Deck 2: Mental Health and Mental Illness

Question 1

Which statements most clearly reflect the stigma of mental illness? (Select all that apply.)

A) "Many mental illnesses are hereditary."
B) "Mental illness can be evidence of a brain disorder."
C) "People claim mental illness so they can qualify for disability."
D) "If people with mental illness went to church, they would be fine."
E) "Mental illness is a result of the breakdown of the American family."

Answer 1

"People claim mental illness so they can qualify for disability."
"If people with mental illness went to church, they would be fine."
"Mental illness is a result of the breakdown of the American family."

Question 2

A participant at a community education conference asks, "What is the most prevalent type of mental disorder in the United States?" Select the nurse's best response.

A) "Why do you ask?"
B) "Schizophrenia"
C) "Affective disorders"
D) "Anxiety disorders"

Answer 2

"Anxiety disorders"

Question 3

Which basic intervention should a psychiatric mental health nurse plan to provide for a patient diagnosed with a mood disorder?

A) Sharing clinical expertise to enhance patient treatment
B) Performing individual or group psychotherapy for the patient
C) Using appropriate diagnostic tests to monitor patient condition
D) Conducting stress management and health maintenance classes

Answer 3

Conducting stress management and health maintenance classes

Question 4

The goal for a patient is to increase resiliency. Which outcome should a nurse add to the plan of care? Within 3 days, the patient will:

A) describe feelings associated with loss and stress.
B) meet own needs without considering the rights of others.
C) identify healthy coping behaviors in response to stressful events.
D) allow others to assume responsibility for major areas of own life.

Question 5

A nurse wants to find a description of diagnostic criteria for a person diagnosed with schizophrenia. Which resource should the nurse consult?

A) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
B) Journal of the American Psychiatric Association
C) North American Nursing Diagnosis Association International (NANDA-I)
D) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)

Question 6

A patient in the emergency department reports, "I hear voices saying someone is stalking me. They want to kill me because I found the cure for cancer. I will stab anyone that threatens me." Which aspects of mental health have the greatest immediate concern to a nurse? (Select all that apply.)

A) Happiness
B) Appraisal of reality
C) Control over behavior
D) Effectiveness in work
E) Healthy self-concept

Question 7

A nurse must assess several new patients at a community mental health center. Conclusions concerning current functioning should be made on the basis of:

A) the degree of conformity of the individual to society's norms.
B) the degree to which an individual is logical and rational.
C) a continuum from mentally healthy to unhealthy.
D) the rate of intellectual and emotional growth.

Question 8

A patient's history shows intense and unstable relationships with others. The patient initially idealizes an individual and then devalues the person when the patient's needs are not met. Which aspect of mental health is a problem?

A) Effectiveness in work
B) Communication skills
C) Productive activities
D) Fulfilling relationships

Question 9

Which belief by a nurse supports the highest degree of patient advocacy during a multidisciplinary patient care planning session?

A) All mental illnesses are culturally determined.
B) Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are cross-cultural disorders.
C) Symptoms of mental disorders are constant from culture to culture.
D) Some symptoms of mental disorders may reflect a person's cultural patterns.

Question 10

A patient tells a nurse, "I have psychiatric problems and am in and out of hospitals all the time. Not one of my friends or relatives has these problems." Select the nurse's best response.

A) "Comparing yourself with others has no real advantages."
B) "Why do you blame yourself for having a psychiatric illness?"
C) "Mental illness affects 50% of the adult population in any given year."
D) "It sounds like you are concerned that others don't experience the same challenges as you."

Question 11

An 86-year-old, previously healthy and independent, falls after an episode of vertigo. Which behavior by this patient best demonstrates resilience? The patient:

A) says, "I knew this would happen eventually."
B) stops attending her weekly water aerobics class.
C) refuses to use a walker and says, "I don't need that silly thing."
D) says, "Maybe some physical therapy will help me with my balance."

Question 12

A nurse at a behavioral health clinic sees an unfamiliar psychiatric diagnosis on a patient's insurance form. Which resource should the nurse consult to discern the criteria used to establish this diagnosis?

A) A psychiatric nursing textbook
B) NANDA International (NANDA-I)
C) A behavioral health reference manual
D) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)

Question 13

A patient is admitted to the psychiatric hospital. Which assessment finding best indicates that the patient has a mental illness? The patient:

A) describes coping and relaxation strategies used when feeling anxious.
B) describes mood as consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless.
C) can perform tasks attempted within the limits of own abilities.
D) reports occasional problems with insomnia.

Question 14

In the majority culture of the United States, which individual is at greatest risk to be incorrectly labeled mentally ill?

A) Person who is usually pessimistic but strives to meet personal goals
B) Wealthy person who gives $20 bills to needy individuals in the community
C) Person with an optimistic viewpoint about getting his or her own needs met
D) Person who attends a charismatic church and describes hearing God's voice

Question 15

The spouse of a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia says, "I don't understand why childhood experiences have anything to do with this disabling illness." Select the nurse's response that will best help the spouse understand this condition.

A) "Psychological stress is actually at the root of most mental disorders."
B) "We now know that all mental illnesses are the result of genetic factors."
C) "It must be frustrating for you that your spouse is sick so much of the time."
D) "Although this disorder more likely has a biological rather than psychological origin, the support and involvement of caregivers is very important."

Question 16

A critical care nurse asks a psychiatric nurse about the difference between a diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and a nursing diagnosis. Select the psychiatric nurse's best response.

A) "No functional difference exists between the two diagnoses. Both serve to identify a human deviance."
B) "The DSM-5 diagnosis disregards culture, whereas the nursing diagnosis includes cultural variables."
C) "The DSM-5 diagnosis profiles present distress or disability, whereas a nursing diagnosis considers past and present responses to actual mental health problems."
D) "The DSM-5 diagnosis influences the medical treatment; the nursing diagnosis offers a framework to identify interventions for problems a patient has or may experience."

Question 17

A 40-year-old adult living with parents states, "I'm happy but I don't socialize much. My work is routine. When new things come up, my boss explains them a few times to make sure I understand. At home, my parents make decisions for me, and I go along with them." A nurse should identify interventions to improve this patient's:

A) self-concept.
B) overall happiness.
C) appraisal of reality.
D) control over behavior.