Test Bank Varcarolis’ Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A
Clinical Approach, 9th Edition
,Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
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?
aConduct mental health assessments.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication.
c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
d. Individualize nursing care plans.
CORRECT ANS B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master’s-prepared nurse
practitioners and clinical nurse specialists 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.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 1-23
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
2. A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses “lose all their
clinical nursing skills.” Select the best response by the mental health nurse.
a. “Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse-
to-patient ratios must be better because of the nature of the patients’ problems.”
b. “Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thinking
to solve multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those situations.”
c. “That’s a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technology
monitoring equipment and manage complex intravenous therapies.”
d. “Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as
medical– surgical nurses do. That appeals to me.”
CORRECT 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. 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: Pages 1-2, 21 TOP: Nursing Process:
Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
1
, 3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons
diagnosed with mental illness, a group of nurses write letters to their elected
representatives in opposition to the legislation. Which role have the nurses fulfilled?
a. Recovery
b. Attending
c. Advocacy
d. Evidence-based practice
CORRECT 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 1-26
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A family has a long history of conflicted relationships among the members. Which
family member’s comment best reflects a mentally healthy perspective?
a. “I’ve made mistakes but everyone else in this family has also.”
b. “I remember joy and mutual respect from our early years together.”
c. “I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family.”
d. “It’s best for me to move away from my family. Things will never change.”
CORRECT ANS C
The correct response demonstrates the best evidence of a healthy recognition of the
importance of relationships. Mental health includes rational thinking, communication
skills, learning, emotional growth, resilience, and self-esteem. Recalling joy from
earlier in life may be healthy, but the correct response shows a higher level of mental
health. The other incorrect responses show blaming and avoidance.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis)
REF: Pages 1-2, 3, 32 (Figure 1-1) TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
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.
2
, CORRECT 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: Pages 1-2 to 4 TOP: Nursing Process:
Assessment MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
6. Which finding best indicates that the goal “Demonstrate mentally healthy
behavior” was achieved for an adult patient? The 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.
CORRECT ANS A
The correct response describes an adaptive, healthy behavior. The distracters
describe maladaptive behaviors.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-2 to 4 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. The ANA’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
c. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V)
d. A behavioral health reference manual
CORRECT ANS C
The DSM-V gives the criteria used to diagnose each mental disorder. It is the official
guideline for diagnosing psychiatric disorders. The distracters may not contain
diagnostic criteria for a psychiatric illness.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-18, 19 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. DSM-V
3
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A
Clinical Approach, 9th Edition
,Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
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?
aConduct mental health assessments.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication.
c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
d. Individualize nursing care plans.
CORRECT ANS B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master’s-prepared nurse
practitioners and clinical nurse specialists 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.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 1-23
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
2. A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses “lose all their
clinical nursing skills.” Select the best response by the mental health nurse.
a. “Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse-
to-patient ratios must be better because of the nature of the patients’ problems.”
b. “Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thinking
to solve multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those situations.”
c. “That’s a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technology
monitoring equipment and manage complex intravenous therapies.”
d. “Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as
medical– surgical nurses do. That appeals to me.”
CORRECT 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. 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: Pages 1-2, 21 TOP: Nursing Process:
Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
1
, 3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons
diagnosed with mental illness, a group of nurses write letters to their elected
representatives in opposition to the legislation. Which role have the nurses fulfilled?
a. Recovery
b. Attending
c. Advocacy
d. Evidence-based practice
CORRECT 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 1-26
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A family has a long history of conflicted relationships among the members. Which
family member’s comment best reflects a mentally healthy perspective?
a. “I’ve made mistakes but everyone else in this family has also.”
b. “I remember joy and mutual respect from our early years together.”
c. “I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family.”
d. “It’s best for me to move away from my family. Things will never change.”
CORRECT ANS C
The correct response demonstrates the best evidence of a healthy recognition of the
importance of relationships. Mental health includes rational thinking, communication
skills, learning, emotional growth, resilience, and self-esteem. Recalling joy from
earlier in life may be healthy, but the correct response shows a higher level of mental
health. The other incorrect responses show blaming and avoidance.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis)
REF: Pages 1-2, 3, 32 (Figure 1-1) TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
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.
2
, CORRECT 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: Pages 1-2 to 4 TOP: Nursing Process:
Assessment MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
6. Which finding best indicates that the goal “Demonstrate mentally healthy
behavior” was achieved for an adult patient? The 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.
CORRECT ANS A
The correct response describes an adaptive, healthy behavior. The distracters
describe maladaptive behaviors.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-2 to 4 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. The ANA’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
c. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V)
d. A behavioral health reference manual
CORRECT ANS C
The DSM-V gives the criteria used to diagnose each mental disorder. It is the official
guideline for diagnosing psychiatric disorders. The distracters may not contain
diagnostic criteria for a psychiatric illness.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-18, 19 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. DSM-V
3
