Question 1

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

Words that the patient makes up are called neologisms.A.B.D.These terms do not describe the action of the patient making up words.

Question 2

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

The patient may feel confused and forgetful immediately after ECT.This can be from a combination of the ECT and the medication that was used before the treatment.A.B.D.The nurse should be truthful in responding to the patient's questions.These responses avoid and do not answer the patient's question.

Question 3

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

The goals of psychotherapy include reduce the patient's emotional discomfort,increasing the level of the patient's social functioning,and increasing the ability of the patient to behave or perform in a manner appropriate to the situation.A.Body relaxation occurs with progressive muscle relaxation therapy.C.Clarifying the meaning of events occurs in psychodynamic therapy.

Question 4

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

Asking why,changing the subject,and agreeing or disagreeing can block communication.A.E.Appropriate use of silence and verbalizing the implied are therapeutic.

Question 5

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

For progressive muscle therapy,patients are taught to start at the head and neck and systematically tense and then relax muscle groups as they progress toward the lower extremities.Soft music may enhance the patient's ability to fully relax.E.Imaging a pleasurable experience from the past is used in guided imagery.

Question 6

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

Mental illness can be defined as experiencing impaired ability to think,difficulty coping with reality,and difficult forming personal relationships.B.D.These findings indicate a strong mental health.

Question 7

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

The patient is demonstrating an alteration in memory.Inability to accurately perform long-term recall exercises may indicate symptoms of delirium or dementia.A.Speech is the appropriate use of words and terms.C.Orientation is an assessment of present place,person,and time.D.Mood and affect are the objective and subjective assessment of the patient's stated feelings and emotions.

Question 8

A patient who has been diagnosed with a mental illness tells the nurse about plans to find a voodoo doctor.How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

Giving advice is not the role of the nurse.The nurse can help the patient to explore options or focus thinking.In this instance,the nurse can refer the comment to the psychiatrist,who is licensed to make treatment recommendations.A.D.These statements imply that the nurse knows what is best.C.This statement does not strengthen the patient-care provider relationship.

Question 9

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

Some mental health symptoms can be caused by physical illness.Laboratory tests are done to rule out problems such as electrolyte imbalances,hypothyroidism,infections,dehydration,drug toxicity,or pregnancy.A.B.Electrolyte imbalances can cause symptoms but do not cause mental illness.D.There is no evidence in the question that the patient takes illicit drugs.

Question 10

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

The use of positive and negative reinforcement is a type of behavior management.The staff must be sure to avoid violating the Patient's Bill of Rights when performing behavior management with patients.A signed consent from the patient is advised when using this form of therapy.A.The health care provider (HCP)does not need to specifically order these approaches.B.Medications for orders are not needed before implementing these approaches.C.Restraints need to be prescribed by an HCP before using.

Question 11

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

Restating is a therapeutic communication technique that repeats the main idea of what the patient has verbalized.D.A general lead is a statement such as "I see ..." or "Go on ..." B.Reflecting refers a statement or question back to the patient.C.Giving recognition acknowledges something the patient has done.

Question 12

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

Projection is blaming others.It is a mental or verbal "finger-pointing" at another for the patient's own problem.D.Repression is an unconscious "burying" or "forgetting" mechanism.B.Denial is an unconscious refusal to see reality.A.Anger is a response,usually to a perceived threat.

Question 13

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

Coping is the way one adapts psychologically,physically,and behaviorally to a stressor.B.C.D.These statements might be a part of coping however does not capture the best general definition.

Question 14

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

Judgment refers to a patient's ability to make appropriate decisions about his or her situation or to understand concepts and is often tested by asking the meaning of a proverb.D.Awareness and orientation are assessed by asking questions related to person,place,and time.A.Memory is tested by asking the patient to recall recent or remote events.C.Mood and affect are assessed by determining if the patient's expression,body language,and emotional condition match the patient's circumstances.

Question 15

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

Three qualities are essential for caregivers: empathy,which is the ability to identify with the patient's feelings without actually experiencing them with the patient; unconditional positive regard (respect); and genuineness or honesty.E.F.Friendship and sympathy (feeling sorry for the patient)are not necessarily therapeutic.A.Humor may not be perceived as intended by patients with mental health disorders and is best used cautiously.

Question 16

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

Restitution attempts to make amends for a behavior one thinks is unacceptable,to reduce feelings of guilt.B.Regression is turning to an earlier,less stressful time in life.C.Reaction formation involves developing a trait or belief that is opposite to something the patient cannot have (overcompensation).D.A conversion reaction channels psychological discomfort into physical symptoms.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Therapeutic communication is accomplished through the deliberate use of verbal and nonverbal techniques.The technique of focusing involves concentrating on a single idea or event,in this instance,how the young woman feels when she holds the infant.A.C.D.The other responses are not patient focused,are closed-ended,and do not exemplify therapeutic communication techniques.

Question 18

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 therapeutic milieu is an environment that provides containment,support,structure,involvement,and validation during the patient's stay.In this case,it will help keep the patient psychologically safe while undergoing care for a physiological problem.B.The patient is likely already receiving antipsychotic agents.C.D.Psychotherapy and exploring feelings are not the priority at this time-keeping the patient safe for surgery is the priority.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Canceling nonessential activities to study helps the student reach the goal of knowing the information and passing the test.A.Not worrying will not help the student pass the test.B.Staying up all night will cause the student to be tired and not think clearly.C.Borrowing notes may help but is not as reliable as a book or other good study habits.

Question 20

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

Norepinephrine,dopamine,and serotonin may be decreased in depression.C.D.Acetylcholine and substance P may be increased.

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