Mental Health Assessment in Psychiatric Nursing Flashcards

Which acronym is used to systematically assess the features of a patient's hallucinations in psychiatric nursing?

Answer: STAMP: Severity, Triggers, Affect, Meaning, Pattern

Structured acronyms like STAMP help psychiatric nurses assess the features of hallucinations systematically, including triggers, meaning, and frequency.

A patient with bipolar disorder is admitted in a manic state. Which MSE finding is most expected?

Answer: Pressured speech and grandiosity

Pressured speech (fast, difficult to interrupt) and grandiosity (inflated self-esteem) are hallmark MSE findings during a manic episode of bipolar disorder.

Which tool is used in psychiatric nursing to assess the risk of violence toward others?

Answer: Brøset Violence Checklist (BVC)

The Brøset Violence Checklist (BVC) is a validated tool used in inpatient psychiatric settings to assess short-term risk of patient violence.

In a psychiatric assessment, 'loosening of associations' refers to which thought process abnormality?

Answer: Disorganized thinking where connections between ideas are unclear or absent

Loosening of associations describes disorganized thinking where the logical connection between sequential ideas is unclear, a common feature of psychotic disorders.

When conducting a psychiatric nursing assessment, asking 'What would you do if you found a stamped, addressed envelope on the sidewalk?' tests which cognitive function?

Answer: Abstract thinking and judgment

This classic question assesses abstract thinking and judgment by evaluating whether the patient can reason beyond a literal level and make a socially appropriate decision.

Which psychiatric nursing assessment strategy is most effective when a patient is acutely psychotic and paranoid?

Answer: Using a calm, non-threatening tone and avoiding sudden movements

A calm, non-threatening approach de-escalates paranoid patients by reducing perceived threat, which is safer and more therapeutic than confrontation or physical intervention.