Author Question: A mental health technician asks the nurse, How do psychiatrists determine which diagnosis to give a ... (Read 134 times)

theo · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A mental health technician asks the nurse, How do psychiatrists determine which diagnosis to give a patient? Which of these responses by the nurse would be most accurate?

A. Psychiatrists use pre-established criteria from the APA's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
B. Hospital policy dictates how psychiatrists diagnose mental disorders.
C. Psychiatrists assess the patient and identify diagnoses based on the patient's unhealthy responses and contributing factors.
D. The American Medical Association identifies 10 diagnostic labels that psychiatrists can choose from.

Question 2

Which statement reflects a student nurse's accurate understanding of the concepts of mental health and mental illness?

A. The concepts are rigid and religiously based.
B. The concepts are multidimensional and culturally defined.
C. The concepts are universal and unchanging.
D. The concepts are unidimensional and fixed.

stano32 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
The DSM-5 is an organized manual describing mental disorders and the criteria that determine whether a given diagnosis is appropriate. It is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). It intends to facilitate accurate and reliable medical diagnosis and treatment. Item C describes nursing rather than medical diagnosis.

Answer to Question 2

B
The student nurse should understand that mental health and mental illness are multidimensional and culturally defined. It is important for nurses to be aware of cultural norms when evaluating a client's mental state.