Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nursing A Clinical 9th Edition by Margaret Jordan
Halter |Test Bank| Chapter 1-36 UPDATED 2023/2024
Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A ClinicalApproach, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. This nurse may expect an
advancedpractice nurse to perform which additional intervention? a. Conduct mental
health assessments.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication.
c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
d. Individualize nursing care plans.
ANS: B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master‘s-prepared nurse practitioners
andclinical nurse specialists who have taken special courses on prescribing medication. The
nurseprepared at the basic level is permitted to perform mental health assessments,
establish relationships, and provide individualized care planning.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 1-23
TOP:Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
2. A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses ―lose all their clinical
nursingskills.‖ Select the best response by the mental health nurse.
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.‖
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
patientswith 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
1
,Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nursing A Clinical 9th Edition by Margaret Jordan
Halter |Test Bank| Chapter 1-36 UPDATED 2023/2024
documentation. Psychosocial pain and suffering are as real as physical pain and suffering.
2
,Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nursing A Clinical 9th Edition by Margaret Jordan
Halter |Test Bank| Chapter 1-36 UPDATED 2023/2024
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-2, 21 TOP: Nursing Process:
ImplementationMSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
3
, Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nursing A Clinical 9th Edition by Margaret Jordan
Halter |Test Bank|Chapter 1-36 UPDATED 2022
3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons diagnosed
with mental illness, a group of nurses write letters to their elected representatives in
opposition tothe legislation. Which role have the nurses fulfilled?
a. Recovery
b. Attending
c. Advocacy
d. Evidence-based practice
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
politicalactivity, public speaking, and publication in the interest of improving the human
condition.
Since funding is necessary to deliver quality programming for persons with mental illness,
theletter-writing campaign advocates for that cause on behalf of patients who are unable to
articulate their own needs.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 1-26
TOP:Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A family has a long history of conflicted relationships among the members. Which family
member‘s comment best reflects a mentally healthy perspective?
a. ―I‘ve made mistakes but everyone else in this family has also.‖
b. ―I remember joy and mutual respect from our early years together.‖
c. ―I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family.‖
d. ―It‘s best for me to move away from my family. Things will never change.‖
ANS: C
The correct response demonstrates the best evidence of a healthy recognition of the
importance of relationships. Mental health includes rational thinking, communication skills,
learning, emotional growth, resilience, and self-esteem. Recalling joy from earlier in life may
be healthy, but the correct response shows a higher level of mental health. The other
incorrectresponses show blaming and avoidance.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis)
REF: Pages 1-2, 3, 32 (Figure 1-1) TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC:Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
5. Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a patient may be experiencing a
mentalillness? The patient
4
Health Nursing A Clinical 9th Edition by Margaret Jordan
Halter |Test Bank| Chapter 1-36 UPDATED 2023/2024
Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A ClinicalApproach, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. This nurse may expect an
advancedpractice nurse to perform which additional intervention? a. Conduct mental
health assessments.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication.
c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
d. Individualize nursing care plans.
ANS: B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master‘s-prepared nurse practitioners
andclinical nurse specialists who have taken special courses on prescribing medication. The
nurseprepared at the basic level is permitted to perform mental health assessments,
establish relationships, and provide individualized care planning.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 1-23
TOP:Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
2. A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses ―lose all their clinical
nursingskills.‖ Select the best response by the mental health nurse.
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.‖
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
patientswith 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
1
,Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nursing A Clinical 9th Edition by Margaret Jordan
Halter |Test Bank| Chapter 1-36 UPDATED 2023/2024
documentation. Psychosocial pain and suffering are as real as physical pain and suffering.
2
,Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nursing A Clinical 9th Edition by Margaret Jordan
Halter |Test Bank| Chapter 1-36 UPDATED 2023/2024
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-2, 21 TOP: Nursing Process:
ImplementationMSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
3
, Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nursing A Clinical 9th Edition by Margaret Jordan
Halter |Test Bank|Chapter 1-36 UPDATED 2022
3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons diagnosed
with mental illness, a group of nurses write letters to their elected representatives in
opposition tothe legislation. Which role have the nurses fulfilled?
a. Recovery
b. Attending
c. Advocacy
d. Evidence-based practice
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
politicalactivity, public speaking, and publication in the interest of improving the human
condition.
Since funding is necessary to deliver quality programming for persons with mental illness,
theletter-writing campaign advocates for that cause on behalf of patients who are unable to
articulate their own needs.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 1-26
TOP:Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A family has a long history of conflicted relationships among the members. Which family
member‘s comment best reflects a mentally healthy perspective?
a. ―I‘ve made mistakes but everyone else in this family has also.‖
b. ―I remember joy and mutual respect from our early years together.‖
c. ―I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family.‖
d. ―It‘s best for me to move away from my family. Things will never change.‖
ANS: C
The correct response demonstrates the best evidence of a healthy recognition of the
importance of relationships. Mental health includes rational thinking, communication skills,
learning, emotional growth, resilience, and self-esteem. Recalling joy from earlier in life may
be healthy, but the correct response shows a higher level of mental health. The other
incorrectresponses show blaming and avoidance.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis)
REF: Pages 1-2, 3, 32 (Figure 1-1) TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC:Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
5. Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a patient may be experiencing a
mentalillness? The patient
4
