NONursing Officer HubGandaki Province · Level 7
Paper I · Unit 2 · 10%

Behavioral Science and Psychology

Complete step-by-step revision notes with examiner-focused MCQs and likely subjective questions.

How to use

Read the concept, reproduce the steps from memory, then answer the possible questions.

Revision target

Complete one topic, ten MCQs and one written answer before marking it revised.

Topic 1

Culture and health-seeking behaviour

Core meaning: Culture shapes beliefs about illness, acceptable treatment, food, gender roles and help-seeking.

Step-by-step learning

Explore beliefs

Ask how the client explains the illness.

Identify barriers

Language, cost, distance, discrimination and family decision-making.

Negotiate care

Preserve safe practices and modify harmful ones.

Communicate clearly

Use interpreters and simple language.

Evaluate access

Check adherence and follow-up.

Key points to remember

  • Avoid stereotyping.
  • Cultural competence requires humility and self-awareness.
  • Traditional healers may influence delay or acceptance of referral.
Possible MCQs
  • Culture mainly affects which aspect of care?
  • What is the safest response to a harmless ritual?
Possible subjective questions
  • Discuss cultural influences on health-seeking behaviour in Nepal.
  • Explain culturally competent nursing care.
Topic 2

Determinants of health

Core meaning: Health is influenced by socioeconomic status, education, politics, gender, physical environment and sociocultural background.

Step-by-step learning

Identify determinant

Name the factor influencing the outcome.

Explain pathway

Show how it affects exposure, access or behaviour.

Identify vulnerable groups

Look for inequity.

Plan intervention

Combine clinical and social measures.

Monitor equity

Compare coverage and outcomes.

Key points to remember

  • Income affects nutrition and access.
  • Education improves health literacy.
  • Gender norms may delay care.
  • Geography affects referral time.
  • Politics influences policy and resource allocation.
Possible MCQs
  • Which is a social determinant of health?
  • What is the second delay in maternal care?
Possible subjective questions
  • Analyse determinants of maternal health in mountain districts.
  • Explain how education and gender affect health outcomes.
Topic 3

Social problems in Nepal

Core meaning: Population growth, migration, poverty, unemployment, substance use, suicide, prostitution, violence, child exploitation, gender bias and trafficking affect health.

Step-by-step learning

Define the problem

Use a public-health and rights perspective.

Identify causes

Economic, social, family and policy factors.

Recognise consequences

Disease, injury, stigma and service burden.

Plan prevention

Primary, secondary and tertiary actions.

Coordinate referral

Health, police, legal and social services where required.

Key points to remember

  • Use trauma-informed and nonjudgmental care.
  • Suicide risk requires direct assessment and immediate safety.
  • Child abuse and trafficking require safeguarding and legal reporting according to law.
Possible MCQs
  • Which is an immediate priority in suicidal intent?
  • What is a protective factor against substance misuse?
Possible subjective questions
  • Discuss suicide as a social and public-health problem.
  • Explain the nurse’s role in prevention of gender-based violence and trafficking.
Topic 4

Psychology applied to nursing

Core meaning: Psychology helps nurses understand behaviour, emotions, adaptation, motivation and communication.

Step-by-step learning

Observe behaviour

Note verbal and nonverbal responses.

Explore cause

Biological, psychological and social influences.

Assess emotion

Intensity, trigger and coping.

Use therapeutic communication

Empathy, active listening and open questions.

Support control

Relaxation, problem-solving and referral.

Key points to remember

  • Behaviour has multiple causes.
  • Emotional development changes across the lifespan.
  • Suppression, denial and projection are defence mechanisms.
Possible MCQs
  • Which technique is therapeutic communication?
  • What is projection?
Possible subjective questions
  • Describe characteristics and causes of human behaviour.
  • Explain emotional development and methods of emotional control.