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

What must a patient be told for consent to a new psychotropic medicine to be valid?

  1. AOnly the benefits, so that the patient is not frightened by the side effects
  2. BThe expected benefits, the main risks and the alternatives, including no treatment
  3. CNothing at all, because psychiatric patients cannot give consent
  4. DOnly the name of the medicine and the time of day it will be given
2.Mental health nursingHard

A woman with PTSD after a sexual assault by a man becomes distressed when a male nurse is assigned to her. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. ALeave her without a named nurse until she calms down
  2. BTell her that she must learn to face her fears
  3. CAssign a female nurse where possible and explain her care plan to her
  4. DInsist that she accept the male nurse, as all staff are professional
3.Clinical psychologyMedium

A person spends hours daily worrying that a small mark on their nose is ugly, checks mirrors constantly, and others see nothing wrong. Which diagnosis fits?

  1. ASocial anxiety disorder
  2. BAnorexia nervosa
  3. CBody dysmorphic disorder
  4. DIllness anxiety disorder
4.Clinical psychologyHard

A client's binge eating occurs at least once a week for three months, with loss of control and distress, but no vomiting, laxatives or excessive exercise. Which diagnosis fits?

  1. AAnorexia nervosa, binge-purge type
  2. BBulimia nervosa
  3. CBinge-eating disorder
  4. DAvoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
5.PharmacologyMedium

Which early signs suggest systemic toxicity from a local anaesthetic?

  1. APinpoint pupils and slow, shallow breathing
  2. BNumbness around the mouth, metallic taste and tinnitus
  3. CHeavy sweating, salivation and diarrhoea
  4. DItchy rash and swelling only at the injection site
6.PharmacologyHard

Why can beta blockers mask the warning signs of hypoglycaemia in people with diabetes?

  1. AThey blunt adrenergic symptoms such as tremor and palpitations
  2. BThey cause hyperthermia that hides sweating
  3. CThey raise blood glucose so that hypoglycaemia cannot occur at all
  4. DThey block insulin release completely

3Solutions

1.Mental health nursing

Answer: B · The expected benefits, the main risks and the alternatives, including no treatment

Why this is the answer

Valid consent requires that the patient has capacity, has enough information about benefits, risks and alternatives, and decides voluntarily. A mental illness does not automatically remove capacity.

Answer

B · The expected benefits, the main risks and the alternatives, including no treatment
2.Mental health nursing

Answer: C · Assign a female nurse where possible and explain her care plan to her

Why this is the answer

Trauma-informed care respects the patient's need for safety and control. Where possible, adjusting staffing reduces re-traumatisation and helps build trust.

Answer

C · Assign a female nurse where possible and explain her care plan to her
3.Clinical psychology

Answer: C · Body dysmorphic disorder

Why this is the answer

Body dysmorphic disorder is preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance that are slight or not observable, with repetitive behaviours such as mirror checking or seeking reassurance.

Answer

C · Body dysmorphic disorder
4.Clinical psychology

Answer: C · Binge-eating disorder

Why this is the answer

Binge-eating disorder involves recurrent binges with distress but without regular compensatory behaviour. Bulimia requires compensatory behaviour, and anorexia requires significantly low weight.

Answer

C · Binge-eating disorder
5.Pharmacology

Answer: B · Numbness around the mouth, metallic taste and tinnitus

Why this is the answer

Local anaesthetic toxicity starts with central nervous system signs such as perioral numbness, metallic taste, tinnitus and agitation. It can progress to seizures, arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.

Answer

B · Numbness around the mouth, metallic taste and tinnitus
6.Pharmacology

Answer: A · They blunt adrenergic symptoms such as tremor and palpitations

Why this is the answer

Tremor, palpitations and anxiety in hypoglycaemia are adrenaline-driven; beta blockade dampens them, so patients may notice low glucose later. Sweating is cholinergic and often persists.

Answer

A · They blunt adrenergic symptoms such as tremor and palpitations

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