lOMoARcPSD|21283334
Foundations of Mental Health Care 8th Edition Morrison-Valfre
Test Bank
Chapter 1. The History of Mental Health Care & Chapter 2. Current
Mental Health Care
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. c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication. d. Individualize nursing care plans.
ANS: B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master’s-prepared nurse practitioners 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.
2. When a nursing student expresses concerns about how mental health nurses “lose all their
nursing skills,” the best response by the mental health nurse is:
“Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse-to-patient
a. ratios must be better because of the nature of the patients’ problems.”
“Psychiatric
nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thinking to solve
b. multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those situations.”
“That’s a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technology monitoring
c. equipment and manage complex intravenous therapies.”
“Psychiatric
nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as medical-surgical
d. 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.
, lOMoARcPSD|21283334
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.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Page 10 | Page 13-14 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons with mental
illness, a group of nurses writes letters to their elected representatives in opposition to the
legislation. Which role have the nurses fulfilled?
a. Recovery c. Advocacy
b. Attending 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 16 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC:
Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. Which comment best indicates that a patient perceived the nurse was caring? “My nurse:
a. always asks me which type of juice I want to help me swallow my medication.”
b. explained my treatment plan to me and asked for my ideas about how to make it better.”
spends time listening to me talk about my problems. That helps me feel like I am not
c. alone.”
told me that if I take all the medicines the doctor prescribes, then I will get discharged
d. sooner.”
ANS: C
, lOMoARcPSD|21283334
Caring evidences empathetic understanding as well as competency. It helps change pain and
suffering into a shared experience, creating a human connection that alleviates feelings of
isolation. The distracters give examples of statements that demonstrate advocacy or giving
advice.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Page 7 |Page 10 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
5. Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a patient may be experiencing a mental
illness? The patient:
a. reports occasional sleeplessness and anxiety.
b. reports a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood.
c. is able to describe the difference between “as if” and “for real.”
d. perceives difficulty making a decision about whether to change jobs.
ANS: B
The correct response describes a mood alteration, which reflects mental illness. The distracters
describe behaviors that are mentally healthy or within the usual scope of human experience.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Page 2-3 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
6. Which finding best indicates that the goal “Demonstrate mentally healthy behavior” was
achieved? A patient:
a. sees self as capable of achieving ideals and meeting demands.
b. behaves without considering the consequences of personal actions.
c. aggressively meets own needs without considering the rights of others.
d. seeks help from others when assuming responsibility for major areas of own life.
ANS: A
The correct response describes an adaptive, healthy behavior. The distracters describe
maladaptive behaviors.
, lOMoARcPSD|21283334
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF:
Page 2-3 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC:
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A nurse encounters an unfamiliar psychiatric disorder on a new patient’s admission form.
Which resource should the nurse consult to determine criteria used to establish this diagnosis?
a. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10)
b. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
c. A behavioral health reference manual
d. Wikipedia
ANS: B
The DSM-5 gives the criteria used to diagnose each mental disorder. The distracters may not
contain diagnostic criteria for a psychiatric illness.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF:
Page 3-4 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC:
Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
8. A nurse wants to find a description of diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders. Which resource
would have the most complete information?
a. Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)
b. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
c. The ANA’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
d. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10)
ANS: B
The DSM-5 details the diagnostic criteria for psychiatric clinical conditions. The other references
are good resources but do not define the diagnostic criteria.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 10-12 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
Foundations of Mental Health Care 8th Edition Morrison-Valfre
Test Bank
Chapter 1. The History of Mental Health Care & Chapter 2. Current
Mental Health Care
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. c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication. d. Individualize nursing care plans.
ANS: B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master’s-prepared nurse practitioners 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.
2. When a nursing student expresses concerns about how mental health nurses “lose all their
nursing skills,” the best response by the mental health nurse is:
“Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse-to-patient
a. ratios must be better because of the nature of the patients’ problems.”
“Psychiatric
nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thinking to solve
b. multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those situations.”
“That’s a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technology monitoring
c. equipment and manage complex intravenous therapies.”
“Psychiatric
nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as medical-surgical
d. 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.
, lOMoARcPSD|21283334
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.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Page 10 | Page 13-14 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons with mental
illness, a group of nurses writes letters to their elected representatives in opposition to the
legislation. Which role have the nurses fulfilled?
a. Recovery c. Advocacy
b. Attending 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 16 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC:
Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. Which comment best indicates that a patient perceived the nurse was caring? “My nurse:
a. always asks me which type of juice I want to help me swallow my medication.”
b. explained my treatment plan to me and asked for my ideas about how to make it better.”
spends time listening to me talk about my problems. That helps me feel like I am not
c. alone.”
told me that if I take all the medicines the doctor prescribes, then I will get discharged
d. sooner.”
ANS: C
, lOMoARcPSD|21283334
Caring evidences empathetic understanding as well as competency. It helps change pain and
suffering into a shared experience, creating a human connection that alleviates feelings of
isolation. The distracters give examples of statements that demonstrate advocacy or giving
advice.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Page 7 |Page 10 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
5. Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a patient may be experiencing a mental
illness? The patient:
a. reports occasional sleeplessness and anxiety.
b. reports a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood.
c. is able to describe the difference between “as if” and “for real.”
d. perceives difficulty making a decision about whether to change jobs.
ANS: B
The correct response describes a mood alteration, which reflects mental illness. The distracters
describe behaviors that are mentally healthy or within the usual scope of human experience.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Page 2-3 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
6. Which finding best indicates that the goal “Demonstrate mentally healthy behavior” was
achieved? A patient:
a. sees self as capable of achieving ideals and meeting demands.
b. behaves without considering the consequences of personal actions.
c. aggressively meets own needs without considering the rights of others.
d. seeks help from others when assuming responsibility for major areas of own life.
ANS: A
The correct response describes an adaptive, healthy behavior. The distracters describe
maladaptive behaviors.
, lOMoARcPSD|21283334
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF:
Page 2-3 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC:
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A nurse encounters an unfamiliar psychiatric disorder on a new patient’s admission form.
Which resource should the nurse consult to determine criteria used to establish this diagnosis?
a. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10)
b. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
c. A behavioral health reference manual
d. Wikipedia
ANS: B
The DSM-5 gives the criteria used to diagnose each mental disorder. The distracters may not
contain diagnostic criteria for a psychiatric illness.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF:
Page 3-4 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC:
Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
8. A nurse wants to find a description of diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders. Which resource
would have the most complete information?
a. Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)
b. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
c. The ANA’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
d. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10)
ANS: B
The DSM-5 details the diagnostic criteria for psychiatric clinical conditions. The other references
are good resources but do not define the diagnostic criteria.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 10-12 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
