Mental Health Exam 2 Review
Questions (Varcarolis
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder tells the community mental health nurse, "I
usually spend all day watching television. If there's nothing good to watch, I just sleep or think about
my problems."
a. Refer the patient for counseling with a recreational therapist.
b. Ask the patient, "What kinds of program do you like to watch?"
c. Suggest to the patient, "Are there some friends you could call instead?"
d. Advise the patient, "Watching television and thinking about problems makes depression worse." -
✔✔ correct answer A.
The patient's comments indicate problems with use of leisure time. Recreational activities improve
emotional, physical, cognitive, and social well-being. A recreational
therapist is the best member of the treatment team to provide these services.
The nurse admits a patient experiencing hallucinations and delusional thinking to an inpatient mental
health unit. The plan of care will require which service occurs first?
a. Social history
b. Psychiatric history
c. Medical assessment
d. Psychological evaluation - ✔✔ correct answer C.
Begins with a medical assessment to rule out or consider co-occurring/comorbid conditions.
A nurse working in an acute care unit for adolescents diagnosed with mental illness says, "Our
patients have so much energy. We need some physical activities for them." In recognition of needs
for safety and exercise, which activity could the treatment team approve?
a. Badminton tournament
b. Competitive soccer matches
c. Intramural basketball games
d. Line dancing to popular music - ✔✔ correct answer D.
Safety is a key consideration in selection of activities. The correct response identifies an activity likely
to appeal to the population but without physical contact between patients or equipment, which may
be associated with injury.
,Mental Health Exam 2 Review
Questions (Varcarolis
As Election Day nears, a mental health nurse studies the position statements of various candidates
for federal offices. Which candidate's commentary would the nurse interpret as supportive of
services for persons diagnosed with mental illness?
a. "Full parity insurance coverage for mental illness"
b. "Coverage for biologically based mental illnesses"
c. "Reimbursement for initial treatment of addictions"
d. "Managed care oversight for mental illness services" - ✔✔ correct answer A.
Mental health parity refers to third-party (insurance) coverage of care for mental illness and
addictions similarly to care of physical illness. Federal and state legislation apply, but coverage varies
by state. Some states offer full parity for mental illness insurance coverage.
An experienced nurse in a major medical center requests a transfer from a general medical unit to an
acute care psychiatric unit. Which organizational feature would best support this nurse's successful
transition?
a. Assignment to medication administration for the first 6 months
b. Working with a seasoned mental health technician for the first month
c. Co-assignment with a knowledgeable psychiatric nurse for an extended orientation
d. Staff development activities focused on developing therapeutic communication skills - ✔✔ correct
answer C.
The nurse's skills from the medical unit will be valuable, but this nurse will need to expand his or her
skill set to effectively care for a psychiatric population. Working with an experienced psychiatric
nurse will provide opportunities for learning.
A mature, professional couple plans a large wedding in a city 100 miles from their home. Which
response is most likely to be associated with this experience? .
a. Distress
b. Eustress
c. Acute stress
d. Depersonalization - ✔✔ correct answer B.
Eustress is beneficial stress that will help the couple to focus, problem solve, and successfully plan
their wedding.
, Mental Health Exam 2 Review
Questions (Varcarolis
A college student has been experiencing significant stress associated with academic demands. Last
month, the student began attending yoga sessions three times a week. Which outcome indicates this
activity has been successful?
a. The student reports improved feelings of well-being. b. The student increases use of caffeine to
enhance concentration.
c. The student reports, "Now I am sleeping about 10 hours every day."
d. The student says, "I withdrew from two courses to reduce my academic load." - ✔✔ correct
answer A.
Yoga and other physical activities can be effective ways to manage stress. These activities deepen
breathing, relieve muscle tension, and can elevate levels of the body's own endorphins, which
induces a sense of well-being.
An adult required a heart transplant 5 years ago. Multiple medical complications followed, resulting
in persistent irritability, depression, and insomnia. The adult's spouse says, "I've walked on eggshells
for five years, never knowing when something else will go wrong." What is the nurse's priority
intervention regarding the spouse?
a. Explore the spouse's feelings, showing care and compassion.
b. Encourage the spouse to attend a community support group.
c. Teach stress reduction and relaxation techniques to the spouse.
d. Refer the spouse to the primary care provider for health assessment. - ✔✔ correct answer D.
The scenario suggests that the spouse has experienced the effects of long-term stress. When stress is
prolonged, the body stays alert. Chemicals produced by the stress response can have damaging
effects on the body, causing physical diseases. While all of the actions may be indicated, obtaining a
health assessment from the primary care provider has the first priority.
A veteran of the war in Afghanistan tells the nurse, "Everyday, something happens that makes me
feel like I'm still there. My family has grown impatient with me. They say it's time for me to move on
from that time in my life but I can't." What is the nurse's first priority?
a. Assess the veteran for suicide risk.
b. Refer the veteran for specialized mental health services.
c. Assess the veteran for evidence of traumatic brain injury.
d. Refer the veteran's family to a posttraumatic stress disorder group. - ✔✔ correct answer A.
The veteran had high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When PTSD is untreated or
undertreated, painful repercussions often occur, particularly marital problems, unemployment,
heavy substance abuse, and suicide. The highest priority is an assessment of suicide risk.
Questions (Varcarolis
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder tells the community mental health nurse, "I
usually spend all day watching television. If there's nothing good to watch, I just sleep or think about
my problems."
a. Refer the patient for counseling with a recreational therapist.
b. Ask the patient, "What kinds of program do you like to watch?"
c. Suggest to the patient, "Are there some friends you could call instead?"
d. Advise the patient, "Watching television and thinking about problems makes depression worse." -
✔✔ correct answer A.
The patient's comments indicate problems with use of leisure time. Recreational activities improve
emotional, physical, cognitive, and social well-being. A recreational
therapist is the best member of the treatment team to provide these services.
The nurse admits a patient experiencing hallucinations and delusional thinking to an inpatient mental
health unit. The plan of care will require which service occurs first?
a. Social history
b. Psychiatric history
c. Medical assessment
d. Psychological evaluation - ✔✔ correct answer C.
Begins with a medical assessment to rule out or consider co-occurring/comorbid conditions.
A nurse working in an acute care unit for adolescents diagnosed with mental illness says, "Our
patients have so much energy. We need some physical activities for them." In recognition of needs
for safety and exercise, which activity could the treatment team approve?
a. Badminton tournament
b. Competitive soccer matches
c. Intramural basketball games
d. Line dancing to popular music - ✔✔ correct answer D.
Safety is a key consideration in selection of activities. The correct response identifies an activity likely
to appeal to the population but without physical contact between patients or equipment, which may
be associated with injury.
,Mental Health Exam 2 Review
Questions (Varcarolis
As Election Day nears, a mental health nurse studies the position statements of various candidates
for federal offices. Which candidate's commentary would the nurse interpret as supportive of
services for persons diagnosed with mental illness?
a. "Full parity insurance coverage for mental illness"
b. "Coverage for biologically based mental illnesses"
c. "Reimbursement for initial treatment of addictions"
d. "Managed care oversight for mental illness services" - ✔✔ correct answer A.
Mental health parity refers to third-party (insurance) coverage of care for mental illness and
addictions similarly to care of physical illness. Federal and state legislation apply, but coverage varies
by state. Some states offer full parity for mental illness insurance coverage.
An experienced nurse in a major medical center requests a transfer from a general medical unit to an
acute care psychiatric unit. Which organizational feature would best support this nurse's successful
transition?
a. Assignment to medication administration for the first 6 months
b. Working with a seasoned mental health technician for the first month
c. Co-assignment with a knowledgeable psychiatric nurse for an extended orientation
d. Staff development activities focused on developing therapeutic communication skills - ✔✔ correct
answer C.
The nurse's skills from the medical unit will be valuable, but this nurse will need to expand his or her
skill set to effectively care for a psychiatric population. Working with an experienced psychiatric
nurse will provide opportunities for learning.
A mature, professional couple plans a large wedding in a city 100 miles from their home. Which
response is most likely to be associated with this experience? .
a. Distress
b. Eustress
c. Acute stress
d. Depersonalization - ✔✔ correct answer B.
Eustress is beneficial stress that will help the couple to focus, problem solve, and successfully plan
their wedding.
, Mental Health Exam 2 Review
Questions (Varcarolis
A college student has been experiencing significant stress associated with academic demands. Last
month, the student began attending yoga sessions three times a week. Which outcome indicates this
activity has been successful?
a. The student reports improved feelings of well-being. b. The student increases use of caffeine to
enhance concentration.
c. The student reports, "Now I am sleeping about 10 hours every day."
d. The student says, "I withdrew from two courses to reduce my academic load." - ✔✔ correct
answer A.
Yoga and other physical activities can be effective ways to manage stress. These activities deepen
breathing, relieve muscle tension, and can elevate levels of the body's own endorphins, which
induces a sense of well-being.
An adult required a heart transplant 5 years ago. Multiple medical complications followed, resulting
in persistent irritability, depression, and insomnia. The adult's spouse says, "I've walked on eggshells
for five years, never knowing when something else will go wrong." What is the nurse's priority
intervention regarding the spouse?
a. Explore the spouse's feelings, showing care and compassion.
b. Encourage the spouse to attend a community support group.
c. Teach stress reduction and relaxation techniques to the spouse.
d. Refer the spouse to the primary care provider for health assessment. - ✔✔ correct answer D.
The scenario suggests that the spouse has experienced the effects of long-term stress. When stress is
prolonged, the body stays alert. Chemicals produced by the stress response can have damaging
effects on the body, causing physical diseases. While all of the actions may be indicated, obtaining a
health assessment from the primary care provider has the first priority.
A veteran of the war in Afghanistan tells the nurse, "Everyday, something happens that makes me
feel like I'm still there. My family has grown impatient with me. They say it's time for me to move on
from that time in my life but I can't." What is the nurse's first priority?
a. Assess the veteran for suicide risk.
b. Refer the veteran for specialized mental health services.
c. Assess the veteran for evidence of traumatic brain injury.
d. Refer the veteran's family to a posttraumatic stress disorder group. - ✔✔ correct answer A.
The veteran had high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When PTSD is untreated or
undertreated, painful repercussions often occur, particularly marital problems, unemployment,
heavy substance abuse, and suicide. The highest priority is an assessment of suicide risk.
