Chapter 1: Foundations of psychiatric-
mental health nursing Questions and
Correct Answers
1. The nurse is assessing the factors contributing to the well-being of a newly admitted client. Which of
the following would the nurse identify as having a positive impact on the individual's mental health?
A) Not needing others for companionship
B) The ability to effectively manage stress
C) A family history of mental illness
D) Striving for total self-reliance - correct answers:Ans: B
Feedback:
Individual factors influencing mental health include biologic makeup, autonomy, independence, self-
esteem, capacity for growth, vitality, ability to find meaning in life, emotional resilience or hardiness,
sense of belonging, reality orientation, and coping or stress management abilities. Interpersonal factors
such as intimacy and a balance of separateness and connectedness are both needed for good mental
health, and therefore a healthy person would need others for companionship. A family history of mental
illness could relate to the biologic makeup of an individual, which may have a negative impact on an
individual's mental health, as well as a negative impact on an individual's interpersonal and social-
cultural factors of health. Total self-reliance is not possible, and a positive social/cultural factor is access
to adequate resources.
2. Which of the following statements about mental illness are true? Select all that apply.
A) Mental illness can cause significant distress, impaired functioning, or both.
B) Mental illness is only due to social/cultural factors.
C) Social/cultural factors that relate to mental illness include excessive dependency on or withdrawal
from relationships.
D) Individuals suffering from mental illness are usually able to cope effectively with daily life.
E) Individuals suffering from mental illness may experience dissatisfaction with relationships and self. -
correct answers:Ans: A, D, E
Feedback:
Mental illness can cause significant distress, impaired functioning, or both. Mental illness may be related
to individual, interpersonal, or social/cultural factors. Excessive dependency on or withdrawal from
relationships are interpersonal factors that relate to mental illness. Individuals suffering from mental
, illness can feel overwhelmed with daily life. Individuals suffering from mental illness may experience
dissatisfaction with relationships and self.
3. Which of the following are true regarding mental health and mental illness?
A) Behavior that may be viewed as acceptable in one culture is always unacceptable in other cultures.
B) It is easy to determine if a person is mentally healthy or mentally ill.
C) In most cases, mental health is a state of emotional, psychological, and social wellness evidenced by
satisfying interpersonal relationships, effective behavior and coping, positive self-concept, and emotional
stability.
D) Persons who engage in fantasies are mentally ill. - correct answers:Ans: C
Feedback:
What one society may view as acceptable and appropriate behavior, another society may see that as
maladaptive, and inappropriate. Mental health and mental illness are difficult to define precisely. In most
cases, mental health is a state of emotional, psychological, and social wellness evidenced by satisfying
interpersonal relationships, effective behavior and coping, positive self-concept, and emotional stability.
Persons who engage in fantasies may be mentally healthy, but the inability to distinguish reality from
fantasy is an individual factor that may contribute to mental illness.
4. A client grieving the recent loss of her husband asks if she is becoming mentally ill because she is so
sad. The nurse's best response would be,
A) "You may have a temporary mental illness because you are experiencing so much pain."
B) "You are not mentally ill. This is an expected reaction to the loss you have experienced."
C) "Were you generally dissatisfied with your relationship before your husband's death?"
D) "Try not to worry about that right now. You never know what the future brings." - correct
answers:Ans: B
Feedback:
Mental illness includes general dissatisfaction with self, ineffective relationships, ineffective coping, and
lack of personal growth. Additionally the behavior must not be culturally expected. Acute grief reactions
are expected and therefore not considered mental illness. False reassurance or overanalysis does not
accurately address the client's concerns.
5. The nurse consults the DSM for which of the following purposes?
A) To devise a plan of care for a newly admitted client
