Mental Health Nursing: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 6 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Mental health nursing

Method

  1. Decide whether there is an immediate risk: suicide, violence, a drug emergency or a physical illness.
  2. Act on safety first: observe, remove means, de-escalate, stop a harmful drug, get help.
  3. Choose the therapeutic response: acknowledge feelings, present reality, avoid false reassurance and “why” questions.
  4. Respect rights: the least restrictive option, consent and confidentiality with its limits.

2Practice problems

1.Mental health nursingMedium

Which information is essential when documenting the use of physical restraint?

  1. AThe reason for it, alternatives tried, start and end times, and the observations made
  2. BThe full names of the other patients who saw the incident
  3. CThe nurse's personal opinion of the patient's character and attitude
  4. DOnly the time the restraint started and the name of the nurse in charge of the shift
2.Mental health nursingHard

While caring for a highly anxious patient, a nurse notices her own heart racing and her speech getting faster. What is most important?

  1. ARecognise that anxiety spreads between people, and calm herself first
  2. BIgnore her own reaction, because the nurse's feelings do not matter in patient care
  3. CLeave the patient immediately and not return
  4. DMatch the patient's level of anxiety to show empathy
3.Clinical psychologyMedium

In Ellis's ABC model, what does "B" stand for?

  1. ABeliefs about the activating event
  2. BBehaviour that follows the event
  3. CBodily sensations during stress
  4. DBackground of the client
4.Clinical psychologyHard

Which brain finding has been repeatedly reported in groups of people with schizophrenia compared with controls?

  1. AAn enlarged frontal lobe in all patients
  2. BA tumour in the pituitary gland
  3. CEnlarged lateral ventricles
  4. DA complete absence of the hippocampus
5.PharmacologyMedium

A patient is starting lamotrigine. Which adverse effect should the patient report at once?

  1. AMild headache on the first day
  2. BAny new skin rash
  3. CSlight tiredness in the afternoon
  4. DA brief change in taste
6.PharmacologyHard

A patient with an epidural infusion of local anaesthetic becomes hypotensive. What is the most likely mechanism?

  1. AThe local anaesthetic causes a severe allergic reaction
  2. BThe epidural catheter has caused heavy bleeding
  3. CBlockade of sympathetic nerves causes vasodilation
  4. DThe drug increases urine output and causes dehydration

3Solutions

1.Mental health nursing

Answer: A · The reason for it, alternatives tried, start and end times, and the observations made

Why this is the answer

Documentation records the reason, alternatives tried, who authorised and carried out the restraint, when it started and ended, the observations made and any injuries. This supports safety and accountability.

Answer

A · The reason for it, alternatives tried, start and end times, and the observations made
2.Mental health nursing

Answer: A · Recognise that anxiety spreads between people, and calm herself first

Why this is the answer

Anxiety can be communicated between people. A nurse who notices and manages her own anxiety can provide a calm, steady presence that helps reduce the patient's anxiety.

Answer

A · Recognise that anxiety spreads between people, and calm herself first
3.Clinical psychology

Answer: A · Beliefs about the activating event

Why this is the answer

In the ABC model, an Activating event leads to emotional Consequences through the person's Beliefs. Changing irrational beliefs changes the consequences.

Answer

A · Beliefs about the activating event
4.Clinical psychology

Answer: C · Enlarged lateral ventricles

Why this is the answer

Enlarged ventricles and reduced grey matter are found on average in schizophrenia. The differences are group averages and are not diagnostic for individuals.

Answer

C · Enlarged lateral ventricles
5.Pharmacology

Answer: B · Any new skin rash

Why this is the answer

Lamotrigine can cause serious skin reactions such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome. The dose is increased slowly, especially with valproate, and any rash must be assessed promptly.

Answer

B · Any new skin rash
6.Pharmacology

Answer: C · Blockade of sympathetic nerves causes vasodilation

Why this is the answer

Epidural local anaesthetics block sympathetic fibres as well as sensory nerves. This dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, so fluids, position changes or vasopressors may be needed.

Answer

C · Blockade of sympathetic nerves causes vasodilation

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