SAUNDERS MENTAL HEALTH EXAM FULL PAPER
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◉ What are attributes of a mentally healthy person. Answer:
Rational thinking, effective coping skills, resiliency, self-control, self-
awareness, self-care, meaningful relationships, communication
skills, positive self-concept, ability to learn, spiritual satisfaction,
happiness and joy.
◉ What is the definition of mental illness. Answer: All mental
disorders w/ definable diagnoses. Manifested in significant
dysfunction that my be related to developmental, biological, of
psychological disturbances in cognition/functioning.
◉ What are some signs/symptoms of mental illness.. Answer:
Impaired cognition, behavioral alterations, and emotional changes
like not being able to cope with life stressors.
◉ What is epidemiology and what are three levels of study?. Answer:
The quantitative study of the distribution of mental disorders in
human populations.
1. Studies of natural history or what happens if there is not
treatment
,2. Studies of Diagnostic screening tests
3. Observational and experimental studies of interventions used to
treat pt.
◉ What is the continuum of mental health?. Answer: Health and
wellbeing=Occasional stress to mild distress. (No impairment)
Emotional problems or concerns= Mild to moderate distress (Mild
or temporary impairment)
Illness= Marked distress (Moderate to disabling or chronic
impairment)
◉ What are the differences between a basic level nurse and
advanced level nurse in psych?. Answer: Basic level is simply a BSN-
RN that is certified to work in a hospital. An advanced level has their
masters or doctorate and are qualified to engage in psychotherapy
(individual or group), can prescribe, and diagnose depending on the
state.
◉ What is the difference between the DSM-IV-TR and a Nursing
diagnosis. Answer: The DSM classifies disorders based on symptoms
and does not take culture into consideration. Nursing diagnosis is a
clinical judgement of the person as a whole that serves as a base for
interventions.
, ◉ What is an NOC?. Answer: Is a comprehensive source of standard
outcomes in nursing. It has measuring scales, and definitions that
can be used to determine if an intervention is successful. Is broken
into 7 domains.
◉ What is an NIC. Answer: Is the standard for nursing interventions
that are used to enhance patient outcome. Based on clinical
judgement and knowledge. Is broken into direct and indirect care
and also has 7 domains.
◉ How can a mental health nurse serve as an advocate for their
patient?. Answer: Report any incidents of abuse or neglect, uphold
patient confidentiality, supports patients right to make decisions
regarding treatment.
◉ How does culture influence the view of mental illness?. Answer:
Culture can affect what is considered mental health vs mental illness
based on what the culture views as acceptable and unacceptable.
◉ What mental illnesses are cross-cultural world wide?. Answer:
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
◉ What is the QSEN and what areas does it promote?. Answer: They
are an organization created to improve safety and education in
nursing. They promote: Teamwork and collaboration, evidence-
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◉ What are attributes of a mentally healthy person. Answer:
Rational thinking, effective coping skills, resiliency, self-control, self-
awareness, self-care, meaningful relationships, communication
skills, positive self-concept, ability to learn, spiritual satisfaction,
happiness and joy.
◉ What is the definition of mental illness. Answer: All mental
disorders w/ definable diagnoses. Manifested in significant
dysfunction that my be related to developmental, biological, of
psychological disturbances in cognition/functioning.
◉ What are some signs/symptoms of mental illness.. Answer:
Impaired cognition, behavioral alterations, and emotional changes
like not being able to cope with life stressors.
◉ What is epidemiology and what are three levels of study?. Answer:
The quantitative study of the distribution of mental disorders in
human populations.
1. Studies of natural history or what happens if there is not
treatment
,2. Studies of Diagnostic screening tests
3. Observational and experimental studies of interventions used to
treat pt.
◉ What is the continuum of mental health?. Answer: Health and
wellbeing=Occasional stress to mild distress. (No impairment)
Emotional problems or concerns= Mild to moderate distress (Mild
or temporary impairment)
Illness= Marked distress (Moderate to disabling or chronic
impairment)
◉ What are the differences between a basic level nurse and
advanced level nurse in psych?. Answer: Basic level is simply a BSN-
RN that is certified to work in a hospital. An advanced level has their
masters or doctorate and are qualified to engage in psychotherapy
(individual or group), can prescribe, and diagnose depending on the
state.
◉ What is the difference between the DSM-IV-TR and a Nursing
diagnosis. Answer: The DSM classifies disorders based on symptoms
and does not take culture into consideration. Nursing diagnosis is a
clinical judgement of the person as a whole that serves as a base for
interventions.
, ◉ What is an NOC?. Answer: Is a comprehensive source of standard
outcomes in nursing. It has measuring scales, and definitions that
can be used to determine if an intervention is successful. Is broken
into 7 domains.
◉ What is an NIC. Answer: Is the standard for nursing interventions
that are used to enhance patient outcome. Based on clinical
judgement and knowledge. Is broken into direct and indirect care
and also has 7 domains.
◉ How can a mental health nurse serve as an advocate for their
patient?. Answer: Report any incidents of abuse or neglect, uphold
patient confidentiality, supports patients right to make decisions
regarding treatment.
◉ How does culture influence the view of mental illness?. Answer:
Culture can affect what is considered mental health vs mental illness
based on what the culture views as acceptable and unacceptable.
◉ What mental illnesses are cross-cultural world wide?. Answer:
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
◉ What is the QSEN and what areas does it promote?. Answer: They
are an organization created to improve safety and education in
nursing. They promote: Teamwork and collaboration, evidence-
