MENTAL HEALTH EXAM #26 NCLEX REVIEW QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS 2023-2024
According to the DSM-5, there is evidence that symptoms and causes of mental illness
are influenced by:
A) cultural and ethnic factors. Correct
B) occupation and status.
C) birth order.
D) sexual preference. - correct answer cultural and ethnic factors
The DSM-5 states there is evidence to suggest that mental illness is influenced by
cultural and ethnic factors. The DSM-5 does not state that there is evidence that
occupation, birth order, or sexual preference affect mental illness.
One characteristic of mental health that allows people to adapt to tragedies, trauma,
and loss is:
A) dependence.
B) resilience. Correct
C) pessimism.
D) altruism. - correct answer B) resilience
Resilience is a characteristic that helps individuals cope with loss and trauma that may
occur in life. Dependence is described as being dependent on others for decision
making and care. Pessimism is a life philosophy that things are more likely to go wrong
than right. Altruism is described as putting others before yourself.
You are caring for Kiley, a 29-year-old female patient who is being admitted following a
suicide attempt. Which of the following illustrates the concept of patient advocacy?
A) "Dr. Raye, I notice you ordered Prozac for Kiley. She has stated to me that she does
not want to take Prozac because she had adverse effects when it was previously
prescribed."
B) "Dr. Raye, during her admissions interview Kiley stated that she has had three other
suicide attempts in the past."
C) "Kiley, can you tell me more about your depression and your suicide attempt?"
D) "Kiley, I will take you on a tour of the unit and orient you to the rules." - correct
answer A) "Dr. Raye, I notice you ordered Prozac for Kiley. She has stated to me that
she does not want to take Prozac because she had adverse effects when it was
previously prescribed."
By letting the provider know that the patient does not want the treatment the provider is
prescribing, you have advocated for the patient and her right to make decisions
regarding her treatment. The other selections do not describe patient advocacy.
,You have graduated with your BSN degree and have taken your first job on a
psychiatric unit after becoming a licensed Registered Nurse. You are providing teaching
to Mason, a newly admitted patient on the psychiatric unit, regarding his daily schedule.
Which of the following would not be an appropriate teaching statement?
A) "You will participate in unit activities and groups daily."
B) "You will be given a schedule daily of the groups we would like you to attend."
C) "You will attend a psychotherapy group that I lead."
D) "You will see your provider daily in a one-to-one session." - correct answer C) "You
will attend a psychotherapy group that I lead."
Basic level rns cannot perform psychotherapy. The other options are all appropriate
expectations of a patient's schedule on a psychiatric unit.
A nurse who is active in local consumer mental health groups and in local and state
mental health associations and who keeps aware of state and national legislation
affecting mental illness treatment may positively affect the climate for treatment by:
A) becoming active in politics leading to a potential political career.
B) reducing the stigma of mental illness and advocating for equality in treatment.
C) encouraging laws that would make the involuntary long-term commitment process
easier and faster for caregivers of mentally ill persons.
D) advocating for reduced mental health insurance benefits to discourage abuse of the
system by inappropriate psychiatric admissions. - correct answer B) reducing the stigma
of mental illness and advocating for equality in treatment.
Nurses who are aware of legislative concerns and who are active in organizations that
promote mental health awareness and appropriate and equal treatment for mental
illness help achieve the goal of parity, or equality of treatment for mentally ill individuals.
Becoming active in politics may be a personal goal but does not directly or necessarily
reduce stigma or encourage treatment equality. The other options are undesirable
outcomes.
You are caring for Alyssa, a 28-year-old patient with bipolar disorder who was admitted
in a manic state. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory, which of the
following symptoms needs to be the first priority in caring for this patient?
A) Rapid, pressured speech
B) Grandiose thoughts
C) Lack of sleep
D) Hyperactive behavior - correct answer C) Lack of sleep
Based on Maslow's theory, physiological needs such as food, water, air, sleep, etc., are
the priority and must be taken care of first. The other options are symptoms of mania
but not as critical as lack of sleep.
, Lucas states, "I will always be alone because nobody could love me." This is most likely
an example of:
A) emotional consequence.
B) schema
C) actualization.
D) aversion. - correct answer B) schema
Schemas are unique assumptions about ourselves, according to Beck's theory. This
statement is an example of a negative schema. Emotional consequence is the end
result of negative thinking process, as described by Ellis. Actualization is a level of
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Aversion is a therapy characterized by punishment.
You and Jack are two of the nurses working on the psychiatric unit. Jack mentions to
you that the biological model for mental illness is the one he embraces, and states "it's
the only one I really believe." Which of the following statements is true regarding
believing in only the biological model?
A) The biological model is the oldest and most reliable model for explaining mental
illness.
B) The biological model does not explain every symptom of mental illness.
C) The biological model is the most popular theory among leading psychiatrists and
therefore the one that should be fully embraced.
D) In believing only the biological model, other influences on mental health including
cultural, environmental, social, and spiritual influences are not taken into account. -
correct answer D) In believing only the biological model, other influences on mental
health including cultural, environmental, social, and spiritual influences are not taken
into account.
In believing only in the biological model to the exclusion of other theories and
perspectives, influences such as educational, social, spiritual, cultural, environmental,
and economic are not considered, and these have also been proven to play a part in
mental health and mental illness. The other options are untrue.
Sullivan's term security operations and Freud's term of defense mechanisms both
reflect actions that serve to:
A) increase self-esteem
B) reduce anxiety
C) increase self-awareness.
D) reduce cognitive distortions. - correct answer B) reduce anxiety
Both Sullivan and Freud coined terms to mean actions that individuals do that are an
attempt to reduce anxiety. The terms to do not refer to activities that increase self-
esteem. Security operations and defense mechanisms are not conscious and therefore
ANSWERS 2023-2024
According to the DSM-5, there is evidence that symptoms and causes of mental illness
are influenced by:
A) cultural and ethnic factors. Correct
B) occupation and status.
C) birth order.
D) sexual preference. - correct answer cultural and ethnic factors
The DSM-5 states there is evidence to suggest that mental illness is influenced by
cultural and ethnic factors. The DSM-5 does not state that there is evidence that
occupation, birth order, or sexual preference affect mental illness.
One characteristic of mental health that allows people to adapt to tragedies, trauma,
and loss is:
A) dependence.
B) resilience. Correct
C) pessimism.
D) altruism. - correct answer B) resilience
Resilience is a characteristic that helps individuals cope with loss and trauma that may
occur in life. Dependence is described as being dependent on others for decision
making and care. Pessimism is a life philosophy that things are more likely to go wrong
than right. Altruism is described as putting others before yourself.
You are caring for Kiley, a 29-year-old female patient who is being admitted following a
suicide attempt. Which of the following illustrates the concept of patient advocacy?
A) "Dr. Raye, I notice you ordered Prozac for Kiley. She has stated to me that she does
not want to take Prozac because she had adverse effects when it was previously
prescribed."
B) "Dr. Raye, during her admissions interview Kiley stated that she has had three other
suicide attempts in the past."
C) "Kiley, can you tell me more about your depression and your suicide attempt?"
D) "Kiley, I will take you on a tour of the unit and orient you to the rules." - correct
answer A) "Dr. Raye, I notice you ordered Prozac for Kiley. She has stated to me that
she does not want to take Prozac because she had adverse effects when it was
previously prescribed."
By letting the provider know that the patient does not want the treatment the provider is
prescribing, you have advocated for the patient and her right to make decisions
regarding her treatment. The other selections do not describe patient advocacy.
,You have graduated with your BSN degree and have taken your first job on a
psychiatric unit after becoming a licensed Registered Nurse. You are providing teaching
to Mason, a newly admitted patient on the psychiatric unit, regarding his daily schedule.
Which of the following would not be an appropriate teaching statement?
A) "You will participate in unit activities and groups daily."
B) "You will be given a schedule daily of the groups we would like you to attend."
C) "You will attend a psychotherapy group that I lead."
D) "You will see your provider daily in a one-to-one session." - correct answer C) "You
will attend a psychotherapy group that I lead."
Basic level rns cannot perform psychotherapy. The other options are all appropriate
expectations of a patient's schedule on a psychiatric unit.
A nurse who is active in local consumer mental health groups and in local and state
mental health associations and who keeps aware of state and national legislation
affecting mental illness treatment may positively affect the climate for treatment by:
A) becoming active in politics leading to a potential political career.
B) reducing the stigma of mental illness and advocating for equality in treatment.
C) encouraging laws that would make the involuntary long-term commitment process
easier and faster for caregivers of mentally ill persons.
D) advocating for reduced mental health insurance benefits to discourage abuse of the
system by inappropriate psychiatric admissions. - correct answer B) reducing the stigma
of mental illness and advocating for equality in treatment.
Nurses who are aware of legislative concerns and who are active in organizations that
promote mental health awareness and appropriate and equal treatment for mental
illness help achieve the goal of parity, or equality of treatment for mentally ill individuals.
Becoming active in politics may be a personal goal but does not directly or necessarily
reduce stigma or encourage treatment equality. The other options are undesirable
outcomes.
You are caring for Alyssa, a 28-year-old patient with bipolar disorder who was admitted
in a manic state. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory, which of the
following symptoms needs to be the first priority in caring for this patient?
A) Rapid, pressured speech
B) Grandiose thoughts
C) Lack of sleep
D) Hyperactive behavior - correct answer C) Lack of sleep
Based on Maslow's theory, physiological needs such as food, water, air, sleep, etc., are
the priority and must be taken care of first. The other options are symptoms of mania
but not as critical as lack of sleep.
, Lucas states, "I will always be alone because nobody could love me." This is most likely
an example of:
A) emotional consequence.
B) schema
C) actualization.
D) aversion. - correct answer B) schema
Schemas are unique assumptions about ourselves, according to Beck's theory. This
statement is an example of a negative schema. Emotional consequence is the end
result of negative thinking process, as described by Ellis. Actualization is a level of
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Aversion is a therapy characterized by punishment.
You and Jack are two of the nurses working on the psychiatric unit. Jack mentions to
you that the biological model for mental illness is the one he embraces, and states "it's
the only one I really believe." Which of the following statements is true regarding
believing in only the biological model?
A) The biological model is the oldest and most reliable model for explaining mental
illness.
B) The biological model does not explain every symptom of mental illness.
C) The biological model is the most popular theory among leading psychiatrists and
therefore the one that should be fully embraced.
D) In believing only the biological model, other influences on mental health including
cultural, environmental, social, and spiritual influences are not taken into account. -
correct answer D) In believing only the biological model, other influences on mental
health including cultural, environmental, social, and spiritual influences are not taken
into account.
In believing only in the biological model to the exclusion of other theories and
perspectives, influences such as educational, social, spiritual, cultural, environmental,
and economic are not considered, and these have also been proven to play a part in
mental health and mental illness. The other options are untrue.
Sullivan's term security operations and Freud's term of defense mechanisms both
reflect actions that serve to:
A) increase self-esteem
B) reduce anxiety
C) increase self-awareness.
D) reduce cognitive distortions. - correct answer B) reduce anxiety
Both Sullivan and Freud coined terms to mean actions that individuals do that are an
attempt to reduce anxiety. The terms to do not refer to activities that increase self-
esteem. Security operations and defense mechanisms are not conscious and therefore
