UNIT III MENTAL HEALTH TEST BANK
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWER
Which of the following behavioral skills should a nurse implement when leading a
group that is functioning in the orientation phase of group development? Select all
that apply. - Answer-ANSWER: B, C, D
B. Ensuring that rules established by the group do not interfere with goal fulfillment
C. Working with group members to establish rules that will govern the group
D. Emphasizing the need for and importance of confidentiality within the group
RATIONALE: During the orientation phase of group development, the nurse leader
should work together with members to establish rules that will effectively govern the
group. The leader should ensure that group rules do not interfere
with goal fulfillment and establish the need for and importance of confidentiality
within the group. Members need to establish trust and cohesion to move into the
working phase of group development.
A fatherless, 11-year-old African American girl lives with her grandmother after the
death of her mother. Her older stepbrother is very involved in her life. How should
the community health nurse view this family constellation, and why? - Answer-
ANSWER: C. Normal; cultural variations exist in the family life cycle.
RATIONALE: The nurse should be aware that cultural differences and specific
events may lead to variety in family constellations. This is normal.
In defiance of parental wishes, a Japanese teenager succumbs to peer pressure and
gets a tattoo. According to Bowens family systems theory, how should the
community health nurse interpret the teenagers action? - Answer-ANSWER: A. The
teenager is attempting to differentiate self.
RATIONALE: The teenager is taking on some of the cultural values of peers and is
beginning to develop a unique identity. This process is called differentiation and is a
normal task of adolescence.
A home health nurse is visiting an Asian family. A married couple, their three
children, and the maternal grandparents all live in the home. How should the nurse
interpret the presence of the grandparents in the home? - Answer-ANSWER: C.
Extended family living arrangements are common in some cultures.
RATIONALE: The Asian culture highly respects the elderly. Having the grandparents
living in the home is not uncommon in this culture.
,A depressed 21-year-old client has lived with his mother ever since the death of his
father 3 years ago. After the client received a college acceptance, the mother
repeatedly states, "That's wonderful. I'll be fine all alone." How would the nurse
interpret the mothers statements? - Answer-ANSWER: D. The mother is using
double-bind communication.
RATIONALE: The clients mother says she is fine with him going away to college but
then tries to make him feel guilty about
her being left alone. The client is in a no-win situation because his mother has given
a mixed message a double-bind
communication.
In a family that is in the life cycle stage called The Family with Adolescents, which
changes must occur for the family to proceed developmentally? - Answer-ANSWER:
C. Redefining the level of dependence so that adolescents are provided with greater
autonomy
RATIONALE: Stage IV of the family life cycle is described as The Family with
Adolescents. The task of this stage is to redefine the level of dependence so that
adolescents are provided with greater autonomy while parents remain responsive to
teenagers dependency needs.
A clinic nurse is caring for a 40-year-old client who lives with his parents. The clients
mother continues to do the clients laundry and provides spending money. Based on
this situation, which family dynamic does the nurse recognize? - Answer-ANSWER:
A. Taking over
RATIONALE: Taking over occurs when a family member fails to allow another
member to develop a sense of responsibility
and self-worth. By doing the clients laundry and managing finances, the mother is
fostering the clients dependence.
A 30-year-old client seeking therapy states, My mom cries when she is not included
in all my social activities and thinks of my friends as her own. How would the nurse
describe the boundaries between this family's parent and child subsystems? -
Answer-ANSWER: C. The boundaries are enmeshed.
RATIONALE: With enmeshed boundaries, family members lack individuation and
experience exaggerated connectedness.
The clients mother is trying to prevent independence by generating feelings of guilt.
,A nurse enters an inpatient room and finds the family disagreeing about the clients
living arrangements after discharge. Which information should the nurse provide
when teaching techniques to resolve family conflicts? - Answer-ANSWER: D. All
family members should respect differing opinions and use compromise and
negotiation.
RATIONALE: Functional families allow and respect differences among members.
They learn to handle differences and conflict through negotiation and compromise.
After hearing parents discuss divorce, a 5-year-old develops behavioral problems.
Upon dealing with the child's behavioral issues, the marital relationship conflict
decreases. The pediatric clinic nurse should recognize that this is an example of
which family system concept? - Answer-ANSWER: B. Triangulation
RATIONALE: Triangulation occurs when a relationship between two people is
dysfunctional so a third person is brought into the relationship to help stabilize it. The
son and his behavioral problems redirect the focus from the couples marital
problems.
An instructor is teaching about differentiated parent and adult child relationships.
Students are instructed to give an example of a well-differentiated parent and adult
child relationship. Which student example meets the instructor requirement? -
Answer-ANSWER: A. An adult child considers, but is not governed by, the advice of
his or her parents.
RATIONALE: The correct student example of a well-differentiated parent and adult
child relationship is when an adult child considers, but is not governed by, the advice
of his or her parent. The adult child should be differentiated enough not to be
threatened by parental advice and should be able to consider the parental advice
without feeling the advice must be followed.
During family counseling a husband states, Every time my wife and I discuss child
discipline, we get into shouting matches. The nurse instructs the couple to shout at
each other for 2 weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 30 minutes. What
intervention is the nurse using? - Answer-ANSWER: D. Paradoxical intervention
RATIONALE: In a paradoxical intervention, the therapist requests the family to
continue the maladaptive behavior. This removes control over the behavior from the
family to the therapist. Clients are made more aware of the defeating behavior and
this can lead to behavioral change.
During family counseling a child states, I just want to surf like other kids. Mom says
it's okay, but Dad says I'm too young. The mother allows surfing when the father is
absent. In the structural model of family therapy, what family interactional pattern
should the nurse recognize? - Answer-ANSWER: C. Mother-child subsystem
, RATIONALE: In this situation the mother and child have formed a subsystem in
which they have aligned themselves against the father.
During family counseling, a husband tells his wife to spend more time with the family,
and she responds by stating, "Okay, I'll turn in my resignation tomorrow." The
husband replies, "I knew it! You've always been a quitter!" How should the nurse
interpret the husbands statement? - Answer-ANSWER: B. The husband is
expressing double-bind communication.
RATIONALE: Double-bind communication sets up no-win situations. The husband
has created a situation in which no matter what the wife does, she is wrong.
A couple has been married for 20 years. They argue constantly, belittle feelings, and
continuously contradict each other. During a therapy session, the nurse documents
Marital schism. What does the nurse mean by this documentation? - Answer-
ANSWER: D. The couple has an incompatible marriage relationship.
RATIONALE: A marital schism is a state of chronic disequilibrium and discord. This
describes this couples marriage.
When planning group therapy, a nurse should identify which configuration as most
optimal for a therapeutic group? - Answer-ANSWER: C. Closed membership; circle
of chairs; group size of 5 to 10 members
RATIONALE: The nurse should identify that the most optimal conditions for a
therapeutic group are when the membership is closed and the group size is between
5 and 10 members who are arranged in a circle of chairs. The focus of therapeutic
groups is on relationships within the group and the interactions among group
members.
During the sixth week of a 10-week parenting skills group, a nurse observes as
several members get into a heated dispute about spanking. As a group, they decide
to create a pros-and-cons poster on the use of physical discipline. At this time, what
is the role of the group leader? - Answer-ANSWER: D. To encourage the group to
solve the problem collectively
RATIONALE: The role of the group leader is to encourage the group to solve the
problem collectively. A democratic
leadership style supports members in their participation and problem-solving.
Members are encouraged to cooperatively solve issues that relate to the group.
A 10-week, prenuptial counseling group composed of five couples is terminating. At
the last group meeting, a nurse notices that the two most faithful and participative
couples are absent. When considering concepts of group development, what might
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWER
Which of the following behavioral skills should a nurse implement when leading a
group that is functioning in the orientation phase of group development? Select all
that apply. - Answer-ANSWER: B, C, D
B. Ensuring that rules established by the group do not interfere with goal fulfillment
C. Working with group members to establish rules that will govern the group
D. Emphasizing the need for and importance of confidentiality within the group
RATIONALE: During the orientation phase of group development, the nurse leader
should work together with members to establish rules that will effectively govern the
group. The leader should ensure that group rules do not interfere
with goal fulfillment and establish the need for and importance of confidentiality
within the group. Members need to establish trust and cohesion to move into the
working phase of group development.
A fatherless, 11-year-old African American girl lives with her grandmother after the
death of her mother. Her older stepbrother is very involved in her life. How should
the community health nurse view this family constellation, and why? - Answer-
ANSWER: C. Normal; cultural variations exist in the family life cycle.
RATIONALE: The nurse should be aware that cultural differences and specific
events may lead to variety in family constellations. This is normal.
In defiance of parental wishes, a Japanese teenager succumbs to peer pressure and
gets a tattoo. According to Bowens family systems theory, how should the
community health nurse interpret the teenagers action? - Answer-ANSWER: A. The
teenager is attempting to differentiate self.
RATIONALE: The teenager is taking on some of the cultural values of peers and is
beginning to develop a unique identity. This process is called differentiation and is a
normal task of adolescence.
A home health nurse is visiting an Asian family. A married couple, their three
children, and the maternal grandparents all live in the home. How should the nurse
interpret the presence of the grandparents in the home? - Answer-ANSWER: C.
Extended family living arrangements are common in some cultures.
RATIONALE: The Asian culture highly respects the elderly. Having the grandparents
living in the home is not uncommon in this culture.
,A depressed 21-year-old client has lived with his mother ever since the death of his
father 3 years ago. After the client received a college acceptance, the mother
repeatedly states, "That's wonderful. I'll be fine all alone." How would the nurse
interpret the mothers statements? - Answer-ANSWER: D. The mother is using
double-bind communication.
RATIONALE: The clients mother says she is fine with him going away to college but
then tries to make him feel guilty about
her being left alone. The client is in a no-win situation because his mother has given
a mixed message a double-bind
communication.
In a family that is in the life cycle stage called The Family with Adolescents, which
changes must occur for the family to proceed developmentally? - Answer-ANSWER:
C. Redefining the level of dependence so that adolescents are provided with greater
autonomy
RATIONALE: Stage IV of the family life cycle is described as The Family with
Adolescents. The task of this stage is to redefine the level of dependence so that
adolescents are provided with greater autonomy while parents remain responsive to
teenagers dependency needs.
A clinic nurse is caring for a 40-year-old client who lives with his parents. The clients
mother continues to do the clients laundry and provides spending money. Based on
this situation, which family dynamic does the nurse recognize? - Answer-ANSWER:
A. Taking over
RATIONALE: Taking over occurs when a family member fails to allow another
member to develop a sense of responsibility
and self-worth. By doing the clients laundry and managing finances, the mother is
fostering the clients dependence.
A 30-year-old client seeking therapy states, My mom cries when she is not included
in all my social activities and thinks of my friends as her own. How would the nurse
describe the boundaries between this family's parent and child subsystems? -
Answer-ANSWER: C. The boundaries are enmeshed.
RATIONALE: With enmeshed boundaries, family members lack individuation and
experience exaggerated connectedness.
The clients mother is trying to prevent independence by generating feelings of guilt.
,A nurse enters an inpatient room and finds the family disagreeing about the clients
living arrangements after discharge. Which information should the nurse provide
when teaching techniques to resolve family conflicts? - Answer-ANSWER: D. All
family members should respect differing opinions and use compromise and
negotiation.
RATIONALE: Functional families allow and respect differences among members.
They learn to handle differences and conflict through negotiation and compromise.
After hearing parents discuss divorce, a 5-year-old develops behavioral problems.
Upon dealing with the child's behavioral issues, the marital relationship conflict
decreases. The pediatric clinic nurse should recognize that this is an example of
which family system concept? - Answer-ANSWER: B. Triangulation
RATIONALE: Triangulation occurs when a relationship between two people is
dysfunctional so a third person is brought into the relationship to help stabilize it. The
son and his behavioral problems redirect the focus from the couples marital
problems.
An instructor is teaching about differentiated parent and adult child relationships.
Students are instructed to give an example of a well-differentiated parent and adult
child relationship. Which student example meets the instructor requirement? -
Answer-ANSWER: A. An adult child considers, but is not governed by, the advice of
his or her parents.
RATIONALE: The correct student example of a well-differentiated parent and adult
child relationship is when an adult child considers, but is not governed by, the advice
of his or her parent. The adult child should be differentiated enough not to be
threatened by parental advice and should be able to consider the parental advice
without feeling the advice must be followed.
During family counseling a husband states, Every time my wife and I discuss child
discipline, we get into shouting matches. The nurse instructs the couple to shout at
each other for 2 weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 30 minutes. What
intervention is the nurse using? - Answer-ANSWER: D. Paradoxical intervention
RATIONALE: In a paradoxical intervention, the therapist requests the family to
continue the maladaptive behavior. This removes control over the behavior from the
family to the therapist. Clients are made more aware of the defeating behavior and
this can lead to behavioral change.
During family counseling a child states, I just want to surf like other kids. Mom says
it's okay, but Dad says I'm too young. The mother allows surfing when the father is
absent. In the structural model of family therapy, what family interactional pattern
should the nurse recognize? - Answer-ANSWER: C. Mother-child subsystem
, RATIONALE: In this situation the mother and child have formed a subsystem in
which they have aligned themselves against the father.
During family counseling, a husband tells his wife to spend more time with the family,
and she responds by stating, "Okay, I'll turn in my resignation tomorrow." The
husband replies, "I knew it! You've always been a quitter!" How should the nurse
interpret the husbands statement? - Answer-ANSWER: B. The husband is
expressing double-bind communication.
RATIONALE: Double-bind communication sets up no-win situations. The husband
has created a situation in which no matter what the wife does, she is wrong.
A couple has been married for 20 years. They argue constantly, belittle feelings, and
continuously contradict each other. During a therapy session, the nurse documents
Marital schism. What does the nurse mean by this documentation? - Answer-
ANSWER: D. The couple has an incompatible marriage relationship.
RATIONALE: A marital schism is a state of chronic disequilibrium and discord. This
describes this couples marriage.
When planning group therapy, a nurse should identify which configuration as most
optimal for a therapeutic group? - Answer-ANSWER: C. Closed membership; circle
of chairs; group size of 5 to 10 members
RATIONALE: The nurse should identify that the most optimal conditions for a
therapeutic group are when the membership is closed and the group size is between
5 and 10 members who are arranged in a circle of chairs. The focus of therapeutic
groups is on relationships within the group and the interactions among group
members.
During the sixth week of a 10-week parenting skills group, a nurse observes as
several members get into a heated dispute about spanking. As a group, they decide
to create a pros-and-cons poster on the use of physical discipline. At this time, what
is the role of the group leader? - Answer-ANSWER: D. To encourage the group to
solve the problem collectively
RATIONALE: The role of the group leader is to encourage the group to solve the
problem collectively. A democratic
leadership style supports members in their participation and problem-solving.
Members are encouraged to cooperatively solve issues that relate to the group.
A 10-week, prenuptial counseling group composed of five couples is terminating. At
the last group meeting, a nurse notices that the two most faithful and participative
couples are absent. When considering concepts of group development, what might
