Question 1

As part of a class activity, nursing students are engaged in a small-group discussion about the epidemiology of mental illness. Which statement best explains the importance of epidemiology in understanding the impact of mental disorders?

Accepted Answer

Epidemiology is the study of patterns of disease distribution and determinants of health within populations. It contributes to the overall understanding of the mental health status of population groups, or aggregates, and it examines the associations among possible factors. Epidemiology does not explain research findings about neurophysiology, provide theoretical explanations for why specific disorders occur, or predict recovery.

Question 2

A nurse is working in a community mental health center that provides care to a large population of people of Asian descent. When developing programs for this community, which would be most important topic for the nurse to address?

Accepted Answer

Although public stigma and self-stigma may be areas needing to be addressed, in this cultural group, label avoidance would be most important. Label avoidance or avoiding treatment/care so as not to be labeled mentally ill is a type of stigma that influences why so few people with mental health problems actually receive assistance. Asian cultures commonly have negative views of mental illness that influence the willingness of members to seek treatment; they possibly ignore the symptoms or refuse to seek treatment because of this stigma. Negative life events affect anyone, not just those of the Asian culture.

Question 3

A nursing student is assigned to care for a client diagnosed with schizophrenia. When talking about this client in a clinical post-conference, the student would use which terminology when referring to the client?

Accepted Answer

Just as a person with diabetes should not be referred to as a "diabetic" but rather as a "person with diabetes," a person with a mental disorder should never be referred to as a "schizophrenic" or "bipolar," but rather as a "person with schizophrenia" or a "person with bipolar disorder." Doing so helps to counteract the negative effects of stigma.

Question 4

A nurse is reviewing journal articles that discuss the occurrence of major depression. One of the articles describes the number of persons newly diagnosed with the disorder during the past year. The nurse interprets this as which type of data?

Accepted Answer

The article is describing incidence, which refers to a rate that includes only new cases that have occurred within a clearly defined time period. The most common time period evaluated is 1 year. Rate reflects the proportion of cases in the population compared with the total population. Prevalence refers to the total number of people with the disorder within a given population at a specified time, regardless of how long ago the disorder started. Point prevalence refers to the proportion of individuals in the population who have a disorder at a specific point in time.

Question 5

While working in a community mental health treatment center, a nurse overhears one of the receptionists saying that one of the clients is "really psycho." Later in the day, the nurse talks with the receptionist about the comment. This action by the nurse demonstrates an attempt to address which issue?

Accepted Answer

The receptionist's statement reflects the negative effects of stigmatization-more specifically, public stigma. Self-stigma reflects a person's internalization of a negative stereotype; that is, the person with the mental illness begins to believe that he or she is what the public thinks he or she is. Label avoidance refers to avoiding treatment or care so as not to be labeled mentally ill. Lack of knowledge is often the underlying theme associated with any type of stigma.

Question 6

After educating a group of students on mental health and mental illness, the instructor determines that the education was successful when the group identifies what as reflecting mental disorders?

Accepted Answer

Mental disorders are health conditions characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior and are associated with distress or impaired functioning. Mental health is the emotional and psychological well-being of an individual who has the capacity to interact with others, deal with ordinary stress, and perceive one's surroundings realistically.

Question 7

A nurse is preparing a presentation for a local community group about mental disorders and plans to include how mental disorders are different from medical disorders. Which statement would be most appropriate for the nurse to include?

Accepted Answer

Unlike many medical disorders, mental disorders are defined by clusters of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings, not underlying biological pathology. The alterations in thoughts, behaviors, and feelings are unexpected and outside normal, culturally defined limits. Laboratory tests are not used in diagnosing mental disorders.

Question 8

A nurse is explaining recovery to the family of a client diagnosed with a mental disorder. Which statement about this process would be most appropriate for the nurse to include?

Accepted Answer

Recovery from mental disorders and/or substance use disorders is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. It is a nonlinear process with setbacks. It also is strength-based. Peer support is important, but so is respect by the community and consumers, along with self-acceptance to ensure inclusion and participation in all aspects of life.

Question 9

A psychiatric-mental health nurse is preparing a presentation about recovery for a group of newly hired nurses at a mental health facility. Which concept would the nurse identify as crucial to recovery?

Accepted Answer

Although self-direction, peer support, and respect are fundamental components of recovery, hope (the catalyst of the recovery process) is a crucial concept. It is through hope that individuals and families can overcome the barriers and obstacles facing them.

Question 10

After teaching a group of nursing students about recovery, the instructor determines that more education is needed when the group identifies what as a characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Recovery from mental disorders and/or substance use disorders is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

Question 11

The nurse is describing the treatment of mental illness with a client's family members. What would a nurse identify as the primary goal?

Accepted Answer

Although reducing stigma, reducing stress, and improving functional status are important components involved in the treatment of mental illness, recovery is the single most important goal for individuals with mental disorders.

Question 12

A nurse is working as part of a multidisciplinary team and developing a plan of care for a client who is receiving recovery-oriented treatment. Which would the nurse integrate into this plan?

Accepted Answer

Recovery emerges from hope. The belief that recovery is real provides the essential and motivating message of a better future-that people can and do overcome the internal and external challenges, barriers, and obstacles that confront them. Recovery is also holistic, addressing an individual's whole life, including body, mind, spirit, and community. Recovery is supported by peers and allies and through relationships and social networks. Finally, recovery is supported by addressing trauma, such that services and supports should be informed by trauma to foster safety.

Question 13

A nurse is assessing a client to evaluate the client's mental health and wellness. Applying the eight dimensions of wellness, which would the nurse identify as reflecting emotional wellness?

Accepted Answer

The emotional dimension of wellness focuses on developing skills and strategies to cope with stress. The intellectual dimension focuses on recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand one's knowledge and skills. The physical dimension focuses on recognizing the need for physical activity, diet, sleep, and nutrition. The spiritual dimension focuses on the search for meaning and purpose in the human experience.

Question 14

Which would be a major barrier affecting the treatment of individuals diagnosed with mental health problems?

Accepted Answer

Stigma is one of the major treatment barriers facing individuals with mental health problems and their families. Diagnostic criteria have been established for mental disorders, and evidence through epidemiologic research provides valuable information about the mental health status of population groups and associated factors. A guiding principle of recovery is hope, the belief that recovery is real and that people can and do overcome the internal and external challenges, barriers, and obstacles confronting them.

Question 15

The nurse understands the need to use appropriate language to help address public stigma surrounding mental health issues. Which statement best reflects this understanding?

Accepted Answer

One way to reduce public stigma is to use non-stigmatizing language. Rather than referring to the client as schizophrenic or bipolar, it is more appropriate to say "the client diagnosed with schizophrenia" or "the client diagnosed with bipolar disorder." Terms such as maniac and psycho reinforce the negative images of mental illness.

Question 16

Which The nurse is documenting a specific pattern of symptoms that occurs within a community. What term will the nurse use?

Accepted Answer

A cultural syndrome refers to a specific pattern of symptoms that occurs within a specific cultural group or community. Stigma refers to a mark of shame, disgrace, or disapproval that results in an individual being shunned or rejected by others. A stereotype is a mistaken or oversimplified representation of a group held by those outside that group. Wellness is a purposeful process of individual growth, integration of experience, and meaningful connection with others. It reflects personally valued goals and strengths, and results in being well and living by values.

Question 17

The nurse is interviewing a client diagnosed with a mental illness. The nurse determines that the client is experiencing label avoidance when the client makes what statement?

Accepted Answer

Label avoidance involves an individual not seeking treatment so as not to be labeled as mentally ill. The statement about not really needing to see anyone suggests label avoidance. The statements about being the cause of the illness, not being able to function in the world, and being as crazy as everyone says reflect self-stigma, the internalization of negative stereotypes by individuals with mental illness.

Question 18

A nurse is describing the four dimensions of recovery to a group of new psychiatric-mental health nurses. Which dimension is the nurse describing when addressing relationships and social networks?

Accepted Answer

Four dimensions support recovery: health (managing disease and living in a physically and emotionally healthy way), home (a safe and stable place to live), purpose (meaningful daily activities and independence, resources, and income), and community (relationships and social networks).

Quiz 2: Mental Health and Mental Disorders: Fighting Stigma and Promoting Recovery