Key Concepts in Mental Health Nursing Exam 1

When can medication be administered to a patient who refuses it?

When the patient physically attacks another patient after being confronted in group therapy.

What is considered an action when witnessing unethical behavior?

Taking no action is still considered an action.

What is an example of regression in behavior?

An adult throws a temper tantrum when they don't get their way.

According to Erikson, what should a 35-year-old male living with his mother be focusing on?

Achieving life goals and focusing on family goals.

What coping strategies can help a nurse under stress?

Enjoying a pet, spending time with loved ones, listening to music, and journaling feelings.

What does a patient mean when they say, 'I have a wonderful mother' while hating her?

This is an example of reaction formation.

What condition is indicated by a patient feeling a sense of doom and unable to concentrate in rehab?

Severe panic anxiety.

What does a patient experience if they have episodes of sweaty palms and palpitations?

These symptoms indicate a perceived threat, which is a definition of anxiety.

What coping mechanism is demonstrated by a patient who suppresses thoughts of a suicide attempt?

Suppression.

What is an appropriate response to a patient experiencing regular stress?

Discuss how past experiences influence their current feelings.

What can a mental health exam reveal about a patient?

It reflects their cognitive ability.

What is displacement in psychology?

Criticizing a co-worker while being angry with the boss.

When is it said that a person is experiencing a mental disorder?

When maladaptive coping responses to stressors interfere with daily functioning.

What is the best response by a nurse when a patient discusses divorce?

How do you feel about the possibility of divorce?

What can be expected from a patient with sustained stress?

A decreased resistance to disease.

According to Freud, what does feeling guilt indicate?

An active superego.

What should a nurse do if a patient speaks little English and a translator is unavailable?

Use simple words, avoid medical terms, and give one instruction at a time.

What does providing food from a patient's native culture convey?

It conveys acceptance of their beliefs and identity.

What should a nurse do when asked about a patient's presence by a caller?

Refuse to give information, citing confidentiality rules.

What should a nurse do when a voluntarily committed patient becomes verbally abusive?

Attempt to establish a good working relationship with the client.

What should be included when assessing mental status?

Speech, mood, affect, and thought (SMAT).

What is an example of orientation in a mental status exam?

Asking a patient to identify the time, day, and location.

What might a patient expressing paranoia and incongruent emotions exhibit?

A blunted or flat affect.

What should a nurse do if a schizophrenic patient refuses to complete an interview?

Offer the patient something to eat and convey trust.

What is the nurse doing in the orientation phase with a violent patient?

Establishing rapport and developing treatment goals.

What indicates progress in the termination phase of therapy?

Reviewing the progress made during the time together.

How can rapport be established with a patient?

Through attentive listening, observation, and focused questions.

What is a strategy for nurses in the orientation stage?

Providing information and planning with the patient.

What indicates a nurse is in the working phase of therapy?

Helping the patient gain insight into their illness.

What are the steps of the problem-solving model?

Identify the problem, find alternatives, weigh advantages and disadvantages.

What should a nurse do when a patient demonstrates transference?

Help the patient sort the past from the present.

What is essential when developing a therapeutic relationship?

Being genuine.

What is a therapeutic response to a mother feeling guilty for not saving all her children?

Sounds as if you're feeling guilty because you weren't able to save all of your children.

What is a therapeutic response to a patient expressing anger about their doctor?

Sounds as if you're feeling angry.

What indicates a successful termination phase in nursing?

Reviewing the progress made during the time together.

What should a nurse say to a student worried about providing advice?

Remember patients, not nurses, are responsible for their life choices.

What is an appropriate response to a patient swearing at a nurse?

I see that you are upset, but it makes me uncomfortable when you swear at me.

What should a nurse clarify before forming a therapeutic relationship?

Their own attitudes, values, feelings, and biases.

What is a therapeutic response to a patient worried about surgery?

Tell me more about your concerns about tomorrow.

What is a therapeutic statement when transitioning into the working phase?

Which identified problems would you like to initially address?

What should a nurse do when a patient is silent after their mother's death?

Remain next to the patient and be attentive.

What is transference in a psychiatric context?

When a patient displaces feelings onto the nurse because the nurse reminds them of someone else.

What conveys empathy to a patient feeling depressed after leaving an alcoholic husband?

I can understand that you're feeling depressed right now.

Counseling a grieving patient who is expressing rage over the death of their child. One year later the

nurse finds out this patient became a competitive marathon runner. What is this an example of?

Sublimation (acknowledges emotions and actively channels them into something beneficial)

What is rationalization in the context of a patient refusing treatment?

Attempting to make excuses for logical reasoning.

What do defense mechanisms represent?

They can be an appropriate response to stress.

What should a nurse say to a patient expressing feelings of having no purpose and asks for it to not be told to anyone?

Sorry, I cannot keep that kind of secret when it comes to danger to yourself or others.

When can pertinent medical information be released without patient consent?

During a life-threatening situation.