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 —
Mental Health and Mental Illness
Stem
A 42-year-old teacher arrives to the outpatient clinic reporting
“I can’t keep up with my job” and tearfulness for 3 months. She
says she has trouble sleeping, has withdrawn from friends, and
her supervisor reports missed deadlines. Vital signs are normal;
she continues to care for her children. As the psychiatric nurse,
,which clinical judgment best distinguishes mental illness from
situational distress in this patient?
A. Label the presentation as major depressive disorder because
symptoms have lasted longer than two weeks.
B. Assess the degree of functional impairment across roles and
the duration/pattern of symptoms before collaborating on
diagnosis and plan.
C. Provide education that all sadness after stressors indicates
mental illness and recommend antidepressants.
D. Encourage immediate hospitalization because the patient
reports social withdrawal.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B)
Assessment of mental health versus mental illness relies on
degree of impairment in functioning, symptom duration, and
pattern. Videbeck emphasizes that mental health is a dynamic
state and that nursing judgment should evaluate role
performance (work, family), symptom course, and context
before labeling a disorder. Collaborating with the
interdisciplinary team after comprehensive assessment ensures
accurate planning.
Rationale — Incorrect (A)
Duration alone does not establish disorder; two-week criterion
is only one part of diagnostic criteria and nurses should avoid
diagnosing independently.
,Rationale — Incorrect (C)
Not all sadness equates to mental illness; blanket education and
immediate medication recommendation is premature and non-
individualized.
Rationale — Incorrect (D)
Hospitalization is excessive if safety is intact and function, while
impaired, can be managed outpatient; unnecessary inpatient
care may cause harm.
Teaching point
Assess functional impairment and symptom pattern before
assigning diagnostic labels.
Citation
Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing (10th
ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing —
Social/Cultural Influences & Mental Illness in the 21st Century
Stem
A 28-year-old man from an immigrant community presents with
nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance following political
violence in his home country. He attributes symptoms to “bad
dreams” and avoids mental health care because of stigma.
, Which nursing action best applies trauma-informed, culturally
sensitive care?
A. Insist he attend group therapy because exposure is necessary
for recovery.
B. Explore the meaning of his symptoms within his cultural
context, validate safety concerns, and collaborate on acceptable
interventions.
C. Tell him that stigma is irrational and provide a pamphlet
about mental illness.
D. Refer him immediately to inpatient psychiatric care for
trauma processing.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B)
Videbeck emphasizes cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed
care: nurses should explore cultural meanings of symptoms,
validate experiences, assess safety, and co-develop
interventions respectful to the patient’s beliefs. This approach
reduces stigma, builds trust, and increases engagement.
Rationale — Incorrect (A)
Forcing group therapy disregards autonomy and may re-
traumatize; exposure must be individualized.
Rationale — Incorrect (C)
Dismissing stigma as irrational alienates the patient; passive
education alone is insufficient.
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SHEILA L. VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
UNIT 1 — CURRENT THEORIES & PRACTICE
1.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing —
Mental Health and Mental Illness
Stem
A 42-year-old teacher arrives to the outpatient clinic reporting
“I can’t keep up with my job” and tearfulness for 3 months. She
says she has trouble sleeping, has withdrawn from friends, and
her supervisor reports missed deadlines. Vital signs are normal;
she continues to care for her children. As the psychiatric nurse,
,which clinical judgment best distinguishes mental illness from
situational distress in this patient?
A. Label the presentation as major depressive disorder because
symptoms have lasted longer than two weeks.
B. Assess the degree of functional impairment across roles and
the duration/pattern of symptoms before collaborating on
diagnosis and plan.
C. Provide education that all sadness after stressors indicates
mental illness and recommend antidepressants.
D. Encourage immediate hospitalization because the patient
reports social withdrawal.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B)
Assessment of mental health versus mental illness relies on
degree of impairment in functioning, symptom duration, and
pattern. Videbeck emphasizes that mental health is a dynamic
state and that nursing judgment should evaluate role
performance (work, family), symptom course, and context
before labeling a disorder. Collaborating with the
interdisciplinary team after comprehensive assessment ensures
accurate planning.
Rationale — Incorrect (A)
Duration alone does not establish disorder; two-week criterion
is only one part of diagnostic criteria and nurses should avoid
diagnosing independently.
,Rationale — Incorrect (C)
Not all sadness equates to mental illness; blanket education and
immediate medication recommendation is premature and non-
individualized.
Rationale — Incorrect (D)
Hospitalization is excessive if safety is intact and function, while
impaired, can be managed outpatient; unnecessary inpatient
care may cause harm.
Teaching point
Assess functional impairment and symptom pattern before
assigning diagnostic labels.
Citation
Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing (10th
ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing —
Social/Cultural Influences & Mental Illness in the 21st Century
Stem
A 28-year-old man from an immigrant community presents with
nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance following political
violence in his home country. He attributes symptoms to “bad
dreams” and avoids mental health care because of stigma.
, Which nursing action best applies trauma-informed, culturally
sensitive care?
A. Insist he attend group therapy because exposure is necessary
for recovery.
B. Explore the meaning of his symptoms within his cultural
context, validate safety concerns, and collaborate on acceptable
interventions.
C. Tell him that stigma is irrational and provide a pamphlet
about mental illness.
D. Refer him immediately to inpatient psychiatric care for
trauma processing.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B)
Videbeck emphasizes cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed
care: nurses should explore cultural meanings of symptoms,
validate experiences, assess safety, and co-develop
interventions respectful to the patient’s beliefs. This approach
reduces stigma, builds trust, and increases engagement.
Rationale — Incorrect (A)
Forcing group therapy disregards autonomy and may re-
traumatize; exposure must be individualized.
Rationale — Incorrect (C)
Dismissing stigma as irrational alienates the patient; passive
education alone is insufficient.
