PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SHEILA L. VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
UNIT 1 — CURRENT THEORIES & PRACTICE
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing —
Defining Mental Health vs. Mental Illness
Stem
A 28-year-old patient hospitalized after a first psychotic episode
says, “I feel different from myself but don’t think I’m sick.”
Mental status exam shows limited insight but intact orientation
and stable vital signs. As the psychiatric nurse, which
,intervention best facilitates therapeutic engagement while
respecting the patient’s current perspective?
A. Gently educate the patient about diagnostic criteria for
psychotic disorders from the DSM.
B. Explore the patient’s experience and validate their feelings
while assessing safety and insight.
C. Inform the patient that lack of insight indicates severe mental
illness and insist on medication.
D. Avoid discussing symptoms and focus only on medication
teaching to promote adherence.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Prioritizes therapeutic engagement by validating
the patient’s subjective experience while gathering assessment
data on safety and insight; aligns with Videbeck’s emphasis on
empathy, collaborative relationship building, and
nonjudgmental assessment. This approach supports later
education and shared decision-making.
Incorrect (A): Immediate DSM education is abstract, likely
nonengaging for someone with limited insight and does not first
establish rapport.
Incorrect (C): Labeling and insistence undermines trust and
therapeutic alliance; coercive language risks nonadherence and
ethical conflict.
Incorrect (D): Focusing solely on medication teaching
,prematurely prioritizes treatment over building rapport and
assessing suicide/harm risk.
Teaching Point
Validate the patient’s experience and assess safety before
offering diagnostic education.
Citation
Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing (10th
ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Foundations — Role and Scope of Psychiatric Nursing
Stem
During admission, a patient with major depressive disorder asks
the nurse, “Can you tell me exactly what my diagnosis means
and what will happen?” The nurse’s role includes assessment,
therapeutic communication, and coordination of care. Which
response best reflects the nurse’s scope and promotes clinical
judgment?
A. Provide a brief, plain-language explanation of the diagnosis
and outline next steps, and offer to discuss questions later.
B. Give a full, technical readout of the DSM diagnostic criteria
and ask the patient to memorize them.
C. Decline to explain, stating that only the psychiatrist can
discuss the diagnosis.
, D. Tell the patient the diagnosis is unimportant and shift focus
to activities on the unit.
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct (A): Falls squarely within the nurse’s scope—provides
clear, developmentally appropriate information, orients the
patient to the plan, and invites further questions, consistent
with Videbeck’s patient-centered education and coordination
role.
Incorrect (B): Overly technical and cognitively burdensome;
risks confusion and does not prioritize therapeutic
communication.
Incorrect (C): Unnecessarily abdicates nursing responsibility for
patient education and relationship building.
Incorrect (D): Minimizes patient concerns and undermines trust
and informed participation in care.
Teaching Point
Provide clear, concise explanations and offer follow-up for
questions; patient education is a nursing role.
Citation
Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing (10th
ed.). Ch. 1.
3
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SHEILA L. VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
UNIT 1 — CURRENT THEORIES & PRACTICE
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing —
Defining Mental Health vs. Mental Illness
Stem
A 28-year-old patient hospitalized after a first psychotic episode
says, “I feel different from myself but don’t think I’m sick.”
Mental status exam shows limited insight but intact orientation
and stable vital signs. As the psychiatric nurse, which
,intervention best facilitates therapeutic engagement while
respecting the patient’s current perspective?
A. Gently educate the patient about diagnostic criteria for
psychotic disorders from the DSM.
B. Explore the patient’s experience and validate their feelings
while assessing safety and insight.
C. Inform the patient that lack of insight indicates severe mental
illness and insist on medication.
D. Avoid discussing symptoms and focus only on medication
teaching to promote adherence.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Prioritizes therapeutic engagement by validating
the patient’s subjective experience while gathering assessment
data on safety and insight; aligns with Videbeck’s emphasis on
empathy, collaborative relationship building, and
nonjudgmental assessment. This approach supports later
education and shared decision-making.
Incorrect (A): Immediate DSM education is abstract, likely
nonengaging for someone with limited insight and does not first
establish rapport.
Incorrect (C): Labeling and insistence undermines trust and
therapeutic alliance; coercive language risks nonadherence and
ethical conflict.
Incorrect (D): Focusing solely on medication teaching
,prematurely prioritizes treatment over building rapport and
assessing suicide/harm risk.
Teaching Point
Validate the patient’s experience and assess safety before
offering diagnostic education.
Citation
Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing (10th
ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Foundations — Role and Scope of Psychiatric Nursing
Stem
During admission, a patient with major depressive disorder asks
the nurse, “Can you tell me exactly what my diagnosis means
and what will happen?” The nurse’s role includes assessment,
therapeutic communication, and coordination of care. Which
response best reflects the nurse’s scope and promotes clinical
judgment?
A. Provide a brief, plain-language explanation of the diagnosis
and outline next steps, and offer to discuss questions later.
B. Give a full, technical readout of the DSM diagnostic criteria
and ask the patient to memorize them.
C. Decline to explain, stating that only the psychiatrist can
discuss the diagnosis.
, D. Tell the patient the diagnosis is unimportant and shift focus
to activities on the unit.
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct (A): Falls squarely within the nurse’s scope—provides
clear, developmentally appropriate information, orients the
patient to the plan, and invites further questions, consistent
with Videbeck’s patient-centered education and coordination
role.
Incorrect (B): Overly technical and cognitively burdensome;
risks confusion and does not prioritize therapeutic
communication.
Incorrect (C): Unnecessarily abdicates nursing responsibility for
patient education and relationship building.
Incorrect (D): Minimizes patient concerns and undermines trust
and informed participation in care.
Teaching Point
Provide clear, concise explanations and offer follow-up for
questions; patient education is a nursing role.
Citation
Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing (10th
ed.). Ch. 1.
3
