PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING
10TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S): SHEILA L.
VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
1. Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing —
Mental Health and Mental Illness
Question 1
Reference: Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing — Mental Health and Mental Illness
A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is assessing a
22-year-old college student who reports feeling
“overwhelmed and sad” after failing several examinations.
,The patient states, “I have trouble sleeping, but I still attend
classes and spend time with friends.” Which nursing
response best reflects an understanding of the mental
health–mental illness continuum?
A. “Because you are sad and anxious, you likely have a
psychiatric disorder.”
B. “Mental health exists on a continuum, and temporary
stress reactions do not always indicate mental illness.”
C. “Anyone with insomnia for more than 1 week requires
inpatient psychiatric treatment.”
D. “Your symptoms mean you are unable to function
independently.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationales
Correct Answer (B):
Mental health and mental illness exist on a continuum, and
individuals may experience emotional distress without
meeting criteria for a psychiatric disorder. The patient
maintains social and academic functioning, suggesting
adaptive coping despite situational stress. Therapeutic
communication normalizes help-seeking while encouraging
further assessment.
Incorrect Answers:
A. Emotional distress alone does not confirm a psychiatric
disorder; further assessment of severity and functioning is
,required.
C. Insomnia alone is not an indication for inpatient
psychiatric admission unless safety or severe impairment is
present.
D. The patient continues attending school and socializing,
indicating preserved functioning.
Teaching Point:
Mental health exists on a continuum; stress responses do
not always equal mental illness.
Citation:
Videbeck, S. L. (2026). Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
(10th ed.). Mental Health and Mental Illness.
2. Psychiatric Nursing Practice — Therapeutic
Communication
Question 2
Reference: Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing — Psychiatric Nursing Practice
A newly admitted patient with major depressive disorder
states, “Nothing will ever get better for me.” Which response
by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. “You should focus on positive thinking.”
B. “Why do you think your life is so difficult?”
, C. “It sounds as though you feel hopeless right now.”
D. “Many people have worse problems than you do.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationales
Correct Answer (C):
This response uses therapeutic communication by reflecting
feelings and encouraging emotional expression.
Acknowledging hopelessness helps build trust and promotes
further assessment of suicide risk and depressive symptoms.
Incorrect Answers:
A. Encouraging “positive thinking” minimizes the patient’s
feelings and may inhibit communication.
B. Asking “why” can make patients feel defensive and is less
therapeutic.
D. Comparing suffering minimizes the patient’s emotional
experience.
Teaching Point:
Reflection validates feelings and promotes therapeutic
nurse–patient communication.
Citation:
Videbeck, S. L. (2026). Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
(10th ed.). Psychiatric Nursing Practice.
NURSING
10TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S): SHEILA L.
VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
1. Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing —
Mental Health and Mental Illness
Question 1
Reference: Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing — Mental Health and Mental Illness
A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is assessing a
22-year-old college student who reports feeling
“overwhelmed and sad” after failing several examinations.
,The patient states, “I have trouble sleeping, but I still attend
classes and spend time with friends.” Which nursing
response best reflects an understanding of the mental
health–mental illness continuum?
A. “Because you are sad and anxious, you likely have a
psychiatric disorder.”
B. “Mental health exists on a continuum, and temporary
stress reactions do not always indicate mental illness.”
C. “Anyone with insomnia for more than 1 week requires
inpatient psychiatric treatment.”
D. “Your symptoms mean you are unable to function
independently.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationales
Correct Answer (B):
Mental health and mental illness exist on a continuum, and
individuals may experience emotional distress without
meeting criteria for a psychiatric disorder. The patient
maintains social and academic functioning, suggesting
adaptive coping despite situational stress. Therapeutic
communication normalizes help-seeking while encouraging
further assessment.
Incorrect Answers:
A. Emotional distress alone does not confirm a psychiatric
disorder; further assessment of severity and functioning is
,required.
C. Insomnia alone is not an indication for inpatient
psychiatric admission unless safety or severe impairment is
present.
D. The patient continues attending school and socializing,
indicating preserved functioning.
Teaching Point:
Mental health exists on a continuum; stress responses do
not always equal mental illness.
Citation:
Videbeck, S. L. (2026). Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
(10th ed.). Mental Health and Mental Illness.
2. Psychiatric Nursing Practice — Therapeutic
Communication
Question 2
Reference: Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing — Psychiatric Nursing Practice
A newly admitted patient with major depressive disorder
states, “Nothing will ever get better for me.” Which response
by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. “You should focus on positive thinking.”
B. “Why do you think your life is so difficult?”
, C. “It sounds as though you feel hopeless right now.”
D. “Many people have worse problems than you do.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationales
Correct Answer (C):
This response uses therapeutic communication by reflecting
feelings and encouraging emotional expression.
Acknowledging hopelessness helps build trust and promotes
further assessment of suicide risk and depressive symptoms.
Incorrect Answers:
A. Encouraging “positive thinking” minimizes the patient’s
feelings and may inhibit communication.
B. Asking “why” can make patients feel defensive and is less
therapeutic.
D. Comparing suffering minimizes the patient’s emotional
experience.
Teaching Point:
Reflection validates feelings and promotes therapeutic
nurse–patient communication.
Citation:
Videbeck, S. L. (2026). Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
(10th ed.). Psychiatric Nursing Practice.
