PSYCHOLOGY - Concept, scope and significance of psychology for nurses.
Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. In nursing, understanding psychology is essential for providing holistic and compassionate care. It helps nurses recognize the emotional, mental, and social needs of patients, enabling them to respond appropriately in various healthcare situations.
The scope of psychology in nursing includes areas such as developmental psychology, mental health, stress management, communication, and patient behavior. Nurses use psychological principles to build trust, offer emotional support, and promote patient cooperation during treatment.
The significance of psychology for nurses lies in improving patient care, enhancing nurse-patient relationships, and managing challenging situations like trauma, terminal illness, and behavioral disorders. It also supports nurses’ own mental well-being by helping them cope with stress and maintain professional empathy.
Time: 15:00
What is the primary focus of psychology in the context of nursing?
[a] To diagnose and treat severe mental disorders exclusively.
[b] To understand the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of patients to provide holistic care.
[c] To study the administrative structure of the hospital.
[d] To focus solely on the nurse's own psychological well-being.
The concept of "holistic care," which is central to modern nursing, means:
[a] Focusing only on the patient's primary physical complaint.
[b] Treating patients as quickly as possible.
[c] Considering the patient's physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs.
[d] Following the doctor's orders without question.
A patient who was just diagnosed with a terminal illness says, "This can't be right; the lab must have mixed up my results." This patient is likely demonstrating which defense mechanism?
[a] Projection
[b] Denial
[c] Regression
[d] Sublimation
The most significant reason for a nurse to understand psychology is to:
[a] Impress physicians with their knowledge.
[b] Be able to psychoanalyze their colleagues.
[c] Complete their academic requirements.
[d] Build a strong, trusting, and therapeutic nurse-patient relationship.
Understanding developmental psychology (e.g., Piaget's stages) is most critical when a nurse is caring for which patient population?
[a] Surgical patients
[b] Pediatric patients (children)
[c] Cardiac patients
[d] Diabetic patients
A nurse who listens carefully to a patient's concerns and then says, "It sounds like you are feeling very worried about the surgery," is using which therapeutic communication technique?
[a] Giving advice
[b] Challenging
[c] Reflecting (or paraphrasing)
[d] Probing
Psychology teaches nurses that the experience of pain is:
[a] Always directly proportional to the extent of tissue damage.
[b] An objective sign that can be measured accurately.
[c] A subjective experience influenced by emotions, culture, and past experiences.
[d] Easily managed if the patient has a high pain tolerance.
A nurse feeling emotionally exhausted, depersonalized, and having a low sense of personal accomplishment is likely experiencing:
[a] Anxiety
[b] Burnout
[c] Empathy
[d] Sympathy
The "scope" of psychology in nursing includes understanding how to effectively educate patients. A key psychological principle for patient teaching is:
[a] Using complex medical terminology to sound professional.
[b] Giving the patient a large booklet of information to read later.
[c] Focusing only on what the nurse thinks is important.
[d] Assessing the patient's readiness to learn and tailoring the information to their level.
The mind-body connection in psychology suggests that a patient's psychological state (like stress or anxiety) can directly affect their:
[a] Financial status
[b] Physical health and recovery process
[c] Choice of hospital
[d] Health insurance coverage
When a patient refuses a necessary medication, the most effective first step for the nurse, based on psychological principles, is to:
[a] Immediately call the doctor to report non-compliance.
[b] Tell the patient they will get sicker if they don't take it.
[c] Document the refusal and move on to the next patient.
[d] Explore the patient's reasons and beliefs behind the refusal.
Understanding Kübler-Ross's stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) is most relevant when a nurse is working in which area?
[a] The emergency room
[b] Pediatrics
[c] Palliative care and hospice
[d] The operating room
The concept of "self-awareness" for a nurse means:
[a] Knowing all the latest medical procedures.
[b] Recognizing one's own feelings, biases, and attitudes and how they might affect patient care.
[c] Being aware of the hospital's policies and procedures.
[d] Understanding the patient's diagnosis better than they do.
According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, a nurse should prioritize which patient need first?
[a] The need for self-esteem
[b] The need for love and belonging
[c] The need for physiological safety (e.g., breathing, pain relief)
[d] The need for self-actualization
A patient's personality can significantly influence their health behaviors. A patient with a highly conscientious personality is more likely to:
[a] Ignore medical advice and engage in risky behaviors.
[b] Forget appointments and medication schedules.
[c] Adhere strictly to treatment plans and follow-up appointments.
[d] Blame others for their illness.
The placebo effect demonstrates that a patient's:
[a] Illness is not real.
[b] Beliefs and expectations can create real physiological changes.
[c] Doctor is not trustworthy.
[d] Medication is not effective.
Why is it important for nurses to understand the psychology of motivation?
[a] To force patients to do what they are told.
[b] To complete paperwork more efficiently.
[c] To encourage and support patients in making positive health behavior changes.
[d] To motivate other nurses to work harder.
Social psychology concepts help a nurse to understand:
[a] How to perform a physical assessment.
[b] The influence of family and culture on a patient's health decisions.
[c] The chemical composition of medications.
[d] The anatomy of the human brain.
A nurse who effectively manages their work-related stress by talking with a trusted colleague is using a:
[a] Defense mechanism
[b] Pharmacological intervention
[c] Patient management technique
[d] Positive coping strategy
The "biopsychosocial model" of health, which is vital for nursing, proposes that health and illness are determined by:
[a] Biological factors alone.
[b] Psychological factors alone.
[c] An interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors.
[d] The patient's social status only.
Which action by a nurse best demonstrates an understanding of the need for a patient's autonomy?
[a] Making all decisions for an indecisive patient.
[b] Involving the patient in creating their daily plan of care.
[c] Limiting visitors to keep the patient from getting tired.
[d] Administering medication without explaining its purpose.
Cognitive psychology is relevant to nursing practice because it helps the nurse understand a patient's:
[a] Blood type and genetic predispositions.
[b] Social support system.
[c] Thinking, memory, and problem-solving abilities, especially in cases of dementia or delirium.
[d] Emotional expression.
A key significance of psychology in interprofessional teams is that it helps a nurse to:
[a] Assert their superiority over other healthcare workers.
[b] Avoid communicating with other team members.
[c] Communicate effectively and manage conflict with colleagues.
[d] Focus only on their assigned tasks.
Which statement best describes the scope of health psychology for a nurse?
[a] It is only used in psychiatric hospitals.
[b] It applies to promoting health, preventing illness, and helping people cope with sickness in all settings.
[c] It is limited to understanding patient emotions.
[d] It is a theoretical field with no practical application in nursing.
Ultimately, the integration of psychology into nursing practice leads to:
[a] Longer work hours for nurses.
[b] Increased hospital costs.
[c] Less need for physicians.
[d] Improved patient outcomes and higher quality of care.
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