Townsend

TOWNSEND CHAPTER 1 MENTAL
HEALTH & MENTAL ILLNESS
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS

A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing occasional feelings of sadness
because of the recent death of a beloved pet. The client's appetite, sleep patterns, and
daily routine have not changed. How should the nurse interpret the client's behaviors?

1. The client's behaviors demonstrate mental illness in the form of depression.

2. The client's behaviors are extensive, which indicates the presence of mental illness.

3. The client's behaviors are not congruent with cultural norms.

4. The client's behaviors demonstrate no functional impairment, indicating no mental
illness. -ANS4. The client's behaviors demonstrate no functional impairment, indicating
no mental illness.

Rationale: The nurse should assess that the client's 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 client's distress does not
indicate a mental illness.

At what point should the nurse determine that a client is at risk for developing a mental
illness?

1. When thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are not reflective of the DSM-5 criteria.

2. When maladaptive responses to stress are coupled with interference in daily
functioning.

3. When a client communicates significant distress.

4. When a client uses defense mechanisms as ego protection. -ANS2. When
maladaptive responses to stress are coupled with interference in daily functioning.

Rationale: The nurse should determine that the client is at risk for mental illness when
responses to stress are maladaptive and interfere with daily functioning. The DSM-5

, indicates that in order to be diagnosed with a mental illness, daily functioning must be
significantly impaired. The client's ability to communicate distress would be considered
a positive attribute.

A nurse is assessing a set of 15-year-old identical twins who respond very differently to
stress. One twin becomes anxious and irritable, and the other withdraws and cries. How
should the nurse explain these different stress responses to the parents?

1. Reactions to stress are relative rather than absolute; individual responses to stress
vary.

2. It is abnormal for identical twins to react differently to similar stressors.

3. Identical twins should share the same temperament and respond similarly to stress.

4. Environmental influences to stress weigh more heavily than genetic influences. -
ANS1. Reactions to stress are relative rather than absolute; individual responses to
stress vary.

Rationale: The nurse should explain to the parents that, although the twins have
identical DNA, there are several other factors that affect reactions to stress. Mental
health is a state of being that is relative to the individual client. Environmental influences
and temperament can affect stress reactions.

Which client should the nurse anticipate to be most receptive to psychiatric treatment?

1. A Jewish, female social worker.

2. A Baptist, homeless male.

3. A Catholic, black male.

4. A Protestant, Swedish business executive. -ANS1. A Jewish, female social worker.

Rationale: The nurse should anticipate that the client of Jewish culture would place a
high importance on preventative health care and would consider mental health as
equally important as physical health. Women are also more likely to seek treatment for
mental health problems than men.

A psychiatric nurse intern states, "This client's use of defense mechanisms should be
eliminated." Which is a correct evaluation of this nurse's statement?

1. Defense mechanisms can be appropriate responses to stress and need not be
eliminated.