take medications as prescribed.
d. attend clinic appointments on time.
ANS: B
Recovery emphasizes managing symptoms, reducing psychosocial disability, and improving role perfo
recovery is to empower the individual with mental illness to achieve a sense of meaning and satisfactio
the highest possible level of wellness. The incorrect options focus on the classic medical model rather t
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: Page 5
TOP: Nursing Process: Outcomes Identification
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A patient is hospitalized for depression and suicidal ideation after their spouse asks for a divorce. Selec
comment.
a. “Let’s discuss some means of coping other than suicide when you have these
feelings.”
b. “I understand why you’re so depressed. When I got divorced, I was devastated
too.”
c. “You should forget about your marriage and move on with your life.”
d. “How did you get so depressed that hospitalization was necessary?”
ANS: A
The nurse’s communication should evidence caring and a commitment to work with the patient. This c
know the nurse will help. Probing and advice are not helpful or therapeutic interventions.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: Page 6 | Page 7
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity
3. In the shift-change report, an off-going nurse criticizes a patient who wears heavy makeup. Which com
receives the report best demonstrates advocacy?
a. “This is a psychiatric hospital, so we expect our patients to behave bizarrely.”
b. “Let’s all show acceptance of this patient by wearing lots of makeup too.”
c. “Your comments are inconsiderate and inappropriate. Keep the report objective.”
d. “Our patients need our help to learn behaviors that will help them get along in
society.”
ANS: D
Accepting patients’ needs for self-expression and seeking to teach skills that will contribute to their we
and are important parts of advocacy. The on-coming nurse needs to take action to ensure that others are
patient. Humor can be appropriate within the privacy of a shift report but not at the expense of respect
off-going nurse in a critical way will create conflict. Nurses must show compassion for each other.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying)
REF: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 6 | Page 7 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A nurse assesses a newly admitted patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which statement
“attending”?
a. “We all have stress in life. Being in a psychiatric hospital is not the end of the
world.”
