Test Bank For Varcarolis’ Foundations Of Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing A Clinical 8th Edition With 100%
Verified Solutions
Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical
Approach, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
4. 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
ANSWER: D
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.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 1-33 (Table 1-1) TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client
Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. 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.
ANSWER: A
The question asks about risk. Hearing voices is generally associated with mental illness, but in
charismatic religious groups, hearing the voice of God or a prophet is a desirable event.
, Cultural norms vary, which makes it more difficult to make an accurate diagnosis. The
individuals described in the other options are less likely to be labeled mentally ill.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis) REF:
Pages 1-3, 4 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
6. A patient’s relationships are intense and unstable. The patient initially idealizes the significant
other and then devalues him or her, resulting in frequent feelings of emptiness. This patient
will benefit from interventions to develop which aspect of mental health? a. Effectiveness in
work
b. Communication skills
c. Productive activities
d. Fulfilling relationships
ANSWER: D
The information given centers on relationships with others that are described as intense and
unstable. The relationships of mentally healthy individuals are stable, satisfying, and socially
integrated. Data are not present to describe work effectiveness, communication skills, or
activities.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 1-32 (Figure 1-1) TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
7. Which belief will best support a nurse’s efforts to provide patient advocacy during a
multidisciplinary patient care planning session?
a. All mental illnesses are culturally determined.
b. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are cross-cultural disorders.
c. Symptoms of mental disorders are unchanged from culture to culture.
d. Assessment findings in mental illness reflect a person’s cultural patterns.
ANSWER: D
Symptoms must be understood in terms of a person’s cultural background. A nurse who
understands that a patient’s symptoms are influenced by culture will be able to advocate for
the patient to a greater degree than a nurse who believes that culture is of little relevance. The
distracters are untrue statements.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 1-27 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC:
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
8. A nurse is part of a multidisciplinary team working with groups of depressed patients. One
group of patients receives supportive interventions and antidepressant medication. The other
group receives only medication. The team measures outcomes for each group. Which type of
study is evident?
a. Incidence
, b. Prevalence
c. Comorbidity
d. Clinical epidemiology
ANSWER: D
Clinical epidemiology is a broad field that addresses studies of the natural history (or what
happens if there is no treatment and the problem is left to run its course) of an illness, studies
of diagnostic screening tests, and observational and experimental studies of interventions used
to treat people with the illness or symptoms. Prevalence refers to numbers of new cases.
Comorbidity refers to having more than one mental disorder at a time. Incidence refers to the
number of new cases of mental disorders in a healthy population within a given period. See
related audience response question.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 1-17 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
19. The spouse of a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia says, “I don’t understand how events
from childhood have anything to do with this disabling illness.” Which response by the nurse
will best help the spouse understand the cause of this disorder?
a. “Psychological stress is the basis of most mental disorders.”
b. “This illness results from developmental factors rather than stress.”
c. “Research shows that this condition more likely has a biological basis.”
d. “It must be frustrating for you that your spouse is sick so much of the time.”
ANSWER: C
Many of the most prevalent and disabling mental disorders have strong biological influences.
Genetics are only one part of biological factors. Empathy does not address increasing the
spouse’s level of knowledge about the cause of the disorder. The other distracters are not
established facts.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cogggnitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-5, 6 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: PPPsychosssocial Integrity
20. A category 5 tornado occurred in a community of 400 people. Many homes and businesses
were destroyed. In the 2 years following the disaster, 140 individuals were diagnosed with
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which term best applies to these newly diagnosed
cases?
a. Prevalence
b. Comorbidity
c. Incidence
d. Parity ANSWER: C
Incidence refers to the number of new cases of mental disorders in a healthy population within
a given period of time. Prevalence describes the total number of cases, new and existing, in a
given population during a specific period of time, regardless of when they became ill. Parity
refers to equivalence, and legislation required insurers that provide mental health coverage to
, offer annual and lifetime benefits at the same level provided for medical–surgical coverage.
Comorbidity refers to having more than one mental disorder at a time.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 1-16 TOP: Nursing Process: Planning/Outcomes Identification
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
21. Which component of treatment of mental illness is specifically recognized by Quality and
Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)? a. All genomes are unique.
b. Care is centered on the patient.
c. Healthy development is vital to mental health.
d. Recovery occurs on a continuum from illness to health.
ANSWER: B
The key areas of care promoted by QSEN are patient-centered care, teamwork and
collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety, and informatics.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 1-14 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC:
Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
22. Select the best response for the nurse to a question from another health professional regarding
the difference between a diagnosis in DSM-V and a nursing diagnosis.
a. “There is no functional difference between the two. Both identify human disorders.”
b. “The DSM-V diagnosis disregards culture, whereas the nursing diagnosis takes culture
into account.”
c. “The DSM-V diagnosis describes causes of disorders whereas a nursing diagnosis does not
explore etiology.”
d. “The DSM-V diagnosis guides medical treatment, whereas the nursing diagnosis offers a
framework for identifying interventions for issues a patient is experiencing.”
ANSWER: D
The medical diagnosis is concerned with the patient’s disease state, causes, and cures,
whereas the nursing diagnosis focuses on the patient’s response to stress and possible caring
interventions. Both tools consider culture. The DSM-V is multiaxial. Nursing diagnoses also
consider potential problems.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Page 1-21 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
23. Which nursing intervention below is part of the scope of an advanced practice
psychiatric/mental health nurse rather than a basic level registered nurse? a. Coordination of
care
b. Health teaching
c. Milieu therapy
d. Psychotherapy
ANSWER: D
Mental Health Nursing A Clinical 8th Edition With 100%
Verified Solutions
Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical
Approach, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
4. 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
ANSWER: D
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.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 1-33 (Table 1-1) TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client
Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. 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.
ANSWER: A
The question asks about risk. Hearing voices is generally associated with mental illness, but in
charismatic religious groups, hearing the voice of God or a prophet is a desirable event.
, Cultural norms vary, which makes it more difficult to make an accurate diagnosis. The
individuals described in the other options are less likely to be labeled mentally ill.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis) REF:
Pages 1-3, 4 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
6. A patient’s relationships are intense and unstable. The patient initially idealizes the significant
other and then devalues him or her, resulting in frequent feelings of emptiness. This patient
will benefit from interventions to develop which aspect of mental health? a. Effectiveness in
work
b. Communication skills
c. Productive activities
d. Fulfilling relationships
ANSWER: D
The information given centers on relationships with others that are described as intense and
unstable. The relationships of mentally healthy individuals are stable, satisfying, and socially
integrated. Data are not present to describe work effectiveness, communication skills, or
activities.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 1-32 (Figure 1-1) TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
7. Which belief will best support a nurse’s efforts to provide patient advocacy during a
multidisciplinary patient care planning session?
a. All mental illnesses are culturally determined.
b. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are cross-cultural disorders.
c. Symptoms of mental disorders are unchanged from culture to culture.
d. Assessment findings in mental illness reflect a person’s cultural patterns.
ANSWER: D
Symptoms must be understood in terms of a person’s cultural background. A nurse who
understands that a patient’s symptoms are influenced by culture will be able to advocate for
the patient to a greater degree than a nurse who believes that culture is of little relevance. The
distracters are untrue statements.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 1-27 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC:
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
8. A nurse is part of a multidisciplinary team working with groups of depressed patients. One
group of patients receives supportive interventions and antidepressant medication. The other
group receives only medication. The team measures outcomes for each group. Which type of
study is evident?
a. Incidence
, b. Prevalence
c. Comorbidity
d. Clinical epidemiology
ANSWER: D
Clinical epidemiology is a broad field that addresses studies of the natural history (or what
happens if there is no treatment and the problem is left to run its course) of an illness, studies
of diagnostic screening tests, and observational and experimental studies of interventions used
to treat people with the illness or symptoms. Prevalence refers to numbers of new cases.
Comorbidity refers to having more than one mental disorder at a time. Incidence refers to the
number of new cases of mental disorders in a healthy population within a given period. See
related audience response question.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 1-17 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
19. The spouse of a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia says, “I don’t understand how events
from childhood have anything to do with this disabling illness.” Which response by the nurse
will best help the spouse understand the cause of this disorder?
a. “Psychological stress is the basis of most mental disorders.”
b. “This illness results from developmental factors rather than stress.”
c. “Research shows that this condition more likely has a biological basis.”
d. “It must be frustrating for you that your spouse is sick so much of the time.”
ANSWER: C
Many of the most prevalent and disabling mental disorders have strong biological influences.
Genetics are only one part of biological factors. Empathy does not address increasing the
spouse’s level of knowledge about the cause of the disorder. The other distracters are not
established facts.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cogggnitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-5, 6 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: PPPsychosssocial Integrity
20. A category 5 tornado occurred in a community of 400 people. Many homes and businesses
were destroyed. In the 2 years following the disaster, 140 individuals were diagnosed with
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which term best applies to these newly diagnosed
cases?
a. Prevalence
b. Comorbidity
c. Incidence
d. Parity ANSWER: C
Incidence refers to the number of new cases of mental disorders in a healthy population within
a given period of time. Prevalence describes the total number of cases, new and existing, in a
given population during a specific period of time, regardless of when they became ill. Parity
refers to equivalence, and legislation required insurers that provide mental health coverage to
, offer annual and lifetime benefits at the same level provided for medical–surgical coverage.
Comorbidity refers to having more than one mental disorder at a time.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 1-16 TOP: Nursing Process: Planning/Outcomes Identification
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
21. Which component of treatment of mental illness is specifically recognized by Quality and
Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)? a. All genomes are unique.
b. Care is centered on the patient.
c. Healthy development is vital to mental health.
d. Recovery occurs on a continuum from illness to health.
ANSWER: B
The key areas of care promoted by QSEN are patient-centered care, teamwork and
collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety, and informatics.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 1-14 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC:
Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
22. Select the best response for the nurse to a question from another health professional regarding
the difference between a diagnosis in DSM-V and a nursing diagnosis.
a. “There is no functional difference between the two. Both identify human disorders.”
b. “The DSM-V diagnosis disregards culture, whereas the nursing diagnosis takes culture
into account.”
c. “The DSM-V diagnosis describes causes of disorders whereas a nursing diagnosis does not
explore etiology.”
d. “The DSM-V diagnosis guides medical treatment, whereas the nursing diagnosis offers a
framework for identifying interventions for issues a patient is experiencing.”
ANSWER: D
The medical diagnosis is concerned with the patient’s disease state, causes, and cures,
whereas the nursing diagnosis focuses on the patient’s response to stress and possible caring
interventions. Both tools consider culture. The DSM-V is multiaxial. Nursing diagnoses also
consider potential problems.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Page 1-21 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
23. Which nursing intervention below is part of the scope of an advanced practice
psychiatric/mental health nurse rather than a basic level registered nurse? a. Coordination of
care
b. Health teaching
c. Milieu therapy
d. Psychotherapy
ANSWER: D
