1. A Latino American client witnessed a traumatic event and is suspected of experiencing the
cultural syndrome of susto. Which of the following would
... [Show More] the nurse most likely assess? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Insomnia
B. Confusion
C. Mania
D. Constipation
E. Psychomotor agitation
ANS: A, B, E
Rationale: Susto is a cultural syndrome involving fright, characterized by symptoms of
psychomotor agitation, anorexia, insomnia, fever, diarrhea, confusion, apathy, depression, and
introversion following an emotional trauma or witnessing a traumatic experience.
2. A nurse is conducting a community education program with a local group that is to have an
outpatient mental health facility built in the neighborhood. One of the participants states, "I
don't want those people in this area. They are dangerous and very unpredictable." The nurse
interprets this statement as an example of which of the following?
A. Cultural syndrome
B. Self-stigma
C. Public stigma
D. Label avoidance
ANS: C
Rationale: The statement about individuals being dangerous and unpredictable reflects public
stigma, in which individuals are publicly marked as being mentally ill and experience prejudice
and discrimination. Self-stigma occurs when negative stereotypes are internalized by people
with mental illness and match the public's perception. Label avoidance refers to an individual
avoiding treatment in order not to be labeled as mentally ill. Cultural syndrome is a specific
pattern of symptoms that occurs within a specific cultural group or community.
3. Which of the following are examples of public stigma? (Select all that apply.)
A. An individual with a mental illness refuses to seek treatment because of what others might
think.
B. A film depicting an individual with a mental illness as dangerous and out of control.
C. A television show depicting an individual with mental illness as being possessed by the devil.
D. An individual with mental illness says they have caused their illness.
E. Mental health clinicians are described as being arrogant and manipulative during an
interview.
ANS: B, C, E
Rationale: Public stigma occurs after individuals are publicly "marked" as being mentally ill.
When individuals with mental illness act or say things that are odd or unusual, or tell others
that they have a mental illness, they are at risk of being publicly identified as having a mental
illness, and may be subject to prejudice and discrimination. Common stereotypes include being
dangerous, unpredictable, and incapable of functioning independently. Examples include
portrayals of such behavior in the media, such as films and television shows. Mental health
treatment and providers are also objects of public stigma, being portrayed as arrogant and
ineffectual, cold-hearted and authoritarian, passive and apathetic, or shrewd and manipulative.
Self-stigma is exemplified by an individual saying that they have caused their illness. Refusing to
seek treatment because of what others might think is an example of label avoidance.
4. Which of the following is most accurate about the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders-5?
A. Boundaries separating disorders are not absolute.
B. The diagnoses avoid the inclusion of subtypes.
C. The manifestations of disorders are consistent over time.
D. Specifiers for classification are extremely rare.
ANS: A
Rationale: Mental disorders are organized and diagnosed according to criteria published in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5; American Psychiatric
Association, 2013). The current DSM-5 system contains subtypes and other specifiers that
further classify disorders. Although the DSM-5 specifies criteria for diagnosing mental disorders,
there are no absolute boundaries separating one disorder from another, and disorders often
have different manifestations at different points in time.
When reviewing epidemiologic information about mental illness, which term would a nurse
identify as being used to describe the number of cases in the population compared with the
total population?
A. Prevalence
B. Rate
C. Point prevalence
D. Incidence
ANS: B
Rationale: Rate is the proportion of cases in a population compared with the total population.
Prevalence refers to the total number of people who have a disorder within a given population
at a specified time, regardless of how long ago the disorder started. Point prevalence is a basic
measure that refers to the proportion of individuals in a population who have a disorder at a
specified point in time (t). Incidence refers to a rate that includes only new cases that have
occurred within a clearly defined time period.
In epidemiology, certain terms have specific meanings relative to what they measure. Which of
the following represents the total number of people who have a disorder within a given
population at a specified time, regardless of how long ago the disorder started?
A. Prevalence
B. Rate
C. Point prevalence
D. Incidence
ANS: A
Rationale: Prevalence refers to the total number of people who have a disorder within a given
population at a specified time, regardless of how long ago the disorder started. Rate is the
proportion of the cases in the population compared with the total population. Incidence refers
to a rate that includes only new cases that have occurred within a clearly defined time period.
Point prevalence is a basic measure that refers to the proportion of individuals in a population
who have a disorder at a specified time.
When assessing a person with a mental disorder, which of the following would be most
important for a nurse to consider for recovery?
A. Culture
B. Actual diagnosis of the disorder
C. Language spoken
D. Degree of disability or impairment
ANS: D
Rationale: The amount of disability or impairment in functioning is an important consideration
when assessing a person with a mental disorder. A person's ability to understand,
communicate, and get along with others is important in the recovery process. If symptoms
impair an individual's ability to independently perform self-care and daily activities, recovery
will be more difficult. Although the actual diagnosis, culture, and language may influence care,
the amount of disability or impairment in functioning is most important.
After educating a group of nursing students about mental health and wellness, which of the
following, if stated by the group, indicates the need for additional education?
A. A person can be mentally healthy but still have a mental disorder.
B. Mental health problems have minimal effect on the process of wellness.
C. Poverty and unemployment are common in individuals with mental health issues.
D. A person cannot be healthy without being mentally healthy.
ANS: B
Rationale: Mental health problems significantly affect the process of wellness, such that many
people with mental health problems die from preventable disease decades earlier than the
general public. Mental health is conceptualized by the World Health Organization as a state of
well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with life's normal
stresses, can work productively and fruitfully, and can make a contribution to society. A person
cannot be healthy without being "mentally" healthy, but it is possible to be mentally healthy
and have a mental or physical disorder. Poverty, unemployment, underemployment, trauma,
and lack of education, common among people who have mental health issues, often prevent
the achievement of wellness.
A nurse is working as part of a research team that is examining the proportion of individuals in a
population who have bipolar disorder on a particular date. Which of the following would the
team be most likely measuring?
A. Point prevalence
B. Prevalence
C. Rate
D. Incidence
ANS: A
Rationale: Point prevalence is a basic measure that refers to the proportion of individuals in a
population who have a disorder at a specified point in time (t). This point can be a day on the
calendar, such as April 1, 2015, or a point defined in relation to the study assessment, such as
the day of the interview. Rate is the proportion of the cases in a population when compared
with the total population. It is expressed as a fraction, in which the numerator is the number of
cases and the denominator is the total number in the population, including the cases and noncases. Incidence refers to a rate that includes only new cases that have occurred within a clearly
defined time period. Prevalence refers to the total number of people who have a disorder
within a given population at a specified time, regardless of how long ago the disorder started.
When a person avoids mental health treatment for fear of being labeled mentally ill, which of
the following types of stigma is occurring?
A. Discrimination
B. Self-stigma
C. Public stigma
D. Label avoidance
ANS: D
Rationale: Label avoidance is the avoidance of treatment or care so as not to be labeled as
mentally ill. This is one reason that so few people with mental problems actually receive help.
Self-stigma occurs when negative stereotypes are internalized by people with mental illness.
Public stigma occurs after individuals are publicly "marked" as being mentally ill. Although
discrimination occurs as part of the stigma, it is not a type of stigma.
One of the major problems facing individuals with mental illness and their families is stigma.
Which of the following is inconsistent with stigmatization?
A. Misunderstanding
B. Discrimination
C. Prejudice
D. Approval
Rationale: Stigma can be defined as a mark of shame, disgrace, or disapproval that results in an
individual being shunned or rejected by others. Stigma leads to community misunderstanding,
prejudice, and discrimination.
Which of the following is the single most important goal for individuals with mental disorders?
A. Stabilization
B. Empowerment
C. Recovery
D. Self-direction
Rationale: Recovery is the single most important goal for individuals with mental disorders.
Mental health recovery is a journey of healing and transformation, enabling a person with
mental health problems to live a meaningful life in a community of his or her choice, while
striving to achieve his or her full potential. Self-direction and empowerment are the means to
the recovery process.
Which of the following would be used to document a specific pattern of symptoms that occurs
within a community?
A. Wellness
B. Stereotype
C. Cultural syndrome
D. Stigma
Rationale: 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. 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.
Epidemiology addresses the distribution of mental illness and the determinants of health within
a given population. Which of the following terms is defined as the rate of new cases within a
defined time period?
A. Point prevalence
B. Prevalence
C. Rate
D. Incidence
Rationale: Incidence refers to a rate that includes only new cases that have occurred within a
clearly defined time period. Prevalence refers to the total number of people who have the
disorder within a given population at a specified time, regardless of how long ago the disorder
started. Rate is a proportion of cases in a population compared with the total population. Point
prevalence is a basic measure that refers to the proportion of individuals in a population who
have a disorder at a specified time.
When describing the effects of stigma by society on individuals with mental illness, which of the
following would a nurse most likely include?
A. The stigma is the same for any person with a mental illness.
B. The person being stigmatized typically has a moderately high self-esteem.
C. The stigma tends to increase the more the person's behavior differs from the norm.
D. The person being stigmatized is often considered part of the group
Rationale: When people with mental illnesses or emotional problems are stigmatized by
society, they are often ostracized by the society in which they live. The stigma associated with
all forms of mental illness is strong, but generally it increases the more an individual's behavior
differs from the cultural norm. People who are stigmatized begin to believe in the negative view
of themselves and subsequently have low self-esteem.
A nurse is preparing a presentation for a group of new nurses about mental illness and
recovery. When describing the guiding principle that recovery is person-driven, which of the
following would the nurse most likely inclu [Show Less]