NR548 PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT
PMHNP EXAM 2 REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. Which of the following describes ‘circumstantiality’ in a patient’s thought process?
A. The patient provides excessive detail but eventually returns to the original point.
B. The patient moves from one topic to another with no logical connection.
C. The patient suddenly stops speaking and forgets what was being said.
D. The patient never returns to the original point despite multiple prompts.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Circumstantiality involves providing unnecessary detail and
tedious parenthetical remarks, but the patient eventually reaches the goal of the
conversation.
2. When assessing a geriatric patient for depression, which screening tool is considered the
most appropriate due to its focus on non-somatic symptoms?
A. PHQ-9
B. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)
,C. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
D. Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The GDS is designed specifically for older adults and minimizes
the focus on somatic complaints, which can overlap with physical aging or medical illness.
3. During a Mental Status Exam (MSE), a patient reports hearing voices that other people do
not hear. This is documented under:
A. Thought Process
B. Thought Content
C. Insight
D. Perceptual Disturbances
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hallucinations (auditory, visual, etc.) are sensory perceptions
without external stimuli and are categorized as perceptual disturbances.
4. A PMHNP is assessing a patient for suicide risk. Which of the following is considered a
static risk factor?
A. Current hopelessness
B. History of a prior suicide attempt
C. Active substance intoxication
, D. Access to a firearm
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Static risk factors are historical and cannot be changed, such as
past history, whereas dynamic factors like hopelessness or access to weapons can be
modified.
5. In the ‘HEADSSS’ assessment for adolescents, the ‘E’ stands for:
A. Exercise and Energy
B. Emotions and Expressions
C. Education and Employment
D. Eating habits
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: HEADSSS stands for Home, Education/Employment, Activities,
Drugs, Sexuality, Suicide/Depression, and Safety.
6. Which lab value is most critical to monitor in a patient being assessed for a new
prescription of Lithium?
A. Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
B. Serum Creatinine and TSH
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
PMHNP EXAM 2 REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. Which of the following describes ‘circumstantiality’ in a patient’s thought process?
A. The patient provides excessive detail but eventually returns to the original point.
B. The patient moves from one topic to another with no logical connection.
C. The patient suddenly stops speaking and forgets what was being said.
D. The patient never returns to the original point despite multiple prompts.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Circumstantiality involves providing unnecessary detail and
tedious parenthetical remarks, but the patient eventually reaches the goal of the
conversation.
2. When assessing a geriatric patient for depression, which screening tool is considered the
most appropriate due to its focus on non-somatic symptoms?
A. PHQ-9
B. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)
,C. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
D. Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The GDS is designed specifically for older adults and minimizes
the focus on somatic complaints, which can overlap with physical aging or medical illness.
3. During a Mental Status Exam (MSE), a patient reports hearing voices that other people do
not hear. This is documented under:
A. Thought Process
B. Thought Content
C. Insight
D. Perceptual Disturbances
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hallucinations (auditory, visual, etc.) are sensory perceptions
without external stimuli and are categorized as perceptual disturbances.
4. A PMHNP is assessing a patient for suicide risk. Which of the following is considered a
static risk factor?
A. Current hopelessness
B. History of a prior suicide attempt
C. Active substance intoxication
, D. Access to a firearm
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Static risk factors are historical and cannot be changed, such as
past history, whereas dynamic factors like hopelessness or access to weapons can be
modified.
5. In the ‘HEADSSS’ assessment for adolescents, the ‘E’ stands for:
A. Exercise and Energy
B. Emotions and Expressions
C. Education and Employment
D. Eating habits
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: HEADSSS stands for Home, Education/Employment, Activities,
Drugs, Sexuality, Suicide/Depression, and Safety.
6. Which lab value is most critical to monitor in a patient being assessed for a new
prescription of Lithium?
A. Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
B. Serum Creatinine and TSH
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
