PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SHEILA L. VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
UNIT 1 — CURRENT THEORIES & PRACTICE
Questions 1-5: Mental Health and Mental Illness
Question 1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Foundations — Mental Health Continuum &
Defining Mental Illness
Stem: A 28-year-old client states, "I’ve been feeling down and
stressed since my project deadline at work two weeks ago. I’m
sleeping a bit more but still go out with friends and meet all my
deadlines." The nurse observes the client is well-groomed and
describes using exercise to manage stress. Based on the mental
,health continuum, how should the nurse interpret this client's
current status?
Options:
A. The client is in a state of crisis and requires immediate
intervention.
B. The client is experiencing a mental illness, as indicated by the
presence of distress.
C. The client is within the "healthy" range, experiencing normal
stress with intact functioning.
D. The client has an emotional problem characterized by
moderate impairment.
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct Rationale: The client describes reactive stress to a
specific event (work deadline) with mild, temporary
changes in sleep. They maintain social relationships,
occupational functioning, and use healthy coping
mechanisms. This aligns with the "healthy" range of the
continuum where individuals cope effectively with
everyday stressors.
• Incorrect Rationale A: There is no evidence of crisis (e.g.,
inability to function, suicidal ideation). The client's coping
and intact functioning indicate stability.
, • Incorrect Rationale B: While distress is present, it is not at
a level of significant impairment in major life areas
required for a mental illness diagnosis.
• Incorrect Rationale D: Emotional problems involve mild to
moderate distress with mild impairment. This client's
impairment is minimal and temporary, not fitting this
category.
Teaching Point: The mental health continuum is dynamic;
assessment focuses on distress level and functional impairment,
not just the presence of symptoms.
Question 2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Foundations — Components of Mental
Health Disorders
Stem: When assessing a new client diagnosed with Major
Depressive Disorder, the nurse notes the client has not
showered in five days, has called out of work for two weeks,
and states, "I'm too tired and worthless to do anything." Which
component of the definition of a mental health disorder does
the nurse identify as distress or impairment?
Options:
A. The client's belief of being "worthless," which deviates from
their usual self-view.
B. The diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder itself, which is a
dysfunction.
C. The inability to perform self-care and work activities.
, D. The biological dysfunction in neurotransmitter systems
causing low energy.
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct Rationale: Distress or impairment refers to the
psychological/physical suffering and the limited ability to
engage in activities of daily living or major life roles.
Neglecting hygiene (self-care) and missing work are clear
examples of impairment.
• Incorrect Rationale A: This describes a cognitive distortion
(dysfunction in thinking) and a deviation from a prior norm
(deviance), not the impairment it causes.
• Incorrect Rationale B: The diagnosis encompasses all
components (dysfunction, distress, deviance); this option is
too broad.
• Incorrect Rationale D: This describes the potential
biological dysfunction underlying the disorder, not the
resulting impairment in daily life.
Teaching Point: Nursing assessment must document specific
examples of how symptoms cause impairment in daily
functioning.
Question 3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Foundations — Definitions and Cultural
Impact
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SHEILA L. VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
UNIT 1 — CURRENT THEORIES & PRACTICE
Questions 1-5: Mental Health and Mental Illness
Question 1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Foundations — Mental Health Continuum &
Defining Mental Illness
Stem: A 28-year-old client states, "I’ve been feeling down and
stressed since my project deadline at work two weeks ago. I’m
sleeping a bit more but still go out with friends and meet all my
deadlines." The nurse observes the client is well-groomed and
describes using exercise to manage stress. Based on the mental
,health continuum, how should the nurse interpret this client's
current status?
Options:
A. The client is in a state of crisis and requires immediate
intervention.
B. The client is experiencing a mental illness, as indicated by the
presence of distress.
C. The client is within the "healthy" range, experiencing normal
stress with intact functioning.
D. The client has an emotional problem characterized by
moderate impairment.
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct Rationale: The client describes reactive stress to a
specific event (work deadline) with mild, temporary
changes in sleep. They maintain social relationships,
occupational functioning, and use healthy coping
mechanisms. This aligns with the "healthy" range of the
continuum where individuals cope effectively with
everyday stressors.
• Incorrect Rationale A: There is no evidence of crisis (e.g.,
inability to function, suicidal ideation). The client's coping
and intact functioning indicate stability.
, • Incorrect Rationale B: While distress is present, it is not at
a level of significant impairment in major life areas
required for a mental illness diagnosis.
• Incorrect Rationale D: Emotional problems involve mild to
moderate distress with mild impairment. This client's
impairment is minimal and temporary, not fitting this
category.
Teaching Point: The mental health continuum is dynamic;
assessment focuses on distress level and functional impairment,
not just the presence of symptoms.
Question 2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Foundations — Components of Mental
Health Disorders
Stem: When assessing a new client diagnosed with Major
Depressive Disorder, the nurse notes the client has not
showered in five days, has called out of work for two weeks,
and states, "I'm too tired and worthless to do anything." Which
component of the definition of a mental health disorder does
the nurse identify as distress or impairment?
Options:
A. The client's belief of being "worthless," which deviates from
their usual self-view.
B. The diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder itself, which is a
dysfunction.
C. The inability to perform self-care and work activities.
, D. The biological dysfunction in neurotransmitter systems
causing low energy.
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct Rationale: Distress or impairment refers to the
psychological/physical suffering and the limited ability to
engage in activities of daily living or major life roles.
Neglecting hygiene (self-care) and missing work are clear
examples of impairment.
• Incorrect Rationale A: This describes a cognitive distortion
(dysfunction in thinking) and a deviation from a prior norm
(deviance), not the impairment it causes.
• Incorrect Rationale B: The diagnosis encompasses all
components (dysfunction, distress, deviance); this option is
too broad.
• Incorrect Rationale D: This describes the potential
biological dysfunction underlying the disorder, not the
resulting impairment in daily life.
Teaching Point: Nursing assessment must document specific
examples of how symptoms cause impairment in daily
functioning.
Question 3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Foundations — Definitions and Cultural
Impact
