NU 673 Exam 1 Actual Exam 2026/2027 –
Complete Exam-Style Questions with
Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
1. The PMHNP role encompasses which of the following domains of practice?
A. Assessment and diagnosis only
B. Psychotherapy and medication management only
C. Assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and health promotion across the lifespan
D. Inpatient psychiatric care only
Answer: C. Assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and health promotion across the lifespan
Explanation: The PMHNP role is comprehensive and includes psychiatric assessment, diagnosis,
treatment (including psychotherapy and psychopharmacology), health promotion, disease
prevention, and care coordination across all settings and populations.
2. Which of the following best describes the biopsychosocial model in psychiatric
assessment?
A. Focus exclusively on biological factors
B. Focus exclusively on psychological factors
C. Integration of biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding mental health
D. Focus exclusively on social determinants of health
Answer: C. Integration of biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding
mental health
Explanation: The biopsychosocial model provides a comprehensive framework for
understanding mental health by integrating biological (genetics, neurochemistry), psychological
(cognition, emotions, behavior), and social (family, culture, socioeconomic) factors that
contribute to mental health and illness.
3. A PMHNP is establishing a therapeutic alliance with a new patient. Which of the
following is the MOST important factor in building trust?
,A. Demonstrating clinical expertise through complex terminology
B. Active listening and demonstrating empathy
C. Prescribing medication immediately
D. Focusing exclusively on symptom reduction
Answer: B. Active listening and demonstrating empathy
Explanation: The therapeutic alliance is the foundation of psychiatric care. Active listening,
empathy, and genuineness are essential for building trust and facilitating effective treatment.
Technical expertise is important but secondary to the therapeutic relationship.
4. Which of the following is a core competency for PMHNPs as defined by the American
Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)?
A. Ability to perform surgery
B. Advanced health assessment and diagnostic reasoning
C. Proficiency in phlebotomy
D. Ability to interpret EKGs
Answer: B. Advanced health assessment and diagnostic reasoning
Explanation: Core competencies for PMHNPs include advanced health assessment, diagnostic
reasoning, psychotherapeutic interventions, psychopharmacology, and consultation/liaison skills.
Surgical skills and phlebotomy are outside the PMHNP scope.
5. The PMHNP understands that recovery-oriented care emphasizes:
A. Complete elimination of all symptoms
B. Hope, empowerment, and self-determination
C. Institutionalization for safety
D. Medication adherence as the only goal
Answer: B. Hope, empowerment, and self-determination
Explanation: Recovery-oriented care focuses on the individual's journey toward wellness,
emphasizing hope, empowerment, self-determination, and meaningful life engagement, rather
than just symptom elimination.
6. A patient with severe mental illness is being discharged from inpatient care. The
PMHNP should prioritize:
,A. Providing a list of medications only
B. Coordinating care with community providers and ensuring follow-up
C. Discharging the patient without further planning
D. Referring the patient to a single specialist only
Answer: B. Coordinating care with community providers and ensuring follow-up
Explanation: Care coordination is essential for patients with severe mental illness. The PMHNP
should ensure appropriate community resources, follow-up appointments, and medication
continuity to prevent relapse and hospitalization.
7. Which of the following best describes the term "cultural humility"?
A. Mastering all cultural practices
B. A lifelong commitment to self-reflection and learning about other cultures
C. Assuming all patients from a culture share the same beliefs
D. Avoiding cultural discussions
Answer: B. A lifelong commitment to self-reflection and learning about other cultures
Explanation: Cultural humility involves ongoing self-reflection, awareness of power imbalances,
and a commitment to learning from patients about their cultural beliefs and practices. It differs
from cultural competence, which implies mastery of cultural knowledge.
8. The PMHNP is evaluating a patient from a culture that expresses distress through
somatic symptoms. The PMHNP should:
A. Dismiss somatic complaints as not real
B. Explore both physical and psychological dimensions of the complaints
C. Focus exclusively on psychological symptoms
D. Refer to a medical specialist only
Answer: B. Explore both physical and psychological dimensions of the complaints
Explanation: In many cultures, psychological distress is expressed through somatic (physical)
symptoms. A holistic biopsychosocial approach that explores both physical and emotional
dimensions is essential for culturally competent care.
9. Which of the following is a key component of the PMHNP scope of practice?
A. Prescribing controlled substances independently in all states
B. Providing psychotherapy
, C. Performing surgical procedures
D. Interpreting laboratory results only
Answer: B. Providing psychotherapy
Explanation: PMHNPs are trained to provide psychotherapy (individual, group, family) as part of
their scope of practice. Prescriptive authority varies by state, and surgical procedures are outside
the PMHNP scope.
10. The PMHNP is providing care to an adolescent patient. The PMHNP should be aware
that:
A. Parental consent is always required for all treatment
B. Emancipated minors may provide their own consent
C. Minors have no rights in healthcare decisions
D. Confidentiality is absolute with no exceptions
Answer: B. Emancipated minors may provide their own consent
Explanation: Emancipated minors (married, in military, financially independent) may provide
their own consent. Parental consent is generally required for minors, but exceptions include
mature minor doctrine and specific situations (e.g., reproductive health, substance abuse
treatment in some states).
11. The PMHNP understands that the primary difference between a PMHNP and a
psychiatrist is:
A. PMHNPs cannot prescribe medication
B. PMHNPs use a nursing model emphasizing holistic care and the therapeutic relationship
C. PMHNPs only provide therapy
D. Psychiatrists do not provide therapy
Answer: B. PMHNPs use a nursing model emphasizing holistic care and the therapeutic
relationship
Explanation: While both PMHNPs and psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental health
conditions, PMHNPs utilize a nursing model that emphasizes holistic, patient-centered care and
the therapeutic relationship. Both can prescribe medications in most states.
12. Which of the following is a core value of psychiatric-mental health nursing?
Complete Exam-Style Questions with
Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
1. The PMHNP role encompasses which of the following domains of practice?
A. Assessment and diagnosis only
B. Psychotherapy and medication management only
C. Assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and health promotion across the lifespan
D. Inpatient psychiatric care only
Answer: C. Assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and health promotion across the lifespan
Explanation: The PMHNP role is comprehensive and includes psychiatric assessment, diagnosis,
treatment (including psychotherapy and psychopharmacology), health promotion, disease
prevention, and care coordination across all settings and populations.
2. Which of the following best describes the biopsychosocial model in psychiatric
assessment?
A. Focus exclusively on biological factors
B. Focus exclusively on psychological factors
C. Integration of biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding mental health
D. Focus exclusively on social determinants of health
Answer: C. Integration of biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding
mental health
Explanation: The biopsychosocial model provides a comprehensive framework for
understanding mental health by integrating biological (genetics, neurochemistry), psychological
(cognition, emotions, behavior), and social (family, culture, socioeconomic) factors that
contribute to mental health and illness.
3. A PMHNP is establishing a therapeutic alliance with a new patient. Which of the
following is the MOST important factor in building trust?
,A. Demonstrating clinical expertise through complex terminology
B. Active listening and demonstrating empathy
C. Prescribing medication immediately
D. Focusing exclusively on symptom reduction
Answer: B. Active listening and demonstrating empathy
Explanation: The therapeutic alliance is the foundation of psychiatric care. Active listening,
empathy, and genuineness are essential for building trust and facilitating effective treatment.
Technical expertise is important but secondary to the therapeutic relationship.
4. Which of the following is a core competency for PMHNPs as defined by the American
Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)?
A. Ability to perform surgery
B. Advanced health assessment and diagnostic reasoning
C. Proficiency in phlebotomy
D. Ability to interpret EKGs
Answer: B. Advanced health assessment and diagnostic reasoning
Explanation: Core competencies for PMHNPs include advanced health assessment, diagnostic
reasoning, psychotherapeutic interventions, psychopharmacology, and consultation/liaison skills.
Surgical skills and phlebotomy are outside the PMHNP scope.
5. The PMHNP understands that recovery-oriented care emphasizes:
A. Complete elimination of all symptoms
B. Hope, empowerment, and self-determination
C. Institutionalization for safety
D. Medication adherence as the only goal
Answer: B. Hope, empowerment, and self-determination
Explanation: Recovery-oriented care focuses on the individual's journey toward wellness,
emphasizing hope, empowerment, self-determination, and meaningful life engagement, rather
than just symptom elimination.
6. A patient with severe mental illness is being discharged from inpatient care. The
PMHNP should prioritize:
,A. Providing a list of medications only
B. Coordinating care with community providers and ensuring follow-up
C. Discharging the patient without further planning
D. Referring the patient to a single specialist only
Answer: B. Coordinating care with community providers and ensuring follow-up
Explanation: Care coordination is essential for patients with severe mental illness. The PMHNP
should ensure appropriate community resources, follow-up appointments, and medication
continuity to prevent relapse and hospitalization.
7. Which of the following best describes the term "cultural humility"?
A. Mastering all cultural practices
B. A lifelong commitment to self-reflection and learning about other cultures
C. Assuming all patients from a culture share the same beliefs
D. Avoiding cultural discussions
Answer: B. A lifelong commitment to self-reflection and learning about other cultures
Explanation: Cultural humility involves ongoing self-reflection, awareness of power imbalances,
and a commitment to learning from patients about their cultural beliefs and practices. It differs
from cultural competence, which implies mastery of cultural knowledge.
8. The PMHNP is evaluating a patient from a culture that expresses distress through
somatic symptoms. The PMHNP should:
A. Dismiss somatic complaints as not real
B. Explore both physical and psychological dimensions of the complaints
C. Focus exclusively on psychological symptoms
D. Refer to a medical specialist only
Answer: B. Explore both physical and psychological dimensions of the complaints
Explanation: In many cultures, psychological distress is expressed through somatic (physical)
symptoms. A holistic biopsychosocial approach that explores both physical and emotional
dimensions is essential for culturally competent care.
9. Which of the following is a key component of the PMHNP scope of practice?
A. Prescribing controlled substances independently in all states
B. Providing psychotherapy
, C. Performing surgical procedures
D. Interpreting laboratory results only
Answer: B. Providing psychotherapy
Explanation: PMHNPs are trained to provide psychotherapy (individual, group, family) as part of
their scope of practice. Prescriptive authority varies by state, and surgical procedures are outside
the PMHNP scope.
10. The PMHNP is providing care to an adolescent patient. The PMHNP should be aware
that:
A. Parental consent is always required for all treatment
B. Emancipated minors may provide their own consent
C. Minors have no rights in healthcare decisions
D. Confidentiality is absolute with no exceptions
Answer: B. Emancipated minors may provide their own consent
Explanation: Emancipated minors (married, in military, financially independent) may provide
their own consent. Parental consent is generally required for minors, but exceptions include
mature minor doctrine and specific situations (e.g., reproductive health, substance abuse
treatment in some states).
11. The PMHNP understands that the primary difference between a PMHNP and a
psychiatrist is:
A. PMHNPs cannot prescribe medication
B. PMHNPs use a nursing model emphasizing holistic care and the therapeutic relationship
C. PMHNPs only provide therapy
D. Psychiatrists do not provide therapy
Answer: B. PMHNPs use a nursing model emphasizing holistic care and the therapeutic
relationship
Explanation: While both PMHNPs and psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental health
conditions, PMHNPs utilize a nursing model that emphasizes holistic, patient-centered care and
the therapeutic relationship. Both can prescribe medications in most states.
12. Which of the following is a core value of psychiatric-mental health nursing?
