NR548 Exam 1 Actual Exam Style V2 | NR
548 Psychiatric Assessment for
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner Chamberlain
1. When conducting a Mental Status Examination (MSE), the PMHNP notes the patient’s
internal emotional state as reported by the patient. Which term correctly identifies this
component?
A. Affect
B. Mood
C. Temperament
D. Orientation
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Mood is defined as the patient’s internal, subjective emotional state
as described in their own words. In contrast, affect refers to the external, objective
observation of the patient’s emotional expression by the clinician. Assessing mood is a vital
part of the psychiatric history as it helps differentiate between various affective disorders.
2. A 45-year-old patient scores a 14 on the PHQ-9. How should the PMHNP interpret this
score according to evidence-based guidelines?
A. Minimal depression
B. Mild depression
,C. Severe depression
D. Moderate depression
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: A score of 10-14 on the PHQ-9 indicates moderate depression, which
often warrants a treatment plan including therapy or medication. Scores from 5-9 indicate
mild symptoms, while scores above 20 represent severe depression. This standardized tool
is essential for quantifying symptom severity and monitoring treatment progress over
time.
3. The PMHNP is assessing a patient for suicide risk. Which of the following is considered the
strongest single predictor of a future completed suicide?
A. Previous suicide attempt
B. Current unemployment
C. Family history of depression
D. Recent divorce
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: A history of previous suicide attempts is widely recognized as the
single most significant predictor of death by suicide. While social stressors like
unemployment and divorce are risk factors, they do not carry the same statistical weight as
a prior attempt. Comprehensive risk assessment must always include a detailed history of
past self-harm behaviors.
,4. During an assessment, a patient reports feeling as though the FBI is monitoring their
thoughts through the television. This is an example of:
A. Illusion
B. Hallucination
C. Delusion
D. Loose association
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: A delusion is a fixed, false belief that is not grounded in reality and
persists despite evidence to the contrary. This differs from a hallucination, which involves a
sensory perception (like hearing voices) without an external stimulus. Recognizing
delusions is critical for diagnosing psychotic disorders and determining the appropriate
level of care.
5. Which screening tool is most appropriate for assessing a patient for possible Alcohol Use
Disorder?
A. GAD-7
B. MDQ
C. CAGE
D. AIMS
Correct Answer: C
, Expert Explanation: The CAGE questionnaire is a brief screening tool consisting of four
questions related to Cutting down, Annoyance by criticism, Guilt about drinking, and Eye-
openers. It is highly effective in primary care and psychiatric settings for identifying
potential alcohol dependence. Other tools like the GAD-7 focus on anxiety, while the MDQ
screens for bipolar disorder.
6. The PMHNP is evaluating a patient’s thought process. The patient provides excessive
unnecessary detail but eventually returns to the original point. This is described as:
A. Tangentiality
B. Circumstantiality
C. Flight of ideas
D. Word salad
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Circumstantiality occurs when a patient includes many tedious
details but eventually answers the question or reaches the point. This differs from
tangentiality, where the patient moves from one thought to another and never returns to
the original topic. Distinguishing these patterns helps the clinician evaluate the
organization and coherence of the patient’s cognition.
7. When assessing a child for ADHD, which of the following is a requirement for diagnosis
according to the DSM-5-TR?
A. Symptoms must be present before age 12.
548 Psychiatric Assessment for
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner Chamberlain
1. When conducting a Mental Status Examination (MSE), the PMHNP notes the patient’s
internal emotional state as reported by the patient. Which term correctly identifies this
component?
A. Affect
B. Mood
C. Temperament
D. Orientation
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Mood is defined as the patient’s internal, subjective emotional state
as described in their own words. In contrast, affect refers to the external, objective
observation of the patient’s emotional expression by the clinician. Assessing mood is a vital
part of the psychiatric history as it helps differentiate between various affective disorders.
2. A 45-year-old patient scores a 14 on the PHQ-9. How should the PMHNP interpret this
score according to evidence-based guidelines?
A. Minimal depression
B. Mild depression
,C. Severe depression
D. Moderate depression
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: A score of 10-14 on the PHQ-9 indicates moderate depression, which
often warrants a treatment plan including therapy or medication. Scores from 5-9 indicate
mild symptoms, while scores above 20 represent severe depression. This standardized tool
is essential for quantifying symptom severity and monitoring treatment progress over
time.
3. The PMHNP is assessing a patient for suicide risk. Which of the following is considered the
strongest single predictor of a future completed suicide?
A. Previous suicide attempt
B. Current unemployment
C. Family history of depression
D. Recent divorce
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: A history of previous suicide attempts is widely recognized as the
single most significant predictor of death by suicide. While social stressors like
unemployment and divorce are risk factors, they do not carry the same statistical weight as
a prior attempt. Comprehensive risk assessment must always include a detailed history of
past self-harm behaviors.
,4. During an assessment, a patient reports feeling as though the FBI is monitoring their
thoughts through the television. This is an example of:
A. Illusion
B. Hallucination
C. Delusion
D. Loose association
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: A delusion is a fixed, false belief that is not grounded in reality and
persists despite evidence to the contrary. This differs from a hallucination, which involves a
sensory perception (like hearing voices) without an external stimulus. Recognizing
delusions is critical for diagnosing psychotic disorders and determining the appropriate
level of care.
5. Which screening tool is most appropriate for assessing a patient for possible Alcohol Use
Disorder?
A. GAD-7
B. MDQ
C. CAGE
D. AIMS
Correct Answer: C
, Expert Explanation: The CAGE questionnaire is a brief screening tool consisting of four
questions related to Cutting down, Annoyance by criticism, Guilt about drinking, and Eye-
openers. It is highly effective in primary care and psychiatric settings for identifying
potential alcohol dependence. Other tools like the GAD-7 focus on anxiety, while the MDQ
screens for bipolar disorder.
6. The PMHNP is evaluating a patient’s thought process. The patient provides excessive
unnecessary detail but eventually returns to the original point. This is described as:
A. Tangentiality
B. Circumstantiality
C. Flight of ideas
D. Word salad
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Circumstantiality occurs when a patient includes many tedious
details but eventually answers the question or reaches the point. This differs from
tangentiality, where the patient moves from one thought to another and never returns to
the original topic. Distinguishing these patterns helps the clinician evaluate the
organization and coherence of the patient’s cognition.
7. When assessing a child for ADHD, which of the following is a requirement for diagnosis
according to the DSM-5-TR?
A. Symptoms must be present before age 12.
