TEST BANK Chapter 02: Mental Health
and Mental Illness Varcarolis: Essentials
of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A
Communication Approach to Evidence-
Based Care
A patient has a history of physical violence against family members when frustrated and then
experiences periods of remorse after each outburst. Which finding indicates success in the plan of care?
The patient:
a. expresses frustration verbally instead of physically.
b. explains the rationale for behaviors to the victim.
c. identifies three personal strengths.
d. agrees to seek counseling. - correct answers A
Which referral is most appropriate for a woman who is severely beaten by her husband, has no relatives
or friends in the community, is afraid to return home, and has limited financial resources?
a. Support group
b. Law enforcement
c. Women's shelter
d. Vocational counseling - correct answers C
Which family scenario presents the greatest risk for family violence?
,a. An unemployed husband with low self-esteem, a wife who loses her job, and a developmentally
delayed 3-year-old child
b. A husband who finds employment 2 weeks after losing his previous job, a wife with stable
employment, and a child doing well in school
c. A single mother with an executive position, a talented child, and a widowed grandmother living in the
home to provide child care
d. A single homosexual male parent, an adolescent son who has just begun dating girls, and the father's
unmarried sister who has come to visit for 2 weeks - correct answers A
A 10-year-old child cares for siblings while the parents work because the family cannot afford a
babysitter. This child says, "My father doesn't like me. He calls me stupid all the time." The mother says
the father is easily frustrated and has trouble disciplining the children. The community health nurse
should consider which resources to stabilize the home situation?
Select all that apply.
a. Parental sessions to teach childrearing practices
b. Anger management counseling for the father
c. Continuing home visits to provide support
d. Safety plan for the wife and children
e. Placement of the children in foster care - correct answers ABC
A nurse assists a victim of spousal abuse to create a plan for escape if it becomes necessary. The plan
should include which components?
Select all that apply.
,a. Keep a cell phone fully charged.
b. Hide money with which to buy new clothes.
c. Have the telephone number for the nearest shelter.
d. Take enough toys to amuse the children for 2 days.
e. Secure a supply of current medications for self and children.
f. Determine a code word to signal children that it is time to leave.
g. Assemble birth certificates, Social Security cards, and licenses. - correct answers ACEFG
A community health nurse visits a family with four children. The father behaves angrily, finds fault with a
child, and asks twice, "Why are you such a stupid kid?" The wife says, "I have difficulty disciplining the
children. It's so frustrating." Which comments by the nurse will facilitate the interview with these
parents?
Select all that apply.
a. "Tell me how you punish your children."
b. "How do you stop your baby from crying?"
c. "Caring for four small children must be difficult."
d. "Do you or your husband ever beat the children?"
e. "Calling children 'stupid' injures their self-esteem." - correct answers ABC
, Which outcome, focused on recovery, would be expected in the plan of care for a patient living in the
community 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. - correct answers B
A patient is hospitalized for depression and suicidal ideation after their spouse asks for a divorce. Select
the nurse's most caring 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?" - correct answers A
In the shift-change report, an off-going nurse criticizes a patient who wears heavy makeup. Which
comment by the nurse who receives the report best demonstrates advocacy?
a. "This is a psychiatric hospital. Craziness is what we are all about."
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." - correct
answers D
A patient has a history of physical violence against family members when frustrated and then
experiences periods of remorse after each outburst. Which finding indicates success in the plan of care?
The patient:
a. expresses frustration verbally instead of physically.
and Mental Illness Varcarolis: Essentials
of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A
Communication Approach to Evidence-
Based Care
A patient has a history of physical violence against family members when frustrated and then
experiences periods of remorse after each outburst. Which finding indicates success in the plan of care?
The patient:
a. expresses frustration verbally instead of physically.
b. explains the rationale for behaviors to the victim.
c. identifies three personal strengths.
d. agrees to seek counseling. - correct answers A
Which referral is most appropriate for a woman who is severely beaten by her husband, has no relatives
or friends in the community, is afraid to return home, and has limited financial resources?
a. Support group
b. Law enforcement
c. Women's shelter
d. Vocational counseling - correct answers C
Which family scenario presents the greatest risk for family violence?
,a. An unemployed husband with low self-esteem, a wife who loses her job, and a developmentally
delayed 3-year-old child
b. A husband who finds employment 2 weeks after losing his previous job, a wife with stable
employment, and a child doing well in school
c. A single mother with an executive position, a talented child, and a widowed grandmother living in the
home to provide child care
d. A single homosexual male parent, an adolescent son who has just begun dating girls, and the father's
unmarried sister who has come to visit for 2 weeks - correct answers A
A 10-year-old child cares for siblings while the parents work because the family cannot afford a
babysitter. This child says, "My father doesn't like me. He calls me stupid all the time." The mother says
the father is easily frustrated and has trouble disciplining the children. The community health nurse
should consider which resources to stabilize the home situation?
Select all that apply.
a. Parental sessions to teach childrearing practices
b. Anger management counseling for the father
c. Continuing home visits to provide support
d. Safety plan for the wife and children
e. Placement of the children in foster care - correct answers ABC
A nurse assists a victim of spousal abuse to create a plan for escape if it becomes necessary. The plan
should include which components?
Select all that apply.
,a. Keep a cell phone fully charged.
b. Hide money with which to buy new clothes.
c. Have the telephone number for the nearest shelter.
d. Take enough toys to amuse the children for 2 days.
e. Secure a supply of current medications for self and children.
f. Determine a code word to signal children that it is time to leave.
g. Assemble birth certificates, Social Security cards, and licenses. - correct answers ACEFG
A community health nurse visits a family with four children. The father behaves angrily, finds fault with a
child, and asks twice, "Why are you such a stupid kid?" The wife says, "I have difficulty disciplining the
children. It's so frustrating." Which comments by the nurse will facilitate the interview with these
parents?
Select all that apply.
a. "Tell me how you punish your children."
b. "How do you stop your baby from crying?"
c. "Caring for four small children must be difficult."
d. "Do you or your husband ever beat the children?"
e. "Calling children 'stupid' injures their self-esteem." - correct answers ABC
, Which outcome, focused on recovery, would be expected in the plan of care for a patient living in the
community 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. - correct answers B
A patient is hospitalized for depression and suicidal ideation after their spouse asks for a divorce. Select
the nurse's most caring 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?" - correct answers A
In the shift-change report, an off-going nurse criticizes a patient who wears heavy makeup. Which
comment by the nurse who receives the report best demonstrates advocacy?
a. "This is a psychiatric hospital. Craziness is what we are all about."
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." - correct
answers D
A patient has a history of physical violence against family members when frustrated and then
experiences periods of remorse after each outburst. Which finding indicates success in the plan of care?
The patient:
a. expresses frustration verbally instead of physically.
