Rasmussen: Mental Health Exam 2 Study Guide
questions with verified answers
Acute Stress Disorder: Ans✓✓✓ - can occur after the same kind of triggers that
exist in posttraumatic stress disorder, which include experiencing a violent event
or repeatedly witnessing a violent or traumatic event (e.g., first responders at the
scene of a mass casualty incident, police officers repeatedly exposed to details of
child abuse).
- Possible precipitating traumatic events are the same as those listed under
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
- However, in an acute stress disorder, the resolution of the symptoms is
within 1 month.
Akathisia Ans✓✓✓ Distressing motor inner-driven restlessness (e.g., tapping foot
incessantly, rocking forward and backward in chair, shifting weight from side to
side).
Beck's Cognitive Triad (p. 199) Ans✓✓✓ Beck believed that three automatic
negative thoughts (cognitive triad) is responsible for the development of
depression.
Benzodiazepines Ans✓✓✓ Anxiolytic effects result from depressing
neurotransmission in the limbic system and cortical areas. Useful for short-term
treatment of anxiety; dependence and tolerance develop. These drugs are NOT
indicated as a primary treatment for OCD or PTSD.
,Buspirone (Buspar) Ans✓✓✓ Alleviates anxiety, but works best before
benzodiazepines have been tried. Less sedating than benzodiazepines. Does not
appear to produce physical or psychological dependence. Requires 3 or more
weeks to be effective.
Compensation : Defense Mechanism Ans✓✓✓ - Covering up a real or perceived
weakness by emphasizing a trait one considers more desirable.
EX: A handicapped boy is unable to participate in football, so he compensates by
becoming a great scholar.
Conversion defense mechanism Ans✓✓✓ unconscious transformation of anxiety
into a physical symptom with no organic cause
Adaptive (Example):
- Student is unable to take a final examination because of a terrible headache.
Maladaptive (Example):
- Man becomes blind after seeing his wife flirt with other men.
Denial (defense mechanism) Ans✓✓✓ - Refusing to acknowledge the existence
of a real situation or the feelings associated with it.
EX: A women drinks alcohol every day and cannot stop, failing to acknowledge
that she has a problem.
Depressed pt Intervention:
,Nutrition - Anorexia Ans✓✓✓ 1. Offer small, high-calorie, and high-protein
snacks frequently throughout the day and evening.
2. Offer high-protein and high-calorie fluids frequently throughout the day and
evening.
3. When possible, encourage family or friends to remain with the patient during
meals.
4. Ask the patient which foods or drinks he or she likes. Offer choices. Involve the
dietitian.
5. Weigh the patient weekly and observe the patient's eating patterns.
Depressed pt Interventions:
Elimination - Constipation Ans✓✓✓ 1. Monitor intake and output, especially
bowel movements.
2. Offer foods high in fiber and provide periods of exercise.
3. Encourage the intake of fluids.
4. Evaluate the need for laxatives and enemas.
Depressed pt Interventions:
Self-care deficits Ans✓✓✓ 1. Encourage the use of toothbrush, washcloth, soap,
makeup, shaving equipment, and so forth.
2. When appropriate, give step-by-step reminders such as, "Wash the right side of
your face, now the left."
Depressed pt Interventions:
Sleep - Insomnia Ans✓✓✓ 1. Provide periods of rest after activities.
2. Encourage the patient to get up and dress and to stay out of bed during the
day.
, 3. Encourage the use of relaxation measures in the evening (e.g., tepid bath,
warm milk).
4. Reduce environmental and physical stimulants in the evening—provide
decaffeinated coffee, soft lights, soft music, quiet activities.
Describe Agoraphobia Ans✓✓✓ intense, excessive anxiety about or fear of being
in places or situations where help might not be available and escape might be
either difficult or embarrassing.
Describe compulsions Ans✓✓✓ - are ritualistic behaviors that an individual feels
driven to perform in an attempt to reduce anxiety.
- Common compulsions are repetitive hand washing and checking a door multiple
times to make sure it is locked.
- Compulsions can include mental acts as well, such as counting, praying, or
performing a compulsive act that temporarily reduces high levels of anxiety.
Describe Generalized Anxiety Disorder Ans✓✓✓ - a chronic psychiatric disorder
associated with severe distress different from other anxiety disorders in that
there is pervasive cognitive dysfunction, impaired functioning, and poor health-
related outcomes.
- characterized by excessive, persistent, and uncontrollable anxiety, and by
excessive and constant worrying. It is sometimes referred to as the "worry
disease" (e.g., What if I'm late? ...What if I fail? ...What if I am fired?).
questions with verified answers
Acute Stress Disorder: Ans✓✓✓ - can occur after the same kind of triggers that
exist in posttraumatic stress disorder, which include experiencing a violent event
or repeatedly witnessing a violent or traumatic event (e.g., first responders at the
scene of a mass casualty incident, police officers repeatedly exposed to details of
child abuse).
- Possible precipitating traumatic events are the same as those listed under
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
- However, in an acute stress disorder, the resolution of the symptoms is
within 1 month.
Akathisia Ans✓✓✓ Distressing motor inner-driven restlessness (e.g., tapping foot
incessantly, rocking forward and backward in chair, shifting weight from side to
side).
Beck's Cognitive Triad (p. 199) Ans✓✓✓ Beck believed that three automatic
negative thoughts (cognitive triad) is responsible for the development of
depression.
Benzodiazepines Ans✓✓✓ Anxiolytic effects result from depressing
neurotransmission in the limbic system and cortical areas. Useful for short-term
treatment of anxiety; dependence and tolerance develop. These drugs are NOT
indicated as a primary treatment for OCD or PTSD.
,Buspirone (Buspar) Ans✓✓✓ Alleviates anxiety, but works best before
benzodiazepines have been tried. Less sedating than benzodiazepines. Does not
appear to produce physical or psychological dependence. Requires 3 or more
weeks to be effective.
Compensation : Defense Mechanism Ans✓✓✓ - Covering up a real or perceived
weakness by emphasizing a trait one considers more desirable.
EX: A handicapped boy is unable to participate in football, so he compensates by
becoming a great scholar.
Conversion defense mechanism Ans✓✓✓ unconscious transformation of anxiety
into a physical symptom with no organic cause
Adaptive (Example):
- Student is unable to take a final examination because of a terrible headache.
Maladaptive (Example):
- Man becomes blind after seeing his wife flirt with other men.
Denial (defense mechanism) Ans✓✓✓ - Refusing to acknowledge the existence
of a real situation or the feelings associated with it.
EX: A women drinks alcohol every day and cannot stop, failing to acknowledge
that she has a problem.
Depressed pt Intervention:
,Nutrition - Anorexia Ans✓✓✓ 1. Offer small, high-calorie, and high-protein
snacks frequently throughout the day and evening.
2. Offer high-protein and high-calorie fluids frequently throughout the day and
evening.
3. When possible, encourage family or friends to remain with the patient during
meals.
4. Ask the patient which foods or drinks he or she likes. Offer choices. Involve the
dietitian.
5. Weigh the patient weekly and observe the patient's eating patterns.
Depressed pt Interventions:
Elimination - Constipation Ans✓✓✓ 1. Monitor intake and output, especially
bowel movements.
2. Offer foods high in fiber and provide periods of exercise.
3. Encourage the intake of fluids.
4. Evaluate the need for laxatives and enemas.
Depressed pt Interventions:
Self-care deficits Ans✓✓✓ 1. Encourage the use of toothbrush, washcloth, soap,
makeup, shaving equipment, and so forth.
2. When appropriate, give step-by-step reminders such as, "Wash the right side of
your face, now the left."
Depressed pt Interventions:
Sleep - Insomnia Ans✓✓✓ 1. Provide periods of rest after activities.
2. Encourage the patient to get up and dress and to stay out of bed during the
day.
, 3. Encourage the use of relaxation measures in the evening (e.g., tepid bath,
warm milk).
4. Reduce environmental and physical stimulants in the evening—provide
decaffeinated coffee, soft lights, soft music, quiet activities.
Describe Agoraphobia Ans✓✓✓ intense, excessive anxiety about or fear of being
in places or situations where help might not be available and escape might be
either difficult or embarrassing.
Describe compulsions Ans✓✓✓ - are ritualistic behaviors that an individual feels
driven to perform in an attempt to reduce anxiety.
- Common compulsions are repetitive hand washing and checking a door multiple
times to make sure it is locked.
- Compulsions can include mental acts as well, such as counting, praying, or
performing a compulsive act that temporarily reduces high levels of anxiety.
Describe Generalized Anxiety Disorder Ans✓✓✓ - a chronic psychiatric disorder
associated with severe distress different from other anxiety disorders in that
there is pervasive cognitive dysfunction, impaired functioning, and poor health-
related outcomes.
- characterized by excessive, persistent, and uncontrollable anxiety, and by
excessive and constant worrying. It is sometimes referred to as the "worry
disease" (e.g., What if I'm late? ...What if I fail? ...What if I am fired?).
