Mental Health Questions with Correct Answers

Chapter 10: Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders and Dissociative Disorders 1. Which scenario best demonstrates an example of eustress? A. A child loses a beloved family pet. B. A single male prepares to take a 1-week vacation to a tropical island with a group of close friends. C. A couple receives a bank notice there were insufficient funds in their account for a recent rent payment. D. A married female receives notification that their current employer is experiencing financial problems and some workers will be terminated. Correct Answer ANS: B Eustress is beneficial stress; it motivates people to develop skills they need to solve problems and meet personal goals. Positive life experiences produce eustress. Going on a tropical vacation is an exciting, relaxing experience and an example of eustress. Losing the family pet, worrying about employment security, and having financial problems are examples of distress, a negative experience that drains energy and can lead to significant emotional problems. 2. A patient diagnosed with liver failure has been on the transplant waiting list 8 months. The patient says, "Why is it taking so long to have the surgery? Maybe I'm meant to die for all the bad things I've done." The nurse should document the patient's comment in which section of the assessment? a. Physical b. Spiritual c. Financial d. Psychological Correct Answer ANS: B Stress can be evident in a person's spirituality. This patient's comment indicates questioning of one's place in the universe and consequences for wrongdoing, both are elements of spirituality. Stress can be related to psychological, physical, or psychosocial well-being, but spirituality is the best answer. 3. A person with a fear of heights drives across a high bridge. Which structure will stimulate a response from the autonomic nervous system? a. Thalamus b. Parietal lobe c. Hypothalamus d. Pituitary gland Correct Answer ANS: C The individual will find this experience stressful. The hypothalamus functions as the command-and-control center when receiving stressful signals. The hypothalamus responds to signals of stress by engaging the autonomic nervous system. The parietal lobe is responsible for the interpretation of other sensations. The thalamus processes messages associated with pain and wakefulness. The pituitary gland may be involved in other aspects of the person's response but would not stimulate the autonomic nervous system. 4. A person with a fear of closes spaces enters into an elevator. Which division of the autonomic nervous system is stimulated in response to this experience? a. Limbic system b. Peripheral nervous system c. Sympathetic nervous system d. Parasympathetic nervous system Correct Answer ANS: C The autonomic nervous system is made up of the sympathetic (fight-or-flight response) and parasympathetic (relaxation response) nervous systems. In times of stress, the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated. A person fearful of heights would experience stress associated with the experience of driving across a high bridge. The peripheral nervous system responds to messages from the sympathetic nervous system. The limbic system processes emotional responses but is not specifically part of the autonomic nervous system. 5. A patient is brought to the emergency department after a motorcycle accident. The patient is alert, responsive, and diagnosed with a broken leg. The patient's vital signs are temperature (T), 98.6° F; pulse (P), 72 beats/min (bpm); and respirations (R), 16 breaths per minute. After being informed that surgery is required for the broken leg, which vital sign readings would be expected? a. T, 98.6°; P, 64; R, 14 b. T, 98.6°; P, 68; R, 12 c. T, 98.6°; P, 62; R, 16 d. T, 98.6°; P, 84; R, 22 Correct Answer ANS: D The patient would experience stress associated with the anticipation of surgery. In times of stress, the sympathetic nervous system takes over (fight-or-flight response) and sends signals to the adrenal glands, thereby releasing epinephrine. The circulating epinephrine increases the heart rate. Respirations increase, bringing more oxygen to the lungs. 6. As part of the stress response, the HPA axis is stimulated. Which structures make up this system? a. Hippocampus, parietal lobe, and amygdala b. Hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands c. Hind brain, pyramidal nervous system, and anterior cerebrum d. Hepatic artery, parasympathetic nervous system, and acoustic nerve Correct Answer ANS: B As part of the physiological response of stress, the hypothalamus stimulates the HPA axis, which is made up of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. 7. Cortisol is released in response to a patient's prolonged stress. Which initial effect would the nurse expect to result from the increased cortisol level? a. Diuresis and electrolyte imbalance b. Focused and alert mental status