Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing 8th edition by
Videbeck Test Bank
Revision Test: Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing
Question 1
Which therapeutic communication technique is most effective when working with a patient who is feeling
anxious?
A. Confrontation
B. Reflective listening
C. Silence
D. Giving advice
Answer: B. Reflective listening
Rationale: Reflective listening allows the nurse to validate the patient’s feelings and shows that their concerns are
being heard, which helps reduce anxiety and builds trust.
Ans: B
Feedback: Individual factors influencing mental health include biologic makeup, autonomy,
The nurse is assessing the factors contributing independence, self-esteem, capacity for growth, vitality, ability to find meaning in life,
to the well-being of a newly admitted client. emotional resilience or hardiness, sense of belonging, reality orientation, and coping or
stress management abilities. Interpersonal factors such as intimacy and a balance of
Which of the following would the nurse
separateness and connectedness are both needed for good mental health, and therefore a
identify as having a positive impact on the healthy person would need others for companionship. A family history of mental illness
individual's mental health? could relate to the biologic makeup of an individual, which may have a negative impact on
A) Not needing others for companionship an individual's mental health, as well as a negative impact on an individual's interpersonal
and socialñcultural factors of health. Total self-reliance is not possible, and a positive
B) The ability to effectively manage stress
social/cultural factor is access to adequate resources.
C) A family history of mental illness
D) Striving for total self-reliance
Which of the following statements about Ans: A, D, E
mental illness are true? Select all that apply. Feedback: Mental illness can cause significant distress, impaired functioning, or both.
A) Mental illness can cause significant Mental illness may be related to individual, interpersonal, or social/cultural factors.
Excessive dependency on or withdrawal from relationships are interpersonal factors that
distress, impaired functioning, or both. B)
relate to mental illness. Individuals suffering from mental illness can feel overwhelmed with
Mental illness is only due to social/cultural daily life. Individuals suffering from mental illness may experience dissatisfaction with
factors. relationships and self.
C) Social/cultural factors that relate
tomental illness include excessive dependency
on or withdrawal from relationships.
D) Individuals suffering from
mentalillness are usually able to cope
effectively with daily life.
E) Individuals suffering from mental
illnessmay experience dissatisfaction with
relationships and self.
1/8
, Question 2
A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Telling the patient that the voices are not real
B. Engaging in reality testing
C. Assessing for risk of self-harm or harm to others
D. Encouraging the patient to share more details about the hallucinations
Answer: C. Assessing for risk of self-harm or harm to others
Rationale: Safety is the top priority. Before exploring the content of the hallucinations, the nurse must determine if
the patient poses a danger to themselves or others.
Question 3
Which of the following best describes a therapeutic boundary?
A. Strict professional limits to avoid dual relationships
B. Complete lack of personal interaction
C. Emotional detachment and ignoring patient's feelings
D. Socializing with patients to gain trust
Answer: A. Strict professional limits to avoid dual relationships
Rationale: Therapeutic boundaries are essential in maintaining a professional, objective, and safe relationship
between the nurse and the patient, preventing conflicts of interest and ensuring ethical care.
Question 4
What is the primary goal of de-escalation techniques in psychiatric nursing?
A. To force the patient to calm down
B. To distract the patient from their feelings
C. To prevent the escalation of a crisis by using non-confrontational communication
D. To isolate the patient until they settle
Answer: C. To prevent the escalation of a crisis by using non-confrontational communication
Rationale: De-escalation aims to reduce tension and avoid the escalation of aggressive or self-harming behaviors by
using calm, non-confrontational strategies, thereby promoting safety and stability.
2/8
Videbeck Test Bank
Revision Test: Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing
Question 1
Which therapeutic communication technique is most effective when working with a patient who is feeling
anxious?
A. Confrontation
B. Reflective listening
C. Silence
D. Giving advice
Answer: B. Reflective listening
Rationale: Reflective listening allows the nurse to validate the patient’s feelings and shows that their concerns are
being heard, which helps reduce anxiety and builds trust.
Ans: B
Feedback: Individual factors influencing mental health include biologic makeup, autonomy,
The nurse is assessing the factors contributing independence, self-esteem, capacity for growth, vitality, ability to find meaning in life,
to the well-being of a newly admitted client. emotional resilience or hardiness, sense of belonging, reality orientation, and coping or
stress management abilities. Interpersonal factors such as intimacy and a balance of
Which of the following would the nurse
separateness and connectedness are both needed for good mental health, and therefore a
identify as having a positive impact on the healthy person would need others for companionship. A family history of mental illness
individual's mental health? could relate to the biologic makeup of an individual, which may have a negative impact on
A) Not needing others for companionship an individual's mental health, as well as a negative impact on an individual's interpersonal
and socialñcultural factors of health. Total self-reliance is not possible, and a positive
B) The ability to effectively manage stress
social/cultural factor is access to adequate resources.
C) A family history of mental illness
D) Striving for total self-reliance
Which of the following statements about Ans: A, D, E
mental illness are true? Select all that apply. Feedback: Mental illness can cause significant distress, impaired functioning, or both.
A) Mental illness can cause significant Mental illness may be related to individual, interpersonal, or social/cultural factors.
Excessive dependency on or withdrawal from relationships are interpersonal factors that
distress, impaired functioning, or both. B)
relate to mental illness. Individuals suffering from mental illness can feel overwhelmed with
Mental illness is only due to social/cultural daily life. Individuals suffering from mental illness may experience dissatisfaction with
factors. relationships and self.
C) Social/cultural factors that relate
tomental illness include excessive dependency
on or withdrawal from relationships.
D) Individuals suffering from
mentalillness are usually able to cope
effectively with daily life.
E) Individuals suffering from mental
illnessmay experience dissatisfaction with
relationships and self.
1/8
, Question 2
A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Telling the patient that the voices are not real
B. Engaging in reality testing
C. Assessing for risk of self-harm or harm to others
D. Encouraging the patient to share more details about the hallucinations
Answer: C. Assessing for risk of self-harm or harm to others
Rationale: Safety is the top priority. Before exploring the content of the hallucinations, the nurse must determine if
the patient poses a danger to themselves or others.
Question 3
Which of the following best describes a therapeutic boundary?
A. Strict professional limits to avoid dual relationships
B. Complete lack of personal interaction
C. Emotional detachment and ignoring patient's feelings
D. Socializing with patients to gain trust
Answer: A. Strict professional limits to avoid dual relationships
Rationale: Therapeutic boundaries are essential in maintaining a professional, objective, and safe relationship
between the nurse and the patient, preventing conflicts of interest and ensuring ethical care.
Question 4
What is the primary goal of de-escalation techniques in psychiatric nursing?
A. To force the patient to calm down
B. To distract the patient from their feelings
C. To prevent the escalation of a crisis by using non-confrontational communication
D. To isolate the patient until they settle
Answer: C. To prevent the escalation of a crisis by using non-confrontational communication
Rationale: De-escalation aims to reduce tension and avoid the escalation of aggressive or self-harming behaviors by
using calm, non-confrontational strategies, thereby promoting safety and stability.
2/8
