Mental Health Nursing: cram pack

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

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

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 tool is widely used to screen for delirium at the bedside?

  1. AThe Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS)
  2. BThe CAGE questionnaire
  3. CThe CIWA-Ar
  4. DThe Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
2.Mental health nursingHard

In the working phase of the relationship, a patient who has been talking openly starts missing sessions and changes the subject whenever her childhood is mentioned. What is the best interpretation?

  1. AShe may be showing resistance as painful topics come closer, which the nurse can gently explore
  2. BThe nurse has made a serious mistake and should hand her care to a colleague immediately
  3. CShe no longer needs any help, so the sessions should end at once
  4. DShe is being rude to the nurse on purpose and should be warned
3.Clinical psychologyMedium

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

  1. ABehaviour that follows the event
  2. BBodily sensations during stress
  3. CBeliefs about the activating event
  4. DBackground of the client
4.Clinical psychologyHard

A therapist using exposure therapy discovers that the client silently repeats "I'm safe" during sessions and is making little progress. What is the best explanation?

  1. AThe client needs more relaxation training before any further exposure is attempted
  2. BThe phrase is a positive symptom of psychosis
  3. CExposure therapy never works for anxiety
  4. DThe phrase acts as a safety behaviour that prevents full learning from exposure
5.PharmacologyMedium

Which adverse effect of ciprofloxacin should a patient report at once?

  1. ADarker stools than usual
  2. BA slightly bitter or metallic taste for a while after each dose
  3. CPain or swelling in a tendon, such as the Achilles tendon
  4. DMild tiredness in the first few days
6.PharmacologyHard

Why do infants absorb more of a topical corticosteroid than adults?

  1. AInfants do not absorb topical drugs at all
  2. BTheir liver changes the cream into a much stronger form
  3. CThey have more skin area per kilogram and thinner skin
  4. DTheir skin contains no blood vessels

3Solutions

1.Mental health nursing

Answer: D · The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)

Why this is the answer

The CAM checks for acute onset and fluctuating course, inattention, and either disorganised thinking or an altered level of consciousness. Other tools, such as the 4AT, are also used.

Answer

D · The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
2.Mental health nursing

Answer: A · She may be showing resistance as painful topics come closer, which the nurse can gently explore

Why this is the answer

Resistance, such as avoiding topics or missing sessions, is common in the working phase when anxiety-provoking issues arise. The nurse notes the pattern without blame and explores it with the patient at her pace.

Answer

A · She may be showing resistance as painful topics come closer, which the nurse can gently explore
3.Clinical psychology

Answer: C · 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

C · Beliefs about the activating event
4.Clinical psychology

Answer: D · The phrase acts as a safety behaviour that prevents full learning from exposure

Why this is the answer

Covert safety behaviours, such as mental rituals, let clients attribute their safety to the behaviour rather than learning the situation is safe. Therapists aim to identify and drop them.

Answer

D · The phrase acts as a safety behaviour that prevents full learning from exposure
5.Pharmacology

Answer: C · Pain or swelling in a tendon, such as the Achilles tendon

Why this is the answer

Fluoroquinolones can cause tendinitis and tendon rupture. Patients should stop exercise and report tendon pain promptly.

Answer

C · Pain or swelling in a tendon, such as the Achilles tendon
6.Pharmacology

Answer: C · They have more skin area per kilogram and thinner skin

Why this is the answer

Infants have a high surface area-to-weight ratio and a thinner skin barrier, so topical drugs reach higher systemic levels. Nappies can act as an occlusive dressing and increase absorption further.

Answer

C · They have more skin area per kilogram and thinner skin

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/mental-health-nursing