Psych/Mental Health Nursing Final
Exam Review
Psych/Mental Health Nursing Final
Exam Review
Which client statement demonstrates the mental health concept of resilience?
A. "My kids' happiness is worth any sacrifice I have to make."
B. "My mother made decisions about my husband's funeral when I just couldn't do that."
C. "Losing my job was hard but my skills will help me get another one."
D. "In spite of all the treatment, I know I'll never be really healthy." - ANSWER C. "Losing my job was
hard but my skills will help me get another one."
Resilience is a characteristic that helps individuals cope with loss and trauma that may occur in life.
Dependence is described as relying on others for decision making and care. Pessimism is a life
philosophy that things are more likely to go wrong than right. Altruism is described as putting others
before yourself.
The nurse being aware that certain mental illnesses have a prevalence among a specific gender, will
suspect which statement was made by a female client? (Select all that apply.)
A. "I'm so anxious, about everything."
B. "There is no way I could make a presentation to a group of people."
C. "I freeze in panic when I see a spider."
D. "I've been depressed most of my adult life."
E. "I've been arrested 6 times in the last 15 years." - ANSWER D. "I've been depressed most of my adult
life."
E. "I've been arrested 6 times in the last 15 years."
Antisocial personality disorder, characterized by repeated illegal behavior, is more commonly diagnosed
in men while major depressive disorder, characterized by chronic feelings of sadne ss negatively impacts
life, is more common among women.
,Psych/Mental Health Nursing Final
Exam Review
A nurse is providing care to a 28-year-old client diagnosed with bipolar disorder who was admitted in a
manic state. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory, the nurse should identify which client
symptom as having priority?
A. Rapid, pressured speech
B. Grandiose thoughts
C. Lack of sleep
D. Hyperactive behavior - ANSWER C. Lack of sleep
Based on Maslow's theory, physiological needs such as food, water, air, sleep, etc., are the priority an d
must be taken care of first. The other options are symptoms of mania but not as critical as lack of sleep.
A client states, "I will always be alone because nobody could ever love me." The nurse recognizes that
the client is expressing what cognitive-behavioral concept?
A. Actualization
B. Aversion
C. Schema
D. Emotional consequence - ANSWER C. Schema
Schemas are unique assumptions about ourselves, according to Beck's theory. This statement is an
example of a negative schema. Emotional consequence is the end result of negative thinking process, as
described by Ellis. Actualization is a level of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Aversion is a therapy
characterized by punishment.
A 38-year-old patient diagnosed with major depression states, "my provider said something about the
medicine I've been prescribed will affect my neurotransmitters. What exactly are neurotrans mitters?"
What is the nurse's best response to the patient's question?
,Psych/Mental Health Nursing Final
Exam Review
A. "Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that help regulate specific functions such as
depression."
B. "Neurotransmitters are too complicated to explain easily. Just know that the medication will help
your mood and make you less depressed."
C. "Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that are the reason you are depressed."
D. "I will ask your provider to give you a more in-depth explanation about why this medication will help
your depression." - ANSWER A. "Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that help
regulate specific functions such as depression."
Neurotransmitters are chemicals released from neurons that function as a neuromessenger and
influence brain functions. Telling the patient that the answer is too complicated belittles the patient by
implying she cannot understand, while stating that neurotransmitters are the reason she is depressed is
too simplistic. Asking the provider to give the education abdicates your responsibility to provide patient
education.
A prescription for which medication would require the nurse to monitor the client for potential
development of the side effect of hypothyroidism?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Bupropion
C. Lithium
D. Imipramine - ANSWER C. Lithium
Long-term use of lithium may cause hypothyroidism. The other options refer to drugs whose long -term
use does not cause hypothyroidism.
A 49-year-old client diagnosed with schizophrenia at 22 years old is prescribed risperi done. Which
nursing assessment is the priority for this client?
A. Monitoring blood levels to avoid toxicity
B. Monitoring for abnormal involuntary movements
, Psych/Mental Health Nursing Final
Exam Review
C. Observing for secondary mania
D. Observing for memory changes - ANSWER B. Monitoring for abnormal involuntary movements
Risperidone has the highest rate of extrapyramidal side effects (EPSs) of the second-generation
antipsychotic medications, thus making it imperative to monitor for EPSs. Risperidone is not monitored
with blood levels and does not cause mania or memory changes.
The nurse is caring for an admitted client with a history of becoming aggressive when angry and has
caused physical injury to another client and two staff members. When this client begins to demonstrate
signs of anger while in the day room what intervention should the nurse implement to address the
safety of the milieu?
A. Alert security to come to the unit for a show of strength
B. Request that the client accompany the nurse to the client's room
C. Inform the client that restraints will be used if the behavior continues
D. Prepare to administer a prn chemical restraint to the client - ANSWER B. Request that the client
accompany the nurse to the client's room
Least restrictive alternative doctrine requires using the least drastic means of achieving a specific goal.
By first attempting to remove the client to a safer location, the nurse is respecting the client's right to
treatment that is less restrictive than the other options.
When considering client rights, which client can be legally medicated against his or her wishes?
A. The client has accepted the medication in the past.
B. The client may cause imminent harm to self or others.
C. The client's primary provider orders the medication.
D. The client's mental illness may relate to cognitive impairment. - ANSWER B. The client may cause
imminent harm to self or others.
Exam Review
Psych/Mental Health Nursing Final
Exam Review
Which client statement demonstrates the mental health concept of resilience?
A. "My kids' happiness is worth any sacrifice I have to make."
B. "My mother made decisions about my husband's funeral when I just couldn't do that."
C. "Losing my job was hard but my skills will help me get another one."
D. "In spite of all the treatment, I know I'll never be really healthy." - ANSWER C. "Losing my job was
hard but my skills will help me get another one."
Resilience is a characteristic that helps individuals cope with loss and trauma that may occur in life.
Dependence is described as relying on others for decision making and care. Pessimism is a life
philosophy that things are more likely to go wrong than right. Altruism is described as putting others
before yourself.
The nurse being aware that certain mental illnesses have a prevalence among a specific gender, will
suspect which statement was made by a female client? (Select all that apply.)
A. "I'm so anxious, about everything."
B. "There is no way I could make a presentation to a group of people."
C. "I freeze in panic when I see a spider."
D. "I've been depressed most of my adult life."
E. "I've been arrested 6 times in the last 15 years." - ANSWER D. "I've been depressed most of my adult
life."
E. "I've been arrested 6 times in the last 15 years."
Antisocial personality disorder, characterized by repeated illegal behavior, is more commonly diagnosed
in men while major depressive disorder, characterized by chronic feelings of sadne ss negatively impacts
life, is more common among women.
,Psych/Mental Health Nursing Final
Exam Review
A nurse is providing care to a 28-year-old client diagnosed with bipolar disorder who was admitted in a
manic state. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory, the nurse should identify which client
symptom as having priority?
A. Rapid, pressured speech
B. Grandiose thoughts
C. Lack of sleep
D. Hyperactive behavior - ANSWER C. Lack of sleep
Based on Maslow's theory, physiological needs such as food, water, air, sleep, etc., are the priority an d
must be taken care of first. The other options are symptoms of mania but not as critical as lack of sleep.
A client states, "I will always be alone because nobody could ever love me." The nurse recognizes that
the client is expressing what cognitive-behavioral concept?
A. Actualization
B. Aversion
C. Schema
D. Emotional consequence - ANSWER C. Schema
Schemas are unique assumptions about ourselves, according to Beck's theory. This statement is an
example of a negative schema. Emotional consequence is the end result of negative thinking process, as
described by Ellis. Actualization is a level of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Aversion is a therapy
characterized by punishment.
A 38-year-old patient diagnosed with major depression states, "my provider said something about the
medicine I've been prescribed will affect my neurotransmitters. What exactly are neurotrans mitters?"
What is the nurse's best response to the patient's question?
,Psych/Mental Health Nursing Final
Exam Review
A. "Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that help regulate specific functions such as
depression."
B. "Neurotransmitters are too complicated to explain easily. Just know that the medication will help
your mood and make you less depressed."
C. "Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that are the reason you are depressed."
D. "I will ask your provider to give you a more in-depth explanation about why this medication will help
your depression." - ANSWER A. "Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that help
regulate specific functions such as depression."
Neurotransmitters are chemicals released from neurons that function as a neuromessenger and
influence brain functions. Telling the patient that the answer is too complicated belittles the patient by
implying she cannot understand, while stating that neurotransmitters are the reason she is depressed is
too simplistic. Asking the provider to give the education abdicates your responsibility to provide patient
education.
A prescription for which medication would require the nurse to monitor the client for potential
development of the side effect of hypothyroidism?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Bupropion
C. Lithium
D. Imipramine - ANSWER C. Lithium
Long-term use of lithium may cause hypothyroidism. The other options refer to drugs whose long -term
use does not cause hypothyroidism.
A 49-year-old client diagnosed with schizophrenia at 22 years old is prescribed risperi done. Which
nursing assessment is the priority for this client?
A. Monitoring blood levels to avoid toxicity
B. Monitoring for abnormal involuntary movements
, Psych/Mental Health Nursing Final
Exam Review
C. Observing for secondary mania
D. Observing for memory changes - ANSWER B. Monitoring for abnormal involuntary movements
Risperidone has the highest rate of extrapyramidal side effects (EPSs) of the second-generation
antipsychotic medications, thus making it imperative to monitor for EPSs. Risperidone is not monitored
with blood levels and does not cause mania or memory changes.
The nurse is caring for an admitted client with a history of becoming aggressive when angry and has
caused physical injury to another client and two staff members. When this client begins to demonstrate
signs of anger while in the day room what intervention should the nurse implement to address the
safety of the milieu?
A. Alert security to come to the unit for a show of strength
B. Request that the client accompany the nurse to the client's room
C. Inform the client that restraints will be used if the behavior continues
D. Prepare to administer a prn chemical restraint to the client - ANSWER B. Request that the client
accompany the nurse to the client's room
Least restrictive alternative doctrine requires using the least drastic means of achieving a specific goal.
By first attempting to remove the client to a safer location, the nurse is respecting the client's right to
treatment that is less restrictive than the other options.
When considering client rights, which client can be legally medicated against his or her wishes?
A. The client has accepted the medication in the past.
B. The client may cause imminent harm to self or others.
C. The client's primary provider orders the medication.
D. The client's mental illness may relate to cognitive impairment. - ANSWER B. The client may cause
imminent harm to self or others.
