Nokea
A nurse is providing care to a patient with a mental disorder classified by the DSM-IV-TR. The nurse understands that although the first three axes appear to contain all the diagnostic information about a patient, a truly accurate picture of the client is incomplete without considering other factors such as an estimate of current functioning and:
- A. Life stressors
- B. Cultural background
- C. Marital status
- D. Genetic history
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The DSM-IV-TR includes five axes, with Axis IV capturing psychosocial and environmental problems (e.g., life stressors) that contribute to the patient?s condition, complementing the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) on Axis V for a complete picture.
You may also like to solve these questions
A nurse is working in a community mental health center that provides care to a large population of Asian descent. When developing programs for this community, which of the following would be most important for the nurse to address?
- A. Public stigma
- B. Self-stigma
- C. Label avoidance
- D. Negative life events
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Self-stigma, where individuals internalize negative stereotypes about mental illness, is particularly significant in Asian communities due to cultural emphasis on collectivism and fear of shame, making it a critical focus for culturally sensitive mental health programs.
A nurse is explaining recovery to the family of a patient diagnosed with a mental disorder. Which statement would be most appropriate for the nurse to include about this process?
- A. It is a step-by-step process from being ill to being well.
- B. The patient focuses mainly on the emotional aspects of his condition.
- C. The patient is helped to live a meaningful life to his fullest potential.
- D. Although peer support is important, the self-acceptance is essential.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The recovery model emphasizes helping individuals with mental disorders live meaningful, fulfilling lives to their fullest potential, focusing on strengths and personal goals rather than a linear cure.
Mrs. Green is a patient on a psychiatric unit. At the time of her admission, her dog was killed when a car accidentally ran over it; in addition to that, she just found out that her mother has been diagnosed with colon cancer. This information would be addressed in which DSM-IV axis?
- A. Axis I
- B. Axis II
- C. Axis III
- D. Axis IV
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Psychosocial and environmental problems, such as the death of a pet and a family member?s serious illness, are documented on Axis IV in the DSM-IV-TR, as they contribute to the patient?s mental health context.
A nursing instructor is describing the DSM-IV-TR to a group of nursing students. Which of the following would the instructor include as the primary purpose of this classification?
- A. Provide a commonly understood diagnostic category for clinical practice.
- B. Describe treatment modalities for psychiatric disorders and mental illnesses.
- C. Identify various etiologies for mental disorders based on family histories.
- D. Provide optimal outcomes for treatment for individuals with mental illnesses.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The primary purpose of the DSM-IV-TR is to provide a standardized, commonly understood diagnostic framework for mental disorders to ensure consistency in clinical practice, research, and communication among healthcare professionals.
A nursing student is reviewing journal articles about major depression. One of the articles describes the number of persons newly diagnosed with the disorder during the past year. The student interprets this as which of the following?
- A. Rate
- B. Prevalence
- C. Point prevalence
- D. Incidence
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disorder (e.g., major depression) diagnosed within a specific time period, such as the past year.