,MENTAL HEALTH FINAL EXAM NEWEST 2025 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
Stress - (ANSWER)"Fight or flight response"
In times of stress the sympathetic nervous system assumes control and sends signals to the adrenal
glands, releasing epinephrine (adrenaline). The circulating adrenaline causes these expected effects:
Increases heart rate
Increases respiration rate
Increases blood pressure
Increases blood flow to skeletal muscles
Increases muscle tension
Apprehension
Unhappiness or sorrow
Decreased appetite
Increased metabolism and glucose use
Depressed immune system
Prolonged stress - (ANSWER)Maladaptive response
When stress is prolonged or people are not able to relax, they remain in chronic low levels of stress.
The body stays alert for a prolonged period of time. A sustained increase in the chemicals produced by
the stress response (cortisol, adrenaline, and other catecholamines) can have damaging effects on the
body, causing physical diseases including a substantial negative effect on the immune system, leaving
individuals vulnerable to autoimmune diseases.
Prolonged stress causes:
-Chronic anxiety or panic attacks
,-Depression, chronic pain, sleep disturbances
-Weight gain or loss
-Increased risk for MI and stroke
-Poor diabetes control, hypertension, fatigue, irritability, decreased ability to concentrate
-Increased risk for infection
Nursing interventions for stress - (ANSWER)**Cognitave behavioral therapy and SSRI's are first line of
treatment
Do not abruptly discontinue medication; can cause suicidal ideations
Assess risk for suicide and implement safety precautions
Monitor pt's ability to perform ADL's and encourage independence
Therapeutic communication develop nurse-client relationship
Counseling
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - (ANSWER)People who experience/witness any traumatic event.
Will feel extraordinary helplessness or powerlessness in the face of stressors; lack of energy; sad with
blunted affect; poor grooming/lack of hygiene; slow speech, decreased verbalization, delayed
responses.
Four cardinal symptoms of PTSD - (ANSWER)• Intrusive reexperiencing of the initial trauma
(flashbacks, nightmares, unwanted distressing memories of the event, feelings of unreality)
• Avoidance (avoid all memories and feelings as well as people or places that might recall the event)
• Persistent negative alterations in cognitions and mood (distorted cognitions about themselves and
others [fear, guilt] and feelings of detachment)
, • Alteration and arousal and activity (irritability, angry outbursts, self-destructive behavior,
exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, sleep difficulties)
Optimal outcomes for PTSD patients - (ANSWER)• Patient and others will remain safe.
• Patient will receive treatment for co-occurring conditions.
• Patient will attend support group meetings.
• Patient will expand social support network.
• Patient will exhibit an increase in restful sleep periods.
• Patient will have fewer nightmares and flashbacks.
• Patient will express decreased irritability.
• Patient will be able to demonstrate effective anxiety reduction techniques
Pharmacotherapy for PTSD - (ANSWER)Depression -> Antidepressants
Flashbacks -> SSRI antidepressants (fluoxetine), buspirone augmentation of SSRI, second-generation
antipsychotics
Panic attacks -> Antidepressants, MAOI's, high-potency benzodiazepines
Hyperarousal -> Antidepressants, benzodiazepines, α2-adrenergic agonists, anticonvulsants
DETAILED ANSWERS
Stress - (ANSWER)"Fight or flight response"
In times of stress the sympathetic nervous system assumes control and sends signals to the adrenal
glands, releasing epinephrine (adrenaline). The circulating adrenaline causes these expected effects:
Increases heart rate
Increases respiration rate
Increases blood pressure
Increases blood flow to skeletal muscles
Increases muscle tension
Apprehension
Unhappiness or sorrow
Decreased appetite
Increased metabolism and glucose use
Depressed immune system
Prolonged stress - (ANSWER)Maladaptive response
When stress is prolonged or people are not able to relax, they remain in chronic low levels of stress.
The body stays alert for a prolonged period of time. A sustained increase in the chemicals produced by
the stress response (cortisol, adrenaline, and other catecholamines) can have damaging effects on the
body, causing physical diseases including a substantial negative effect on the immune system, leaving
individuals vulnerable to autoimmune diseases.
Prolonged stress causes:
-Chronic anxiety or panic attacks
,-Depression, chronic pain, sleep disturbances
-Weight gain or loss
-Increased risk for MI and stroke
-Poor diabetes control, hypertension, fatigue, irritability, decreased ability to concentrate
-Increased risk for infection
Nursing interventions for stress - (ANSWER)**Cognitave behavioral therapy and SSRI's are first line of
treatment
Do not abruptly discontinue medication; can cause suicidal ideations
Assess risk for suicide and implement safety precautions
Monitor pt's ability to perform ADL's and encourage independence
Therapeutic communication develop nurse-client relationship
Counseling
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - (ANSWER)People who experience/witness any traumatic event.
Will feel extraordinary helplessness or powerlessness in the face of stressors; lack of energy; sad with
blunted affect; poor grooming/lack of hygiene; slow speech, decreased verbalization, delayed
responses.
Four cardinal symptoms of PTSD - (ANSWER)• Intrusive reexperiencing of the initial trauma
(flashbacks, nightmares, unwanted distressing memories of the event, feelings of unreality)
• Avoidance (avoid all memories and feelings as well as people or places that might recall the event)
• Persistent negative alterations in cognitions and mood (distorted cognitions about themselves and
others [fear, guilt] and feelings of detachment)
, • Alteration and arousal and activity (irritability, angry outbursts, self-destructive behavior,
exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, sleep difficulties)
Optimal outcomes for PTSD patients - (ANSWER)• Patient and others will remain safe.
• Patient will receive treatment for co-occurring conditions.
• Patient will attend support group meetings.
• Patient will expand social support network.
• Patient will exhibit an increase in restful sleep periods.
• Patient will have fewer nightmares and flashbacks.
• Patient will express decreased irritability.
• Patient will be able to demonstrate effective anxiety reduction techniques
Pharmacotherapy for PTSD - (ANSWER)Depression -> Antidepressants
Flashbacks -> SSRI antidepressants (fluoxetine), buspirone augmentation of SSRI, second-generation
antipsychotics
Panic attacks -> Antidepressants, MAOI's, high-potency benzodiazepines
Hyperarousal -> Antidepressants, benzodiazepines, α2-adrenergic agonists, anticonvulsants
