ESSENTIALS OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSING,
3RD EDITION
MARY ANN BOYD; REBECCA LUEBBERT
TEST BANK
Question 1 — Chapter 1: Mental Health and Mental Disorders
— Fighting Stigma and Promoting Recovery
Type: Preventive/psychosocial guidance
Stem: A 22-year-old college student with newly diagnosed
major depressive disorder tells the nurse, “I don’t want anyone
to know — people will think I’m weak.” Which nursing response
best addresses stigma and promotes recovery?
Options:
A. “Most people will never understand — try not to tell
anyone.”
B. “Stigma is real; let’s talk about how disclosure choices affect
your recovery and supports.”
C. “If you hide it, no one will judge you; secrecy is the safest
option.”
,D. “You should avoid friends while you recover to protect your
privacy.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: This response validates the experience of
stigma and shifts focus to strengths-based, recovery-oriented
planning and supportive disclosure decisions (promotes
autonomy and support networks). (Essentials of Psychiatric
Nursing, 3rd Ed., Chapter 1: Mental Health and Mental
Disorders: Fighting Stigma and Promoting Recovery.)
Rationales — Incorrect:
• A: Discourages seeking support and normalizes isolation;
not recovery-oriented.
• C: Encourages concealment, which may worsen isolation
and delay care.
• D: Unnecessarily isolates the patient and ignores benefits
of social supports.
NCLEX/HESI applicability: Tests therapeutic
communication, psychosocial integrity, and patient
education (stigma, recovery principles).
Teaching Point: Validate stigma, center recovery, and
support informed disclosure.
2. Question 2 — Chapter 8: Therapeutic Communication —
Communication Skills
,Type: Application
Stem: During an admission interview a patient repeatedly says,
“I can’t sleep, I feel doomed,” and stares at the floor. The
nurse’s best therapeutic initial response is:
Options:
A. “You will be fine; try to think positively.”
B. “Tell me more about what ‘doomed’ means to you right
now.”
C. “Everyone feels like that sometimes; go to sleep.”
D. “You should be grateful you have a place to stay.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: An open-ended invitation explores the
patient’s affect and cognition, encouraging expression and
aiding risk assessment. (Essentials of Psychiatric Nursing, 3rd
Ed., Chapter 8: Therapeutic Communication.)
Rationales — Incorrect:
• A: Minimizes feelings and is nontherapeutic.
• C: Dismissive and may stop disclosure of suicidal thoughts.
• D: Judgmental and could increase shame/isolation.
NCLEX/HESI applicability: Assesses therapeutic
communication and suicide risk screening skills.
Teaching Point: Use open-ended prompts to explore
meaning and risk.
, 3. Question 3 — Chapter 10: The Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing Process — Mental Status Exam & Risk Assessment
Type: Clinical scenario
Stem: A 45-year-old man admitted for worsening depression
says, “I’ve thought about ending it but would never act.” He has
a concrete plan to take an overdose of prescription pills in three
days. What is the nurse’s priority action?
Options:
A. Document the statement and wait to reassess during the
next nursing shift.
B. Notify the treatment team immediately and initiate a safety
plan and increased supervision.
C. Advise the patient to call family if thoughts worsen.
D. Ask the patient to sign a no-suicide contract.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: A concrete plan and intent raise imminent
risk; safety measures, team notification, and increased
observation are urgent. (Essentials of Psychiatric Nursing, 3rd
Ed., Chapter 10: The Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing Process
— risk assessment principles; DSM-5-TR diagnostic
considerations.) LWW Official Store+1
Rationales — Incorrect:
• A: Waiting is unsafe given the plan—risk requires
immediate action.
• C: Asking family to monitor is insufficient for imminent risk
without team intervention.
3RD EDITION
MARY ANN BOYD; REBECCA LUEBBERT
TEST BANK
Question 1 — Chapter 1: Mental Health and Mental Disorders
— Fighting Stigma and Promoting Recovery
Type: Preventive/psychosocial guidance
Stem: A 22-year-old college student with newly diagnosed
major depressive disorder tells the nurse, “I don’t want anyone
to know — people will think I’m weak.” Which nursing response
best addresses stigma and promotes recovery?
Options:
A. “Most people will never understand — try not to tell
anyone.”
B. “Stigma is real; let’s talk about how disclosure choices affect
your recovery and supports.”
C. “If you hide it, no one will judge you; secrecy is the safest
option.”
,D. “You should avoid friends while you recover to protect your
privacy.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: This response validates the experience of
stigma and shifts focus to strengths-based, recovery-oriented
planning and supportive disclosure decisions (promotes
autonomy and support networks). (Essentials of Psychiatric
Nursing, 3rd Ed., Chapter 1: Mental Health and Mental
Disorders: Fighting Stigma and Promoting Recovery.)
Rationales — Incorrect:
• A: Discourages seeking support and normalizes isolation;
not recovery-oriented.
• C: Encourages concealment, which may worsen isolation
and delay care.
• D: Unnecessarily isolates the patient and ignores benefits
of social supports.
NCLEX/HESI applicability: Tests therapeutic
communication, psychosocial integrity, and patient
education (stigma, recovery principles).
Teaching Point: Validate stigma, center recovery, and
support informed disclosure.
2. Question 2 — Chapter 8: Therapeutic Communication —
Communication Skills
,Type: Application
Stem: During an admission interview a patient repeatedly says,
“I can’t sleep, I feel doomed,” and stares at the floor. The
nurse’s best therapeutic initial response is:
Options:
A. “You will be fine; try to think positively.”
B. “Tell me more about what ‘doomed’ means to you right
now.”
C. “Everyone feels like that sometimes; go to sleep.”
D. “You should be grateful you have a place to stay.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: An open-ended invitation explores the
patient’s affect and cognition, encouraging expression and
aiding risk assessment. (Essentials of Psychiatric Nursing, 3rd
Ed., Chapter 8: Therapeutic Communication.)
Rationales — Incorrect:
• A: Minimizes feelings and is nontherapeutic.
• C: Dismissive and may stop disclosure of suicidal thoughts.
• D: Judgmental and could increase shame/isolation.
NCLEX/HESI applicability: Assesses therapeutic
communication and suicide risk screening skills.
Teaching Point: Use open-ended prompts to explore
meaning and risk.
, 3. Question 3 — Chapter 10: The Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing Process — Mental Status Exam & Risk Assessment
Type: Clinical scenario
Stem: A 45-year-old man admitted for worsening depression
says, “I’ve thought about ending it but would never act.” He has
a concrete plan to take an overdose of prescription pills in three
days. What is the nurse’s priority action?
Options:
A. Document the statement and wait to reassess during the
next nursing shift.
B. Notify the treatment team immediately and initiate a safety
plan and increased supervision.
C. Advise the patient to call family if thoughts worsen.
D. Ask the patient to sign a no-suicide contract.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: A concrete plan and intent raise imminent
risk; safety measures, team notification, and increased
observation are urgent. (Essentials of Psychiatric Nursing, 3rd
Ed., Chapter 10: The Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing Process
— risk assessment principles; DSM-5-TR diagnostic
considerations.) LWW Official Store+1
Rationales — Incorrect:
• A: Waiting is unsafe given the plan—risk requires
immediate action.
• C: Asking family to monitor is insufficient for imminent risk
without team intervention.
