RNSG 2213 MH Module PT 2:
Concepts of Mental Health Nursing
Questions and All Correct Answers.
Benchmark I—Period of enlightenment (1790s) - Answer Key people/developments include
Pinel and Tuke. Pinel believed that by treating pts w/ care/concern, they could improve.
Changes included insane no longer treated as less than human; human dignity upheld. Result
was asylum movement developed. Concept of "moral care" and "Asylum" (a safe place);
mentally ill persons can improve with humane treatment; mental illness worsens with stress.
Dorthea Dix helps open 32 state hospitals to serve populations that did not have funds/support
for mental health care.
Dorothea Dix - Answer U.S. nurse and mental health reformer during Period of
Enlightenment. Direct role in opening 32 state hospitals that served populations that did not
have funds/support systems to access mental health care/accommodations/services. State
hospitals usually located in rural/scenic areas, stately in appearance, separated by gender, full of
light.
Asylum - Answer can mean protection, social support, or sanctuary from stresses of life;
currently, most often provokes image of mistreatment and neglect.
Benchmark II—Scientific Study (1870s) - Answer Key people/developments include Freud,
Kraepelin, Bleuler. Change in thinking—mental illness could be studied. Resulted in study of the
mind and treatment approaches to psychiatric conditions flourished.
Benchmark III—Psychotropic Drugs (1950s) - Answer development of Lithium, antipsychotic
meds, MAOIs, Haloperidol, Tricyclic antidepressants, and benzos. Significant change in thinking
—if some mental disorders are caused by chemical imbalances, then chemicals could restore
the balance & people would no longer need to be confined. Resulted in destigmatization of
mental illness; parents and others not to blame; term least restrictive environment evolved
from this discovery. Hope for improvement of previously "incurable" serious mental illnesses
and enhanced quality of life Psychotropic therapy often had sedative effect—would control
behavior rather than improve symptoms.
Benchmark IV—Community Mental Health (1960s) - Answer Response to overcrowding and
bureaucracy of public mental hospitals (Chronically mentally ill "warehoused," sometimes
abused and neglected). Fueled by civil rights movement, concept that patients will be treated
better, cheaper in community. Result—massive de-institutionalization & closure of many state
hospitals, leading to increased acuity and strain on emergency services, increased number of
homeless mentally ill. Key development included Community Mental Health Centers Act.
Significant change in thinking—individuals do not need to be hospitalized away from
family/community; people have the right to the treated in their own community. Resulted in
advantage that intervention in familiar surroundings has helped many people; less expensive.
, Disadvantage in homelessness linked to deinstitutionalization; many people "slip through
cracks" of system.
Benchmark V—Decade of the brain (1990s) - Answer Key development was congressional
mandate encouraging advances in brain research, imaging & focus on biological basis of mental
disorders. Significant change in thinking—"if we can understand the brain, we can help millions
of people suffering from mental disorders." Resulted in increase in funding for brain research
leading to new tx strategies; has increased our understanding of mental disorders.
C. "A seamless continuity of care for the mentally ill individual is favorable."
Providing care for those seeking services for mental illness should serve to support
independence and autonomy and be delivered with the least amount of restriction. This is the
goal of mental health care. - Answer In teaching colleagues regarding the concept of "least
restrictive environment," the nurse will state:
A. "The greatest challenge is to work with the 'worried well.'"
B. "Homelessness is the root of all mental illness."
C. "A seamless continuity of care for the mentally ill individual is favorable."
D. "It is better to wait for a crisis to occur first before intervening with the mentally ill
individual."
B. "There is an opening in the intensive day treatment program tomorrow."
Transition the individual to the next level of care with least restrictive environment in mind; will
require close monitoring/follow-up postdischarge - Answer In providing continuity of care for
the mentally ill individual preparing for discharge from an inpatient unit at a state hospital, the
nurse would say to the patient and family:
A. "Here is an appointment scheduled with the outpatient therapist."
B. "There is an opening in the intensive day treatment program tomorrow."
C. "Please have your family member report to the local emergency department if needed."
D. "Who is your psychiatrist?"
A. "Mental health assessments and initiatives for providing services would greatly serve this
group." Correct
Begins the assessment process and focuses on money and services needed in the community -
Answer How should the nurse respond when a community leader asks, "These street people
are really a problem. What can we do? Many of them seem mentally ill."
A. "Mental health assessments and initiatives for providing services would greatly serve this
group."
B. "The homeless shelter should serve basic needs; that is adequate."
C. "Law enforcement is responsible for intervening when there is a problem."
D. "If they could just get jobs, it would help a great deal."
Concepts of Mental Health Nursing
Questions and All Correct Answers.
Benchmark I—Period of enlightenment (1790s) - Answer Key people/developments include
Pinel and Tuke. Pinel believed that by treating pts w/ care/concern, they could improve.
Changes included insane no longer treated as less than human; human dignity upheld. Result
was asylum movement developed. Concept of "moral care" and "Asylum" (a safe place);
mentally ill persons can improve with humane treatment; mental illness worsens with stress.
Dorthea Dix helps open 32 state hospitals to serve populations that did not have funds/support
for mental health care.
Dorothea Dix - Answer U.S. nurse and mental health reformer during Period of
Enlightenment. Direct role in opening 32 state hospitals that served populations that did not
have funds/support systems to access mental health care/accommodations/services. State
hospitals usually located in rural/scenic areas, stately in appearance, separated by gender, full of
light.
Asylum - Answer can mean protection, social support, or sanctuary from stresses of life;
currently, most often provokes image of mistreatment and neglect.
Benchmark II—Scientific Study (1870s) - Answer Key people/developments include Freud,
Kraepelin, Bleuler. Change in thinking—mental illness could be studied. Resulted in study of the
mind and treatment approaches to psychiatric conditions flourished.
Benchmark III—Psychotropic Drugs (1950s) - Answer development of Lithium, antipsychotic
meds, MAOIs, Haloperidol, Tricyclic antidepressants, and benzos. Significant change in thinking
—if some mental disorders are caused by chemical imbalances, then chemicals could restore
the balance & people would no longer need to be confined. Resulted in destigmatization of
mental illness; parents and others not to blame; term least restrictive environment evolved
from this discovery. Hope for improvement of previously "incurable" serious mental illnesses
and enhanced quality of life Psychotropic therapy often had sedative effect—would control
behavior rather than improve symptoms.
Benchmark IV—Community Mental Health (1960s) - Answer Response to overcrowding and
bureaucracy of public mental hospitals (Chronically mentally ill "warehoused," sometimes
abused and neglected). Fueled by civil rights movement, concept that patients will be treated
better, cheaper in community. Result—massive de-institutionalization & closure of many state
hospitals, leading to increased acuity and strain on emergency services, increased number of
homeless mentally ill. Key development included Community Mental Health Centers Act.
Significant change in thinking—individuals do not need to be hospitalized away from
family/community; people have the right to the treated in their own community. Resulted in
advantage that intervention in familiar surroundings has helped many people; less expensive.
, Disadvantage in homelessness linked to deinstitutionalization; many people "slip through
cracks" of system.
Benchmark V—Decade of the brain (1990s) - Answer Key development was congressional
mandate encouraging advances in brain research, imaging & focus on biological basis of mental
disorders. Significant change in thinking—"if we can understand the brain, we can help millions
of people suffering from mental disorders." Resulted in increase in funding for brain research
leading to new tx strategies; has increased our understanding of mental disorders.
C. "A seamless continuity of care for the mentally ill individual is favorable."
Providing care for those seeking services for mental illness should serve to support
independence and autonomy and be delivered with the least amount of restriction. This is the
goal of mental health care. - Answer In teaching colleagues regarding the concept of "least
restrictive environment," the nurse will state:
A. "The greatest challenge is to work with the 'worried well.'"
B. "Homelessness is the root of all mental illness."
C. "A seamless continuity of care for the mentally ill individual is favorable."
D. "It is better to wait for a crisis to occur first before intervening with the mentally ill
individual."
B. "There is an opening in the intensive day treatment program tomorrow."
Transition the individual to the next level of care with least restrictive environment in mind; will
require close monitoring/follow-up postdischarge - Answer In providing continuity of care for
the mentally ill individual preparing for discharge from an inpatient unit at a state hospital, the
nurse would say to the patient and family:
A. "Here is an appointment scheduled with the outpatient therapist."
B. "There is an opening in the intensive day treatment program tomorrow."
C. "Please have your family member report to the local emergency department if needed."
D. "Who is your psychiatrist?"
A. "Mental health assessments and initiatives for providing services would greatly serve this
group." Correct
Begins the assessment process and focuses on money and services needed in the community -
Answer How should the nurse respond when a community leader asks, "These street people
are really a problem. What can we do? Many of them seem mentally ill."
A. "Mental health assessments and initiatives for providing services would greatly serve this
group."
B. "The homeless shelter should serve basic needs; that is adequate."
C. "Law enforcement is responsible for intervening when there is a problem."
D. "If they could just get jobs, it would help a great deal."
