NR548 NR 548 EXAM 3 PSYCHIATRIC
ASSESSMENT MENTAL HEALTH
NURSE PRACTITIONER 2026 STUDY
GUIDE COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS ANSWERS VERIFIED A+
◉ An absence of speech is seen with some diagnoses such as
___________.
Answer: dementia
◉ non-sensical speech is often associated with _______________.
Answer: psychotic disorders
◉ MSE: Mood and Affect.
Answer: Mood
-client's state of mind or prevalent emotional state
-subjective
-typically self-reported
-Stable: mood is appropriate to their current situation
-other: bright, happy, angry, agitated, irritable, labile, anxious,
depressed, or euphoric
,Affect
-physical manifestation of the client's emotional state as observed by the
provider
-normal, blunted, flat, bizarre, dysphoric, or euphoric
-Qualities of affect
• stability (stable or labile)
• appropriateness
• range (does it change with diff. situations)
• intensity
◉ MSE: Thought Process.
Answer: -rate of thoughts and how they flow and are connected
-coherent vs. incoherent
-Normal: linear & goal-directed
-Other: loose, circumstantial, or tangential
-Clients may experience flight of ideas with little connection between
thoughts or words
-Assessment: questioning client, listening to responses
◉ MSE: Suicidal and Homicidal Ideation.
, Answer: -Direct terms should be used to assess suicide preoccupation
and planning
-assess for homicidal ideation, intent, attempts, and plans
-critical to determine whether a plan exists
• access to the resources needed to execute the plan
• more detailed and thorough the plan, the higher the risk
• assess if plan is composed of fleeting thoughts rather than action steps
• assess whether the client is angry and lashing out or intending to bring
actual harm
-SCREENING FOR SUICIDAL AND HOMICIDAL IDEATIONS IS
AN ETHICAL OBLIGATION OF THE PMHNP & IS ESSENTIAL
FOR PROTECTING ONESELF, THE CLIENT, & THE PUBLIC
◉ MSE: Cognitive Assessment.
Answer: -evaluation of a client's level of awareness, attention,
concentration, and memory
-Awareness: observation with emphasis on the client's eyes and speech
-alertness or wakefulness provides information about cognitive function
• help rule out potential substance use or intoxication
-levels of awareness: alert and oriented, somnolent, drowsy, or even
comatose
-Attention and concentration: observation of responses during the
interview
ASSESSMENT MENTAL HEALTH
NURSE PRACTITIONER 2026 STUDY
GUIDE COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS ANSWERS VERIFIED A+
◉ An absence of speech is seen with some diagnoses such as
___________.
Answer: dementia
◉ non-sensical speech is often associated with _______________.
Answer: psychotic disorders
◉ MSE: Mood and Affect.
Answer: Mood
-client's state of mind or prevalent emotional state
-subjective
-typically self-reported
-Stable: mood is appropriate to their current situation
-other: bright, happy, angry, agitated, irritable, labile, anxious,
depressed, or euphoric
,Affect
-physical manifestation of the client's emotional state as observed by the
provider
-normal, blunted, flat, bizarre, dysphoric, or euphoric
-Qualities of affect
• stability (stable or labile)
• appropriateness
• range (does it change with diff. situations)
• intensity
◉ MSE: Thought Process.
Answer: -rate of thoughts and how they flow and are connected
-coherent vs. incoherent
-Normal: linear & goal-directed
-Other: loose, circumstantial, or tangential
-Clients may experience flight of ideas with little connection between
thoughts or words
-Assessment: questioning client, listening to responses
◉ MSE: Suicidal and Homicidal Ideation.
, Answer: -Direct terms should be used to assess suicide preoccupation
and planning
-assess for homicidal ideation, intent, attempts, and plans
-critical to determine whether a plan exists
• access to the resources needed to execute the plan
• more detailed and thorough the plan, the higher the risk
• assess if plan is composed of fleeting thoughts rather than action steps
• assess whether the client is angry and lashing out or intending to bring
actual harm
-SCREENING FOR SUICIDAL AND HOMICIDAL IDEATIONS IS
AN ETHICAL OBLIGATION OF THE PMHNP & IS ESSENTIAL
FOR PROTECTING ONESELF, THE CLIENT, & THE PUBLIC
◉ MSE: Cognitive Assessment.
Answer: -evaluation of a client's level of awareness, attention,
concentration, and memory
-Awareness: observation with emphasis on the client's eyes and speech
-alertness or wakefulness provides information about cognitive function
• help rule out potential substance use or intoxication
-levels of awareness: alert and oriented, somnolent, drowsy, or even
comatose
-Attention and concentration: observation of responses during the
interview
