Question 1

A patient shows the nurse an article from the Internet about a health problem. Which characteristic of the web site's address most alerts the nurse that the site may have biased and prejudiced information?

Accepted Answer

A)   Address ends in ".org"
B)   Address ends in ".com"
C)   Address ends in ".gov"
D)   Address ends in ".net" B

Question 2

A nurse consistently strives to demonstrate caring behaviors during interactions with patients. Which reaction by a patient indicates this nurse is effective? A patient reports feeling:

Accepted Answer

A)   distrustful of others.
B)   connected with others.
C)   uneasy about the future.
D)   discouraged with efforts to improve. B

Question 3

An informal group of patients discuss their perceptions of nursing care. Which comment best indicates a patient's perception that his or her nurse is caring?

Accepted Answer

A)   "My nurse always asks me which type of juice I want to help me swallow my medication."
B)   "My nurse explained my treatment plan to me and asked for my ideas about how to make it better."
C)   "My nurse told me that if I take all the medicines the doctor prescribes I will get discharged soon."
D)   "My nurse spends time listening to me talk about my problems. That helps me feel like I'm not alone." D

Question 4

An experienced nurse says to a new graduate, "When you've practiced as long as I have, you will instantly know how to take care of psychotic patients." What is the new graduate's best analysis of this comment? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   The experienced nurse may have lost sight of patients' individuality, which may compromise the integrity of practice.
B)   New research findings must be continually integrated into a nurse's practice to provide the most effective care.
C)   Experience provides mental health nurses with the tools and skills needed for effective professional practice.
D)   Experienced psychiatric nurses have learned the best ways to care for psychotic patients through trial and error.
E)   Effective psychiatric nurses should be continually guided by an intuitive sense of patients' needs.

Question 5

A bill introduced in Congress would reduce funding for the care of people diagnosed with mental illnesses. A group of nurses write letters to their elected representatives in opposition to the legislation. Which role have the nurses fulfilled?

Accepted Answer

A)   Advocacy
B)   Attending
C)   Recovery
D)   Evidence-based practice

Question 6

In the shift-change report, an off-going nurse criticizes a patient who wears heavy makeup. Which comment by the nurse who receives the report best demonstrates advocacy?

Accepted Answer

A)   "This is a psychiatric hospital, so we expect our patients to behave bizarrely."
B)   "Let's all show acceptance of this patient by wearing lots of makeup too."
C)   "Your comments are inconsiderate and inappropriate. Keep the report objective."
D)   "Our patients need our help to learn behaviors that will help them get along in society."

Question 7

Which outcome, focused on recovery, would be expected in the plan of care for a patient living in the community and diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness? Within 3 months, the patient will:

Accepted Answer

A)   deny suicidal ideation.
B)   report a sense of well-being.
C)   take medications as prescribed.
D)   attend clinic appointments on time.

Question 8

A patient who immigrated to the United States from Honduras was diagnosed with schizophrenia. The patient took an antipsychotic medication for 3 weeks but showed no improvement. Which resource should the treatment team consult for information on more effective medications for this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   Clinical algorithm
B)   Clinical pathway
C)   Clinical practice guideline
D)   International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (IC
D)

Question 9

Two nursing students discuss career plans after graduation. One student wants to enter psychiatric nursing. The other student asks, "Why would you want to be a psychiatric nurse? All they do is talk. You will lose your skills." Select the best response by the student interested in psychiatric nursing.

Accepted Answer

A)   "Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties and nurse-to-patient ratios are better because of the nature of patients' problems."
B)   "Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills, as well as critical thinking, to solve multidimensional problems. I'm challenged by those situations."
C)   "I think I will be good in the mental health field. I do not like clinical rotations in school, so I do not want to continue them after I graduate."
D)   "Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as medical surgical nurses. That appeals to me."

Question 10

A patient is hospitalized for depression and suicidal ideation after their spouse asks for a divorce. Select the nurse's most caring comment.

Accepted Answer

A)   "Let's discuss some means of coping other than suicide when you have these feelings."
B)   "I understand why you're so depressed. When I got divorced, I was devastated too."
C)   "You should forget about your marriage and move on with your life."
D)   "How did you get so depressed that hospitalization was necessary?"

Question 11

Which patient statements identify qualities of nursing practice with high therapeutic value? (Select all that apply.) "My nurse:

Accepted Answer

A)   talks in language I can understand."
B)   helps me keep track of my medications."
C)   is willing to go to social activities with me."
D)   lets me do whatever I choose without interfering."
E)   looks at me as a whole person with different needs."

Question 12

Which research evidence would most influence a group of nurses to change their practice?

Accepted Answer

A)   Expert committee report of recommendations for practice
B)   Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
C)   Non-experimental descriptive study
D)   Critical pathway

Question 13

A team of nurses wants to integrate evidence-based practice into a facility's clinical pathways. Which step should the team implement first?

Accepted Answer

A)   Acquire findings from published literature.
B)   Apply the research findings to clinical practice.
C)   Assess the outcomes of using new research findings.
D)   Ask questions to identify clinical problems that should be changed.

Question 14

A nurse assesses a newly admitted patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which statement is an example of "attending"?

Accepted Answer

A)   "We all have stress in life. Being in a psychiatric hospital is not the end of the world."
B)   "Tell me why you felt you had to be hospitalized to receive treatment for your depression."
C)   "You will feel better after we get some antidepressant medication started for you."
D)   "I'd like to sit with you a while so you may feel more comfortable talking with me."

Question 15

A nurse says, "When I was in school, I learned to call upset patients by name to get their attention; however, I read a descriptive research study that says that this approach does not work. I plan to stop calling patients by name." Which statement is the best appraisal of this nurse's comment?

Accepted Answer

A)   One descriptive research study rarely provides enough evidence to change practice.
B)   Staff nurses apply new research findings only with the help from clinical nurse specialists.
C)   New research findings should be incorporated into clinical algorithms before using them in practice.
D)   The nurse misinterpreted the results of the study. Classic tenets of practice do not change.

Exam 1: Practicing the Science and Art of Psychiatric Nursing