Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing, 9th Edition
Sheila L. Videbeck Wolters Kluwer Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which statement best reflects the primary focus of psychiatric–
mental health nursing?
A. Diagnosing mental disorders
B. Providing custodial care
C. Promoting mental health and preventing mental illness
D. Prescribing psychotropic medications
Answer: C
Rationale: Psychiatric–mental health nursing emphasizes
promotion of mental health, prevention of mental illness, and care
of individuals experiencing mental health problems.
2. Which component is essential to the therapeutic nurse–patient
relationship?
A. Social interaction
B. Confidentiality
C. Nurse self-disclosure at all times
D. Advice-giving
Answer: B
Rationale: Confidentiality builds trust and is foundational to a
therapeutic relationship.
3. During which phase of the nurse–patient relationship are goals
established?
, A. Preorientation
B. Orientation
C. Working
D. Termination
Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase focuses on establishing trust,
defining roles, and setting mutually agreed-upon goals.
4. Which communication technique is most therapeutic?
A. Why do you feel that way?
B. Everything will be okay
C. Tell me more about that
D. You should try to relax
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended statements encourage patients to explore
feelings and thoughts.
5. A patient is pacing and clenching fists. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Ask the patient to sit down
B. Offer PRN medication
C. Assess for escalation and ensure safety
D. Ignore the behavior
Answer: C
Rationale: Early assessment and safety interventions help prevent
aggressive incidents.
6. Which term refers to an individual’s enduring patterns of behavior
and inner experience?
A. Mood
, B. Affect
C. Personality
D. Thought content
Answer: C
Rationale: Personality reflects long-standing behavioral and
emotional patterns.
7. Which is an example of a boundary violation?
A. Explaining unit rules
B. Accepting a large gift from a patient
C. Maintaining eye contact
D. Clarifying expectations
Answer: B
Rationale: Accepting gifts compromises professional boundaries.
8. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most associated with
depression?
A. Dopamine excess
B. Serotonin deficiency
C. GABA excess
D. Acetylcholine deficiency
Answer: B
Rationale: Reduced serotonin levels are strongly linked to
depressive disorders.
9. Which symptom is characteristic of mania?
A. Anhedonia
B. Flat affect
C. Decreased need for sleep
D. Psychomotor retardation
, Answer: C
Rationale: Manic episodes often include little need for sleep
without fatigue.
10. A patient states, “I hear voices telling me I am worthless.”
This is an example of:
A. Delusion
B. Illusion
C. Hallucination
D. Flight of ideas
Answer: C
Rationale: Auditory hallucinations involve hearing sounds or voices
without external stimuli.
11. Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient
experiencing anxiety?
A. Encourage avoidance
B. Use a calm, reassuring presence
C. Challenge beliefs aggressively
D. Provide excessive information
Answer: B
Rationale: A calm presence helps reduce anxiety and promotes
grounding.
12. Which defense mechanism involves attributing one’s feelings
to others?
A. Projection
B. Rationalization
C. Sublimation
D. Suppression
Sheila L. Videbeck Wolters Kluwer Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which statement best reflects the primary focus of psychiatric–
mental health nursing?
A. Diagnosing mental disorders
B. Providing custodial care
C. Promoting mental health and preventing mental illness
D. Prescribing psychotropic medications
Answer: C
Rationale: Psychiatric–mental health nursing emphasizes
promotion of mental health, prevention of mental illness, and care
of individuals experiencing mental health problems.
2. Which component is essential to the therapeutic nurse–patient
relationship?
A. Social interaction
B. Confidentiality
C. Nurse self-disclosure at all times
D. Advice-giving
Answer: B
Rationale: Confidentiality builds trust and is foundational to a
therapeutic relationship.
3. During which phase of the nurse–patient relationship are goals
established?
, A. Preorientation
B. Orientation
C. Working
D. Termination
Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase focuses on establishing trust,
defining roles, and setting mutually agreed-upon goals.
4. Which communication technique is most therapeutic?
A. Why do you feel that way?
B. Everything will be okay
C. Tell me more about that
D. You should try to relax
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended statements encourage patients to explore
feelings and thoughts.
5. A patient is pacing and clenching fists. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Ask the patient to sit down
B. Offer PRN medication
C. Assess for escalation and ensure safety
D. Ignore the behavior
Answer: C
Rationale: Early assessment and safety interventions help prevent
aggressive incidents.
6. Which term refers to an individual’s enduring patterns of behavior
and inner experience?
A. Mood
, B. Affect
C. Personality
D. Thought content
Answer: C
Rationale: Personality reflects long-standing behavioral and
emotional patterns.
7. Which is an example of a boundary violation?
A. Explaining unit rules
B. Accepting a large gift from a patient
C. Maintaining eye contact
D. Clarifying expectations
Answer: B
Rationale: Accepting gifts compromises professional boundaries.
8. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most associated with
depression?
A. Dopamine excess
B. Serotonin deficiency
C. GABA excess
D. Acetylcholine deficiency
Answer: B
Rationale: Reduced serotonin levels are strongly linked to
depressive disorders.
9. Which symptom is characteristic of mania?
A. Anhedonia
B. Flat affect
C. Decreased need for sleep
D. Psychomotor retardation
, Answer: C
Rationale: Manic episodes often include little need for sleep
without fatigue.
10. A patient states, “I hear voices telling me I am worthless.”
This is an example of:
A. Delusion
B. Illusion
C. Hallucination
D. Flight of ideas
Answer: C
Rationale: Auditory hallucinations involve hearing sounds or voices
without external stimuli.
11. Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient
experiencing anxiety?
A. Encourage avoidance
B. Use a calm, reassuring presence
C. Challenge beliefs aggressively
D. Provide excessive information
Answer: B
Rationale: A calm presence helps reduce anxiety and promotes
grounding.
12. Which defense mechanism involves attributing one’s feelings
to others?
A. Projection
B. Rationalization
C. Sublimation
D. Suppression
