NSG 526 Exam 1
Clinical Modalities in Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing
2026/2027 | Latest
50 Q & A, With Expert Rationales
Guaranteed Pass | Graded A+ | Wilkes University
Q1. A patient states, "My family would be better off without me." What is the nurse's immediate
next step?
A. Reassure the patient that the family needs them
B. Directly assess for suicidal ideation, intent, plan, means, and access [CORRECT]
C. Document the statement and continue the interview
D. Change the subject to reduce distress
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because a vague hopeless statement requires immediate, direct suicide risk
assessment covering ideation, intent, plan, means, and access.
Q2. A patient becomes angry with the nurse and says, "You're just like my mother — you never
listen." This is best identified as:
A. Countertransference
B. Resistance
C. Projection
D. Transference [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because transference occurs when a patient displaces feelings from a past
relationship onto the clinician.
,Q3. During the psychiatric interview, the patient says, "I just can't do anything right anymore."
Which therapeutic technique is the nurse using when responding, "It sounds like you feel you're
failing at everything?"
A. Reflection [CORRECT]
B. Clarification
C. Confrontation
D. Education
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because reflection restates the patient's feeling and content to demonstrate
understanding.
Q4. The nurse notices feeling unusually irritated and dismissive toward a patient who reminds
them of a family member. This is an example of:
A. Transference
B. Boundary crossing
C. Countertransference [CORRECT]
D. Therapeutic alliance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because countertransference is the clinician's unconscious emotional reaction
to the patient.
Q5. Which element of the mental status exam is objective?
A. The nurse's observation of grooming and eye contact [CORRECT]
B. The patient's description of their mood
C. The patient's reported history of symptoms
D. The patient's own words about their anxiety
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because grooming and eye contact are directly observed by the clinician.
Mood and history are subjective reports.
, Q6. The PHQ-9 is best described as:
A. A diagnostic interview for personality disorders
B. A self-report depression screening and severity measure [CORRECT]
C. A stress inventory for major life events
D. A cognitive screening tool for dementia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the PHQ-9 is a self-report tool that screens for and grades depression
severity.
Q7. A patient reports multiple recent major life changes including divorce, job loss, and
relocation. Which scale is most appropriate to quantify stress burden?
A. PHQ-9
B. Beck Depression Inventory
C. MMSE
D. Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale quantifies stress associated with
major life events.
Q8. In SOAP documentation, which section contains the nurse's observations of the patient's
affect and behavior?
A. Subjective
B. Assessment
C. Objective [CORRECT]
D. Plan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because objective documentation records directly observed data. Subjective
records the patient's own report.
Clinical Modalities in Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing
2026/2027 | Latest
50 Q & A, With Expert Rationales
Guaranteed Pass | Graded A+ | Wilkes University
Q1. A patient states, "My family would be better off without me." What is the nurse's immediate
next step?
A. Reassure the patient that the family needs them
B. Directly assess for suicidal ideation, intent, plan, means, and access [CORRECT]
C. Document the statement and continue the interview
D. Change the subject to reduce distress
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because a vague hopeless statement requires immediate, direct suicide risk
assessment covering ideation, intent, plan, means, and access.
Q2. A patient becomes angry with the nurse and says, "You're just like my mother — you never
listen." This is best identified as:
A. Countertransference
B. Resistance
C. Projection
D. Transference [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because transference occurs when a patient displaces feelings from a past
relationship onto the clinician.
,Q3. During the psychiatric interview, the patient says, "I just can't do anything right anymore."
Which therapeutic technique is the nurse using when responding, "It sounds like you feel you're
failing at everything?"
A. Reflection [CORRECT]
B. Clarification
C. Confrontation
D. Education
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because reflection restates the patient's feeling and content to demonstrate
understanding.
Q4. The nurse notices feeling unusually irritated and dismissive toward a patient who reminds
them of a family member. This is an example of:
A. Transference
B. Boundary crossing
C. Countertransference [CORRECT]
D. Therapeutic alliance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because countertransference is the clinician's unconscious emotional reaction
to the patient.
Q5. Which element of the mental status exam is objective?
A. The nurse's observation of grooming and eye contact [CORRECT]
B. The patient's description of their mood
C. The patient's reported history of symptoms
D. The patient's own words about their anxiety
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because grooming and eye contact are directly observed by the clinician.
Mood and history are subjective reports.
, Q6. The PHQ-9 is best described as:
A. A diagnostic interview for personality disorders
B. A self-report depression screening and severity measure [CORRECT]
C. A stress inventory for major life events
D. A cognitive screening tool for dementia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the PHQ-9 is a self-report tool that screens for and grades depression
severity.
Q7. A patient reports multiple recent major life changes including divorce, job loss, and
relocation. Which scale is most appropriate to quantify stress burden?
A. PHQ-9
B. Beck Depression Inventory
C. MMSE
D. Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale quantifies stress associated with
major life events.
Q8. In SOAP documentation, which section contains the nurse's observations of the patient's
affect and behavior?
A. Subjective
B. Assessment
C. Objective [CORRECT]
D. Plan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because objective documentation records directly observed data. Subjective
records the patient's own report.
