PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SHEILA L. VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
UNIT 1 — CURRENT THEORIES & PRACTICE
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing —
Definitions: Mental Health vs. Mental Illness
Stem
A 28-year-old client tells the nurse, “I’ve been feeling down,
sleeping poorly, and my friends say I’m ‘not myself’ for the past
3 weeks.” The client continues to function at work but reports
decreased interest in hobbies. Which nursing action best
differentiates typical stress from a mental disorder?
,A. Encourage the client to use relaxation apps and follow up in
two weeks.
B. Assess duration, degree of functional impairment, and
presence of DSM criteria.
C. Assume a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and notify
the provider for medication.
D. Advise the client that feeling down occasionally is normal
and discharge from care.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
Correct (B): Differentiating stress from mental disorder requires
assessing symptom duration, functional impairment, and
alignment with DSM diagnostic criteria; this directs appropriate
intervention and safety planning. It reflects nursing assessment
responsibilities.
Incorrect (A): Suggesting relaxation apps without assessing
severity or impairment risks missing a diagnosable disorder or
safety concerns.
Incorrect (C): Assuming a diagnosis and immediately notifying
for medication bypasses nursing assessment and collaborative
diagnostic processes.
Incorrect (D): Dismissing symptoms denies care and may risk
worsening illness or missed safety issues.
Teaching point: Assess duration, impairment, and diagnostic
criteria before labeling symptoms.
,Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
— Use & Limitations
Stem
A nurse hears a colleague label a client’s culturally sanctioned
bereavement as “major depression” after brief observation.
What is the nurse’s best response to ensure culturally
competent, accurate diagnostic use?
A. Report the colleague to the nursing supervisor for
malpractice.
B. Discuss with the colleague the need to use the DSM cultural
formulation and gather cultural history.
C. Tell the client their culture is wrong and refer for immediate
psychiatric medication.
D. Accept the colleague’s label because DSM criteria are strictly
universal.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
Correct (B): The nurse should promote use of the DSM’s cultural
formulation and thorough cultural history to avoid
pathologizing culturally normative responses; this supports
, accurate assessment and culturally sensitive care.
Incorrect (A): Immediate reporting without attempting collegial
discussion is premature and may damage team communication.
Incorrect (C): Telling the client their culture is wrong is
disrespectful and nontherapeutic; recommending medication
without assessment is unsafe.
Incorrect (D): DSM criteria require contextual and cultural
interpretation; they are not strictly universal without clinical
judgment.
Teaching point: Use cultural formulation and history to avoid
misdiagnosis.
Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Historical Perspectives — Institutional Care to
Community Care
Stem
An older adult who experienced long-term institutionalization
in the 1970s expresses distrust of community mental health
providers. As the psychiatric nurse, which approach best
addresses historical trauma while promoting engagement?
A. Reassure the client community care is identical to past
institutions.
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SHEILA L. VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
UNIT 1 — CURRENT THEORIES & PRACTICE
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing —
Definitions: Mental Health vs. Mental Illness
Stem
A 28-year-old client tells the nurse, “I’ve been feeling down,
sleeping poorly, and my friends say I’m ‘not myself’ for the past
3 weeks.” The client continues to function at work but reports
decreased interest in hobbies. Which nursing action best
differentiates typical stress from a mental disorder?
,A. Encourage the client to use relaxation apps and follow up in
two weeks.
B. Assess duration, degree of functional impairment, and
presence of DSM criteria.
C. Assume a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and notify
the provider for medication.
D. Advise the client that feeling down occasionally is normal
and discharge from care.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
Correct (B): Differentiating stress from mental disorder requires
assessing symptom duration, functional impairment, and
alignment with DSM diagnostic criteria; this directs appropriate
intervention and safety planning. It reflects nursing assessment
responsibilities.
Incorrect (A): Suggesting relaxation apps without assessing
severity or impairment risks missing a diagnosable disorder or
safety concerns.
Incorrect (C): Assuming a diagnosis and immediately notifying
for medication bypasses nursing assessment and collaborative
diagnostic processes.
Incorrect (D): Dismissing symptoms denies care and may risk
worsening illness or missed safety issues.
Teaching point: Assess duration, impairment, and diagnostic
criteria before labeling symptoms.
,Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
— Use & Limitations
Stem
A nurse hears a colleague label a client’s culturally sanctioned
bereavement as “major depression” after brief observation.
What is the nurse’s best response to ensure culturally
competent, accurate diagnostic use?
A. Report the colleague to the nursing supervisor for
malpractice.
B. Discuss with the colleague the need to use the DSM cultural
formulation and gather cultural history.
C. Tell the client their culture is wrong and refer for immediate
psychiatric medication.
D. Accept the colleague’s label because DSM criteria are strictly
universal.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
Correct (B): The nurse should promote use of the DSM’s cultural
formulation and thorough cultural history to avoid
pathologizing culturally normative responses; this supports
, accurate assessment and culturally sensitive care.
Incorrect (A): Immediate reporting without attempting collegial
discussion is premature and may damage team communication.
Incorrect (C): Telling the client their culture is wrong is
disrespectful and nontherapeutic; recommending medication
without assessment is unsafe.
Incorrect (D): DSM criteria require contextual and cultural
interpretation; they are not strictly universal without clinical
judgment.
Teaching point: Use cultural formulation and history to avoid
misdiagnosis.
Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Historical Perspectives — Institutional Care to
Community Care
Stem
An older adult who experienced long-term institutionalization
in the 1970s expresses distrust of community mental health
providers. As the psychiatric nurse, which approach best
addresses historical trauma while promoting engagement?
A. Reassure the client community care is identical to past
institutions.
