Mental Health Exam 1.
Mental Health Exam 1 – Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 27 & 32.
ATI 1, 2, 4, 6 & 11
Chapter 1 The Concept of Stress Adaptation
1. A client has experienced the death of a close family member and at the same time becomes
unemployed. This situation has resulted in a 6-month score of 110 on the Recent Life
Changes Questionnaire. How should the nurse evaluate this client data?
A. The client is experiencing severe distress and is at risk for physical and psychological illness.
B. A score of 110 on the Miller and Rahe Recent Life Changes Questionnaire indicates no
significant threat of stress-related illness.
C. Susceptibility to stress-related physical or psychological illness cannot be
estimated without knowledge of coping resources and available supports.
D. The client may view these losses as challenges and perceive them as opportunities.
2. A physically and emotionally healthy client has just been fired. During a routine office visit he states
to a nurse: Perhaps this was the best thing to happen. Maybe Ill look into pursuing an art degree. How
should the nurse characterize the clients appraisal of the job loss stressor?
A. Irrelevant
B. Harm/loss
C. Threatening
D. Challenging
3. Which client statement should alert a nurse that a client may be responding maladaptively to stress?
A. I’ve found that avoiding contact with others helps me cope
B. I really enjoy journaling; its my private time.
C. I signed up for a yoga class this week.
D. I made an appointment to meet with a therapist.
4. A nursing student finds that she comes down with a sinus infection toward the end of every
semester. When this occurs, which stage of stress is the student most likely experiencing?
A. Alarm reaction stage
B. Stage of resistance
C. Stage of exhaustion
D. Fight-or-flight stage
5. A school nurse is assessing a female high school student who is overly concerned about her
appearance. The clients mother states, Thats not something to be stressed about! Which is the
most appropriate nursing response?
A. Teenagers! They don’t know a thing about real stress.
B. Stress occurs only when there is a loss.
C. When you are in poor physical condition, you can’t experience psychological well-being.
,Mental Health Exam 1.
D. Stress can be psychological. A threat to self-esteem may result in high stress levels.
,Mental Health Exam 1.
6. *A bright student confides in the school nurse about conflicts related to attending college or working
to add needed financial support to the family. Which coping strategy is most appropriate for the nurse to
recommend to the student at this time?
A. Meditation
B. Problem-solving training
C. Relaxation
D. Journaling
7. *An unemployed college graduate is experiencing severe anxiety over not finding a teaching position
and has difficulty with independent problem-solving. During a routine physical examination, the
graduate confides in the clinic nurse. Which is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Encourage the student to use the alternative coping mechanism of relaxation exercises.
B. Complete the problem-solving process for the client.
C. Work through the problem-solving process with the client.
D. Encourage the client to keep a journal.
8. A school nurse is assessing a distraught female high school student who is overly concerned because
her parents can’t afford horseback riding lessons. How should the nurse interpret the students reaction
to her perceived problem?
A. The problem is endangering her well-being.
B. The problem is personally relevant to her.
C. The problem is based on immaturity.
D. The problem is exceeding her capacity to cope.
9. Meditation has been shown to be an effective stress management technique. When meditation
is effective, what should a nurse expect to assess?
A. An achieved state of relaxation
B. An achieved insight into ones feelings
C. A demonstration of appropriate role behaviors
D. An enhanced ability to problem-solve
10. A distraught, single, first-time mother cries and asks a nurse, How can I go to work if I can’t
afford childcare? What is the nurses initial action in assisting the client with the problem-solving.
A. Determine the risks and benefits for each alternative.
B. Formulate goals for resolution of the problem.
C. Evaluate the outcome of the implemented alternative.
D. Assess the facts of the situation.
11. A nursing instructor is asking students about diseases of adaptation and when they are likely to
occur. Which student response indicates that learning has occurred?
A. When an individual has limited experience dealing with stress
B. When an individual inherits maladaptive genes
, Mental Health Exam 1.
C. When an individual experiences existing conditions that exacerbate stress
D. When an individual’s physiological and psychological resources have become depleted
Mental Health Exam 1 – Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 27 & 32.
ATI 1, 2, 4, 6 & 11
Chapter 1 The Concept of Stress Adaptation
1. A client has experienced the death of a close family member and at the same time becomes
unemployed. This situation has resulted in a 6-month score of 110 on the Recent Life
Changes Questionnaire. How should the nurse evaluate this client data?
A. The client is experiencing severe distress and is at risk for physical and psychological illness.
B. A score of 110 on the Miller and Rahe Recent Life Changes Questionnaire indicates no
significant threat of stress-related illness.
C. Susceptibility to stress-related physical or psychological illness cannot be
estimated without knowledge of coping resources and available supports.
D. The client may view these losses as challenges and perceive them as opportunities.
2. A physically and emotionally healthy client has just been fired. During a routine office visit he states
to a nurse: Perhaps this was the best thing to happen. Maybe Ill look into pursuing an art degree. How
should the nurse characterize the clients appraisal of the job loss stressor?
A. Irrelevant
B. Harm/loss
C. Threatening
D. Challenging
3. Which client statement should alert a nurse that a client may be responding maladaptively to stress?
A. I’ve found that avoiding contact with others helps me cope
B. I really enjoy journaling; its my private time.
C. I signed up for a yoga class this week.
D. I made an appointment to meet with a therapist.
4. A nursing student finds that she comes down with a sinus infection toward the end of every
semester. When this occurs, which stage of stress is the student most likely experiencing?
A. Alarm reaction stage
B. Stage of resistance
C. Stage of exhaustion
D. Fight-or-flight stage
5. A school nurse is assessing a female high school student who is overly concerned about her
appearance. The clients mother states, Thats not something to be stressed about! Which is the
most appropriate nursing response?
A. Teenagers! They don’t know a thing about real stress.
B. Stress occurs only when there is a loss.
C. When you are in poor physical condition, you can’t experience psychological well-being.
,Mental Health Exam 1.
D. Stress can be psychological. A threat to self-esteem may result in high stress levels.
,Mental Health Exam 1.
6. *A bright student confides in the school nurse about conflicts related to attending college or working
to add needed financial support to the family. Which coping strategy is most appropriate for the nurse to
recommend to the student at this time?
A. Meditation
B. Problem-solving training
C. Relaxation
D. Journaling
7. *An unemployed college graduate is experiencing severe anxiety over not finding a teaching position
and has difficulty with independent problem-solving. During a routine physical examination, the
graduate confides in the clinic nurse. Which is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Encourage the student to use the alternative coping mechanism of relaxation exercises.
B. Complete the problem-solving process for the client.
C. Work through the problem-solving process with the client.
D. Encourage the client to keep a journal.
8. A school nurse is assessing a distraught female high school student who is overly concerned because
her parents can’t afford horseback riding lessons. How should the nurse interpret the students reaction
to her perceived problem?
A. The problem is endangering her well-being.
B. The problem is personally relevant to her.
C. The problem is based on immaturity.
D. The problem is exceeding her capacity to cope.
9. Meditation has been shown to be an effective stress management technique. When meditation
is effective, what should a nurse expect to assess?
A. An achieved state of relaxation
B. An achieved insight into ones feelings
C. A demonstration of appropriate role behaviors
D. An enhanced ability to problem-solve
10. A distraught, single, first-time mother cries and asks a nurse, How can I go to work if I can’t
afford childcare? What is the nurses initial action in assisting the client with the problem-solving.
A. Determine the risks and benefits for each alternative.
B. Formulate goals for resolution of the problem.
C. Evaluate the outcome of the implemented alternative.
D. Assess the facts of the situation.
11. A nursing instructor is asking students about diseases of adaptation and when they are likely to
occur. Which student response indicates that learning has occurred?
A. When an individual has limited experience dealing with stress
B. When an individual inherits maladaptive genes
, Mental Health Exam 1.
C. When an individual experiences existing conditions that exacerbate stress
D. When an individual’s physiological and psychological resources have become depleted
