NR548 Final Exam Actual Exam Style V2 |
NR 548 Psychiatric Assessment for
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner Chamberlain
1. During a Mental Status Examination, the nurse practitioner notes that the patient is
jumping from one idea to another, but the ideas are loosely connected. How should this be
documented?
A. Tangentiality
B. Circumstantiality
C. Flight of ideas
D. Clang associations
Answer: C
Rationale: Flight of ideas is characterized by a rapid succession of thoughts that are
generally connected but move quickly between topics. This is commonly observed in
patients experiencing manic episodes. Documenting this correctly is essential for
differentiating between thought process disorders and mood disorders.
2. Which of the following screening tools is most appropriate for assessing the severity of
depressive symptoms in an adult patient?
A. GAD-7
,B. CAGE
C. PHQ-9
D. MDQ
Answer: C
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a validated tool specifically designed to measure the severity of
depression in clinical settings. It consists of nine items that align with the DSM-5 criteria
for major depressive disorder. Using this tool allows the PMHNP to track treatment
progress and symptom remission objectively over time.
3. A PMHNP is assessing a patient for suicide risk. Which of the following is considered the
strongest predictor of a future suicide attempt?
A. Family history of depression
B. A history of previous suicide attempts
C. Current employment status
D. Living alone in a rural area
Answer: B
Rationale: A history of prior suicide attempts is clinically recognized as the single most
significant predictor of future completed suicide. While other factors like isolation and
family history contribute, past behavior is the most reliable indicator of risk. Assessment
must include a detailed exploration of past attempts and their lethality.
, 4. When assessing a child using the HEADSS framework, which of the following areas is being
evaluated under the ‘S’ categories?
A. Suicidality and Sexuality
B. Sleep and Somatic complaints
C. Social media and Screen time
D. School and Sports performance
Answer: A
Rationale: The HEADSS assessment tool is specifically used for adolescents to screen for
psychosocial risks. The letters stand for Home, Education, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, and
Suicide/Safety. This structured approach helps practitioners build rapport while gathering
sensitive information about the teen’s environment.
5. A patient presents with a ‘flat affect.’ This clinical observation most likely indicates which
of the following?
A. The patient is experiencing intense internal distress.
B. The patient’s emotional response matches their stated mood.
C. The patient’s mood shifts rapidly from happy to sad.
D. The patient shows no signs of emotional expression.
Answer: D
NR 548 Psychiatric Assessment for
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner Chamberlain
1. During a Mental Status Examination, the nurse practitioner notes that the patient is
jumping from one idea to another, but the ideas are loosely connected. How should this be
documented?
A. Tangentiality
B. Circumstantiality
C. Flight of ideas
D. Clang associations
Answer: C
Rationale: Flight of ideas is characterized by a rapid succession of thoughts that are
generally connected but move quickly between topics. This is commonly observed in
patients experiencing manic episodes. Documenting this correctly is essential for
differentiating between thought process disorders and mood disorders.
2. Which of the following screening tools is most appropriate for assessing the severity of
depressive symptoms in an adult patient?
A. GAD-7
,B. CAGE
C. PHQ-9
D. MDQ
Answer: C
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a validated tool specifically designed to measure the severity of
depression in clinical settings. It consists of nine items that align with the DSM-5 criteria
for major depressive disorder. Using this tool allows the PMHNP to track treatment
progress and symptom remission objectively over time.
3. A PMHNP is assessing a patient for suicide risk. Which of the following is considered the
strongest predictor of a future suicide attempt?
A. Family history of depression
B. A history of previous suicide attempts
C. Current employment status
D. Living alone in a rural area
Answer: B
Rationale: A history of prior suicide attempts is clinically recognized as the single most
significant predictor of future completed suicide. While other factors like isolation and
family history contribute, past behavior is the most reliable indicator of risk. Assessment
must include a detailed exploration of past attempts and their lethality.
, 4. When assessing a child using the HEADSS framework, which of the following areas is being
evaluated under the ‘S’ categories?
A. Suicidality and Sexuality
B. Sleep and Somatic complaints
C. Social media and Screen time
D. School and Sports performance
Answer: A
Rationale: The HEADSS assessment tool is specifically used for adolescents to screen for
psychosocial risks. The letters stand for Home, Education, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, and
Suicide/Safety. This structured approach helps practitioners build rapport while gathering
sensitive information about the teen’s environment.
5. A patient presents with a ‘flat affect.’ This clinical observation most likely indicates which
of the following?
A. The patient is experiencing intense internal distress.
B. The patient’s emotional response matches their stated mood.
C. The patient’s mood shifts rapidly from happy to sad.
D. The patient shows no signs of emotional expression.
Answer: D
