Test Bank for Varcarolis Essentials of
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing | 3rd Edition
Complete Q&A
Mental Health Competencies (Texas Woman's University)
pg. 1
,Test Bank: Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (3rd Edition by Varcarolis) 1
Table of Contents j j
Table of Contents
j j 1
Chapter 01: Practicing the Science and the Art of Psychiatric Nursing
j j j j j j j j j j j 2
Chapter 02: Mental Health and Mental Illness
j j j j j j 7
Chapter 03: Theories and Therapies
j j j j 12
Chapter 04: Biological Basis for Understanding Psychopharmacology
j j j j j j j 20
Chapter 05: Settings for Psychiatric Care
j j j j j 28
Chapter 06: Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice
j j j j j j j 35
Chapter 07: Nursing Process and QSEN: The Foundation for Safe and Effective Care
j j j j j j j j j j j j j 43
Chapter 08: Communication Skills: Medium for All Nursing Practice
j j j j j j j j 51
Chapter 09: Therapeutic Relationships and the Clinical Interview Chapter
j j j j j j j j j 58
10: Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders
j j j j 67
Chapter 11: Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders Chapter
j j j j j j j j j 74
12: Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders
j j j j j j 85
Chapter 13: Personality Disorders Chapter
j j j j j 94
14: Eating Disorders
j j 103
Chapter 15: Mood Disorders: Depression
j j j j j 111
Chapter 16: Bipolar Spectrum Disorders
j j j j 121
Chapter 17: Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Other Psychotic Disorders Chapter
j j j j j j j j j j 131
18: Neurocognitive Disorders
j j 142
Chapter 19: Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
j j j j j j 151
Chapter 20: Crisis and Mass Disaster
j j j j j 163
Chapter 21: Child, Partner, and Elder Violence
j j j j j j j 171
Chapter 22: Sexual Violence
j j j 179
Chapter 23: Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior Chapter
j j j j j j j 186
24: Anger, Aggression, and Violence
j j j j 195
Chapter 25: Care for the Dying and Those Who Grieve Chapter
j j j j j j j j j j j 204
26: Children and Adolescents
j j j 213
Chapter 27: Adults Chapter
j j j 221
28: Older Adults
j j j 230
Downloaded by Rhiannon Graves ()
,Test Bank: Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (3rd Edition by Varcarolis) 2
Chapter 01: Practicing the Science and the Art of Psychiatric Nursing j j j j j j j j j j
MULTIPLE CHOICE j
1. Which outcome, focused on recovery, would be expected in the plan of care for a patient living in the
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
community and diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness? Within 3 months, the patient j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
will:
a. deny suicidal ideation. j j
b. report a sense of well-being. j j j j
c. take medications as prescribed. j j j
d. attend clinic appointments on time. j j j j
ANS: B j
Recovery emphasizes managing symptoms, reducing psychosocial disability, and improving role performance.j j j j j j j j j j j
The goal of recovery is to empower the individual with mental illness to achieve a sense of meaning and satisfaction
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
in life and to function at the highest possible level of wellness. The incorrect options focus on the classic medical
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
model rather than recovery. j j j
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: 2
j j j j j j j
TOP: Nursing Process: Outcomes Identification
j j j j j
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance j j j j j
2. In the shift-change report, an off-going nurse criticizes a patient who wears heavy makeup. Which comment by
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
the nurse who receives the report best demonstrates advocacy?
j j j j j j j j
a. This is a psychiatric hospital. Craziness is what we are all about.
j j j j j j j j j j j
b. Lets all show acceptance of this patient by wearing lots of makeup too.
j j j j j j j j j j j j
c. Your comments are inconsiderate and inappropriate. Keep the report objective.
j j j j j j j j j
d. Our patients need our help to learn behaviors that will help them get along in society.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
ANS: D j
Accepting patients needs for self-expression and seeking to teach skills that will contribute to their well-being j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
demonstrate respect and are important parts of advocacy. The on-coming nurse needs to take action to ensure that j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
others are not prejudiced against the patient. Humor can be appropriate within the privacy of a shift report but not
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
at the expense of respect for patients. Judging the off-going nurse in a critical way will create conflict. Nurses must
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
show compassion for each other. j j j j
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: 8
j j j j j j
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment
j j j j j j j j j
3. A nurse assesses a newly admitted patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which statement is an
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
example of attending? j j
a. We all have stress in life. Being in a psychiatric hospital isnt the end of the world.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
b. Tell me why you felt you had to be hospitalized to receive treatment for your depression.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
c. You will feel better after we get some antidepressant medication started for you.
j j j j j j j j j j j j
d. Id like to sit with you a while so you may feel more comfortable talking with me.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
ANS: D j
Attending is a technique that demonstrates the nurses commitment to the relationship and reduces feelings of j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
isolation. This technique shows respect for the patient and demonstrates caring. Generalizations, probing, and false
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
reassurances are non-therapeutic. j j
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: 8
j j j j j j
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity
j j j j j j j
4. A patient is hospitalized for depression and suicidal ideation after their spouse asks for a divorce. Select the nurses
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
most caring comment. j j
a. Lets discuss some means of coping other than suicide when you have these feelings.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
b. I understand why youre so depressed. When I got divorced, I was devastated too.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
c. You should forget about your marriage and move on with your life.
j j j j j j j j j j j
d. How did you get so depressed that hospitalization was necessary? j j j j j j j j j
Downloaded by Rhiannon Graves ()
, Test Bank: Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (3rd Edition by Varcarolis) 3
ANS: A j
The nurses communication should evidence caring and a commitment to work with the patient. This commitment
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
lets the patient know the nurse will help. Probing and advice are not helpful or therapeutic interventions.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: 6
j j j j j j
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity
j j j j j j j
5. A patient shows the nurse an article from the Internet about a health problem. Which characteristic of the web
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
sites address most alerts the nurse that the site may have biased and prejudiced information?
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
a. Address ends in .org. j j j
b. Address ends in .com. j j j
c. Address ends in .gov. j j j
d. Address ends in .net. j j j
ANS: B j
Financial influences on a site are a clue that the information may be biased. .com at the end of the address indicates
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
that the site is a commercial one. .gov indicates that the site is maintained by a government entity.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
.org indicates that the site is nonproprietary; the site may or may not have reliable information, but it does not profit
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
from its activities. .net can have multiple meanings.
j j j j j j j j
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension (Understanding) REF: 5
j j j j j j
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
j j j j j j j j j
6. A nurse says, When I was in school, I learned to call upset patients by name to get their attention; however, I read a
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
descriptive research study that says that this approach does not work. I plan to stop calling patients by name. Which
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
statement is the best appraisal of this nurses comment? j j j j j j j j
a. One descriptive research study rarely provides enough evidence to change practice.
j j j j j j j j j j
b. Staff nurses apply new research findings only with the help from clinical nurse specialists.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
c. New research findings should be incorporated into clinical algorithms before using them in practice.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
d. The nurse misinterpreted the results of the study. Classic tenets of practice do not change.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
ANS: A j
Descriptive research findings provide evidence for practice but must be viewed in relation to other studies before
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
practice changes. One study is not enough. Descriptive studies are low on the hierarchy of evidence. Clinical
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
algorithms use flow charts to manage problems and do not specify one response to a clinical problem. Classic
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
tenets of practice should change as research findings provide evidence for change.
j j j j j j j j j j j
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis (Analyzing) REF: 3
j j j j j j
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
j j j j j j j j j
7. Two nursing students discuss career plans after graduation. One student wants to enter psychiatric nursing. The
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
other student asks, Why would you want to be a psychiatric nurse? All they do is talk. You will lose your skills. Select
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
the best response by the student interested in psychiatric nursing.
j j j j j j j j j j
a. Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse-to-patient ratios must be j j j j j j j j j j j j j
better because of the nature of patients problems.
j j j j j j j
b. Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills, as well as critical thinking, to solve multidimensional j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
problems. Im challenged by those situations. j j j j j
c. I think I will be good in the mental health field. I do not like clinical rotations in school, so I do not want to continue
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
them after I graduate.
j j j j
d. Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as medical surgical nurses. That j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
appeals to me. j j
ANS: B j
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of skills than medical surgical nursing, although substantial
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
overlap does exist. Psychiatric nurses must be able to help patients with medical and mental health problems, reflecting
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
the holistic perspective these nurses must have. Nurse-patient ratios and workloads in psychiatric settings have
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
increased, similar to other specialties. Psychiatric nursing involves clinical practice, j j j j j j j j j
Downloaded by Rhiannon Graves ()
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing | 3rd Edition
Complete Q&A
Mental Health Competencies (Texas Woman's University)
pg. 1
,Test Bank: Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (3rd Edition by Varcarolis) 1
Table of Contents j j
Table of Contents
j j 1
Chapter 01: Practicing the Science and the Art of Psychiatric Nursing
j j j j j j j j j j j 2
Chapter 02: Mental Health and Mental Illness
j j j j j j 7
Chapter 03: Theories and Therapies
j j j j 12
Chapter 04: Biological Basis for Understanding Psychopharmacology
j j j j j j j 20
Chapter 05: Settings for Psychiatric Care
j j j j j 28
Chapter 06: Legal and Ethical Basis for Practice
j j j j j j j 35
Chapter 07: Nursing Process and QSEN: The Foundation for Safe and Effective Care
j j j j j j j j j j j j j 43
Chapter 08: Communication Skills: Medium for All Nursing Practice
j j j j j j j j 51
Chapter 09: Therapeutic Relationships and the Clinical Interview Chapter
j j j j j j j j j 58
10: Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders
j j j j 67
Chapter 11: Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders Chapter
j j j j j j j j j 74
12: Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders
j j j j j j 85
Chapter 13: Personality Disorders Chapter
j j j j j 94
14: Eating Disorders
j j 103
Chapter 15: Mood Disorders: Depression
j j j j j 111
Chapter 16: Bipolar Spectrum Disorders
j j j j 121
Chapter 17: Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Other Psychotic Disorders Chapter
j j j j j j j j j j 131
18: Neurocognitive Disorders
j j 142
Chapter 19: Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
j j j j j j 151
Chapter 20: Crisis and Mass Disaster
j j j j j 163
Chapter 21: Child, Partner, and Elder Violence
j j j j j j j 171
Chapter 22: Sexual Violence
j j j 179
Chapter 23: Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior Chapter
j j j j j j j 186
24: Anger, Aggression, and Violence
j j j j 195
Chapter 25: Care for the Dying and Those Who Grieve Chapter
j j j j j j j j j j j 204
26: Children and Adolescents
j j j 213
Chapter 27: Adults Chapter
j j j 221
28: Older Adults
j j j 230
Downloaded by Rhiannon Graves ()
,Test Bank: Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (3rd Edition by Varcarolis) 2
Chapter 01: Practicing the Science and the Art of Psychiatric Nursing j j j j j j j j j j
MULTIPLE CHOICE j
1. Which outcome, focused on recovery, would be expected in the plan of care for a patient living in the
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
community and diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness? Within 3 months, the patient j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
will:
a. deny suicidal ideation. j j
b. report a sense of well-being. j j j j
c. take medications as prescribed. j j j
d. attend clinic appointments on time. j j j j
ANS: B j
Recovery emphasizes managing symptoms, reducing psychosocial disability, and improving role performance.j j j j j j j j j j j
The goal of recovery is to empower the individual with mental illness to achieve a sense of meaning and satisfaction
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
in life and to function at the highest possible level of wellness. The incorrect options focus on the classic medical
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
model rather than recovery. j j j
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: 2
j j j j j j j
TOP: Nursing Process: Outcomes Identification
j j j j j
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance j j j j j
2. In the shift-change report, an off-going nurse criticizes a patient who wears heavy makeup. Which comment by
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
the nurse who receives the report best demonstrates advocacy?
j j j j j j j j
a. This is a psychiatric hospital. Craziness is what we are all about.
j j j j j j j j j j j
b. Lets all show acceptance of this patient by wearing lots of makeup too.
j j j j j j j j j j j j
c. Your comments are inconsiderate and inappropriate. Keep the report objective.
j j j j j j j j j
d. Our patients need our help to learn behaviors that will help them get along in society.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
ANS: D j
Accepting patients needs for self-expression and seeking to teach skills that will contribute to their well-being j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
demonstrate respect and are important parts of advocacy. The on-coming nurse needs to take action to ensure that j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
others are not prejudiced against the patient. Humor can be appropriate within the privacy of a shift report but not
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
at the expense of respect for patients. Judging the off-going nurse in a critical way will create conflict. Nurses must
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
show compassion for each other. j j j j
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: 8
j j j j j j
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment
j j j j j j j j j
3. A nurse assesses a newly admitted patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which statement is an
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
example of attending? j j
a. We all have stress in life. Being in a psychiatric hospital isnt the end of the world.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
b. Tell me why you felt you had to be hospitalized to receive treatment for your depression.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
c. You will feel better after we get some antidepressant medication started for you.
j j j j j j j j j j j j
d. Id like to sit with you a while so you may feel more comfortable talking with me.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
ANS: D j
Attending is a technique that demonstrates the nurses commitment to the relationship and reduces feelings of j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
isolation. This technique shows respect for the patient and demonstrates caring. Generalizations, probing, and false
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
reassurances are non-therapeutic. j j
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: 8
j j j j j j
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity
j j j j j j j
4. A patient is hospitalized for depression and suicidal ideation after their spouse asks for a divorce. Select the nurses
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
most caring comment. j j
a. Lets discuss some means of coping other than suicide when you have these feelings.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
b. I understand why youre so depressed. When I got divorced, I was devastated too.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
c. You should forget about your marriage and move on with your life.
j j j j j j j j j j j
d. How did you get so depressed that hospitalization was necessary? j j j j j j j j j
Downloaded by Rhiannon Graves ()
, Test Bank: Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (3rd Edition by Varcarolis) 3
ANS: A j
The nurses communication should evidence caring and a commitment to work with the patient. This commitment
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
lets the patient know the nurse will help. Probing and advice are not helpful or therapeutic interventions.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application (Applying) REF: 6
j j j j j j
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity
j j j j j j j
5. A patient shows the nurse an article from the Internet about a health problem. Which characteristic of the web
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
sites address most alerts the nurse that the site may have biased and prejudiced information?
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
a. Address ends in .org. j j j
b. Address ends in .com. j j j
c. Address ends in .gov. j j j
d. Address ends in .net. j j j
ANS: B j
Financial influences on a site are a clue that the information may be biased. .com at the end of the address indicates
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
that the site is a commercial one. .gov indicates that the site is maintained by a government entity.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
.org indicates that the site is nonproprietary; the site may or may not have reliable information, but it does not profit
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
from its activities. .net can have multiple meanings.
j j j j j j j j
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension (Understanding) REF: 5
j j j j j j
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
j j j j j j j j j
6. A nurse says, When I was in school, I learned to call upset patients by name to get their attention; however, I read a
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
descriptive research study that says that this approach does not work. I plan to stop calling patients by name. Which
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
statement is the best appraisal of this nurses comment? j j j j j j j j
a. One descriptive research study rarely provides enough evidence to change practice.
j j j j j j j j j j
b. Staff nurses apply new research findings only with the help from clinical nurse specialists.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
c. New research findings should be incorporated into clinical algorithms before using them in practice.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
d. The nurse misinterpreted the results of the study. Classic tenets of practice do not change.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
ANS: A j
Descriptive research findings provide evidence for practice but must be viewed in relation to other studies before
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
practice changes. One study is not enough. Descriptive studies are low on the hierarchy of evidence. Clinical
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
algorithms use flow charts to manage problems and do not specify one response to a clinical problem. Classic
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
tenets of practice should change as research findings provide evidence for change.
j j j j j j j j j j j
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis (Analyzing) REF: 3
j j j j j j
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
j j j j j j j j j
7. Two nursing students discuss career plans after graduation. One student wants to enter psychiatric nursing. The
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
other student asks, Why would you want to be a psychiatric nurse? All they do is talk. You will lose your skills. Select
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
the best response by the student interested in psychiatric nursing.
j j j j j j j j j j
a. Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse-to-patient ratios must be j j j j j j j j j j j j j
better because of the nature of patients problems.
j j j j j j j
b. Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills, as well as critical thinking, to solve multidimensional j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
problems. Im challenged by those situations. j j j j j
c. I think I will be good in the mental health field. I do not like clinical rotations in school, so I do not want to continue
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
them after I graduate.
j j j j
d. Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as medical surgical nurses. That j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
appeals to me. j j
ANS: B j
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of skills than medical surgical nursing, although substantial
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
overlap does exist. Psychiatric nurses must be able to help patients with medical and mental health problems, reflecting
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
the holistic perspective these nurses must have. Nurse-patient ratios and workloads in psychiatric settings have
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
increased, similar to other specialties. Psychiatric nursing involves clinical practice, j j j j j j j j j
Downloaded by Rhiannon Graves ()
