Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing: 150+ Q&A Study Guide
FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
Mental Health Concepts and Theories
1. Q: What is the definition of mental health according to the WHO? A:
Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes
their own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work
productively, and is able to contribute to their community.
2. Q: What is the stress-vulnerability model? A: The stress-vulnerability
model explains that mental illness results from the interaction between
individual vulnerability factors (genetic, biological, psychological) and
environmental stressors.
3. Q: What are the key components of the biopsychosocial model? A:
The biopsychosocial model includes biological factors (genetics,
neurotransmitters), psychological factors (thoughts, emotions,
behaviors), and social factors (relationships, culture, environment).
4. Q: What is Maslow's hierarchy of needs and its relevance to mental
health? A: Maslow's hierarchy includes physiological needs, safety,
love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Mental health issues
often stem from unmet needs at various levels.
5. Q: What is the recovery model in mental health? A: The recovery
model emphasizes hope, healing, empowerment, and connection,
focusing on living a meaningful life despite mental health challenges
rather than just symptom elimination.
,6. Q: What is resilience in mental health? A: Resilience is the ability to
adapt and bounce back from adversity, trauma, or significant stress
while maintaining psychological well-being and functioning.
7. Q: What is the diathesis-stress model? A: The diathesis-stress model
suggests that mental disorders develop when a predisposition
(diathesis) is triggered by environmental stressors that exceed the
individual's coping capacity.
8. Q: What are protective factors in mental health? A: Protective
factors include strong social support, effective coping skills, physical
health, stable housing, education, employment, and spiritual beliefs.
9. Q: What is stigma in mental health? A: Stigma involves negative
attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors toward people with mental illness,
leading to discrimination, social exclusion, and reluctance to seek
treatment.
10. Q: What is the difference between mental health and mental
illness? A: Mental health exists on a continuum from optimal
functioning to severe impairment. Mental illness refers to diagnosable
conditions that significantly impact thinking, emotions, or behavior.
Neurobiology and Psychopharmacology
11. Q: What is the role of dopamine in mental health disorders? A:
Dopamine regulates mood, motivation, and reward. Dysregulation is
associated with schizophrenia (excess in mesolimbic pathway),
depression (decreased activity), and addiction.
12. Q: What is the function of serotonin in mood regulation? A:
Serotonin regulates mood, sleep, appetite, and anxiety. Low levels are
, associated with depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-
compulsive disorder.
13. Q: How does GABA function as a neurotransmitter? A: GABA is the
primary inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neuronal excitability.
Dysfunction is linked to anxiety disorders, epilepsy, and sleep disorders.
14. Q: What is the role of norepinephrine in mental health? A:
Norepinephrine affects alertness, arousal, and stress response.
Imbalances are associated with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD.
15. Q: What is neuroplasticity? A: Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability
to reorganize and form new neural connections throughout life, which is
crucial for learning, memory, and recovery from mental illness.
16. Q: What is the HPA axis and its role in stress? A: The hypothalamic-
pituitary-adrenal axis regulates stress response through cortisol release.
Dysregulation is linked to depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
17. Q: What are the major classes of antidepressants? A: Major classes
include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs (serotonin-
norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), tricyclics, and MAOIs (monoamine
oxidase inhibitors).
18. Q: What is the mechanism of action of antipsychotic medications?
A: Antipsychotics primarily block dopamine receptors (especially D2) in
the brain, with atypical antipsychotics also affecting serotonin
receptors.
19. Q: What are the side effects of lithium? A: Side effects include
tremor, polyuria, polydipsia, weight gain, gastrointestinal upset, and
potential kidney and thyroid dysfunction. Requires regular blood level
monitoring.
FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
Mental Health Concepts and Theories
1. Q: What is the definition of mental health according to the WHO? A:
Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes
their own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work
productively, and is able to contribute to their community.
2. Q: What is the stress-vulnerability model? A: The stress-vulnerability
model explains that mental illness results from the interaction between
individual vulnerability factors (genetic, biological, psychological) and
environmental stressors.
3. Q: What are the key components of the biopsychosocial model? A:
The biopsychosocial model includes biological factors (genetics,
neurotransmitters), psychological factors (thoughts, emotions,
behaviors), and social factors (relationships, culture, environment).
4. Q: What is Maslow's hierarchy of needs and its relevance to mental
health? A: Maslow's hierarchy includes physiological needs, safety,
love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Mental health issues
often stem from unmet needs at various levels.
5. Q: What is the recovery model in mental health? A: The recovery
model emphasizes hope, healing, empowerment, and connection,
focusing on living a meaningful life despite mental health challenges
rather than just symptom elimination.
,6. Q: What is resilience in mental health? A: Resilience is the ability to
adapt and bounce back from adversity, trauma, or significant stress
while maintaining psychological well-being and functioning.
7. Q: What is the diathesis-stress model? A: The diathesis-stress model
suggests that mental disorders develop when a predisposition
(diathesis) is triggered by environmental stressors that exceed the
individual's coping capacity.
8. Q: What are protective factors in mental health? A: Protective
factors include strong social support, effective coping skills, physical
health, stable housing, education, employment, and spiritual beliefs.
9. Q: What is stigma in mental health? A: Stigma involves negative
attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors toward people with mental illness,
leading to discrimination, social exclusion, and reluctance to seek
treatment.
10. Q: What is the difference between mental health and mental
illness? A: Mental health exists on a continuum from optimal
functioning to severe impairment. Mental illness refers to diagnosable
conditions that significantly impact thinking, emotions, or behavior.
Neurobiology and Psychopharmacology
11. Q: What is the role of dopamine in mental health disorders? A:
Dopamine regulates mood, motivation, and reward. Dysregulation is
associated with schizophrenia (excess in mesolimbic pathway),
depression (decreased activity), and addiction.
12. Q: What is the function of serotonin in mood regulation? A:
Serotonin regulates mood, sleep, appetite, and anxiety. Low levels are
, associated with depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-
compulsive disorder.
13. Q: How does GABA function as a neurotransmitter? A: GABA is the
primary inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neuronal excitability.
Dysfunction is linked to anxiety disorders, epilepsy, and sleep disorders.
14. Q: What is the role of norepinephrine in mental health? A:
Norepinephrine affects alertness, arousal, and stress response.
Imbalances are associated with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD.
15. Q: What is neuroplasticity? A: Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability
to reorganize and form new neural connections throughout life, which is
crucial for learning, memory, and recovery from mental illness.
16. Q: What is the HPA axis and its role in stress? A: The hypothalamic-
pituitary-adrenal axis regulates stress response through cortisol release.
Dysregulation is linked to depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
17. Q: What are the major classes of antidepressants? A: Major classes
include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs (serotonin-
norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), tricyclics, and MAOIs (monoamine
oxidase inhibitors).
18. Q: What is the mechanism of action of antipsychotic medications?
A: Antipsychotics primarily block dopamine receptors (especially D2) in
the brain, with atypical antipsychotics also affecting serotonin
receptors.
19. Q: What are the side effects of lithium? A: Side effects include
tremor, polyuria, polydipsia, weight gain, gastrointestinal upset, and
potential kidney and thyroid dysfunction. Requires regular blood level
monitoring.
