A significant change in the treatment of people with mental illness occurred in the 1950s when
- A. Community support services were established.
- B. Legislation dramatically changed civil commitment procedures.
- C. The Patient's Bill of Rights was enacted.
- D. Psychotropic drugs became available for use.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The development of psychotropic drugs, or drugs used to treat mental illness, began in the 1950s.
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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.
Before the period of the enlightenment, treatment of the mentally ill included
- A. Creating large institutions to provide custodial care.
- B. Focusing on religious education to improve their souls.
- C. Placing the mentally ill on display for the public's amusement.
- D. Providing a safe refuge or haven offering protection.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In 1775, visitors at St. Mary's of Bethlehem were charged a fee for viewing and ridiculing the mentally ill, who were seen as animals, less than human. Custodial care was not often provided, and primitive beliefs often led to harsh treatments like exorcisms or witch hunts.
Which of the following statements is true of treatment of people with mental illness in the United States today?
- A. Substance abuse is effectively treated with brief hospitalization
- B. Financial resources are reallocated from state hospitals to community programs and support
- C. Only 25% of people needing mental health services are receiving those services
- D. Emergency department visits by persons who are acutely disturbed are declining.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Only one in four adults needing mental health care receives the needed services. Substance abuse issues cannot be dealt with in the 3 to 5 days typical for admissions in the current managed care environment. Money saved by states when state hospitals were closed has not been transferred to community programs and support. Emergency department visits for acutely disturbed persons have increased in some cities.
The goal of the 1963 Community Mental Health Centers Act was to
- A. Ensure patients' rights for the mentally ill.
- B. Deinstitutionalize state hospitals.
- C. Provide funds to build hospitals with psychiatric units.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The 1963 Community Mental Health Centers Act initiated the movement toward treating those with mental illness in a less restrictive environment. This legislation resulted in the shift of clients with mental illness from large state institutions to care based in the community.
Which of the following is defined as an advanced-level function in the practice area of psychiatric mental health nursing?
- A. Case management
- B. Counseling
- C. Evaluation
- D. Health teaching
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Advanced-level functions are psychotherapy, prescriptive authority, consultation and liaison, evaluation, and program development and management. Case management, counseling, and health teaching are basic-level functions in the practice area of psychiatric mental health nursing.
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