TEST BANK For Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing, 9th
Edition by Sheila L. Videbeck
100% Approved version 2024
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which of the following
symptoms should the nurse expect to find?
● A. Euphoric mood
● B. Increased energy levels
● C. Feelings of hopelessness
● D. Grandiose beliefs
Answer: C. Feelings of hopelessness
Rationale: Major depressive disorder is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness,
hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. Euphoric mood and grandiose
beliefs are more indicative of bipolar disorder, while increased energy levels are typically not
present in major depressive disorder.
Question 2
A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the best initial
nursing intervention?
● A. Encourage the patient to express their feelings about the hallucinations.
● B. Offer to talk with the patient about their day.
● C. Focus on reality and tell the patient the voices are not real.
● D. Distract the patient with a game or activity.
Answer: D. Distract the patient with a game or activity.
,Rationale: Distraction can help reduce the patient's focus on the hallucinations and provide a
break from the distress they cause. While exploring feelings and providing reality orientation are
important, they may not be the most effective initial interventions during an acute episode.
Question 3
A client in a psychiatric unit has been prescribed an SSRI. Which of the following client
statements indicates an understanding of the medication?
● A. "I can stop taking this medication when I start feeling better."
● B. "It might take a few weeks before I feel the full effects of this medication."
● C. "This medication will cure my depression immediately."
● D. "I should avoid all foods that contain tyramine while on this medication."
Answer: B. "It might take a few weeks before I feel the full effects of this medication."
Rationale: SSRIs often take several weeks to reach their full therapeutic effect. Patients should
not stop taking the medication abruptly without consulting their healthcare provider. Tyramine
restrictions are specific to MAOIs, not SSRIs.
Question 4
Which of the following is a primary goal of therapeutic communication in psychiatric nursing?
● A. To provide advice to the patient.
● B. To establish a trusting relationship.
● C. To diagnose the patient's mental health condition.
● D. To control the patient's behavior.
Answer: B. To establish a trusting relationship.
Rationale: The primary goal of therapeutic communication is to establish a trusting and
supportive relationship between the nurse and the patient. This foundation is essential for
effective treatment and intervention.
Question 5
A nurse is conducting a mental status examination. Which of the following areas should the
nurse assess?
● A. Appearance, behavior, cognition, and insight
● B. Age, gender, occupation, and marital status
● C. Family history, medical history, and social history
● D. Vital signs, laboratory results, and medication compliance
,Answer: A. Appearance, behavior, cognition, and insight
Rationale: A mental status examination includes assessing the patient's appearance, behavior,
cognition, insight, and other psychological functions to evaluate their current mental state. The
other options focus on demographic and medical information rather than mental status.
Question 6
A patient is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. The nurse
understands that the priority nursing diagnosis for this patient is:
● A. Ineffective coping
● B. Risk for self-harm
● C. Disturbed thought processes
● D. Impaired social interaction
Answer: B. Risk for self-harm
Rationale: Patients with bipolar disorder, especially during manic or depressive episodes, may
have an increased risk for self-harm. Addressing safety is the top priority in mental health
nursing.
Question 7
Which of the following behaviors is most indicative of a person experiencing a panic attack?
● A. Discussing a recent stressful event
● B. Describing feelings of impending doom
● C. Refusing to leave home
● D. Expressing a desire to sleep
Answer: B. Describing feelings of impending doom
Rationale: A feeling of impending doom is a common symptom of a panic attack. The other
options describe more generalized anxiety or depressive behaviors.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder. Which behavior should the
nurse anticipate?
● A. Consistent and stable relationships
● B. Frequent mood swings and emotional instability
● C. A desire to avoid all interpersonal relationships
, ● D. High levels of satisfaction in personal relationships
Answer: B. Frequent mood swings and emotional instability
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder is characterized by emotional instability, intense
interpersonal relationships, and impulsive behaviors. Stable relationships and satisfaction are
generally not present.
Question 9
When educating a client about their prescribed antipsychotic medication, which of the following
statements should the nurse emphasize?
● A. "You can stop taking this medication whenever you want."
● B. "It's important to take this medication even when you feel fine."
● C. "This medication will solve all of your problems."
● D. "You should not eat any foods with caffeine."
Answer: B. "It's important to take this medication even when you feel fine."
Rationale: Adherence to prescribed antipsychotic medications is crucial, even when the patient
feels well. Stopping suddenly can lead to a relapse.
Question 10
Which symptom would the nurse expect to see in a patient diagnosed with obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD)?
● A. Paranoia
● B. Euphoria
● C. Compulsions to perform specific behaviors
● D. Disorientation to time and place
Answer: C. Compulsions to perform specific behaviors
Rationale: Patients with OCD experience persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and
perform repetitive behaviors (compulsions) to alleviate anxiety.
Question 11
A client diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the nurse that they can hear voices telling them to
harm others. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
● A. Encourage the patient to ignore the voices.
Mental Health Nursing, 9th
Edition by Sheila L. Videbeck
100% Approved version 2024
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which of the following
symptoms should the nurse expect to find?
● A. Euphoric mood
● B. Increased energy levels
● C. Feelings of hopelessness
● D. Grandiose beliefs
Answer: C. Feelings of hopelessness
Rationale: Major depressive disorder is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness,
hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. Euphoric mood and grandiose
beliefs are more indicative of bipolar disorder, while increased energy levels are typically not
present in major depressive disorder.
Question 2
A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the best initial
nursing intervention?
● A. Encourage the patient to express their feelings about the hallucinations.
● B. Offer to talk with the patient about their day.
● C. Focus on reality and tell the patient the voices are not real.
● D. Distract the patient with a game or activity.
Answer: D. Distract the patient with a game or activity.
,Rationale: Distraction can help reduce the patient's focus on the hallucinations and provide a
break from the distress they cause. While exploring feelings and providing reality orientation are
important, they may not be the most effective initial interventions during an acute episode.
Question 3
A client in a psychiatric unit has been prescribed an SSRI. Which of the following client
statements indicates an understanding of the medication?
● A. "I can stop taking this medication when I start feeling better."
● B. "It might take a few weeks before I feel the full effects of this medication."
● C. "This medication will cure my depression immediately."
● D. "I should avoid all foods that contain tyramine while on this medication."
Answer: B. "It might take a few weeks before I feel the full effects of this medication."
Rationale: SSRIs often take several weeks to reach their full therapeutic effect. Patients should
not stop taking the medication abruptly without consulting their healthcare provider. Tyramine
restrictions are specific to MAOIs, not SSRIs.
Question 4
Which of the following is a primary goal of therapeutic communication in psychiatric nursing?
● A. To provide advice to the patient.
● B. To establish a trusting relationship.
● C. To diagnose the patient's mental health condition.
● D. To control the patient's behavior.
Answer: B. To establish a trusting relationship.
Rationale: The primary goal of therapeutic communication is to establish a trusting and
supportive relationship between the nurse and the patient. This foundation is essential for
effective treatment and intervention.
Question 5
A nurse is conducting a mental status examination. Which of the following areas should the
nurse assess?
● A. Appearance, behavior, cognition, and insight
● B. Age, gender, occupation, and marital status
● C. Family history, medical history, and social history
● D. Vital signs, laboratory results, and medication compliance
,Answer: A. Appearance, behavior, cognition, and insight
Rationale: A mental status examination includes assessing the patient's appearance, behavior,
cognition, insight, and other psychological functions to evaluate their current mental state. The
other options focus on demographic and medical information rather than mental status.
Question 6
A patient is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. The nurse
understands that the priority nursing diagnosis for this patient is:
● A. Ineffective coping
● B. Risk for self-harm
● C. Disturbed thought processes
● D. Impaired social interaction
Answer: B. Risk for self-harm
Rationale: Patients with bipolar disorder, especially during manic or depressive episodes, may
have an increased risk for self-harm. Addressing safety is the top priority in mental health
nursing.
Question 7
Which of the following behaviors is most indicative of a person experiencing a panic attack?
● A. Discussing a recent stressful event
● B. Describing feelings of impending doom
● C. Refusing to leave home
● D. Expressing a desire to sleep
Answer: B. Describing feelings of impending doom
Rationale: A feeling of impending doom is a common symptom of a panic attack. The other
options describe more generalized anxiety or depressive behaviors.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder. Which behavior should the
nurse anticipate?
● A. Consistent and stable relationships
● B. Frequent mood swings and emotional instability
● C. A desire to avoid all interpersonal relationships
, ● D. High levels of satisfaction in personal relationships
Answer: B. Frequent mood swings and emotional instability
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder is characterized by emotional instability, intense
interpersonal relationships, and impulsive behaviors. Stable relationships and satisfaction are
generally not present.
Question 9
When educating a client about their prescribed antipsychotic medication, which of the following
statements should the nurse emphasize?
● A. "You can stop taking this medication whenever you want."
● B. "It's important to take this medication even when you feel fine."
● C. "This medication will solve all of your problems."
● D. "You should not eat any foods with caffeine."
Answer: B. "It's important to take this medication even when you feel fine."
Rationale: Adherence to prescribed antipsychotic medications is crucial, even when the patient
feels well. Stopping suddenly can lead to a relapse.
Question 10
Which symptom would the nurse expect to see in a patient diagnosed with obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD)?
● A. Paranoia
● B. Euphoria
● C. Compulsions to perform specific behaviors
● D. Disorientation to time and place
Answer: C. Compulsions to perform specific behaviors
Rationale: Patients with OCD experience persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and
perform repetitive behaviors (compulsions) to alleviate anxiety.
Question 11
A client diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the nurse that they can hear voices telling them to
harm others. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
● A. Encourage the patient to ignore the voices.
