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

What is the key difference between factitious disorder and malingering?

  1. AMalingering is a severe mental disorder, while factitious disorder is not classed as a mental disorder at all
  2. BIn factitious disorder, the symptoms are not produced on purpose at all
  3. CIn factitious disorder, the aim is to be seen as ill; in malingering, the aim is an external reward
  4. DThere is no real difference between them, and both terms mean exactly the same thing
2.Mental health nursingHard

The family of a patient with schizophrenia asks how they can tell if he is becoming unwell again. Which signs should the nurse teach them to watch for?

  1. AMild dry mouth in the first week of a new medicine
  2. BPoor sleep, withdrawal from others and increasing suspiciousness
  3. CA better appetite and more interest in his hobbies
  4. DTalking more openly with his family about his feelings and his plans for the future
3.Clinical psychologyMedium

The key difference between factitious disorder and malingering is that in malingering:

  1. ASymptoms are produced unconsciously without any intention
  2. BSymptoms are faked for an obvious external reward such as money or avoiding work
  3. CThe person truly has a physical illness
  4. DThe person seeks to take on the sick role itself, without any obvious external gain
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 phrase acts as a safety behaviour that prevents full learning from exposure
  2. BThe client needs more relaxation training before any further exposure is attempted
  3. CExposure therapy never works for anxiety
  4. DThe phrase is a positive symptom of psychosis
5.PharmacologyMedium

How should the nurse straighten the ear canal to give ear drops to a 2-year-old child?

  1. APull the pinna up and back
  2. BPull the pinna down and back
  3. CLeave the ear untouched and drop into the canal
  4. DPush the pinna forward and up
6.PharmacologyHard

Gentamicin is combined with high-dose intravenous furosemide. Which risk is especially increased?

  1. ABleeding
  2. BLiver failure
  3. CDamage to hearing
  4. DHypoglycaemia

3Solutions

1.Mental health nursing

Answer: C · In factitious disorder, the aim is to be seen as ill; in malingering, the aim is an external reward

Why this is the answer

In both, symptoms are produced or exaggerated on purpose. In factitious disorder the motivation is internal, the sick role; in malingering it is external, such as money, drugs or avoiding duties.

Answer

C · In factitious disorder, the aim is to be seen as ill; in malingering, the aim is an external reward
2.Mental health nursing

Answer: B · Poor sleep, withdrawal from others and increasing suspiciousness

Why this is the answer

Early warning signs of relapse include sleep disturbance, social withdrawal, irritability, suspiciousness and neglect of self-care. Recognising them early allows treatment to be reviewed before a full relapse.

Answer

B · Poor sleep, withdrawal from others and increasing suspiciousness
3.Clinical psychology

Answer: B · Symptoms are faked for an obvious external reward such as money or avoiding work

Why this is the answer

Both involve deliberate falsification. In factitious disorder the motive is to be seen as ill without obvious external reward; in malingering there is a clear external incentive. Malingering is not a mental disorder in DSM-5.

Answer

B · Symptoms are faked for an obvious external reward such as money or avoiding work
4.Clinical psychology

Answer: A · 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

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

Answer: B · Pull the pinna down and back

Why this is the answer

In children under about 3 years, the pinna is pulled down and back; in adults it is pulled up and back. The child then lies with the treated ear up for a few minutes.

Answer

B · Pull the pinna down and back
6.Pharmacology

Answer: C · Damage to hearing

Why this is the answer

Both aminoglycosides and loop diuretics can damage the inner ear. The combination increases the risk of ototoxicity, so it needs caution and monitoring.

Answer

C · Damage to hearing

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