Page 1 of 77
PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING (9TH EDITION, VIDEBECK) EXAM 2026
SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (9th Edition, Videbeck) — Questions with
Rationales
UNIT 1: CURRENT THEORIES AND PRACTICE
Chapter 1: Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (10 Questions)
1. A nursing student asks the instructor to explain the primary focus of psychiatric-
mental health nursing. Which response by the instructor is most accurate?
A) "The focus is on treating mental illness with medications."
B) "The focus is on promoting mental health and preventing mental illness through
therapeutic interventions."
C) "The focus is on managing behavioral problems in institutional settings."
D) "The focus is on providing custodial care for individuals with mental illness."
Rationale: Psychiatric-mental health nursing focuses on promoting mental health,
preventing mental illness, and providing therapeutic interventions to help individuals
achieve optimal functioning.
2. The nurse is assessing factors contributing to the well-being of a newly admitted
client. Which factor would the nurse identify as having a positive impact on the
individual's mental health?
A) History of childhood trauma
B) Strong social support network
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C) Chronic unemployment
D) Family history of mental illness
Rationale: Strong social support networks are protective factors that positively
influence mental health. Childhood trauma, chronic unemployment, and family history
of mental illness are risk factors.
3. Which statement best describes the concept of mental illness?
A) A temporary emotional response to a stressful event
B) A clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome associated with distress
or disability
C) A personality flaw that can be overcome with willpower
D) A condition that only affects people with a family history
Rationale: Mental illness is a clinically significant behavioral or psychological
syndrome or pattern that is associated with present distress or disability.
4. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is used for
which primary purpose?
A) To prescribe medications
B) To provide diagnostic criteria for mental disorders
C) To determine insurance reimbursement
D) To standardize nursing interventions
Rationale: The DSM-5 provides standardized diagnostic criteria for mental disorders,
ensuring consistent diagnosis across clinicians.
5. Which historical figure is credited with reforming mental health care by
advocating for humane treatment of individuals with mental illness?
A) Sigmund Freud
B) Dorothea Dix
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C) Florence Nightingale
D) Philippe Pinel
Rationale: Dorothea Dix was a prominent advocate for the humane treatment of
individuals with mental illness, leading to the establishment of mental asylums.
6. A nurse is explaining the concept of resilience to a client. Which statement best
describes resilience?
A) Resilience is a fixed trait that individuals either possess or lack
B) Resilience is the ability to adapt and bounce back from stress and adversity
C) Resilience means the absence of emotional distress
D) Resilience is the same as mental illness
Rationale: Resilience is the ability to adapt, cope, and bounce back from stress,
adversity, and trauma. It is a dynamic process that can be developed.
7. Which of the following is a risk factor for the development of mental illness?
A) Strong family support
B) Chronic medical illness
C) Higher socioeconomic status
D) Regular physical activity
Rationale: Chronic medical illness is a risk factor for mental illness, as it can contribute
to stress, disability, and reduced quality of life.
8. The nurse is caring for a client who has experienced a recent job loss. Which
response by the nurse best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A) "You shouldn't worry; you'll find another job soon."
B) "Tell me how you're feeling about losing your job."
C) "At least you have savings to fall back on."
D) "You need to focus on the positive."
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Rationale: "Tell me how you're feeling" is an open-ended, therapeutic response that
encourages the client to express emotions.
9. Which of the following is a protective factor for mental health?
A) History of abuse
B) Substance use
C) Positive self-esteem
D) Social isolation
Rationale: Positive self-esteem is a protective factor that contributes to mental well-
being.
10. The nurse is reviewing the historical perspectives of mental illness. Which
treatment was used in ancient times to treat mental illness?
A) Insulin shock therapy
B) Trephination
C) Electroconvulsive therapy
D) Antipsychotic medications
Rationale: Trephination, the drilling of holes in the skull, was used in ancient times to
release evil spirits believed to cause mental illness.
Chapter 2: Neurobiologic Theories and Psychopharmacology (10 Questions)
11. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia?
A) GABA
B) Serotonin
C) Dopamine
D) Acetylcholine
PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING (9TH EDITION, VIDEBECK) EXAM 2026
SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (9th Edition, Videbeck) — Questions with
Rationales
UNIT 1: CURRENT THEORIES AND PRACTICE
Chapter 1: Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (10 Questions)
1. A nursing student asks the instructor to explain the primary focus of psychiatric-
mental health nursing. Which response by the instructor is most accurate?
A) "The focus is on treating mental illness with medications."
B) "The focus is on promoting mental health and preventing mental illness through
therapeutic interventions."
C) "The focus is on managing behavioral problems in institutional settings."
D) "The focus is on providing custodial care for individuals with mental illness."
Rationale: Psychiatric-mental health nursing focuses on promoting mental health,
preventing mental illness, and providing therapeutic interventions to help individuals
achieve optimal functioning.
2. The nurse is assessing factors contributing to the well-being of a newly admitted
client. Which factor would the nurse identify as having a positive impact on the
individual's mental health?
A) History of childhood trauma
B) Strong social support network
, Page 2 of 77
C) Chronic unemployment
D) Family history of mental illness
Rationale: Strong social support networks are protective factors that positively
influence mental health. Childhood trauma, chronic unemployment, and family history
of mental illness are risk factors.
3. Which statement best describes the concept of mental illness?
A) A temporary emotional response to a stressful event
B) A clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome associated with distress
or disability
C) A personality flaw that can be overcome with willpower
D) A condition that only affects people with a family history
Rationale: Mental illness is a clinically significant behavioral or psychological
syndrome or pattern that is associated with present distress or disability.
4. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is used for
which primary purpose?
A) To prescribe medications
B) To provide diagnostic criteria for mental disorders
C) To determine insurance reimbursement
D) To standardize nursing interventions
Rationale: The DSM-5 provides standardized diagnostic criteria for mental disorders,
ensuring consistent diagnosis across clinicians.
5. Which historical figure is credited with reforming mental health care by
advocating for humane treatment of individuals with mental illness?
A) Sigmund Freud
B) Dorothea Dix
, Page 3 of 77
C) Florence Nightingale
D) Philippe Pinel
Rationale: Dorothea Dix was a prominent advocate for the humane treatment of
individuals with mental illness, leading to the establishment of mental asylums.
6. A nurse is explaining the concept of resilience to a client. Which statement best
describes resilience?
A) Resilience is a fixed trait that individuals either possess or lack
B) Resilience is the ability to adapt and bounce back from stress and adversity
C) Resilience means the absence of emotional distress
D) Resilience is the same as mental illness
Rationale: Resilience is the ability to adapt, cope, and bounce back from stress,
adversity, and trauma. It is a dynamic process that can be developed.
7. Which of the following is a risk factor for the development of mental illness?
A) Strong family support
B) Chronic medical illness
C) Higher socioeconomic status
D) Regular physical activity
Rationale: Chronic medical illness is a risk factor for mental illness, as it can contribute
to stress, disability, and reduced quality of life.
8. The nurse is caring for a client who has experienced a recent job loss. Which
response by the nurse best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A) "You shouldn't worry; you'll find another job soon."
B) "Tell me how you're feeling about losing your job."
C) "At least you have savings to fall back on."
D) "You need to focus on the positive."
, Page 4 of 77
Rationale: "Tell me how you're feeling" is an open-ended, therapeutic response that
encourages the client to express emotions.
9. Which of the following is a protective factor for mental health?
A) History of abuse
B) Substance use
C) Positive self-esteem
D) Social isolation
Rationale: Positive self-esteem is a protective factor that contributes to mental well-
being.
10. The nurse is reviewing the historical perspectives of mental illness. Which
treatment was used in ancient times to treat mental illness?
A) Insulin shock therapy
B) Trephination
C) Electroconvulsive therapy
D) Antipsychotic medications
Rationale: Trephination, the drilling of holes in the skull, was used in ancient times to
release evil spirits believed to cause mental illness.
Chapter 2: Neurobiologic Theories and Psychopharmacology (10 Questions)
11. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia?
A) GABA
B) Serotonin
C) Dopamine
D) Acetylcholine
