Deck 7: Self-Reflection and Self-Awareness

Question 1

The nurse is practicing self-reflection when caring for a patient with a severe mental illness. How will the nurse measure the effect of self-reflection?

A) By the nurse's ability to use self-disclosure.
B) By the patient's ability to use self-disclosure.
C) By changes in the patient's thoughts and behaviors.
D) By changes in the nurse's own thoughts and behaviors.

Answer 1

By changes in the nurse's own thoughts and behaviors.

Question 2

The novice nurse is learning how to use self as a therapeutic tool in nursing. When caring for a patient with mental illness, what is the best way the nurse can examine how the use of self assists in providing therapeutic care to individuals with mental illness?

A) Providing empathy
B) Providing sympathy
C) Learning the theories of human behavior
D) Learning the neurobiology of mental illness

Answer 2

Learning the theories of human behavior

Question 3

The novice nurse is learning about Maslow's hierarchy of needs and its relationship to the theories of human development and the concept of self. What concepts are true regarding self-actualization? Select all that apply.

A) The level is multi-dimensional.
B) It is the lowest level on the hierarchy of needs.
C) It is the highest level on the hierarchy of needs.
D) The level can be achieved after basic needs are met.
E) The level involves a comfort with one's life meaning.

Answer 3

The level is multi-dimensional.
It is the highest level on the hierarchy of needs.
The level can be achieved after basic needs are met.
The level involves a comfort with one's life meaning.

Question 4

The novice nurse is learning how different nursing theorists developed philosophies on the concept of self. Which theorist will the nurse be emulating when the nurse reflects on the revolving self and evaluating the suffering of a patient with mental illness?

A) Hildegard Peplau
B) Martha Rogers
C) Ida Jean Orlando
D) Patricia Benner

Question 5

The novice nurse working in psychiatric-mental health unit wishes to build on the skills of utilizing the authentic self while caring for patients with mental illness. Which is the most likely initial emotion from the nurse that may be associated with the nurse's use of authenticity?

A) Sadness
B) Anxiety
C) Confusion
D) Confidence

Question 6

The psychiatric-mental health nurse is caring for a patient with mental illness. What action by the nurse best exemplifies authenticity?

A) Sitting quietly with patient.
B) Showing empathy toward the patient.
C) Showing sympathy toward the patient.
D) Sharing personal information with the patient.

Question 7

The nurse is applying nursing theory to enhance therapeutic relationships with patients with mental illness through the use of self as a tool. Which theorist does the nurse recognize as having introduced this concept?

A) Patricia Benner
B) Ida Jean Orlando
C) Hildegard Peplau
D) Florence Nightingale

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a 32-year-old woman who is a professional dancer. The patient recently lost a limb in a motor vehicle accident. When planning care for this patient, which factor will the nurse focus on?

A) Nurse's self-concept
B) Patient's self-concept
C) Nurse's self-perception
D) Patient's support system

Question 9

The nurse is caring for patient who has major depressive disorder who has recently been terminated from his job. The patient tells the nurse, "I just don't know what to do. I identified myself through my work. I don't know who I am anymore." Which psychological theorist best describes the patient's current identification of self?

A) Erik Erikson
B) William James
C) Abraham Maslow
D) Harry Stack Sullivan

Question 10

The nurse is performing an admission assessment on a patient presenting with mental health issues. Which question would the nurse ask to best assess the patient's perception of self?

A) "How do you think you look?"
B) "How would others describe you?"
C) "How would you describe yourself?"
D) "What activities make you most happy?"

Question 11

The psychiatric-mental health nurse is using self-reflection in the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship. Which best describes the rationale? Select all that apply.

A) Self-reflection helps the nurse develop creativity in nursing practice.
B) Self-reflection helps the nurse develop autonomy in her nursing practice.
C) Self-reflection provides an opportunity for the nurse to examine his or her own actions.
D) Self-reflection helps the nurse make sense of his or her actions within the context of the nurse-patient relationship.
E) Self-reflection provides an opportunity for the detailed assessment of the patient and his or her feelings toward the nurse.

Question 12

The novice nurse is learning about the various theories of psychological development and the relationship to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The nurse realizes that which situation may create a barrier to the use of developmental theories when working with a patient?

A) The patient unconsciously incorporates the others' ideas.
B) The patient has been kicked out of his apartment for failing to pay rent.
C) The patient is getting married in two weeks.
D) The patient is having difficulty establishing new friendships.

Question 13

The novice nurse is learning about the various theories of psychological development and the understanding of self. Which are purposes of Harry Stack Sullivan's self-system that the nurse will learn? Select all that apply.

A) Connection
B) Protection
C) Self-esteem
D) Self-definition
E) Communication

Question 14

The novice nurse is learning about the contributions of philosophy to understanding the concept of self. When learning about Patricia Benner's theory of the concept of self, what will the nurse recognize as the definition of a novice nurse?

A) Any nurse who is unfamiliar with both the patients and the tools required to provide patient care.
B) Any nurse who is unfamiliar with both the disease process and treatment plan required to provide patient care.
C) Any nurse who is unfamiliar with both the assessment and planning required to provide patient care.
D) Any nurse who is unfamiliar with both the pharmacologic and the nonpharmacologic therapies required to provide patient care.

Question 15

Which therapeutic approach by the nurse involves the use of personal awareness in order to carry out the steps of the nursing process?

A) Use of self
B) Use of empathy
C) Use of open-ended questions
D) Use of therapeutic communication

Question 16

Which characteristics or experiences indicate the nurse is in the third stage of the process of reflection?

A) Struggle between comfort and discomfort
B) Theoretical reflectivity
C) Focus on thoughts and feelings
D) Commitment to change

Question 17

The nurse is planning care for a patient admitted for depression. The patient has severe cerebral palsy, communicates only with a computer, and is quadriplegic. Which statement best demonstrates that the nurse has engaged in self-reflection prior to caring for this patient?

A) "It is important to interview the patient's family before I meet the patient."
B) "The first thing I will do is thoroughly assess the patient's needs and abilities."
C) "I will need to be aware of my feelings and any potential fears related to caring for this patient."
D) "I will read the patient's health record and talk with the health care provider to understand the patient's disabilities."

Question 18

Which statement best demonstrates that the novice nurse has engaged in the process of self-reflection while preparing to fulfill the professional role of a nurse working on an inpatient psychiatric unit?

A) "I will ask for support from colleagues when I need it."
B) "I took a course in self-defense so I can take care of myself."
C) "I know there is a fine line between the patients and the staff."
D) "I can maintain proper distance by engaging in therapeutic interventions."

Question 19

The nurse receives the shift report on a newly admitted patient with a history of behavior that the nurse feels is inappropriate. Which action best demonstrates the nurse's ability to enhance self-knowledge regarding this patient?

A) Ask for guidance from the charge nurse.
B) Disregard the challenge to his or her self-view.
C) Review the current literature pertaining to the patient's condition.
D) Examine his or her own feelings with regard to this patient.

Question 20

The nurse who uses his or her whole self to achieve the moral ideal when caring for the patient with mental illness is providing care most closely associated with which nursing theorist?

A) Patricia Benner
B) Martha Rogers
C) Hildegard Peplau
D) Florence Nightingale

Question 21

The nurse is caring for a patient who repeatedly talks about the role of religion in curing depression. Which approach best demonstrates the nurse's acceptance of the patient?

A) Disregard the patient's focus on religion.
B) Listen to the patient in a supportive manner.
C) Encourage the patient to consider other curative factors.
D) Share opinions regarding the role of religion in daily life.

Question 22

The nurse is applying the concept of mindfulness to support the use of self when caring for patients with mental illness. Which statements reflect an accurate understanding of this concept? Select all that apply.

A) It is a form of self-esteem.
B) It is a form of self-awareness.
C) It is a state of being aware but not acting automatically.
D) It is a state of being aware but also acting automatically.
E) It is a state of accepting things as they are without judgment.

Question 23

The nurse is caring for a patient who has painful memories of a previous sexual assault. How will the nurse best display the therapeutic use of self when caring for this patient?

A) Providing the patient personal information.
B) Engaging in a caring conversation with the patient.
C) Providing the patient information on therapy choices.
D) Encouraging the patient to confront his or her feelings.

Question 24

Which nursing intervention best demonstrates the nurse's mindfulness to the patient with depression?

A) Explaining medication effects to the patient
B) Focusing on the patient's immediate needs
C) Letting the patient know that time heals all sorrow
D) Caring for the patient with an honest and nonjudgmental attitude

Question 25

Which statement best reflects the nurse's therapeutic use of self with a patient who is refusing to take his or her ordered medications?

A) "Can you tell me what concerns you have about medications?"
B) "If you refuse your medications, you will just get sick again."
C) "Refusing your medications is your right, but it won't get you out of here."
D) "If you won't take your medication, I can't help you!"

Question 26

The nurse is caring for a patient with mental illness. The nurse quickly reviews the neurobiology of the patient's mental disorder with the patient. Which is most likely compromised by the nurse's action?

A) Empathy
B) Sympathy
C) Mindfulness
D) Use of Self

Question 27

The staff nurse is teaching a group of nurses about strategies that support the nurse's use of self, specifically when caring for a patient who is suffering. What strategy is the primary way in which the nurse provides a response to patient suffering?

A) Presence
B) Empathy
C) Sympathy
D) Mindfulness

Question 28

A patient approaches the nurse grimacing, talking in a whisper, and waving his arms. Which response by the nurse will be most helpful in promoting a therapeutic relationship with the patient?

A) Greet the patient.
B) Ignore the patient.
C) Confront the patient.
D) Assist the patient to leave the area.