PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR THE
ADVANCED PRACTICE PSYCHIATRIC
NURSE EXAM ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH EXPERT
EXPLANATION (2026/2027 UPDATE) |
COMPLETE A+ GUIDE
1. A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit.
This nurse may expect an advanced practice nurse to perform
which additional intervention?
a. Conduct mental health assessments.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication.
c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
,d. Individualize nursing care plans. - CORRECT ANSWER -
B. prescribe psychotropic medication
RATIONALE:
in most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master's-
prepared nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists who
have taken special courses on prescribing medication. The
nurse at the basic level is permitted to perform the other
options.
2. A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health
nurses "lose all their clinical nursing skills." Select the best
response by the mental health nurse.
,a. "Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than
other specialties. Nurse-to-patient ratios must be better
because of the nature of the patients' problems."
b. "Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as
well as critical thinking to solve multidimensional problems. I
am challenged by those situations."
c. "That's a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently
use high technology monitoring equipment and manage
complex intravenous therapies."
d. "Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much
pain and suffering as medical-surgical nurses do. That appeals
to me." - CORRECT ANSWER -B. "Psychiatric nurses use
complex communication skills as well as critical thinking to
, solve multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those
situations."
RATIONALE:
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of
skills than medical-surgical nursing, though there is
substantial overlap. Psychiatric nurses must be able to help
patients with medical as well as mental health problems,
reflecting the holistic perspective these nurses must have.
Nursepatient ratios and workloads in psychiatric settings have
increased, just like other specialties. Psychiatric nursing
involves clinical practice, not just documentation.
Psychosocial pain and suffering are as real as physical pain
and suffering.
ADVANCED PRACTICE PSYCHIATRIC
NURSE EXAM ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH EXPERT
EXPLANATION (2026/2027 UPDATE) |
COMPLETE A+ GUIDE
1. A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit.
This nurse may expect an advanced practice nurse to perform
which additional intervention?
a. Conduct mental health assessments.
b. Prescribe psychotropic medication.
c. Establish therapeutic relationships.
,d. Individualize nursing care plans. - CORRECT ANSWER -
B. prescribe psychotropic medication
RATIONALE:
in most states, prescriptive privileges are granted to master's-
prepared nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists who
have taken special courses on prescribing medication. The
nurse at the basic level is permitted to perform the other
options.
2. A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health
nurses "lose all their clinical nursing skills." Select the best
response by the mental health nurse.
,a. "Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than
other specialties. Nurse-to-patient ratios must be better
because of the nature of the patients' problems."
b. "Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as
well as critical thinking to solve multidimensional problems. I
am challenged by those situations."
c. "That's a misconception. Psychiatric nurses frequently
use high technology monitoring equipment and manage
complex intravenous therapies."
d. "Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much
pain and suffering as medical-surgical nurses do. That appeals
to me." - CORRECT ANSWER -B. "Psychiatric nurses use
complex communication skills as well as critical thinking to
, solve multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those
situations."
RATIONALE:
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of
skills than medical-surgical nursing, though there is
substantial overlap. Psychiatric nurses must be able to help
patients with medical as well as mental health problems,
reflecting the holistic perspective these nurses must have.
Nursepatient ratios and workloads in psychiatric settings have
increased, just like other specialties. Psychiatric nursing
involves clinical practice, not just documentation.
Psychosocial pain and suffering are as real as physical pain
and suffering.
