The PMHNP asks the following questions to a patient . “What matters most in your life? What helps you cope with adversity?what gives you a sense of purpose in life? The PMHNP is assessing a. Interpersonal functioning b. affective Development c. ego functioning d. belief systems
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: d. belief systems
Explanation (300 words):
When the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) asks questions such as “What matters most in your life?”, “What helps you cope with adversity?”, and “What gives you a sense of purpose in life?”, they are exploring the belief systems of the patient. These questions are designed to uncover the core values, spiritual or religious beliefs, life philosophies, and personal meanings that guide a person’s thoughts, behaviors, and responses to life challenges.
A belief system encompasses an individual’s convictions and principles about the world, self, and others. These beliefs often help individuals make sense of their experiences and influence how they manage stress, illness, relationships, and decisions. For example, someone who believes in a higher power may rely on prayer or faith in times of distress, while another might find purpose through service, family, or creative work. Identifying what gives a patient meaning and purpose can help the PMHNP understand the patient’s internal resources for resilience and coping.
This assessment is especially important in psychiatric care, where a patient’s belief system can impact their engagement in treatment, their views on medication or therapy, and their ability to find hope and motivation in the face of mental illness.
Let’s briefly differentiate the other options:
- a. Interpersonal functioning refers to how a person relates to others, such as in communication, relationships, and social interactions.
- b. Affective development deals with emotional growth and regulation, including how emotions are understood, expressed, and managed.
- c. Ego functioning pertains to psychological mechanisms that help a person deal with reality, such as impulse control, judgment, and defense mechanisms.
While all these areas are important in a psychiatric assessment, the specific nature of the questions asked points directly to the belief systems—making option d the correct answer.