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

A newly admitted patient asks, "Do you think I'm crazy?" Which response is most therapeutic?

  1. A"You seem worried about what being here means. Can you tell me more?"
  2. B"Of course not. Only crazy people would ask that."
  3. C"Yes, but you're in the right place now."
  4. D"Everyone here is a bit crazy in some way, so there's really nothing for you to worry about."
2.Mental health nursingHard

During a session, a patient asks the nurse, "Are you married? Do you have children?" Which response is most appropriate?

  1. AEnd the session because personal questions are not allowed
  2. BAnswer briefly or decline politely, then return the focus to the patient
  3. CShare details about the nurse's family to build a friendship
  4. DIgnore the question completely and stay silent until the patient changes the subject
3.Clinical psychologyMedium

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

  1. ABehaviour that follows the event
  2. BBackground of the client
  3. CBodily sensations during stress
  4. DBeliefs about the activating event
4.Clinical psychologyHard

An older patient becomes confused over two days after starting a new medication, with attention that varies through the day. Her daughter says her memory was normal last week. What is the most appropriate interpretation?

  1. ALate-onset schizophrenia
  2. BDelirium, which needs a search for a physical or drug cause
  3. CNormal ageing
  4. DEarly Alzheimer's disease, which needs a referral to a memory clinic
5.PharmacologyMedium

Why should doxycycline not be taken at the same time as milk or antacids?

  1. ACalcium and other metal ions bind it and reduce absorption
  2. BMilk speeds up its breakdown in the liver by inducing enzymes
  3. CAntacids turn it into a toxic compound
  4. DThe combination causes severe constipation
6.PharmacologyHard

Why are antipsychotics used with great caution in older people with dementia?

  1. AThey are linked to a higher risk of stroke and death
  2. BThey are not absorbed in people over 65
  3. CThey cause severe hypoglycaemia in older people
  4. DThey always cure the dementia and stop all behaviour problems

3Solutions

1.Mental health nursing

Answer: A · "You seem worried about what being here means. Can you tell me more?"

Why this is the answer

The question often hides fear or shame about being in a mental health setting. Exploring the concern shows acceptance, while labelling or false reassurance does not help.

Answer

A · "You seem worried about what being here means. Can you tell me more?"
2.Mental health nursing

Answer: B · Answer briefly or decline politely, then return the focus to the patient

Why this is the answer

Patients often ask personal questions out of curiosity or to make the relationship more equal. A brief answer or a polite refusal, followed by redirecting to the patient's concerns, maintains boundaries without rejecting the patient.

Answer

B · Answer briefly or decline politely, then return the focus to the patient
3.Clinical psychology

Answer: D · 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

D · Beliefs about the activating event
4.Clinical psychology

Answer: B · Delirium, which needs a search for a physical or drug cause

Why this is the answer

Acute onset with fluctuating attention suggests delirium, a medical emergency with causes such as drugs, infection or dehydration. Dementia develops gradually over months to years.

Answer

B · Delirium, which needs a search for a physical or drug cause
5.Pharmacology

Answer: A · Calcium and other metal ions bind it and reduce absorption

Why this is the answer

Tetracyclines form complexes with calcium, magnesium, aluminium and iron in the gut, which reduces absorption. Doses are separated from these products.

Answer

A · Calcium and other metal ions bind it and reduce absorption
6.Pharmacology

Answer: A · They are linked to a higher risk of stroke and death

Why this is the answer

In older people with dementia, antipsychotics increase the risk of stroke and death. Non-drug approaches are tried first, and antipsychotics are used at low doses for short periods if needed.

Answer

A · They are linked to a higher risk of stroke and death

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