PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SHEILA L. VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
UNIT 1 — CURRENT THEORIES & PRACTICE
1
Reference: Unit 1 — Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing — Introduction / Role of the Psychiatric Nurse
Stem: A newly hired nurse on the psychiatric unit is assigned to
admit a 45-year-old patient with long-standing mood instability
who has frequent outpatient visits. The nurse plans the initial
nursing assessment. Which approach best reflects the
psychiatric–mental health nurse’s role?
A. Focus primarily on collecting DSM diagnostic criteria to
ensure an accurate psychiatric diagnosis.
,B. Perform a holistic assessment that includes current
symptoms, coping, family support, and functional status.
C. Begin by discussing medication options and adjusting dosage
per protocol.
D. Schedule daily psychotherapy sessions to address the
patient’s long-term issues.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): Psychiatric–mental health nursing
emphasizes a holistic assessment—mental status, coping, social
supports, functional abilities, and safety—to guide nursing
interventions and collaborative care. This aligns with Videbeck’s
framework prioritizing nursing assessment and individualized
care planning.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Collecting DSM criteria is useful for diagnosis but is the role
of the interdisciplinary team; nursing assessment is broader and
focuses on functioning and nursing needs.
C. Medication management is collaborative and often requires
prescriber orders; jumping immediately to dose changes is
premature without full assessment.
D. Daily psychotherapy is outside the typical nursing role and
may not be appropriate immediately; therapy planning follows
assessment and interdisciplinary coordination.
Teaching point: Nursing begins with holistic assessment—
function, supports, coping—not just diagnosis.
,Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Unit 1.
2
Reference: Unit 1 — Mental Health and Mental Illness —
Continuum of Mental Health
Stem: During a community mental health screening, a nurse
encounters an adult who reports recent difficulty sleeping and
decreased motivation but is still working and maintaining self-
care. How should the nurse conceptualize this presentation?
A. The person meets criteria for a major psychiatric disorder
and should be referred for hospitalization.
B. The person is on the mental health–mental illness continuum
and may benefit from early intervention and support.
C. The person is malingering and should be dismissed.
D. The nurse should immediately start the person on
psychotropic medication.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): Videbeck describes mental health and
illness as a continuum. Mild-to-moderate functional changes
warrant early intervention, psychoeducation, and brief supports
to prevent progression. This is a nursing opportunity for
screening and referral.
, Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Hospitalization is not indicated for mild, functioning
symptoms; inappropriate escalation risks unnecessary
restriction.
C. Labeling as malingering is judgmental and unsupported by
the information; exploration of causes is needed.
D. Initiating medication without thorough assessment and
prescriber involvement is outside nursing scope and premature.
Teaching point: Mental health exists on a continuum—early
identification and support can prevent worsening.
Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Unit 1.
3
Reference: Unit 1 — Diagnostic and Statistical Manual — Use of
DSM in Practice
Stem: A nurse is reviewing a new patient’s chart and sees an
ICD/DSM diagnosis but limited documentation about functional
deficits and nursing needs. What is the nurse’s most
appropriate next step?
A. Accept the diagnosis as sufficient and focus nursing care only
on medication administration.
B. Conduct a comprehensive nursing assessment to identify
functional impairments, strengths, and nursing priorities.
C. Remove the DSM diagnosis because nursing care should not
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SHEILA L. VIDEBECK
TEST BANK
UNIT 1 — CURRENT THEORIES & PRACTICE
1
Reference: Unit 1 — Foundations of Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing — Introduction / Role of the Psychiatric Nurse
Stem: A newly hired nurse on the psychiatric unit is assigned to
admit a 45-year-old patient with long-standing mood instability
who has frequent outpatient visits. The nurse plans the initial
nursing assessment. Which approach best reflects the
psychiatric–mental health nurse’s role?
A. Focus primarily on collecting DSM diagnostic criteria to
ensure an accurate psychiatric diagnosis.
,B. Perform a holistic assessment that includes current
symptoms, coping, family support, and functional status.
C. Begin by discussing medication options and adjusting dosage
per protocol.
D. Schedule daily psychotherapy sessions to address the
patient’s long-term issues.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): Psychiatric–mental health nursing
emphasizes a holistic assessment—mental status, coping, social
supports, functional abilities, and safety—to guide nursing
interventions and collaborative care. This aligns with Videbeck’s
framework prioritizing nursing assessment and individualized
care planning.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Collecting DSM criteria is useful for diagnosis but is the role
of the interdisciplinary team; nursing assessment is broader and
focuses on functioning and nursing needs.
C. Medication management is collaborative and often requires
prescriber orders; jumping immediately to dose changes is
premature without full assessment.
D. Daily psychotherapy is outside the typical nursing role and
may not be appropriate immediately; therapy planning follows
assessment and interdisciplinary coordination.
Teaching point: Nursing begins with holistic assessment—
function, supports, coping—not just diagnosis.
,Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Unit 1.
2
Reference: Unit 1 — Mental Health and Mental Illness —
Continuum of Mental Health
Stem: During a community mental health screening, a nurse
encounters an adult who reports recent difficulty sleeping and
decreased motivation but is still working and maintaining self-
care. How should the nurse conceptualize this presentation?
A. The person meets criteria for a major psychiatric disorder
and should be referred for hospitalization.
B. The person is on the mental health–mental illness continuum
and may benefit from early intervention and support.
C. The person is malingering and should be dismissed.
D. The nurse should immediately start the person on
psychotropic medication.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): Videbeck describes mental health and
illness as a continuum. Mild-to-moderate functional changes
warrant early intervention, psychoeducation, and brief supports
to prevent progression. This is a nursing opportunity for
screening and referral.
, Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Hospitalization is not indicated for mild, functioning
symptoms; inappropriate escalation risks unnecessary
restriction.
C. Labeling as malingering is judgmental and unsupported by
the information; exploration of causes is needed.
D. Initiating medication without thorough assessment and
prescriber involvement is outside nursing scope and premature.
Teaching point: Mental health exists on a continuum—early
identification and support can prevent worsening.
Citation: Videbeck, S. L. (2025). Psychiatric–Mental Health
Nursing (10th ed.). Unit 1.
3
Reference: Unit 1 — Diagnostic and Statistical Manual — Use of
DSM in Practice
Stem: A nurse is reviewing a new patient’s chart and sees an
ICD/DSM diagnosis but limited documentation about functional
deficits and nursing needs. What is the nurse’s most
appropriate next step?
A. Accept the diagnosis as sufficient and focus nursing care only
on medication administration.
B. Conduct a comprehensive nursing assessment to identify
functional impairments, strengths, and nursing priorities.
C. Remove the DSM diagnosis because nursing care should not
