Mental Health Nursing 253 Exam 1 –
Foundations, Therapeutic
Communication &
Psychopharmacology Review
Questions Provided with A+ Graded
Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Incidence
Number of new cases of mental disorders in a healthy population within a given period of
time.
Prevalence
Total number of cases, new and existing, in a given population during a specific period of time
Parity
Equivalence, and legislation required insurers that provide mental health coverage to offer
annual and lifetime benefits at the same level provided for medical-surgical coverage
Comorbidity
Refers to having more than one mental disorder at a time
Milieu management
Provides a therapeutic environment in which the patient can feel comfortable and safe while
engaging in activities that meet the patient's physical and mental health needs.
Counseling
Promote problem solving and enhanced coping and includes interviewing, crisis intervention,
stress management and conflict resolution.
Health teaching
Identify health education needs and giving information about these needs.
Psychological interventions
Involve medication administration and monitoring response to medications
, a nurse ends a relationship w/ a pt. What actions by the nurse should be included in
termination phase?
Help the pt express feelings about the relationship w/the nurse
Focus dialogues w/the pt on problems that may occur in the future
Countertransference
Benzodiazepines (anxiolytics)
Lorazepam, diazepam
Benzodiazepines side effects/adverse reaction
SE: lethargy, drowsiness, blurred vision, HA
AR: Hypotension, Depression, Dependence, Tolerance, Hepatic failure
Benzodiazepines used for?
Enhance the effect of GABA...Anxiety, seizures, sedation, sleep, alcohol/substance withdrawal
Benzodiazepines contraindications/interactions/cautions
Contr: Resp depression, allergy
Inter: Other CNS depressants, alchohol
Cautions: Older adults, depression, suicidal ideation, severe liver and kidney problems
4 drug groups for Antidepressants
Tricyclic, MOAIs, SSRIs, SNRIs
Tricyclic
Amitriptyline - considered second line - block reuptake of neurotransmitters, causing
accumulation at nerve endings
Used for depression, childhood enuresis (imipramine)
OCD (clomipramine) chronic pain conditions
Side effects/Adverse reactions for Tricyclics
SE: sedation, ortho static, dizziness, memory impairment, weight loss, impotence,
anticholinergic effects
Contraindications/interactions of tricyclics
Contra: older adults, severe CVD
Inter: alcohol, other CNS depressants, MAOIs
Foundations, Therapeutic
Communication &
Psychopharmacology Review
Questions Provided with A+ Graded
Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Incidence
Number of new cases of mental disorders in a healthy population within a given period of
time.
Prevalence
Total number of cases, new and existing, in a given population during a specific period of time
Parity
Equivalence, and legislation required insurers that provide mental health coverage to offer
annual and lifetime benefits at the same level provided for medical-surgical coverage
Comorbidity
Refers to having more than one mental disorder at a time
Milieu management
Provides a therapeutic environment in which the patient can feel comfortable and safe while
engaging in activities that meet the patient's physical and mental health needs.
Counseling
Promote problem solving and enhanced coping and includes interviewing, crisis intervention,
stress management and conflict resolution.
Health teaching
Identify health education needs and giving information about these needs.
Psychological interventions
Involve medication administration and monitoring response to medications
, a nurse ends a relationship w/ a pt. What actions by the nurse should be included in
termination phase?
Help the pt express feelings about the relationship w/the nurse
Focus dialogues w/the pt on problems that may occur in the future
Countertransference
Benzodiazepines (anxiolytics)
Lorazepam, diazepam
Benzodiazepines side effects/adverse reaction
SE: lethargy, drowsiness, blurred vision, HA
AR: Hypotension, Depression, Dependence, Tolerance, Hepatic failure
Benzodiazepines used for?
Enhance the effect of GABA...Anxiety, seizures, sedation, sleep, alcohol/substance withdrawal
Benzodiazepines contraindications/interactions/cautions
Contr: Resp depression, allergy
Inter: Other CNS depressants, alchohol
Cautions: Older adults, depression, suicidal ideation, severe liver and kidney problems
4 drug groups for Antidepressants
Tricyclic, MOAIs, SSRIs, SNRIs
Tricyclic
Amitriptyline - considered second line - block reuptake of neurotransmitters, causing
accumulation at nerve endings
Used for depression, childhood enuresis (imipramine)
OCD (clomipramine) chronic pain conditions
Side effects/Adverse reactions for Tricyclics
SE: sedation, ortho static, dizziness, memory impairment, weight loss, impotence,
anticholinergic effects
Contraindications/interactions of tricyclics
Contra: older adults, severe CVD
Inter: alcohol, other CNS depressants, MAOIs
