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

Besides lithium levels, which tests are monitored regularly in long-term lithium treatment?

  1. AKidney function and thyroid function
  2. BHearing tests
  3. CLung function only
  4. DBone density only
2.Mental health nursingHard

On the day after hip surgery, a 58-year-old patient has a new tremor, sweating, anxiety and a fast pulse. He did not report any alcohol use on admission. What should the nurse do?

  1. AAssume he has post-operative pain and give extra analgesia only
  2. BTell him that his symptoms are normal after hip surgery
  3. CAsk him and his family about his alcohol use and the time of his last drink, and report the findings
  4. DWait until the next day to see if the symptoms go away on their own once his pain is better controlled
3.Clinical psychologyMedium

Clozapine is typically reserved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia because:

  1. AIt is the least effective antipsychotic available, so it is a last resort
  2. BIt cannot be taken as tablets
  3. CIt only works on negative symptoms
  4. DIt can cause agranulocytosis, so regular blood monitoring is required
4.Clinical psychologyHard

A student believes "If I'm not perfect, I'm worthless." In Beck's model, this belief is best classed as:

  1. AA defence mechanism called sublimation, which channels distress into socially valued work
  2. BA negative symptom of schizophrenia
  3. CA dysfunctional assumption or core belief that makes the person vulnerable
  4. DA hallucination that requires antipsychotics
5.PharmacologyMedium

Which type of diuretic acts on the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle?

  1. APotassium-sparing diuretics
  2. BLoop diuretics such as furosemide
  3. COsmotic diuretics
  4. DThiazide diuretics
6.PharmacologyHard

Why is pyridoxine (vitamin B6) often given together with isoniazid for tuberculosis?

  1. ATo increase the absorption of isoniazid
  2. BTo prevent peripheral neuropathy
  3. CTo prevent liver damage from isoniazid
  4. DTo reduce bacterial resistance

3Solutions

1.Mental health nursing

Answer: A · Kidney function and thyroid function

Why this is the answer

Lithium can cause hypothyroidism and reduce kidney function (including nephrogenic diabetes insipidus), so kidney and thyroid function, calcium and weight are checked regularly.

Answer

A · Kidney function and thyroid function
2.Mental health nursing

Answer: C · Ask him and his family about his alcohol use and the time of his last drink, and report the findings

Why this is the answer

Unexpected alcohol withdrawal is common in surgical patients. Asking about drinking, using a withdrawal scale and reporting early allows treatment before seizures or delirium tremens develop.

Answer

C · Ask him and his family about his alcohol use and the time of his last drink, and report the findings
3.Clinical psychology

Answer: D · It can cause agranulocytosis, so regular blood monitoring is required

Why this is the answer

Clozapine is effective when other antipsychotics fail, but it can cause a dangerous fall in neutrophils, so patients need regular blood tests.

Answer

D · It can cause agranulocytosis, so regular blood monitoring is required
4.Clinical psychology

Answer: C · A dysfunctional assumption or core belief that makes the person vulnerable

Why this is the answer

Beck distinguished surface negative automatic thoughts from deeper schemas and conditional assumptions. Such beliefs remain dormant until activated by a matching stressor, such as failure.

Answer

C · A dysfunctional assumption or core belief that makes the person vulnerable
5.Pharmacology

Answer: B · Loop diuretics such as furosemide

Why this is the answer

Loop diuretics block the Na⁺/K⁺/2Cl⁻ cotransporter in the thick ascending limb and are the most powerful diuretics.

Answer

B · Loop diuretics such as furosemide
6.Pharmacology

Answer: B · To prevent peripheral neuropathy

Why this is the answer

Isoniazid causes pyridoxine deficiency, which can lead to peripheral neuropathy. The risk is greater in slow acetylators, malnourished patients and people with diabetes or alcohol dependence.

Answer

B · To prevent peripheral neuropathy

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