MENTAL HEALTH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A nurse has invited a patient to sit down and have a conversation. The patient takes the
first seat. The nurse pulls up another chair to sit with the patient. Approximately how far
from the patient should the nurse place her chair?
A) 1 to 2 feet
B) 3 to 4 feet
C) 6 to 8 feet
D) 8 to 10 feet - Answers - Ans: B Feedback:
The therapeutic communication interaction is most comfortable when the nurse and
client are 3 to 6 feet apart; 0 to 18 inches is comfortable for parents with young children,
people who mutually desire personal contact, or people whispering; 2 to 3 feet is
comfortable between family and friends who are talking; 4 to 12 feet is acceptable for
communication in social, work, and business settings.
A Registered Nurse (RN) doing an assessment with a client diagnosed with anorexia
nervosa would expect which finding? Select all that apply.
Belief that dieting behavior is not a problem.
Strong desire to get treatment.
History of dieting at a young age.
View of self as overweight or obese. - Answers - Belief that dieting behavior is not a
problem.
History of dieting at a young age.
View of self as overweight or obese.
Disulfiram (Antabuse) may be prescribed to help deter clients from drinking. If a client
taking disulfiram drinks alcohol, a severe adverse reaction occurs with flushing, a
throbbing headache, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, severe
hypotension, confusion, coma, and even death may result.
A client diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder is trying to convince a
Registered Nurse (RN) that they deserve special privileges and that an exception to the
rules should be made for them. What is the best response by the RN?
"Do not you know better than to try to bend the rules?"
"I believe we need to sit down and talk about this."
"Why do not you bring this request to the community meeting?"
"What you are asking me to do for you is unacceptable." - Answers - What you are
asking me to do for you is unacceptable."
A new graduate nurse has accepted a staff position at an inpatient mental health facility.
The graduate nurse can expect to be responsible for basic-level functions, including
A) providing clinical supervision.
B) using effective communication skills.
C) adjusting client medications.
, D) directing program development. Ans: B Feedback: Basic-level functions include
counseling, milieu therapy, self-care activities, psychobiologic interventions, health
teaching, case management, and health promotion and maintenance. Advanced-level
functions include psychotherapy, prescriptive authority for drugs, consultation and
liaison, evaluation, program development and management, and clinical supervision. -
Answers - Ans: B Feedback:
Basic-level functions include counseling, milieu therapy, self-care activities,
psychobiologic interventions, health teaching, case management, and health promotion
and maintenance. Advanced-level functions include psychotherapy, prescriptive
authority for drugs, consultation and liaison, evaluation, program development and
management, and clinical supervision.
A client will be taking disulfiram (Antabuse) after discharge from an alcohol treatment
program. Which statement would indicate that teaching has been effective?
A) Antabuse is safe to take with any over-the-counter cold medication.
B) Antabuse will block my cravings for alcohol, so I'll have less desire to drink.
C) Drinking alcohol while taking Antabuse can cause dangerous symptoms.
D) If I drink while taking Antabuse, it will make me vomit before the alcohol affects me. -
Answers - Ans: C Feedback:
Taking alcohol in any form while taking Antabuse causes a severe adverse reaction.
Antabuse is not safe to take with OTC medications. It does not block cravings for
alcohol. Antabuse does not restrict the effect of alcohol on the body.
Of the following personality disorders, which are most likely related to lack of caring
about others? Select all that apply.
A) Schizotypal personality disorder
B) Borderline personality disorder
C) Antisocial personality disorder
D) Narcissistic personality disorder
E) Obsessiveñcompulsive personality disorder - Answers - Ans: A, C, D Feedback:
Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of social and
interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort with and reduced capacity for close
relationships as well as by cognitive or perceptual distortions and behavioral
eccentricities. Borderline personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of
unstable interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect as well as marked
impulsivity. Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of
disregard for and violation of the rights of othersóand with the central characteristics of
deceit and manipulation. Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by a
pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.
Obsessiveñcompulsive personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of
preoccupation with perfectionism, mental and interpersonal control, and orderliness at
the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficienc
What would the nurse expect to assess in a client with narcissistic personality disorder?
A) Genuine concern for others
B) Mistrust of others
, C) Grandiose and superior self-concept
D) Dependence on others for decision making Ans: C Feedback: Clients with
narcissistic personality disorder believe themselves superior to others and expect to be
treated as such. - Answers - Ans: C Feedback: Clients with narcissistic personality
disorder believe themselves superior to others and expect to be treated as such.
A person with temperament traits of high harm avoidance would most likely suffer from
which personality disorder?
A) Schizoid
B) Avoidant
C) Narcissistic
D) Antisocial - Answers - Ans: B Feedback: The four temperament traits are harm
avoidance, novelty seeking, reward dependence, and persistence. People with high
harm avoidance exhibit fear of uncertainty, social inhibition, shyness with strangers,
rapid fatigability, and pessimistic worry in anticipation of problems. Avoidant
personalities are individuals who appear anxious or fearful. Schizoid personality
disorder is a related disorder that is characterized by a pervasive pattern of detachment
from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression in interpersonal
settings. Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of
grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. Antisocial personality disorder is
characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of
othersóand with the central characteristics of deceit and manipulation. 9. Which of the
following is a psychoso
Registered Nurse (RN) determines that teaching about drug use and pregnancy has
been effective when the client makes which statement?
"Right after birth, I will give the baby up for adoption."
"It's scary to think the baby may have Down Syndrome."
"I will help the baby get through the withdrawal period."
"I do not want the baby to have withdrawal symptoms." - Answers - "I do not want the
baby to have withdrawal symptoms."
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) have been prescribed for a client with bulimia
nervosa. What is the most important information for the Registered Nurse (RN) to give
to the client?
"Do not eat foods that contain tyramine, such as cheese, cottage cheese, pickled
herring, and salami."
"Watch for bleeding and bruising."
"Drink several glasses of water with each dose."
" Eat whatever you want" - Answers - Do not eat foods that contain tyramine, such as
cheese, cottage cheese, pickled herring, and salami."
The nurse knows that the client understands the rationale for dietary restrictions when
taking MAOI when the client makes which of the following statements?
A) I am now allergic to foods that are high in the amino acid tyramine such as aged
cheese, organ meats, wine, and chocolate.
A nurse has invited a patient to sit down and have a conversation. The patient takes the
first seat. The nurse pulls up another chair to sit with the patient. Approximately how far
from the patient should the nurse place her chair?
A) 1 to 2 feet
B) 3 to 4 feet
C) 6 to 8 feet
D) 8 to 10 feet - Answers - Ans: B Feedback:
The therapeutic communication interaction is most comfortable when the nurse and
client are 3 to 6 feet apart; 0 to 18 inches is comfortable for parents with young children,
people who mutually desire personal contact, or people whispering; 2 to 3 feet is
comfortable between family and friends who are talking; 4 to 12 feet is acceptable for
communication in social, work, and business settings.
A Registered Nurse (RN) doing an assessment with a client diagnosed with anorexia
nervosa would expect which finding? Select all that apply.
Belief that dieting behavior is not a problem.
Strong desire to get treatment.
History of dieting at a young age.
View of self as overweight or obese. - Answers - Belief that dieting behavior is not a
problem.
History of dieting at a young age.
View of self as overweight or obese.
Disulfiram (Antabuse) may be prescribed to help deter clients from drinking. If a client
taking disulfiram drinks alcohol, a severe adverse reaction occurs with flushing, a
throbbing headache, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, severe
hypotension, confusion, coma, and even death may result.
A client diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder is trying to convince a
Registered Nurse (RN) that they deserve special privileges and that an exception to the
rules should be made for them. What is the best response by the RN?
"Do not you know better than to try to bend the rules?"
"I believe we need to sit down and talk about this."
"Why do not you bring this request to the community meeting?"
"What you are asking me to do for you is unacceptable." - Answers - What you are
asking me to do for you is unacceptable."
A new graduate nurse has accepted a staff position at an inpatient mental health facility.
The graduate nurse can expect to be responsible for basic-level functions, including
A) providing clinical supervision.
B) using effective communication skills.
C) adjusting client medications.
, D) directing program development. Ans: B Feedback: Basic-level functions include
counseling, milieu therapy, self-care activities, psychobiologic interventions, health
teaching, case management, and health promotion and maintenance. Advanced-level
functions include psychotherapy, prescriptive authority for drugs, consultation and
liaison, evaluation, program development and management, and clinical supervision. -
Answers - Ans: B Feedback:
Basic-level functions include counseling, milieu therapy, self-care activities,
psychobiologic interventions, health teaching, case management, and health promotion
and maintenance. Advanced-level functions include psychotherapy, prescriptive
authority for drugs, consultation and liaison, evaluation, program development and
management, and clinical supervision.
A client will be taking disulfiram (Antabuse) after discharge from an alcohol treatment
program. Which statement would indicate that teaching has been effective?
A) Antabuse is safe to take with any over-the-counter cold medication.
B) Antabuse will block my cravings for alcohol, so I'll have less desire to drink.
C) Drinking alcohol while taking Antabuse can cause dangerous symptoms.
D) If I drink while taking Antabuse, it will make me vomit before the alcohol affects me. -
Answers - Ans: C Feedback:
Taking alcohol in any form while taking Antabuse causes a severe adverse reaction.
Antabuse is not safe to take with OTC medications. It does not block cravings for
alcohol. Antabuse does not restrict the effect of alcohol on the body.
Of the following personality disorders, which are most likely related to lack of caring
about others? Select all that apply.
A) Schizotypal personality disorder
B) Borderline personality disorder
C) Antisocial personality disorder
D) Narcissistic personality disorder
E) Obsessiveñcompulsive personality disorder - Answers - Ans: A, C, D Feedback:
Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of social and
interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort with and reduced capacity for close
relationships as well as by cognitive or perceptual distortions and behavioral
eccentricities. Borderline personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of
unstable interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect as well as marked
impulsivity. Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of
disregard for and violation of the rights of othersóand with the central characteristics of
deceit and manipulation. Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by a
pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.
Obsessiveñcompulsive personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of
preoccupation with perfectionism, mental and interpersonal control, and orderliness at
the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficienc
What would the nurse expect to assess in a client with narcissistic personality disorder?
A) Genuine concern for others
B) Mistrust of others
, C) Grandiose and superior self-concept
D) Dependence on others for decision making Ans: C Feedback: Clients with
narcissistic personality disorder believe themselves superior to others and expect to be
treated as such. - Answers - Ans: C Feedback: Clients with narcissistic personality
disorder believe themselves superior to others and expect to be treated as such.
A person with temperament traits of high harm avoidance would most likely suffer from
which personality disorder?
A) Schizoid
B) Avoidant
C) Narcissistic
D) Antisocial - Answers - Ans: B Feedback: The four temperament traits are harm
avoidance, novelty seeking, reward dependence, and persistence. People with high
harm avoidance exhibit fear of uncertainty, social inhibition, shyness with strangers,
rapid fatigability, and pessimistic worry in anticipation of problems. Avoidant
personalities are individuals who appear anxious or fearful. Schizoid personality
disorder is a related disorder that is characterized by a pervasive pattern of detachment
from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression in interpersonal
settings. Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of
grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. Antisocial personality disorder is
characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of
othersóand with the central characteristics of deceit and manipulation. 9. Which of the
following is a psychoso
Registered Nurse (RN) determines that teaching about drug use and pregnancy has
been effective when the client makes which statement?
"Right after birth, I will give the baby up for adoption."
"It's scary to think the baby may have Down Syndrome."
"I will help the baby get through the withdrawal period."
"I do not want the baby to have withdrawal symptoms." - Answers - "I do not want the
baby to have withdrawal symptoms."
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) have been prescribed for a client with bulimia
nervosa. What is the most important information for the Registered Nurse (RN) to give
to the client?
"Do not eat foods that contain tyramine, such as cheese, cottage cheese, pickled
herring, and salami."
"Watch for bleeding and bruising."
"Drink several glasses of water with each dose."
" Eat whatever you want" - Answers - Do not eat foods that contain tyramine, such as
cheese, cottage cheese, pickled herring, and salami."
The nurse knows that the client understands the rationale for dietary restrictions when
taking MAOI when the client makes which of the following statements?
A) I am now allergic to foods that are high in the amino acid tyramine such as aged
cheese, organ meats, wine, and chocolate.
