Deck 7: Mental Health Assessment

Question 1

A nurse screens every adult and adolescent patient for alcohol consumption. Which patient drinks more than recommended?

A) The man who reports drinking three beers and one shot of whiskey each day
B) The woman who reports drinking two glasses of wine and two vodka martinis each day
C) The older adult man who reports drinking one glass of sherry before going to bed each night
D) The woman who reports drinking one glass of wine with dinner each day.

Answer 1

The woman who reports drinking two glasses of wine and two vodka martinis each day

Question 2

A female patient states that she has had problems with depression in the past and thinks she is depressed again. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

A) "What do you think is causing your depression this time?"
B) "What therapies have worked for you in the past?"
C) "Did you stop taking your medication?"
D) "Do you think this is a situational depression?"

Answer 2

"What therapies have worked for you in the past?"

Question 3

While assessing a man during a physical examination for work, the nurse suspects alcohol use. Which assessment tool is appropriate in this situation?

A) AUDIT screening tool
B) Rapid eye test
C) Mental status examination
D) HITS screening tool

Answer 3

AUDIT screening tool

Question 4

Which neurotransmitters are decreased in patients with depression? (Select all that apply.)

A) Acetylcholine (Ach)
B) Histamine
C) Norepinephrine (NE)
D) Dopamine (DA)
E) Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)
F) Serotonin (5 HT)

Question 5

During a visit to the clinic for an annual gynecologic examination, a patient tells the nurse that she had a bad experience on an airplane, saying, "When I sat down, my heart started racing, I was short of breath and sweaty, and I felt as if I was going to die." She stated that her husband helped her to calm down after a few minutes. The nurse recognizes that the patient was describing which problem?

A) Bipolar disorder, manic phase
B) Moderate anxiety
C) Panic
D) Delusions

Question 6

While conducting a health history, the nurse asks which questions to assess for risk factors associated with depression? (Select all that apply.)

A) Has anyone in your family ever been diagnosed with depression?
B) Have you noticed a change in how much energy you have?
C) Do you have crying spells?
D) Do your muscles seem tense?
E) Do you feel that something bad is about to happen to you?
F) Do you have difficulty making decisions?

Question 7

A 24-year-old male patient tells the nurse he has had no energy for 2 weeks. He has no trouble falling asleep; in fact, he sleeps deeply about 12 hours every night. He states that he has gained 10 lb in the past 2 months and has no friends. The nurse associates these manifestations with which mental health disorder?

A) Depression
B) Schizophrenia
C) Bipolar disorder
D) Anxiety disorder

Question 8

Which patient may be experiencing severe anxiety?

A) A woman who tells the nurse she is terrified of cats
B) A man who tells the nurse he feels worthless and is always tired
C) A woman who reports that she is sleeping very lightly each night because her child has an ear infection
D) A man who phones the nurse five times asking for instructions about how to take his new medication

Question 9

In contrasting the assessment of mental status from mental health, a nurse recognizes that data for the mental status examination are obtained using which techniques?

A) Asking them about their relatives who have mental health disorders
B) Having them demonstrate their ability to reason and calculate
C) Asking them to recall how they have coped with daily stress
D) Having them describe their mood and emotions

Question 10

What function do neurotransmitters have in mental health disorders?

A) Dopamine levels are increased in schizophrenia.
B) Increased levels of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) contribute to anxiety.
C) Serotonin is decreased in a state of anxiety.
D) Norepinephrine is increased in depression.

Question 11

An elderly patient was admitted with pneumonia and a fever of 104.5° F. At the time of admission he was confused, disoriented, restless, and tried to slap the nurse who started an intravenous line. His daughter stated, "Just yesterday he was perfectly fine, except for a cold. I can't believe he is acting this way now." Within a few days, his erratic behavior subsided and his daughter was relieved that he was "back to normal." The nurse recognizes that this patient was exhibiting signs of which disorder?

A) Dementia
B) Delirium
C) Panic attack
D) Alcohol withdrawal

Question 12

During conversation, the nurse observes that the patient is talking continuously and excitedly, and is switching rapidly from one topic to another with seemingly no relationship between topics. This behavior is often associated with which disorder?

A) Depression
B) Obsessive-compulsive disorder
C) Schizophrenia
D) Bipolar disorder

Question 13

During a mental health history, the nurse suspects altered mental status for a patient. Which questions are appropriate to ask when assessing mental status? (Select all that apply.)

A) Do you have difficulty making decisions?
B) Do you know where you are?
C) Are there times when you wanted to escape?
D) If you bought a hat for $5.75 and gave the sales person $10.00, how much change do you expect back?
E) What would you do if a fire started in your home?
F) What does this phrase "A rolling stone gathers no moss" mean?

Question 14

A nurse is admitting a new patient. Which statement by the patient suggests a bipolar disorder?

A) "The last time I had blood drawn at the office, I fainted dead away."
B) "No matter how hard I try, I just can't get into an elevator of any kind."
C) "Everyone knows I can control the financial health of this town with a snap of my fingers."
D) "I worked for Frank Sinatra's band for several months when I lived in New Jersey years ago."

Question 15

During a report, a nurse hears about a patient who was admitted at 8 PM after an automobile accident. He had a blood alcohol level of 100 mg/dl at the time of admission. During the 8 AM assessment, the nurse notes that the patient is having hand tremors, is sweaty, is slightly agitated, and complains of nausea. The nurse recognizes that the patient may be exhibiting signs of which disorder?

A) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
B) Delirium tremens
C) Panic
D) Delirium

Question 16

A patient in the waiting room appears anxious and moves around the room cleaning surfaces with a disinfectant cloth. This behavior is consistent with which disorder?

A) Bipolar disorder
B) Delirium
C) Schizophrenia
D) Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Question 17

During a sports physical for a 16-year-old girl, the nurse asks which question to collect data about drug use?

A) "Many teenagers have tried street drugs. Have you tried these drugs?"
B) "Tell me which street drugs your friends have offered to you?"
C) "Do most of your friends drink alcohol or do street drugs?"
D) "Your high school has a reputation for drug use. Do you use drugs?"