PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SHEILA L. VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
UNIT 1 — CURRENT THEORIES & PRACTICE
Q1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction — Definitions of Mental Health
& Mental Illness
Stem: A 22-year-old college student is admitted to the campus
health center reporting persistent sleep disturbance, social
withdrawal, and declining grades over 3 months. The nursing
assessment reveals intact reality testing but impaired
concentration and anhedonia. Which nursing statement best
demonstrates application of the mental health versus mental
illness framework when planning care?
A. “This is not a mental illness since the student’s reality testing
,is intact.”
B. “These symptoms indicate impaired functioning and suggest
a treatable mental health disorder requiring assessment and
intervention.”
C. “Because the student is young, these problems will resolve
without intervention.”
D. “Labeling this as a mental illness will only stigmatize the
student; avoid diagnostic discussion.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): The student’s symptoms produce
impaired functioning (academic, social) and warrant a thorough
assessment and treatment plan; this reflects the distinction that
mental health and illness are defined by functioning and
distress, not solely by presence/absence of reality testing. This
aligns with Videbeck’s framework emphasizing early
identification and intervention.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Intact reality testing does not rule out mental illness; many
disorders present without psychosis.
C. Assuming spontaneous resolution neglects clinical
assessment and delays needed care.
D. Avoiding diagnostic discussion entirely can prevent
appropriate treatment planning and informed consent.
Teaching point: Functional impairment and distress—not just
psychosis—define mental illness and guide nursing
intervention.
,Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Ch. 1.
Q2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders — Role & Limitations of DSM
Stem: During admission, the nurse notes symptoms that meet
DSM criteria for a major depressive episode but also learns the
patient recently experienced a significant bereavement. Which
nursing action best applies DSM use and its limitations?
A. Diagnose major depressive disorder immediately and
document it as the primary problem.
B. Use DSM criteria to inform assessment but document clinical
judgment about bereavement influencing symptoms.
C. Avoid any diagnostic labels and only document symptoms to
prevent misclassification.
D. Refer for involuntary psychiatric commitment because the
patient meets DSM criteria.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): The DSM informs diagnostic thinking,
but clinicians must apply clinical judgment and consider context
(e.g., bereavement) that may affect diagnosis and treatment
planning. Proper documentation should reflect both symptom
criteria and contextual factors.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Immediate labeling without context can misclassify normal
, grief versus disorder.
C. Omitting diagnostic impressions ignores the utility of DSM
criteria for informing care.
D. Diagnostic criteria alone do not justify involuntary
commitment; legal standards and danger criteria apply.
Teaching point: Use DSM criteria alongside clinical judgment
and contextual factors for accurate assessment.
Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Ch. 1.
Q3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Historical Perspectives of Treatment —
Institutionalization to Community Care
Stem: A nurse in a community mental health clinic is explaining
to a newly admitted older patient why services are structured
differently now than decades ago. Which nursing statement
best reflects the historical shift from institutionalization to
community-based care?
A. “Patients are discharged early now to save costs, so
outpatient care is minimal.”
B. “Care has shifted toward community-based treatment to
promote least-restrictive, recovery-focused services.”
C. “Institutionalization was safer; community care increases risk
and should be avoided.”
D. “Today’s approach emphasizes medications only, without
social or psychosocial services.”
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SHEILA L. VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
UNIT 1 — CURRENT THEORIES & PRACTICE
Q1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction — Definitions of Mental Health
& Mental Illness
Stem: A 22-year-old college student is admitted to the campus
health center reporting persistent sleep disturbance, social
withdrawal, and declining grades over 3 months. The nursing
assessment reveals intact reality testing but impaired
concentration and anhedonia. Which nursing statement best
demonstrates application of the mental health versus mental
illness framework when planning care?
A. “This is not a mental illness since the student’s reality testing
,is intact.”
B. “These symptoms indicate impaired functioning and suggest
a treatable mental health disorder requiring assessment and
intervention.”
C. “Because the student is young, these problems will resolve
without intervention.”
D. “Labeling this as a mental illness will only stigmatize the
student; avoid diagnostic discussion.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): The student’s symptoms produce
impaired functioning (academic, social) and warrant a thorough
assessment and treatment plan; this reflects the distinction that
mental health and illness are defined by functioning and
distress, not solely by presence/absence of reality testing. This
aligns with Videbeck’s framework emphasizing early
identification and intervention.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Intact reality testing does not rule out mental illness; many
disorders present without psychosis.
C. Assuming spontaneous resolution neglects clinical
assessment and delays needed care.
D. Avoiding diagnostic discussion entirely can prevent
appropriate treatment planning and informed consent.
Teaching point: Functional impairment and distress—not just
psychosis—define mental illness and guide nursing
intervention.
,Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Ch. 1.
Q2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders — Role & Limitations of DSM
Stem: During admission, the nurse notes symptoms that meet
DSM criteria for a major depressive episode but also learns the
patient recently experienced a significant bereavement. Which
nursing action best applies DSM use and its limitations?
A. Diagnose major depressive disorder immediately and
document it as the primary problem.
B. Use DSM criteria to inform assessment but document clinical
judgment about bereavement influencing symptoms.
C. Avoid any diagnostic labels and only document symptoms to
prevent misclassification.
D. Refer for involuntary psychiatric commitment because the
patient meets DSM criteria.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): The DSM informs diagnostic thinking,
but clinicians must apply clinical judgment and consider context
(e.g., bereavement) that may affect diagnosis and treatment
planning. Proper documentation should reflect both symptom
criteria and contextual factors.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Immediate labeling without context can misclassify normal
, grief versus disorder.
C. Omitting diagnostic impressions ignores the utility of DSM
criteria for informing care.
D. Diagnostic criteria alone do not justify involuntary
commitment; legal standards and danger criteria apply.
Teaching point: Use DSM criteria alongside clinical judgment
and contextual factors for accurate assessment.
Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Ch. 1.
Q3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Historical Perspectives of Treatment —
Institutionalization to Community Care
Stem: A nurse in a community mental health clinic is explaining
to a newly admitted older patient why services are structured
differently now than decades ago. Which nursing statement
best reflects the historical shift from institutionalization to
community-based care?
A. “Patients are discharged early now to save costs, so
outpatient care is minimal.”
B. “Care has shifted toward community-based treatment to
promote least-restrictive, recovery-focused services.”
C. “Institutionalization was safer; community care increases risk
and should be avoided.”
D. “Today’s approach emphasizes medications only, without
social or psychosocial services.”
