Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Test Bank Chapter 1
1. 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.: ANS: C
The Recent Life Changes Questionnaire is an expanded version of the Schedule of
Recent Experiences and the
Rahe-Holmes Social Readjustment Rating Scale. A 6-month score of 300 or more,
or a year-score total of 500
or more, indicates high stress in a clients life. However, positive coping mechanisms
and strong social support can limit susceptibility to stress-related illnesses.
2. ANS: D
The client perceives the situation of job loss as a challenge and an
opportunity for growth.: 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. ANS: A
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, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Test Bank Chapter 1
Reliance on social isolation as a coping mechanism is a maladaptive method
to relieve stress. It can prevent learning appropriate coping skills and can
prevent access to needed support systems.:
3. Which client statement should alert a nurse that a client may be responding
maladaptively to stress?
A. Ive 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. ANS: C
At the stage of exhaustion, the students exposure to stress has been
prolonged and adaptive energy has been depleted. Diseases of
adaptation occur more frequently in this stage.:
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. ANS: D
Stress can be physical or psychological in nature. A perceived threat to self-
esteem can be as stressful as a
physiological change.:
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 dont know a thing about real stress.
B. Stress occurs only when there is a loss.
C. When you are in poor physical condition, you cant experience psychological well-
being.
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1. 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.: ANS: C
The Recent Life Changes Questionnaire is an expanded version of the Schedule of
Recent Experiences and the
Rahe-Holmes Social Readjustment Rating Scale. A 6-month score of 300 or more,
or a year-score total of 500
or more, indicates high stress in a clients life. However, positive coping mechanisms
and strong social support can limit susceptibility to stress-related illnesses.
2. ANS: D
The client perceives the situation of job loss as a challenge and an
opportunity for growth.: 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. ANS: A
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, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Test Bank Chapter 1
Reliance on social isolation as a coping mechanism is a maladaptive method
to relieve stress. It can prevent learning appropriate coping skills and can
prevent access to needed support systems.:
3. Which client statement should alert a nurse that a client may be responding
maladaptively to stress?
A. Ive 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. ANS: C
At the stage of exhaustion, the students exposure to stress has been
prolonged and adaptive energy has been depleted. Diseases of
adaptation occur more frequently in this stage.:
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. ANS: D
Stress can be physical or psychological in nature. A perceived threat to self-
esteem can be as stressful as a
physiological change.:
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 dont know a thing about real stress.
B. Stress occurs only when there is a loss.
C. When you are in poor physical condition, you cant experience psychological well-
being.
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