Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health

Chapter 1. Mental Health and Mental Illness Multiple Choice A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing occasional feelings of sadness because of the recent death of a beloved pet. The clients appetite, sleep patterns, and daily routine have not changed. How should the nurse interpret the clients behaviors? The clients behaviors demonstrate mental illness in the form of depression. The clients behaviors are extensive, which indicates the presence of mental illness. The clients behaviors are not congruent with cultural norms. The clients behaviors demonstrate no functional impairment, indicating no mental illness. ANS: 4 Rationale: The nurse should assess that the clients daily functioning is not impaired. The client who experiences feelings of sadness after the loss of a pet is responding within normal expectations. Without significant impairment, the clients distress does not indicate a mental illness. Cognitive Level: Analysis Integrated Process: Assessment At what point should the nurse determine that a client is at risk for developing a mental illness?