Mental Health Concepts

Question 1

Mental health definition

Answer 1

“The successful adaptation to stressors from the internal or external environment, evidenced by thoughts, feelings and behaviors that are age-appropriate and congruent with local and cultural norms.”

Question 2

Mental illness

Answer 2

“A maladaptive response to stressors from the internal or external environment. Evidenced by thoughts, feelings or behaviors that are incongruent with the local and cultural norms and interfere with the individuals social, occupational or physical functioning.”

Question 3

Maslow

Answer 3

Hierarchy of needs, self-actualization requires state of mental health

Question 4

Horwitz

Answer 4

Included that culture can influence how people view mental illness

Question 5

General adaptation syndrome

Answer 5

• Hans Selye
• 1) alarm reaction stage
• 2) stage of resistance
• 3) stage of exhaustion

Question 6

1) alarm reaction stage

Answer 6

Fight or flight initiated

Question 7

2) stage of resistance

Answer 7

The individual uses physiological responses of the alarm reaction stage as a defense in an attempt to adapt to the stressor

Question 8

3) stage of exhaustion

Answer 8

Occurs when there’s a prolonged exposure to the stressor to which the body has become adjusted. The adapted energy is depleted and the individual can no longer draw from the resources from the first two stages.

Question 9

Immediate response to stressors

Answer 9

Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system

Question 10

Sustained response to stressors

Answer 10

Prolonged period of stress, promotes susceptibility to many diseases

Question 11

Anxiety

Answer 11

Diffuse apprehension that is vague in nature and is associated with feelings of uncertainty and helplessness

Question 12

Grief

Answer 12

Subjective state of emotional, physical and social response to the loss of a valued entity. Real or perceived.

Question 13

Adaptation

Answer 13

Determined by the extent to which thoughts, feelings and behaviors interfere with an individuals function.

Question 14

Kübler-Ross stages of grief

Answer 14

• denial
• anger
• bargaining
• depression
• acceptance

Question 15

Neuroendocrinology

Answer 15

Study of the interaction between the endocrine and nervous systems, and the effects of various hormones on cognitive, emotional, behavioral functioning

Question 16

Psychoneuroimmunology

Answer 16

Study of the relationship between the immune and nervous systems and psychological processes

Question 17

Ethical and legal issues

Answer 17

• nurses faced with the challenge of making difficult decisions regarding good and evil or life and death
• legislation determines what is “right” or “good” within a society

Question 18

Client rights

Answer 18

• right to treatment
• right to refuse treatment
• right to the least restrictive treatment alternative

Question 19

Legal issues in psych nursing

Answer 19

• confidentiality/right to privacy
• informed consent
• restraints and seclusion
• commitment issues

Question 20

Avoiding liability

Answer 20

• respond to client
• educate client
• comply w the standard of care
• supervise care
• adhere to the nursing process
• document carefully
• f/u as required
• develop and maintain good interpersonal relationships

Question 21

Spirituality

Answer 21

The human quality that gives meaning and a sense of purpose to an individuals existence. Spirituality exists within each individual regardless of belief system and serves as a force for interconnectedness between the self, others, the environment and a higher power.

Question 22

Assessment of spiritual needs

Answer 22

• nurse must consider spiritual/religious needs when planning care
• a spiritual assessment tool may be used to gather needed information