Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health
Nursing a Clinical Approach 9th Edition by Margaret
Jordan Halter
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,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 nursing practitioner completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. This nursing
practitioner 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.
CORRECT ANSWER->>>>> B
In most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master’s-prepared nursing practitioner
practitioners andclinical nursing practitioner specialists who have taken special courses on
prescribing medication. The nursing practitioner prepared at the basic level is permitted to
perform mental health assessments, establish relationships, and provide individualized care
planning.
POINTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 1-23
TOP:Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Patient 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.”
b. “Psychiatric nurses use complex communication 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.”
CORRECT ANSWER->>>>> 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.
POINTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-2, 21 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Patient Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
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, 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
CORRECT ANSWER->>>>> 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.
POINTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 1-26
TOP:Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Patient 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.”
CORRECT ANSWER->>>>> C
The correct response demonstrates the best evidence of a healthy recognition of the
importance of relationships. Mental health includes rational thinking, communication skills,
learning, emotional growth, resilience, and self-esteem. Recalling joy from earlier in life may
be healthy, but the correct response shows a higher level of mental health. The other incorrect
responses show blaming and avoidance.
POINTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis)
REF: Pages 1-2, 3, 32 (Figure 1-1) TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC:
Patient Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
5. Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a patient may be experiencing a mental
illness? The patient
a. reports occasional sleeplessness and anxiety.
b. reports a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood.
c. is able to describe the difference between “as if” and “for real.”
d. perceives difficulty making a decision about whether to change jobs.
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, CORRECT ANSWER->>>>> B
The correct response describes a mood alteration, which reflects mental illness. The
distracters describe behaviors that are mentally healthy or within the usual scope of human
experience.
POINTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-2 to 4 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Patient Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
6. Which finding best indicates that the goal “Demonstrate mentally healthy behavior” was
achieved for an adult patient? The patient
a. sees self as capable of achieving ideals and meeting demands.
b. behaves without considering the consequences of personal actions.
c. aggressively meets own needs without considering the rights of others.
d. seeks help from others when assuming responsibility for major areas of own life.
CORRECT ANSWER->>>>> A
The correct response describes an adaptive, healthy behavior. The distracters describe
maladaptive behaviors.
POINTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-2 to 4 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Patient Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A nursing practitioner encounters an unfamiliar psychiatric disorder on a new patient’s
admission form. Which resource should the nursing practitioner consult to determine criteria
used to establish this diagnosis? a.
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems
(ICD-10)
b. The ANA’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
c. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V)
d. A behavioral health reference manual
CORRECT ANSWER->>>>> C
The DSM-V gives the criteria used to diagnose each mental disorder. It is the official guideline
for diagnosing psychiatric disorders. The distracters may not contain diagnostic criteria for a
psychiatric illness.
POINTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 1-18, 19 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Patient Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
8. A nursing practitioner wants to find a description of diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders.
Which resourcewould have the most complete information?
a. Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)
b. DSM-V
c. The ANA’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice d. ICD-10
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