Question 1

The psychiatric nurse is asked to explain the primary focus in the assessment and treatment of mental illnesses during the mid-20^th century. Given this request, the nurse would emphasize beliefs and actions related to:

Accepted Answer

During the mid-20th century, the primary focus in the assessment and treatment of mental illnesses shifted towards the social dimension of mental health and the introduction of drug treatments. This period marked the beginning of the use of psychotropic medications, which revolutionized the treatment of mental illnesses by allowing for more specific management of symptoms and enabling many patients to live outside of institutional settings.

Question 2

The nurse is teaching a group of students the various historical explanations of mental illness. Which statement by the students indicates understanding of the nurse's teaching regarding the era of magico-religious explanations?

Accepted Answer

The era of magico-religious explanations of mental illness was characterized by the belief that mental and physical illness were the result of superhuman forces that inflicted suffering. This explanation included the belief in evil spirits, witchcraft, and divine punishment as possible causes of mental illness.

Question 3

Given prevalence statistics of the five psychiatric disorders that comprise the top 10 causes of disability worldwide, the nurse chooses which of the following as a priority screening for clients?

Accepted Answer

According to prevalence statistics, depression has the highest prevalence among the top 10 causes of disability worldwide. Therefore, it would be a priority screening for clients. However, alcohol abuse and schizophrenia also have relatively high prevalence rates and may also be important screening targets depending on the population being served.

Question 4

When reading historical psychiatric texts, which behavioral description indicates that the nurse understands the correct use of the 18^th century term hallucination?

Accepted Answer

The term hallucination in the 18th and 19th century referred to false perceptions, meaning the person is having sensory experiences without any external stimuli. A fixed idea refers to a persistent belief, but not necessarily a perceptual experience. Bizarre actions are not necessarily indicative of hallucinations. False beliefs also refer to persistent and untrue beliefs, but not necessarily perceptions.

Question 5

The new nurse states that the client's beliefs and actions related to common health practices are "bizarre" and must indicate some type of deviant behavior. In planning a response, the nurse is guided by:

Accepted Answer

The best choice is D because it reflects the cultural and social considerations that influence how beliefs and behaviors are perceived as deviant. This highlights the importance of understanding the client's culture and beliefs before making judgments about their behavior. A is not correct because the client may not be aware that their beliefs and behaviors are deviant, but that does not negate the fact that others may perceive them as such. B is not the best choice because the duration of the beliefs and actions may not determine whether they are deviant or not. C is not correct because there is no definition of deviance that covers all clinical situations, as deviance is a socially and culturally constructed concept.

Question 6

Due to a staff member's absence, the nurse is reviewing staff assignments for the day. Which task can the nurse delegate to the psychosocial rehabilitation worker?

Accepted Answer

The psychosocial rehabilitation worker can provide conflict resolution teaching to a small group of clients as part of their role in promoting social skills and emotional support. The other options require a higher level of nursing knowledge and expertise.

Question 7

The psychiatric-mental health nurse is working with the new graduate nurse who is orienting to the psychiatric unit. Which comment by the new graduate indicates to the nurse that further clarification of the generalist nursing role is needed?

Accepted Answer

Conducting psychotherapy is not typically within the scope of practice for a generalist nurse. While some nurses may have additional training or certification to provide psychotherapy, it is not a standard expectation for a generalist nurse working in a psychiatric unit.

Question 8

When planning nursing care, the nurse understands that the main value of having knowledge of a variety of nursing theories is to:

Accepted Answer

Having knowledge of a variety of nursing theories allows the nurse to choose the most appropriate theory or theories for each individual client. This enables the nurse to implement individualized nursing interventions that are tailored to the client's specific needs and circumstances. In turn, this can improve the quality of care provided and enhance client outcomes. Although building skill and effectiveness, promoting consideration of nursing research, and enhancing collaboration and understanding between the nurse and the mental health care team are all important, they are not the main value of having knowledge of nursing theories.

Question 9

The nurse is planning a brief presentation about the "first American psychiatric nurse." Who will the nurse research?

Accepted Answer

Linda Richards is considered the "first American psychiatric nurse" as she was the first nurse to complete the program at the Boston City Hospital's nursing school, which included a rotation in the psychiatric ward. She later went on to establish training programs for psychiatric nursing and advocated for the importance of psychiatric care in the nursing profession.

Question 10

If psychiatric nurses used Orem's theory for structuring much of their nursing practice, a major focus area for assessment would be the client's ability to:

Accepted Answer

Orem's theory emphasizes the importance of self-care in meeting psychosocial needs. Therefore, assessment of the client's ability to implement self-care would be a major focus area in using this theory for psychiatric nursing practice. While the other options are important considerations in psychiatric nursing, they are not specifically emphasized in Orem's theory.

Question 11

The nurse is admitting a client to the psychiatric unit. Which nursing action is correct?

Accepted Answer

Involving the client in the treatment planning process is an important aspect of client-centered care. Option A takes away the client's autonomy, Option C implies that the client is not valued in the assessment process, and Option D may make the client feel uncomfortable sharing personal information. Option B is the most appropriate, as it emphasizes collaboration and respect for the client's privacy.

Question 12

The client asks the nurse if certain changes can be made in the unit milieu. Which action by the nurse indicates understanding of the nursing role in the therapeutic milieu? The nurse:

Accepted Answer

The nurse should discuss the desired changes with the client as part of promoting a therapeutic milieu. Referring the client's requests to other staff members without discussing them with the client does not support the client's participation in their own care. Instructing the client that no changes can be made may cause frustration or hopelessness, which is detrimental to the therapeutic environment.

Question 13

The nurse is reflecting on the nursing role within the mental health team. The nurse understands that the main purpose of delivering care using a multidisciplinary team is to:

Accepted Answer

The purpose of a multidisciplinary team in mental health care is to make the best use of the different abilities and expertise of team members in order to facilitate client progress. Each team member has a unique professional perspective, and their combined knowledge and skills can lead to better outcomes for the client. This approach is consistent with the biopsychosocial model of mental health care, which recognizes that a client's needs go beyond physical symptoms and require collaboration across disciplines. While other choices may be beneficial, they do not fully capture the main purpose of a multidisciplinary team in mental health care.

Question 14

The nursing student is asked which historical event was most significant in the development of psychiatric nursing as a specialty and psychotherapeutic roles for nurses. Which response by the nursing student indicates understanding of important events related to development of the psychiatric nursing role?

Accepted Answer

The passage of the National Mental Health Act in 1946 was significant as it led to the establishment of the National Institute of Mental Health, which promoted research and training in mental health, including psychiatric nursing.

Question 15

The nurse is planning activities to enhance collaboration within the mental health care team. Which activities will be helpful toward this goal?
Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Activities that encourage discussion of decision-making processes and focus on improving interpersonal communication skills are likely to enhance collaboration within the mental health care team. It is important to distinguish between decisions that can be made autonomously and those that require team unity. Ignoring individual power bases can actually be harmful to collaboration. Minimizing diversity among team members should not be the focus, as diversity can bring about valuable perspectives and approaches to care.

Question 16

The nurse is asked if Florence Nightingale had any impact on the role of the nurse in psychiatric-mental health nursing. What is the nurse's correct response?

Accepted Answer

Florence Nightingale was among the first to recognize the psychological aspects of nursing, including the impact of a nurse's emotional and psychological presence on the client's well-being. She believed that the physical environment, including hygiene and ventilation, played a significant role in promoting patients' recovery, but she also recognized that nurses' attitudes, demeanor, and approach could help or hinder the healing process.

Question 17

The nurse assesses that the client has problems choosing productive, safe leisure activities. Which member of the mental health team should the nurse consult with?

Accepted Answer

Recreational therapists specialize in using leisure activities to help clients improve their health and well-being, making them the most appropriate choice for addressing problems with choosing productive, safe leisure activities.

Question 18

The client's treatment plan includes teaching related to possible side effects of psychotropic medications. Which member of the mental health team should plan to implement the teaching?

Accepted Answer

The nurse is responsible for administering medications and monitoring for side effects, making them the best choice for implementing teaching on possible medication side effects. While the other members of the mental health team may also have knowledge about medication side effects, it falls primarily under the purview of nursing practice.

Question 19

The nursing student asks the nurse the reason that knowledge of nursing theories is important. The nurse should respond that nurses use nursing theories to:
Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Nursing theories provide a framework for nurses to organize assessment data, generate goals, generate nursing actions, plan interventions, and evaluate outcomes.

Question 20

The psychiatric-mental health nurse is asked to develop an intervention for the nursing unit based on Watson's theory of caring. Given this assignment, which intervention is most appropriate for the nurse to implement?

Accepted Answer

Watson's theory of caring emphasizes the importance of nurses understanding and respecting the unique values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds of their clients. Clarification of these factors can help nurses overcome any barriers to providing effective care. One-to-one debriefing sessions, identifying coping skills, and discussing hospital policies are important, but they do not directly relate to Watson's theory of caring.

Quiz 1: The Strength and Structure of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing; Theoretical Basis for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Practice and Process

The psychiatric nurse is asked to explain the primary focus in the assessment and treatment of mental illnesses during the mid-20th century. Given this request, the nurse would emphasize beliefs and actions related to: