PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
SHEILA L CERTIFICATION EVALUATION 2026
TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
100% CORRECT
◉ interventions for PTSD. Answer: *initiate nurse-patient
relationship
- encourage identification of PTSD symptoms (so they recognize
these symptoms did not previously exist)
- therapy: cognitive, behavioral, recreational
- medications: SSRIs - Zoloft (severe depression)
◉ possible nursing diagnoses with acute stress disorder. Answer: -
aggression
- headaches
- intrusive dreams
- irritability
- anxiety related to: serious auto accident, injury to loved one,
disaster, or abuse
◉ adjustment disorder. Answer: *milder, less specific version of
acute stress disorder
,- precipitated by stressful event
- responses to stressful event may include combinations of
depression, anxiety, and conduct disturbances
◉ dissociative amnesia Answer: Korsakoff amnesia from alcohol;
inability to recall important personal info
◉ A nurse assesses a patient diagnosed with dissociative identity
disorder. Which finding would likely be part of the patient's history?
Answer: physical or sexual abuse
◉ eating disorders basics Answer: they do not like themselves
typically and have poor self esteem
◉ anorexia nervosa onset Answer: early adolescence (teens) - 14 to
16 YOA
◉ anorexia nervosa significant personality trait Answer: drive for
perfectionism
◉ risk factors for anorexia Answer: - increased BMR, elite athlete,
overexercising
- low self esteem, body dissatisfaction, feelings of effectiveness
, - family: overprotective, enmeshed, rigid boundaries, inability to
solve conflicts
◉ cardinal sign of anorexia nervosa Answer: DRY SKIN
◉ psychiatric criteria for anorexia Answer: risk for suicide
◉ An adolescent female is brought to the school nurse after fainting
during gym class. She is grossly underweight, wears baggy clothes,
and has dry skin. She complains of feeling cold despite wearing two
sweaters. To further assess for an eating disorder, the nurse should
ask: Answer: "when was your last menstrual period"?
◉ interventions for anorexia nervosa Answer: refeeding (behavioral
plan of positive and negative reinforcements for weight gain- most
impt intervention in initial stage of treatment/ hospitalization)
◉ community/school nurses role in eating disorders Answer: teach
prevention strategies for parents, teachers, and children
◉ The nurse would teach a patient receiving treatment for anorexia
nervosa about which SSRI? Answer: fluoxetine (Prozac)
◉ bulimia main personality trait Answer: impulsivity
SHEILA L CERTIFICATION EVALUATION 2026
TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
100% CORRECT
◉ interventions for PTSD. Answer: *initiate nurse-patient
relationship
- encourage identification of PTSD symptoms (so they recognize
these symptoms did not previously exist)
- therapy: cognitive, behavioral, recreational
- medications: SSRIs - Zoloft (severe depression)
◉ possible nursing diagnoses with acute stress disorder. Answer: -
aggression
- headaches
- intrusive dreams
- irritability
- anxiety related to: serious auto accident, injury to loved one,
disaster, or abuse
◉ adjustment disorder. Answer: *milder, less specific version of
acute stress disorder
,- precipitated by stressful event
- responses to stressful event may include combinations of
depression, anxiety, and conduct disturbances
◉ dissociative amnesia Answer: Korsakoff amnesia from alcohol;
inability to recall important personal info
◉ A nurse assesses a patient diagnosed with dissociative identity
disorder. Which finding would likely be part of the patient's history?
Answer: physical or sexual abuse
◉ eating disorders basics Answer: they do not like themselves
typically and have poor self esteem
◉ anorexia nervosa onset Answer: early adolescence (teens) - 14 to
16 YOA
◉ anorexia nervosa significant personality trait Answer: drive for
perfectionism
◉ risk factors for anorexia Answer: - increased BMR, elite athlete,
overexercising
- low self esteem, body dissatisfaction, feelings of effectiveness
, - family: overprotective, enmeshed, rigid boundaries, inability to
solve conflicts
◉ cardinal sign of anorexia nervosa Answer: DRY SKIN
◉ psychiatric criteria for anorexia Answer: risk for suicide
◉ An adolescent female is brought to the school nurse after fainting
during gym class. She is grossly underweight, wears baggy clothes,
and has dry skin. She complains of feeling cold despite wearing two
sweaters. To further assess for an eating disorder, the nurse should
ask: Answer: "when was your last menstrual period"?
◉ interventions for anorexia nervosa Answer: refeeding (behavioral
plan of positive and negative reinforcements for weight gain- most
impt intervention in initial stage of treatment/ hospitalization)
◉ community/school nurses role in eating disorders Answer: teach
prevention strategies for parents, teachers, and children
◉ The nurse would teach a patient receiving treatment for anorexia
nervosa about which SSRI? Answer: fluoxetine (Prozac)
◉ bulimia main personality trait Answer: impulsivity
