PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SHEILA L. VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
UNIT 1 — CURRENT THEORIES & PRACTICE
1)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction / Mental Health and Mental
Illness
Stem: A 24-year-old client hospitalized after a panic attack tells
the nurse, “My heart raced and I thought I was dying.” The
client appears alert, oriented, and expresses fear of recurrence.
Which nursing action best demonstrates an immediate
therapeutic response?
A. Provide a pamphlet describing panic disorder and ask the
client to read it.
B. Sit with the client, use calm voice, and guide slow breathing
,until anxiety decreases.
C. Explain that panic attacks are not dangerous and encourage
independent coping.
D. Tell the client to focus on positive thoughts and avoid
discussing symptoms.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): Sitting with the client, using a calm
voice, and guiding slow breathing are immediate, practical
interventions that reduce physiologic arousal and convey
presence — core therapeutic responses in Videbeck’s
framework. This addresses safety and helps the client regain
control.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Pamphlets are educational but are not immediate
therapeutic measures during acute anxiety.
C. Minimizing (“not dangerous”) is dismissive and may increase
distress; it lacks symptom management.
D. Encouraging avoidance of discussion is non-therapeutic and
prevents processing of the episode.
Teaching point: Use presence and breathing techniques to de-
escalate acute anxiety.
Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Ch. 1 — Mental Health and Mental Illness.
2)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Mental Health and Mental Illness /
,Diagnostic clarity
Stem: A nurse assessing a client with mood lability documents
symptoms that overlap several disorders. Which action best
reflects sound clinical judgment when diagnostic clarity is
uncertain?
A. Assign a definitive DSM diagnosis immediately to begin
treatment.
B. Focus assessment on symptom frequency, duration, and
functional impairment.
C. Withhold documentation until a psychiatrist confirms
diagnosis.
D. Rely on the client’s self-label (“I’m bipolar”) as sufficient for
care planning.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): Gathering detailed information about
symptom frequency, duration, and functional impact is essential
for accurate DSM-based diagnosis and safe, individualized
nursing care — consistent with Videbeck’s emphasis on
thorough assessment.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Premature diagnosis risks inappropriate treatment and
violates clinical accuracy standards.
C. Withholding documentation compromises continuity and
legal/ethical responsibilities.
D. Self-labeling is useful but insufficient without objective
assessment and collateral data.
Teaching point: Base diagnostic decisions on structured
, assessment of duration, frequency, and function.
Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Ch. 1 — Diagnostic and Assessment
Principles.
3)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM)
Stem: During shift change, a nurse reports that a client meets
DSM criteria for major depressive disorder. The next shift nurse
is unfamiliar with the case. Which documentation best supports
continuity of care and ethical practice?
A. “Client depressed; treat per provider orders.”
B. “Client reports sadness; suicidal ideation denied; sleep
decreased 4 weeks; appetite decreased; referral for psychiatric
evaluation documented.”
C. “Client feels low — monitor.”
D. “Client labeled MDD — medication as ordered.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): This entry records specific DSM-
relevant symptom duration and severity, assesses suicide risk,
and documents follow-up — all necessary for continuity, safety,
and legal/ethical clarity consistent with Videbeck’s
documentation recommendations.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Vague and non-specific; lacks important risk and symptom
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SHEILA L. VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
UNIT 1 — CURRENT THEORIES & PRACTICE
1)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction / Mental Health and Mental
Illness
Stem: A 24-year-old client hospitalized after a panic attack tells
the nurse, “My heart raced and I thought I was dying.” The
client appears alert, oriented, and expresses fear of recurrence.
Which nursing action best demonstrates an immediate
therapeutic response?
A. Provide a pamphlet describing panic disorder and ask the
client to read it.
B. Sit with the client, use calm voice, and guide slow breathing
,until anxiety decreases.
C. Explain that panic attacks are not dangerous and encourage
independent coping.
D. Tell the client to focus on positive thoughts and avoid
discussing symptoms.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): Sitting with the client, using a calm
voice, and guiding slow breathing are immediate, practical
interventions that reduce physiologic arousal and convey
presence — core therapeutic responses in Videbeck’s
framework. This addresses safety and helps the client regain
control.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Pamphlets are educational but are not immediate
therapeutic measures during acute anxiety.
C. Minimizing (“not dangerous”) is dismissive and may increase
distress; it lacks symptom management.
D. Encouraging avoidance of discussion is non-therapeutic and
prevents processing of the episode.
Teaching point: Use presence and breathing techniques to de-
escalate acute anxiety.
Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Ch. 1 — Mental Health and Mental Illness.
2)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Mental Health and Mental Illness /
,Diagnostic clarity
Stem: A nurse assessing a client with mood lability documents
symptoms that overlap several disorders. Which action best
reflects sound clinical judgment when diagnostic clarity is
uncertain?
A. Assign a definitive DSM diagnosis immediately to begin
treatment.
B. Focus assessment on symptom frequency, duration, and
functional impairment.
C. Withhold documentation until a psychiatrist confirms
diagnosis.
D. Rely on the client’s self-label (“I’m bipolar”) as sufficient for
care planning.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): Gathering detailed information about
symptom frequency, duration, and functional impact is essential
for accurate DSM-based diagnosis and safe, individualized
nursing care — consistent with Videbeck’s emphasis on
thorough assessment.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Premature diagnosis risks inappropriate treatment and
violates clinical accuracy standards.
C. Withholding documentation compromises continuity and
legal/ethical responsibilities.
D. Self-labeling is useful but insufficient without objective
assessment and collateral data.
Teaching point: Base diagnostic decisions on structured
, assessment of duration, frequency, and function.
Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Ch. 1 — Diagnostic and Assessment
Principles.
3)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM)
Stem: During shift change, a nurse reports that a client meets
DSM criteria for major depressive disorder. The next shift nurse
is unfamiliar with the case. Which documentation best supports
continuity of care and ethical practice?
A. “Client depressed; treat per provider orders.”
B. “Client reports sadness; suicidal ideation denied; sleep
decreased 4 weeks; appetite decreased; referral for psychiatric
evaluation documented.”
C. “Client feels low — monitor.”
D. “Client labeled MDD — medication as ordered.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): This entry records specific DSM-
relevant symptom duration and severity, assesses suicide risk,
and documents follow-up — all necessary for continuity, safety,
and legal/ethical clarity consistent with Videbeck’s
documentation recommendations.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Vague and non-specific; lacks important risk and symptom
