Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical
Approach, 8th
... [Show More] Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. This nurse may expect an
advanced practice nurse to perform which additional intervention?
a. Conduct mental health assessments.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication.
c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
d. Individualize nursing care plans.
ANS: B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master's-prepared nurse practitioners and
clinical nurse specialists who have taken special courses on prescribing medication. The nurse
prepared at the basic level is permitted to perform mental health assessments, establish
relationships, and provide individualized care planning.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 1-23 TOP:
Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
2. A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses “lose all their clinical
nursing skills.” Select the best response by the mental health nurse.
a. “Psychiatric nurses practice inNsUaRfeSrINenGvTiBro.CnOmMents than other
specialties.
Nurse-to-patient ratios must be better because of the nature of the patients'
problems.”
b. “Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thinking
to solve multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those situations.”
c. “That's a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technology
monitoring equipment and manage complex intravenous therapies.”
d. “Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as
medical–surgical nurses do. That appeals to me.”
VARCAROLIS FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING 8TH EDITION HALTER TEST BANK
ANS: B
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of skills than medical–surgical
nursing, though there is substantial overlap. Psychiatric nurses must be able to help patients
with medical as well as mental health problems, reflecting the holistic perspective these nurses
must have. Nurse–patient ratios and workloads in psychiatric settings have increased, just like
other specialties. Psychiatric nursing involves clinical practice, not just documentation.
Psychosocial pain and suffering are as real as physical pain and suffering.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-2, 21 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Safe,
Effective Care Environment
3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons diagnosed
with mental illness, a group of nurses write letters to their elected representatives in opposition
to the legislation. Which role have the nurses fulfilled?
a. Recovery
b. Attending
c. Advocacy
d. Evidence-based practice
ANS: C
An advocate defends or asserts another's cause, particularly when the other person lacks the
ability to do that for self. Examples of individual advocacy include helping patients understand
their rights or make decisions. On a community scale, advocacy includes political activity,
public speaking, and publication in the interest of improving the human condition.
Since funding is necessary to deliver quality programming for persons with mental illness, the
letter-writing campaign advocates for that cause on behalf of patients who are unable to
articulate their own needs.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 1-26 TOP:
Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A family has a long history of conflicted relationships among the members. Which
family
member's comment best reflects a mentally healthy perspective?
a. “I've made mistakes but everyone else in this family has also.”
b. “I remember joy and mutual respect from our early years together.”
VARCAROLIS FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING 8TH EDITION HALTER TEST BANK
c. “I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family.”
d. “It's best for me to move away from my family. Things will never change.”
ANS: C
The correct response demonstrates the best evidence of a healthy recognition of the importance
of relationships. MentNalUhReSaIlNthGTinBc.CluOdMes rational thinking, communication
skills, learning, emotional growth, resilience, and self-esteem. Recalling joy from earlier in life
may be healthy, but the correct response shows a higher level of mental health. The other
incorrect responses show blaming and avoidance.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis)
REF: Pages 1-2, 3, 32 (Figure 1-1) TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Client Needs:
Psychosocial Integrity
5. Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a patient may be experiencing a
mental illness? The patient
a. reports occasional sleeplessness and anxiety.
b. reports a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood.
c. is able to describe the difference between “as if” and “for real.”
d. perceives difficulty making a decision about whether to change jobs.
ANS: B
The correct response describes a mood alteration, which reflects mental illness. The distracters
describe behaviors that are mentally healthy or within the usual scope of human experience.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-2 to 4 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Client Need [Show Less]