Question 1

The nurse is caring for a patient with a suspected mental health disorder who is having blood drawn to check electrolyte levels. The patient says, "What does my blood work have to do with my mental health?" Which response by the nurse is correct?

A)"Electrolyte imbalances are the cause of certain mental health disorders."
B)"Some mental health disorders cause the electrolytes to be out of balance."
C)"The doctor wants to make sure your symptoms are not caused by a physical problem."
D)"People with mental illnesses frequently take illicit drugs that can cause electrolyte imbalances."

"The doctor wants to make sure your symptoms are not caused by a physical problem."

Accepted Answer

The doctor wants to rule out any physical causes for the patient's mental health symptoms by checking electrolyte levels. This is a routine part of a comprehensive medical evaluation for mental health disorders.

Question 2

A patient who has been diagnosed with a mental illness tells the nurse about plans to find a voodoo doctor. How should the nurse respond?&#10;A)&#34;You know voodoo doctors can't really help you. Don't waste your money.&#34;&#10;B)&#34;Be sure to mention your plan to your psychiatrist. It is important to follow up with that treatment plan also.&#34;&#10;C)&#34;Research has shown that voodoo can effectively treat many mental health disorders. That decision is up to you.&#34;&#10;D)&#34;I do not think using voodoo is safe. I would recommend you think about it carefully before contacting a voodoo doctor.&#34;

Accepted Answer

The nurse should encourage the patient to mention their plan to their psychiatrist and prioritize following their treatment plan. Dismissing the patient's belief in voodoo could damage the therapeutic relationship and further isolate the patient. Additionally, suggesting alternative treatments without sufficient evidence can be inappropriate. It is important to acknowledge the patient's thoughts and feelings while assisting them in making informed decisions about their mental health.

Question 3

During initial assessment of mental health status, the nurse asks a patient to interpret a familiar proverb and explain what it means. The nurse is assessing which area/aspect of the patient's mental status?

A)Level of awareness and orientation
B)Judgment
C)Memory
D)Mood and affect

Judgment

Accepted Answer

Interpreting a proverb and explaining its meaning tests the patient's judgment, as it requires the ability to understand abstract concepts and use reasoning to explain them. It does not assess level of awareness and orientation, memory, or mood and affect.

Question 4

Which neurotransmitters may be decreased in a patient experiencing depression? (Select all that apply.?&#10;A)Norepinephrine&#10;B)Dopamine&#10;C)Serotonin&#10;D)Acetylcholine&#10;E)Substance P

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which neurotransmitters may be decreased in a...

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a patient who has had electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for severe depression. During the recovery period, the patient says to the nurse, "Where am I? What have you done to me?" What action by the nurse is best?

A)Encourage the patient to go back to sleep until the preprocedure medication has worn off.
B)Administer a sedative to help calm the patient.
C)Call the physician and report the patient's response.
D)Explain that the patient is in the hospital and has just had ECT.

Accepted Answer

The nurse should explain to the patient that they are in the hospital and have just had ECT. This is important for the patient to understand and remember, as confusion is a common side effect of ECT. It is also important to provide reassurance and answer any questions the patient may have. Encouraging the patient to go back to sleep or administering a sedative may further increase confusion and disorientation. Calling the physician may be necessary if the patient exhibits any concerning symptoms or complications, but in this case, the best action is to provide education and support to the patient.

Question 6

A young mother is angry with the mess her son has made in his room. She yells at him and tells him to stay in his room until it is cleaned up. About 20 minutes later, the mother enters the boy's room offering him milk and cookies. The mother is using which ego defense mechanism?

A)Regression
B)Restitution
C)Reaction formation
D)Conversion reaction

Accepted Answer

Restitution involves attempting to make up for behaviors one feels guilty about through acts of atonement. In this scenario, the mother is likely feeling guilty for yelling at her son and is trying to make up for it by offering him milk and cookies.

Question 7

Which of the following qualities are considered essential in any nurse-patient relationship? (Select all that apply.?&#10;A)Friendship&#10;B)Sympathy&#10;C)Empathy&#10;D)Respect&#10;E)Humor&#10;F)Honesty

Accepted Answer

Empathy, respect, and honesty are essential qualities in a nurse-patient relationship as they help build trust, understanding, and effective communication.

Question 8

Which of the following beliefs or techniques are associated with person-centered/humanistic therapy? (Select all that apply.?&#10;A)It stresses rethinking situations.&#10;B)It focuses on the whole person.&#10;C)It focuses on insights and finding the cause of problems.&#10;D)It works in the present.&#10;E)It is the basis of many nursing principles.

Accepted Answer

Person-centered/humanistic therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, emphasizes understanding the individual's experience and focuses on the whole person (B). It is concerned with the present and how current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors affect the individual (D). This approach has influenced various fields, including nursing, where principles such as empathy, respect, and genuineness in patient care are fundamental (E).

Question 9

A patient with schizophrenia states, &#34;I'm going to the fribity to see a megnat.&#34; What term should the nurse use to describe this language?&#10;A)Neologisms&#10;B)Conversions&#10;C)Imagery&#10;D)Soliloquy

Accepted Answer

The patient is exhibiting neologisms, which are made-up words or phrases that have no meaning to others but may have personal meaning to the individual with schizophrenia.

Question 10

A student is angry about failing a test at school and accuses the teacher of trying to fail everyone. This is an example of what type of response?&#10;A)Anger&#10;B)Repression&#10;C)Projection&#10;D)Denial

Accepted Answer

The student is projecting their own feelings of failure onto the teacher by accusing them of trying to fail everyone. Projection is a defense mechanism where an individual attributes their own unwanted or unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or behaviors onto someone else.

Question 11

The nurse is providing care for a teenage mother expressing ambivalence about her new role as a parent. Which of the following responses by the nurse is best?&#10;A)&#34;Parenthood is certainly not for everyone, you shouldn't feel guilty about that.&#34;&#10;B)&#34;I'll call the social worker so you can discuss adoption.&#34;&#10;C)&#34;Tell me more about how you feel when you hold the baby.&#34;&#10;D)&#34;I'm sure your own parents felt the same way when you were small, you should talk to your mom.&#34;&#10;Multiple Response&#10;Identify one or more choices that best complete the statement or answer the question.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is providing care for a...

Question 12

What is the best general definition of &#34;coping&#34;?&#10;A)The way one adapts to a stressor&#10;B)The use of specific mechanisms to reduce anxiety&#10;C)The development of unconscious behaviors to reduce psychological distress&#10;D)The adaptation to mental health problems

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the best general definition of...

Question 13

The nurse is caring for a patient who is verbalizing concerns related to a difficult relationship. Which of the following responses by the nurse will block communication and should therefore be avoided? (Select all that apply.?

A)Using silence
B)Asking "why"
C)Changing the subject
D)Agreeing or disagreeing
E)Verbalizing the implied

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is caring for a patient...

Question 14

After talking with a patient being evaluated for a mental health disorder, the nurse says, &#34;It sounds as if you are feeling angry.&#34; Which therapeutic communication technique is the nurse employing?&#10;A)Offering a general lead&#10;B)Reflecting&#10;C)Restating&#10;D)Giving recognition

Accepted Answer

The answer of After talking with a patient being evaluated...

Question 15

The nurse is caring for a patient with a history of schizophrenia who is admitted to a surgical unit for a cholecystectomy. The patient becomes extremely agitated when other patients are around and says, "They are going to kill me. Get me out of here." Which of the following interventions should the nurse assist with implementing in order to provide a therapeutic milieu for the patient?

A)Help the patient clarify the meaning of the feelings
B)Request an order for antipsychotic medications
C)Suggest the patient be scheduled for a psychotherapy session
D)Place the patient in a private room

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is caring for a patient...

Question 16

A student feels anxious about being unprepared for an upcoming test. Which of the following is a positive response to this anxiety?&#10;A)Choosing not to worry about studying because grades have been good so far&#10;B)Staying up all night the night before the test to study&#10;C)Canceling nonessential activities for 3 days to study&#10;D)Borrowing notes from another student who has had the class in the past

Accepted Answer

The answer of A student feels anxious about being unprepared...

Deck 56: Mental Health Function, Assessment, and Therapeutic Measures