STNA Mental Health and Social Service Needs 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the nursing assistant's role in supporting the mental health of residents?
- Diagnosing mental health conditions
- Prescribing medication for anxiety
- Providing a safe, supportive environment and reporting changes (Correct answer)
- Conducting psychiatric evaluations
Correct answer: Providing a safe, supportive environment and reporting changes
Nursing assistants support mental health by maintaining a safe, supportive environment and reporting any behavioral or mood changes to the nurse.
Question 2: A resident who recently lost a spouse is crying and says they do not want to talk. The best response is to:
- Leave immediately and check back later
- Sit quietly with the resident and offer presence (Correct answer)
- Tell the resident to stay strong
- Change the subject to distract them
Correct answer: Sit quietly with the resident and offer presence
Sitting quietly with a grieving resident provides comfort through presence without forcing conversation, which supports emotional well-being.
Question 3: Which stage of grief involves a resident bargaining with God to reverse their diagnosis?
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining (Correct answer)
- Acceptance
Correct answer: Bargaining
In the bargaining stage of Kübler-Ross's grief model, individuals attempt to negotiate or make deals in hopes of changing their situation.
Question 4: A resident with dementia repeatedly asks for their deceased mother. The nursing assistant should:
- Remind the resident firmly that their mother has died
- Redirect the resident gently to a comforting activity or topic (Correct answer)
- Tell the resident their mother is coming soon
- Ignore the question each time it is asked
Correct answer: Redirect the resident gently to a comforting activity or topic
Gentle redirection avoids causing repeated grief while still acknowledging the resident's emotional state, which is the most therapeutic approach for dementia care.
Question 5: Which intervention best promotes social well-being for a resident who is isolated and withdrawn?
- Leaving the resident in their room to respect privacy
- Inviting the resident to a small group activity (Correct answer)
- Telling the resident they must socialize
- Discussing the resident's isolation with other residents
Correct answer: Inviting the resident to a small group activity
Inviting the resident to a small group activity provides a low-pressure opportunity for social engagement, which supports emotional and social well-being.
Question 6: A resident with bipolar disorder is exhibiting a manic episode, speaking rapidly and attempting to leave the facility. The nursing assistant should:
- Allow the resident to leave to prevent escalation
- Physically restrain the resident immediately
- Calmly redirect the resident and notify the nurse (Correct answer)
- Argue with the resident about the risks of leaving
Correct answer: Calmly redirect the resident and notify the nurse
Calmly redirecting the resident and notifying the nurse ensures safety while de-escalating the situation within the nursing assistant's scope of practice.
Question 7: Validation therapy is most appropriate for which type of resident?
- Residents recovering from surgery
- Residents with dementia experiencing confusion about time and place (Correct answer)
- Residents with physical disabilities
- Residents with newly diagnosed hypertension
Correct answer: Residents with dementia experiencing confusion about time and place
Validation therapy acknowledges and respects the feelings of residents with dementia, reducing distress by entering their reality rather than correcting it.
STNA Mental Health and Social Service Needs 2
Which of the following is the nursing assistant's role in supporting the mental health of residents?