NURSING 2230 Mental Health Final Exam Study Guide
Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
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.
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.
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 in safer environments 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.”
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.
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
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.
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.”
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.”
The correct response demonstrates the best evidence of a healthy recognition of the importance
of relationships. Mental health includes 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.
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.
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.
6. Which finding best indicates that the goal “Demonstrate mentally healthy behavior” was
achieved for an adult patient? The patient
a. sees self as capable of achieving ideals and meeting demands.
b. behaves without considering the consequences of personal actions.
c. aggressively meets own needs without considering the rights of others.
d. seeks help from others when assuming responsibility for major areas of own life.
The correct response describes an adaptive, healthy behavior. The distracters describe
maladaptive behaviors.
7. A nurse encounters an unfamiliar psychiatric disorder on a new patient’s admission form. Which
resource should the nurse consult to determine criteria used to establish this diagnosis?
a. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems
(ICD-10)
b. The ANA’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
c. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V)
, d. A behavioral health reference manual
The DSM-V gives the criteria used to diagnose each mental disorder. It is the official guideline
for diagnosing psychiatric disorders. The distracters may not contain diagnostic criteria for a
psychiatric illness.
8. A nurse wants to find a description of diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders. Which resource
would have the most complete information?
a. Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)
b. DSM-V
c. The ANA’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
d. ICD-10
The DSM-V details the diagnostic criteria for psychiatric clinical conditions. It is the official
guideline for diagnosing psychiatric disorders. The other references are good resources but do
not define the diagnostic criteria.
9. Which individual is demonstrating the highest level of resilience? One who
a. is able to repress stressors.
b. becomes depressed after the death of a spouse.
c. lives in a shelter for 2 years after the home is destroyed by fire.
d. takes a temporary job to maintain financial stability after loss of a permanent
job.
Resilience is closely associated with the process of adapting and helps people facing tragedies,
loss, trauma, and severe stress. It is the ability and capacity for people to secure the resources
they need to support their well-being. Repression and depression are unhealthy. Living in a
shelter for 2 years shows a failure to move forward after a tragedy. See related audience
response question.
10. Complete this analogy. NANDA: clinical judgment: NIC:
a. patient outcomes.
b. nursing actions.
c. diagnosis.
d. symptoms.
Analogies show parallel relationships. NANDA, the North American Nursing Diagnosis
Association, identifies diagnostic statements regarding human responses to actual or potential
health problems. These statements represent clinical judgments. NIC (Nursing Interventions
Classification) identifies actions provided by nurses that enhance patient outcomes. Nursing care
activities may be direct or indirect.
11. An adult says, “Most of the time I’m happy and feel good about myself. I have learned that what
I get out of something is proportional to the effort I put into it.” Which number on this mental
health continuum should the nurse select?
Mental Illness Mental Health
1 2 3 4 5
, a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
The adult is generally happy and has an adequate self-concept. The statement indicates the
adult is reality-oriented, works effectively, and has control over own behavior. Mental health
does not mean that a person is always happy.
12. Which disorder is an example of a culture-bound syndrome?
a. Epilepsy
b. Schizophrenia
c. Running amok
d. Major depressive disorder
Culture-bound syndromes occur in specific sociocultural contexts and are easily recognized by
people in those cultures. A syndrome recognized in parts of Southeast Asia is running amok,
in which a person (usually a male) runs around engaging in furious, almost indiscriminate
violent behavior.
13. The DSM-V classifies:
a. deviant behaviors.
b. present disability or distress.
c. people with mental disorders.
d. mental disorders people have.
The DSM-V classifies disorders people have rather than people themselves. The terminology of
the tool reflects this distinction by referring to individuals with a disorder rather than as a
“schizophrenic” or “alcoholic,” for example. Deviant behavior is not generally considered a
mental disorder. Present disability or distress is only one aspect of the diagnosis.
14. A citizen at a community health fair asks the nurse, “What is the most prevalent mental disorder
in the United States?” Select the nurse’s correct response.
a. Schizophrenia
b. Bipolar disorder
c. Dissociative fugue
d. Alzheimer’s disease
The 12-month prevalence for Alzheimer’s disease is 10% for persons older than 65% and 50%
for persons older than 85. The prevalence of schizophrenia is 1.1% per year. The prevalence
of bipolar disorder is 2.6%. Dissociative fugue is a rare disorder.
15. In the majority culture of the United States, which individual has the greatest risk to be labeled
mentally ill? One who
a. describes hearing God’s voice speaking.
b. is usually pessimistic but strives to meet personal goals.
c. is wealthy and gives away $20 bills to needy individuals.
d. always has an optimistic viewpoint about life and having own needs met.
Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
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.
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.
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 in safer environments 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.”
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.
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
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.
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.”
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.”
The correct response demonstrates the best evidence of a healthy recognition of the importance
of relationships. Mental health includes 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.
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.
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.
6. Which finding best indicates that the goal “Demonstrate mentally healthy behavior” was
achieved for an adult patient? The patient
a. sees self as capable of achieving ideals and meeting demands.
b. behaves without considering the consequences of personal actions.
c. aggressively meets own needs without considering the rights of others.
d. seeks help from others when assuming responsibility for major areas of own life.
The correct response describes an adaptive, healthy behavior. The distracters describe
maladaptive behaviors.
7. A nurse encounters an unfamiliar psychiatric disorder on a new patient’s admission form. Which
resource should the nurse consult to determine criteria used to establish this diagnosis?
a. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems
(ICD-10)
b. The ANA’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
c. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V)
, d. A behavioral health reference manual
The DSM-V gives the criteria used to diagnose each mental disorder. It is the official guideline
for diagnosing psychiatric disorders. The distracters may not contain diagnostic criteria for a
psychiatric illness.
8. A nurse wants to find a description of diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders. Which resource
would have the most complete information?
a. Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)
b. DSM-V
c. The ANA’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
d. ICD-10
The DSM-V details the diagnostic criteria for psychiatric clinical conditions. It is the official
guideline for diagnosing psychiatric disorders. The other references are good resources but do
not define the diagnostic criteria.
9. Which individual is demonstrating the highest level of resilience? One who
a. is able to repress stressors.
b. becomes depressed after the death of a spouse.
c. lives in a shelter for 2 years after the home is destroyed by fire.
d. takes a temporary job to maintain financial stability after loss of a permanent
job.
Resilience is closely associated with the process of adapting and helps people facing tragedies,
loss, trauma, and severe stress. It is the ability and capacity for people to secure the resources
they need to support their well-being. Repression and depression are unhealthy. Living in a
shelter for 2 years shows a failure to move forward after a tragedy. See related audience
response question.
10. Complete this analogy. NANDA: clinical judgment: NIC:
a. patient outcomes.
b. nursing actions.
c. diagnosis.
d. symptoms.
Analogies show parallel relationships. NANDA, the North American Nursing Diagnosis
Association, identifies diagnostic statements regarding human responses to actual or potential
health problems. These statements represent clinical judgments. NIC (Nursing Interventions
Classification) identifies actions provided by nurses that enhance patient outcomes. Nursing care
activities may be direct or indirect.
11. An adult says, “Most of the time I’m happy and feel good about myself. I have learned that what
I get out of something is proportional to the effort I put into it.” Which number on this mental
health continuum should the nurse select?
Mental Illness Mental Health
1 2 3 4 5
, a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
The adult is generally happy and has an adequate self-concept. The statement indicates the
adult is reality-oriented, works effectively, and has control over own behavior. Mental health
does not mean that a person is always happy.
12. Which disorder is an example of a culture-bound syndrome?
a. Epilepsy
b. Schizophrenia
c. Running amok
d. Major depressive disorder
Culture-bound syndromes occur in specific sociocultural contexts and are easily recognized by
people in those cultures. A syndrome recognized in parts of Southeast Asia is running amok,
in which a person (usually a male) runs around engaging in furious, almost indiscriminate
violent behavior.
13. The DSM-V classifies:
a. deviant behaviors.
b. present disability or distress.
c. people with mental disorders.
d. mental disorders people have.
The DSM-V classifies disorders people have rather than people themselves. The terminology of
the tool reflects this distinction by referring to individuals with a disorder rather than as a
“schizophrenic” or “alcoholic,” for example. Deviant behavior is not generally considered a
mental disorder. Present disability or distress is only one aspect of the diagnosis.
14. A citizen at a community health fair asks the nurse, “What is the most prevalent mental disorder
in the United States?” Select the nurse’s correct response.
a. Schizophrenia
b. Bipolar disorder
c. Dissociative fugue
d. Alzheimer’s disease
The 12-month prevalence for Alzheimer’s disease is 10% for persons older than 65% and 50%
for persons older than 85. The prevalence of schizophrenia is 1.1% per year. The prevalence
of bipolar disorder is 2.6%. Dissociative fugue is a rare disorder.
15. In the majority culture of the United States, which individual has the greatest risk to be labeled
mentally ill? One who
a. describes hearing God’s voice speaking.
b. is usually pessimistic but strives to meet personal goals.
c. is wealthy and gives away $20 bills to needy individuals.
d. always has an optimistic viewpoint about life and having own needs met.
