Question 1

The nurse is caring for a patient who is verbalizing concerns related to a difficult relationship.Which responses by the nurse will block communication and should be avoided? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Using silence
B)   Asking "why"
C)   Changing the subject
D)   Agreeing or disagreeing
E)   Verbalizing the implied B,C,D

Question 2

The nurse is assisting a patient identify coping mechanisms.What general definition of "coping" is the nurse most likely using with this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   The way one adapts to a stressor
B)   The adaptation to mental health problems
C)   The use of specific mechanisms to reduce anxiety
D)   The development of unconscious behaviors to reduce psychological distress A

Question 3

A student feels anxious about being unprepared for an upcoming test.Which action is a positive response to this anxiety?

Accepted Answer

A)   Canceling nonessential activities for 3 days to study
B)   Staying up all night the night before the test to study
C)   Borrowing notes from another student who has had the class in the past
D)   Choosing not to worry about studying because grades have been good so far A

Question 4

After being admitted for a surgical procedure a patient with a history of schizophrenia becomes extremely agitated when other patients are around and believes that others want to cause the patient harm.Which intervention should the nurse use to provide a therapeutic milieu for the patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   Place the patient in a private room.
B)   Request an order for antipsychotic medications.
C)   Help the patient clarify the meaning of the feelings.
D)   Suggest the patient be scheduled for a psychotherapy session.

Question 5

Staff on a mental health unit routinely uses positive and negative reinforcement when caring for patients with mental health disorders.What needs to be done before the staff can implement these approaches?

Accepted Answer

A)   Have a health care provider order to use the approaches.
B)   Ensure all patients have medication orders for sedatives.
C)   Place a set of 4 point restraints within each patient's room.
D)   Have the patient sign a consent form agreeing to this approach.

Question 6

A patient recovering from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)for severe depression is confused and wants to know what has been done.What action by the nurse is best?

Accepted Answer

A)   Administer a sedative to help calm the patient.
B)   Call the physician and report the patient's response.
C)   Explain that the patient is in the hospital and has just had ECT.
D)   Encourage the patient to go back to sleep until the pre-procedure medication has worn off.

Question 7

After collecting data the nurse is concerned that a patient is at risk for developing a mental illness.What findings caused the nurse to come to this conclusion? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Difficulty thinking
B)   Discussed the use of daily exercise to deal with stress
C)   Made statements indicating being out of touch with reality
D)   Expressed remorse in having to leave a pet dog with a neighbor
E)   Explaining a lack of friends because everyone is jealous of the patient

Question 8

A patient with a suspected mental health disorder having blood drawn to check electrolyte levels asks what blood work have to do with mental health.Which response by the nurse is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Electrolyte imbalances are the cause of certain mental health disorders."
B)   "Some mental health disorders cause the electrolytes to be out of balance."
C)   "The doctor wants to make sure your symptoms are not caused by a physical problem."
D)   "People with mental illnesses frequently take illicit drugs that can cause electrolyte imbalances."

Question 9

During initial assessment of mental health status,the nurse asks a patient to interpret a familiar proverb and explain what it means.Which area/aspect of the patient's mental status is the nurse assessing?

Accepted Answer

A)   Memory
B)   Judgment
C)   Mood and affect
D)   Level of awareness and orientation

Question 10

After talking with a patient being evaluated for a mental health disorder,the nurse says,"It sounds as if you are feeling angry." Which therapeutic communication technique is the nurse employing?

Accepted Answer

A)   Restating
B)   Reflecting
C)   Giving recognition
D)   Offering a general lead

Question 11

The nurse is preparing to establish a relationship with a newly admitted patient.On which qualities should the nurse focus when creating this nurse-patient relationship? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Humor
B)   Respect
C)   Honesty
D)   Empathy
E)   SympathyF)  Friendship

Question 12

A young mother is angry with the mess her son has made in his room.She yells at him and tells him to stay in his room until it is cleaned up.About 20 minutes later,the mother enters the boy's room offering him milk and cookies.Which ego defense mechanism is the mother using?

Accepted Answer

A)   Restitution
B)   Regression
C)   Reaction formation
D)   Conversion reaction

Question 13

During a mental status assessment a patient cannot remember the name of a childhood neighborhood.In which aspect of the assessment is the patient demonstrating an alteration?

Accepted Answer

A)   Speech
B)   Memory
C)   Orientation
D)   Mood and affect

Question 14

A patient diagnosed with a mental illness is being considered for psychotherapy.What should the nurse realize are the goals for this treatment? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Relaxing the body
B)   Improve social interactions
C)   Clarify the meaning of events
D)   Reduce emotional discomfort
E)   Enhance performance in situations

Question 15

The nurse is caring for a patient experiencing depression.Which neurotransmitters should the nurse consider being decreased in this patient? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Serotonin
B)   Dopamine
C)   Substance P
D)   Acetylcholine
E)   Norepinephrine

Question 16

The nurse is caring for a patient experiencing anxiety.Which techniques should the nurse use when instructing on progressive muscle relaxation therapy? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Start at the head and neck.
B)   End with the lower extremities.
C)   Play soft music to aid with relaxation.
D)   Systematically tense and relax muscle groups.
E)   Imaging a pleasurable experience from the past.

Question 17

A student is angry about failing a test at school and accuses the teacher of trying to fail everyone.What type of response is the student demonstrating?

Accepted Answer

A)   Anger
B)   Denial
C)   Projection
D)   Repression

Question 18

While providing care a teenage mother expresses ambivalence about her new role as a parent.Which response by the nurse is best?

Accepted Answer

A)   "I'll call the social worker so you can discuss adoption."
B)   "Tell me more about how you feel when you hold the baby."
C)   "Parenthood is certainly not for everyone, you shouldn't feel guilty about that."
D)   "I'm sure your own parents felt the same way when you were small, you should talk to your mom."

Question 19

The nurse is visiting the home of a patient with a mental health disorder.What should the nurse ensure during this home visit? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Status of suicide ideation
B)   Ability to provide self-care safely
C)   Patient's risk of falling in the home
D)   Number of family members who visit
E)   Compliance with prescribed medications

Question 20

A patient with schizophrenia states,"I'm going to the fribity to see a megnat." What term should the nurse use to describe this language?

Accepted Answer

A)   Imagery
B)   Soliloquy
C)   Neologisms
D)   Conversions

Exam 56: Mental Health Function, Assessment, and Therapeutic Measures