A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses 'lose all their clinical nursing skills.' Select the best response by the mental health nurse.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because it highlights the essential skills required in mental health nursing - complex communication and critical thinking. Mental health nurses work with patients facing multidimensional issues, requiring them to adapt and problem-solve effectively. This response acknowledges the challenges and emphasizes the importance of these skills in providing quality care. Option A is incorrect as it focuses on the perceived safety of the environment and nurse-to-patient ratios, which are not directly related to the maintenance of clinical nursing skills. Option C is incorrect because while some mental health settings may use high technology monitoring equipment, this does not address the core clinical skills essential for nursing practice. Option D is incorrect as it trivializes the challenges faced by psychiatric nurses by comparing them to medical-surgical nurses. Pain and suffering are not the only indicators of nursing skill and expertise.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it shows active listening and empathy by acknowledging the patient's nonverbal cue. By stating "I notice you keep looking toward the door," the nurse demonstrates understanding and opens up the opportunity for the patient to express any concerns or reasons for their behavior. This response validates the patient's feelings and encourages further communication. Choice B is incorrect because it dismisses the patient's behavior and does not address the underlying issue of why the patient is looking toward the door. Choice C is incorrect as it assumes the patient wants to end the discussion without confirming the patient's actual feelings or reasons for looking toward the door. Choice D is incorrect because it jumps to a solution without first addressing the patient's nonverbal communication. It may not be the environment that is causing the discomfort, so moving may not be the best approach without further exploration.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because the publication of the first psychiatric nursing text, "Nursing Mental Disease" by Harriet Bailey, represents the foundational development of psychiatric-mental health nursing practice. This event predates the other choices and laid the groundwork for the field. The other choices occurred later in the timeline of psychiatric-mental health nursing practice. A: Publication of Standards of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing by the ANA - This event would have come after the publication of the first psychiatric nursing text and reflects the establishment of standardized practices in the field. B: Publication of Standards of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Practice - This event is more specialized and would have developed after the broader standards of psychiatric-mental health nursing were established. C: Establishment of the first graduate program in psychiatric nursing at Rutgers University - The development of a graduate program typically follows the establishment of foundational texts and standards in a field.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Anxiety. In Peplau's model of nursing, the nurse helps patients identify and understand their feelings, with anxiety being a key component in mental illness. The nurse assists the patient in exploring and managing their anxiety, leading to improved mental health outcomes. Self-care (C) is important but not a specific key component in Peplau's model. Suffering (A) is a broad term and not a central focus of Peplau's theory. Nonverbal behaviors (D) are important in communication but not a key component in Peplau's model for mental illness care.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Antipsychotic. Hallucinations and delusions are symptoms of psychosis, indicating an altered perception of reality. Antipsychotic drugs target the symptoms of psychosis by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, reducing hallucinations and delusions. Mood stabilizers (A) are used for bipolar disorder, antianxiety agents (C) treat anxiety, and stimulants (D) are used for conditions like ADHD. These options do not directly address the symptoms of hallucinations and delusions seen in psychosis.