Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-
Mental Health Nursing A Clinical 9th Edition by
Margaret Jordan Halter| Chapter 1-36
Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A
Clinical Approach, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. This nurse may
expect an advanced practice nurse to perform which additional
intervention? a. Conduct mental health
assessments.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication.
c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
d. Individualize nursing care plans.
ANS: B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master‘s-prepared nurse
practitioners and clinical nurse specialists who have taken special courses on
prescribing medication. The nurse prepared at the basic level is permitted to
perform mental health assessments, establish relationships, and provide
individualized care planning.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page
1-23 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
2. A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses ―lose all
their clinical nursing skills.‖ Select the best response by the mental health
nurse.
a. ―Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties.
Nurse-to-patient ratios must be better because of the nature of the
patients‘ problems.‖
b. ―Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical
thinking to solve multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those
situations.‖
1
,c. ―That‘s a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high
technology monitoring equipment and manage complex intravenous
therapies.‖
d. ―Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and
suffering as medical– surgical nurses do. That appeals to me.‖
ANS: B
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of skills than
medical–surgical nursing, though there is substantial overlap. Psychiatric
nurses must be able to help patients with medical as well as mental health
problems, reflecting the holistic perspective these nurses must have. Nurse–
patient ratios and workloads in psychiatric settings have increased, just like
other specialties. Psychiatric nursing involves clinical practice, not just
documentation. Psychosocial pain and suffering are as real as physical pain
and suffering.
2
, PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-2, 21 TOP: Nursing Process:
Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care
Environment
3
, 3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of
persons diagnosed with mental illness, a group of nurses write letters to
their elected representatives in opposition to the legislation. Which role
have the nurses fulfilled?
a. Recovery
b. Attending
c. Advocacy
d. Evidence-based practice
ANS: C
An advocate defends or asserts another‘s cause, particularly when the other
person lacks the ability to do that for self. Examples of individual advocacy
include helping patients understand their rights or make decisions. On a
community scale, advocacy includes political activity, public speaking, and
publication in the interest of improving the human condition.
Since funding is necessary to deliver quality programming for persons with
mental illness, the letter-writing campaign advocates for that cause on
behalf of patients who are unable to articulate their own needs.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page
1-26 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A family has a long history of conflicted relationships among the
members. Which family member‘s comment best reflects a mentally
healthy perspective?
a. ―I‘ve made mistakes but everyone else in this family has also.‖
b. ―I remember joy and mutual respect from our early years together.‖
c. ―I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family.‖
d. ―It‘s best for me to move away from my family. Things will never change.‖
ANS: C
The correct response demonstrates the best evidence of a healthy
recognition of the importance of relationships. Mental health includes
rational thinking, communication skills, learning, emotional growth,
resilience, and self-esteem. Recalling joy from earlier in life may be healthy,
but the correct response shows a higher level of mental health. The other
incorrect responses show blaming and avoidance.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis)
REF: Pages 1-2, 3, 32 (Figure 1-1) TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
4
Mental Health Nursing A Clinical 9th Edition by
Margaret Jordan Halter| Chapter 1-36
Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A
Clinical Approach, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. This nurse may
expect an advanced practice nurse to perform which additional
intervention? a. Conduct mental health
assessments.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication.
c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
d. Individualize nursing care plans.
ANS: B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master‘s-prepared nurse
practitioners and clinical nurse specialists who have taken special courses on
prescribing medication. The nurse prepared at the basic level is permitted to
perform mental health assessments, establish relationships, and provide
individualized care planning.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page
1-23 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
2. A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses ―lose all
their clinical nursing skills.‖ Select the best response by the mental health
nurse.
a. ―Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties.
Nurse-to-patient ratios must be better because of the nature of the
patients‘ problems.‖
b. ―Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical
thinking to solve multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those
situations.‖
1
,c. ―That‘s a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high
technology monitoring equipment and manage complex intravenous
therapies.‖
d. ―Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and
suffering as medical– surgical nurses do. That appeals to me.‖
ANS: B
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of skills than
medical–surgical nursing, though there is substantial overlap. Psychiatric
nurses must be able to help patients with medical as well as mental health
problems, reflecting the holistic perspective these nurses must have. Nurse–
patient ratios and workloads in psychiatric settings have increased, just like
other specialties. Psychiatric nursing involves clinical practice, not just
documentation. Psychosocial pain and suffering are as real as physical pain
and suffering.
2
, PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-2, 21 TOP: Nursing Process:
Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care
Environment
3
, 3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of
persons diagnosed with mental illness, a group of nurses write letters to
their elected representatives in opposition to the legislation. Which role
have the nurses fulfilled?
a. Recovery
b. Attending
c. Advocacy
d. Evidence-based practice
ANS: C
An advocate defends or asserts another‘s cause, particularly when the other
person lacks the ability to do that for self. Examples of individual advocacy
include helping patients understand their rights or make decisions. On a
community scale, advocacy includes political activity, public speaking, and
publication in the interest of improving the human condition.
Since funding is necessary to deliver quality programming for persons with
mental illness, the letter-writing campaign advocates for that cause on
behalf of patients who are unable to articulate their own needs.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page
1-26 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A family has a long history of conflicted relationships among the
members. Which family member‘s comment best reflects a mentally
healthy perspective?
a. ―I‘ve made mistakes but everyone else in this family has also.‖
b. ―I remember joy and mutual respect from our early years together.‖
c. ―I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family.‖
d. ―It‘s best for me to move away from my family. Things will never change.‖
ANS: C
The correct response demonstrates the best evidence of a healthy
recognition of the importance of relationships. Mental health includes
rational thinking, communication skills, learning, emotional growth,
resilience, and self-esteem. Recalling joy from earlier in life may be healthy,
but the correct response shows a higher level of mental health. The other
incorrect responses show blaming and avoidance.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis)
REF: Pages 1-2, 3, 32 (Figure 1-1) TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
4
