NR548 PMHNP PSYCHIATRIC
ASSESSMENT COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
PREP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. During a mental status examination, a patient provides excessive detail but eventually
returns to the original point. How should the PMHNP document this?
A. Tangentiality
B. Derailment
C. Flight of ideas
D. Circumstantiality
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Circumstantiality is characterized by a patient including
unnecessary details and parenthetical remarks but eventually reaching the goal of the
thought. Tangentiality never reaches the goal.
2. Which screening tool is specifically designed to assess for the presence and severity of
involuntary movements associated with neuroleptic medications?
A. PHQ-9
,B. AIMS
C. GAD-7
D. CAGE
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) is used to
detect tardive dyskinesia and monitor involuntary movements in patients taking
antipsychotic medications.
3. When assessing a patient for alcohol use disorder, which of the following lab values is the
most sensitive indicator of chronic heavy drinking?
A. ALT
B. AST
C. MCV
D. GGT
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a sensitive indicator of
hepatobiliary disease and is often elevated in chronic heavy drinkers.
4. A PMHNP is assessing a child for ADHD. According to the DSM-5-TR, at what age must
several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms have been present?
A. Before age 7
, B. Before age 10
C. Before age 15
D. Before age 12
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: DSM-5-TR criteria for ADHD require that several symptoms be
present prior to the age of 12 years.
5. A patient presents with a score of 18 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). This
score indicates which severity level of depression?
A. Mild
B. Moderately Severe
C. Moderate
D. Severe
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A PHQ-9 score of 15-19 indicates Moderately Severe depression;
20 or above is Severe.
6. During the MSE, a patient describes their internal emotional state as ‘sad’. The PMHNP
documents this under which category?
A. Affect
B. Mood
ASSESSMENT COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
PREP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. During a mental status examination, a patient provides excessive detail but eventually
returns to the original point. How should the PMHNP document this?
A. Tangentiality
B. Derailment
C. Flight of ideas
D. Circumstantiality
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Circumstantiality is characterized by a patient including
unnecessary details and parenthetical remarks but eventually reaching the goal of the
thought. Tangentiality never reaches the goal.
2. Which screening tool is specifically designed to assess for the presence and severity of
involuntary movements associated with neuroleptic medications?
A. PHQ-9
,B. AIMS
C. GAD-7
D. CAGE
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) is used to
detect tardive dyskinesia and monitor involuntary movements in patients taking
antipsychotic medications.
3. When assessing a patient for alcohol use disorder, which of the following lab values is the
most sensitive indicator of chronic heavy drinking?
A. ALT
B. AST
C. MCV
D. GGT
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a sensitive indicator of
hepatobiliary disease and is often elevated in chronic heavy drinkers.
4. A PMHNP is assessing a child for ADHD. According to the DSM-5-TR, at what age must
several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms have been present?
A. Before age 7
, B. Before age 10
C. Before age 15
D. Before age 12
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: DSM-5-TR criteria for ADHD require that several symptoms be
present prior to the age of 12 years.
5. A patient presents with a score of 18 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). This
score indicates which severity level of depression?
A. Mild
B. Moderately Severe
C. Moderate
D. Severe
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A PHQ-9 score of 15-19 indicates Moderately Severe depression;
20 or above is Severe.
6. During the MSE, a patient describes their internal emotional state as ‘sad’. The PMHNP
documents this under which category?
A. Affect
B. Mood
