Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing 8th Edition - Foundations of Psychiatric?Mental Health Nursing Related

Review Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing 8th Edition - Foundations of Psychiatric?Mental Health Nursing related questions and content

A client grieving the recent loss of her husband asks if she is becoming mentally ill because she is so sad. The nurse's best response would be,

  • A. You may have a temporary mental illness because you are experiencing so much pain.
  • B. You are not mentally ill. This is an expected reaction to the loss you have experienced.
  • C. Were you generally dissatisfied with your relationship before your husband's death?
  • D. Try not to worry about that right now. You never know what the future brings.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Mental illness includes general dissatisfaction with self, ineffective relationships, ineffective coping, and lack of personal growth. Additionally the behavior must not be culturally expected. Acute grief reactions are expected and therefore not considered mental illness. False reassurance or overanalysis does not accurately address the client's concerns.