Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing A Clinical 9th
Edition by Margaret Jordan Halter |Test
Bank|Chapter 1-36 UPDATED 2022
Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical
Approach, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. This nurse may expect an
advanced practice nurse to perform which additional intervention? a. Conduct
mental health assessments.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication.
c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
d. Individualize nursing care plans.
ANS: B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master‘s-prepared nurse
practitioners and clinical nurse specialists who have taken special courses on
prescribing medication. The nurse prepared at the basic level is permitted to perform
mental health assessments, establish relationships, and provide individualized care
planning.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 1-23
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
2. A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses ―lose all their
clinical nursing skills.‖ Select the best response by the mental health nurse.
a. ―Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse-
to-patient ratios must be better because of the nature of the patients‘ problems.‖
1
, Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing A Clinical 9th
Edition by Margaret Jordan Halter |Test
Bank|Chapter
b. ―Psychiatric nurses use complex1-36 UPDATED
communication 2022
skills as well as critical thinking
to solve multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those situations.‖
c. ―That‘s a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technology
monitoring equipment and manage complex intravenous therapies.‖
d. ―Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as
medical– surgical nurses do. That appeals to me.‖
ANS: B
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of skills than medical–
surgical nursing, though there is substantial overlap. Psychiatric nurses must be
able to help patients with medical as well as mental health problems, reflecting the
holistic perspective these nurses must have. Nurse–patient ratios and workloads in
psychiatric settings have increased, just like other specialties. Psychiatric nursing
involves clinical practice, not just documentation. Psychosocial pain and suffering
are as real as physical pain and suffering.
2
, Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing A Clinical 9th
Edition by Margaret Jordan Halter |Test
Bank|Chapter 1-36 UPDATED 2022
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-2, 21 TOP: Nursing Process:
Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
3
, Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nursing A Clinical 9th Edition by Margaret Jordan
Halter |Test Bank|Chapter 1-36 UPDATED 2022
3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons
diagnosed with mental illness, a group of nurses write letters to their elected
representatives in opposition to the legislation. Which role have the nurses fulfilled?
a. Recovery
b. Attending
c. Advocacy
d. Evidence-based practice
ANS: C
An advocate defends or asserts another‘s cause, particularly when the other person
lacks the ability to do that for self. Examples of individual advocacy include helping
patients understand their rights or make decisions. On a community scale, advocacy
includes political activity, public speaking, and publication in the interest of improving
the human condition.
Since funding is necessary to deliver quality programming for persons with mental
illness, the letter-writing campaign advocates for that cause on behalf of patients who
are unable to articulate their own needs.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 1-26
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A family has a long history of conflicted relationships among the members. Which
family member‘s comment best reflects a mentally healthy perspective?
a. ―I‘ve made mistakes but everyone else in this family has also.‖
b. ―I remember joy and mutual respect from our early years together.‖
c. ―I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family.‖
d. ―It‘s best for me to move away from my family. Things will never change.‖
4
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing A Clinical 9th
Edition by Margaret Jordan Halter |Test
Bank|Chapter 1-36 UPDATED 2022
Chapter 01: Mental Health and Mental Illness
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical
Approach, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. This nurse may expect an
advanced practice nurse to perform which additional intervention? a. Conduct
mental health assessments.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication.
c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
d. Individualize nursing care plans.
ANS: B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master‘s-prepared nurse
practitioners and clinical nurse specialists who have taken special courses on
prescribing medication. The nurse prepared at the basic level is permitted to perform
mental health assessments, establish relationships, and provide individualized care
planning.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 1-23
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
2. A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses ―lose all their
clinical nursing skills.‖ Select the best response by the mental health nurse.
a. ―Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse-
to-patient ratios must be better because of the nature of the patients‘ problems.‖
1
, Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing A Clinical 9th
Edition by Margaret Jordan Halter |Test
Bank|Chapter
b. ―Psychiatric nurses use complex1-36 UPDATED
communication 2022
skills as well as critical thinking
to solve multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those situations.‖
c. ―That‘s a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently use high technology
monitoring equipment and manage complex intravenous therapies.‖
d. ―Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as
medical– surgical nurses do. That appeals to me.‖
ANS: B
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of skills than medical–
surgical nursing, though there is substantial overlap. Psychiatric nurses must be
able to help patients with medical as well as mental health problems, reflecting the
holistic perspective these nurses must have. Nurse–patient ratios and workloads in
psychiatric settings have increased, just like other specialties. Psychiatric nursing
involves clinical practice, not just documentation. Psychosocial pain and suffering
are as real as physical pain and suffering.
2
, Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing A Clinical 9th
Edition by Margaret Jordan Halter |Test
Bank|Chapter 1-36 UPDATED 2022
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-2, 21 TOP: Nursing Process:
Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
3
, Test Bank Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nursing A Clinical 9th Edition by Margaret Jordan
Halter |Test Bank|Chapter 1-36 UPDATED 2022
3. When a new bill introduced in Congress reduces funding for care of persons
diagnosed with mental illness, a group of nurses write letters to their elected
representatives in opposition to the legislation. Which role have the nurses fulfilled?
a. Recovery
b. Attending
c. Advocacy
d. Evidence-based practice
ANS: C
An advocate defends or asserts another‘s cause, particularly when the other person
lacks the ability to do that for self. Examples of individual advocacy include helping
patients understand their rights or make decisions. On a community scale, advocacy
includes political activity, public speaking, and publication in the interest of improving
the human condition.
Since funding is necessary to deliver quality programming for persons with mental
illness, the letter-writing campaign advocates for that cause on behalf of patients who
are unable to articulate their own needs.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 1-26
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A family has a long history of conflicted relationships among the members. Which
family member‘s comment best reflects a mentally healthy perspective?
a. ―I‘ve made mistakes but everyone else in this family has also.‖
b. ―I remember joy and mutual respect from our early years together.‖
c. ―I will make some changes in my behavior for the good of the family.‖
d. ―It‘s best for me to move away from my family. Things will never change.‖
4
