Psychiatric Mental Health Board
Certification
How many total questions are there on the PMH-BC exam? - correct answer-150 (125
scored, 25 unscored)
What are the PMH-BC exam requirements? - correct answer-RN license (min 2 years
experience)
2,000 hours clinical practice in past 3 years
30 hours CE in past 3 years
10 Test Taking Techniques - correct answer-1. One min per question
2. Answer every question
3. Have a "guess" answer
4. Identify key words (e.g. age, diagnosis)
5. Identify priority words (e.g. first, best)
6. Identify word clues (e.g. physiologic needs)
7. Identify opposites
8. Identify absolutes (e.g. just, always, never)
9. Identify duplicate facts
10. Avoid changing answers
What are the patient barriers to the therapeutic relationship? - correct answer-The
psychiatric illness
Being resistant to care (paranoia, cultural)
Defense mechanisms
What are the nurse barriers to the therapeutic relationship? - correct answer-Distracted/
preoccupied/ not fully focused on pts. Verbal and nonverbal cues
Countertransference
Asking patients "why" questions
Asking patients more than 1 question at a time
What are the 8 methods to enhance the therapeutic relationship? - correct answer-1.
Maintaining professional boundaries
2. Comfortable eye contact/ empathetic facial expressions
3. Engaging with a patient with gentle, supportive tone of voice
4. Keeping relaxed, open body posture
5. Providing pt with physical comforts
6. Actively listening to what patient is saying
7. Being fully self-aware
8. Using Therapeutic silence to allow pt reflect/regroup
What practitioners are qualified to make a psychiatric diagnosis? - correct answer-MD
DO
,NP
PA
What handbook is used to make a psychiatric diagnosis? - correct answer-DSM-5
In what year was the first DSM published? - correct answer-1952
What are the 5 characteristics of stable mental health? - correct answer-1. Accurately
appraise and interpret reality
2. Love, experience joy, play and laugh
3. Think clearly, make appropriate decisions and problem solve
4. Control one's behavior and cope with one's thoughts
5. Relate to other's, form relationships, experience empathy, and manage conflict
constructively
What are the 5 characteristics of a mental health disorder? - correct answer-1. Impairment of
brain functioning caused by neurotransmitter dysfunction, abnormal brain structure, genetic
factors or injury
2. There is evidence showing that severe psychological trauma causes physical brain injury
3. Dysfunction in cognition, emotion regulation or behavior
4. It is usually associated with distress or disability in important activities, relationships or
occupations
5. The inability to cope with life stressors, including job changes, loss of a loved one, birth of
a child, medical challenges, etc.
What does the AIMS assessment stand for? - correct answer-Abnormal Involuntary
Movement Scale
What does the AIMS assessment tool evaluate? - correct answer-Assesses the presence
and severity of abnormal extremity, facial and body movement.
Higher score = worse impairment
What does the BDI assessment stand for? - correct answer-Beck Depression Inventory
What does the BDI assessment tool evaluate? - correct answer-Measures the presence and
severity of depression
What BDI score is associated with moderate depression? - correct answer-19-29
What does the BVC assessment tool stand for? - correct answer-Broset Violence Checklist
What does the BVC assessment tool evaluate? - correct answer-The degree or risk a patient
has of becoming violent.
Higher score = more likely they will become violent
What does the CAGE assessment tool assess for? - correct answer-Assess for drug and/or
alcohol substance use disorder
Score of 2 or greater indicates substance use disorder
,What does CAGE stand for? - correct answer-Cut, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye Opener
Need to cut back, annoyed by criticism, guilty about use, eye opener in the morning
What does CIWA-AR stand for? - correct answer-Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment
form for Alcohol, Revised
What does the CIWA-AR assessment tool assess for? - correct answer-Alcohol withdrawal
symptoms
Higher score = more severe withdrawal
What does C-SSRS stand for? - correct answer-Columbia- Suicide Severity Rating Scale
What does C-SSRS evaluate? - correct answer-Reliably predicts the level of risk an
individual dying by suicide.
Higher the score, the more the patient is at risk
What does COWS stand for? - correct answer-Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scales
What scores are considered to indicate severe withdrawal on the COWS scale? - correct
answer-Any score 36 + is considered severe withdrawal
Mild 5-12, Moderate 13-24, Moderately Severe 25-36, Severe 36 +
What is the Conners Rating Scale used to assess for? - correct answer-Assesses for the
presence and severity of ADHD in children and adolescents 6-18 years old
What score on the Conners Rating Score indicates a moderate severity level of issues? -
correct answer-60-70
<60 = no issues, 60-70 = moderate issues, 70 + = severe issues
What does the HAM-A Scale stand for? - correct answer-Hamilton Anxiety Score
What does the HAM-A Scale assess? - correct answer-Assesses degree of anxiety, taking
both physical and psychological symptoms into consideration
Scores range 0-56; the higher the score, the worse the impairment
What does the HEEADSSS Scale stand for? - correct
answer-Home/Education/Employment/Eating/Activities/Drugs/Suicide/Sexuality/Safety
What does the HEEADSSS Scale evaluate? - correct answer-A big picture look of an
adolescent's well-being
What does the MSE stand for? - correct answer-Mental Status Exam
What 9 areas of functioning does the MSE assess for? - correct answer-1. Appearance
2. Behavior
3. Mood
4. Affect
, 5. Thought process and content
6. Perception
7. Sensorium
8. Judgment
9. Insight
What does a lower score on MSE indicate? - correct answer-Worse impairment (the lower
the score, the worse the impairment)
What does the MMSE stand for? - correct answer-Mini Mental State Exam
What is the MMSE used to evaluate for? - correct answer-Used to evaluate cognition;
usually to evaluate the presence of dementia.
Tests memory recall, executive function and language
What score on the MMSE is associated with normal cognitive functioning? - correct
answer-24 + is considered to show normal cognitive functioning
Lower the score, the worse the impairment
How often should pain be reassessed for ________?
oral medication
IM medication
non-pharmacologic intervention - correct answer-oral medication = reassess within 60
minutes of administration
IM medication = reassess within 30 minutes of administration
Non-pharmacologic intervention = reassess within 30 minutes of administration
What are the 11 components of the MMSE? - correct answer-1. Orientation to time (date,
month, year, day of week, season)
2. Orientation to place (current location, city, state, country)
3. Immediate recall (give 3 words to remember, ask to repeat later)
4. Attention (count backwards from 100 by 7, spell 'WORLD' backwards)
5. Delayed verbal recall (recall previous 3 words)
6. Naming (show a pencil and paperclip and ask patient to identify objects by name)
7. Repetition (ask patient to repeat a phrase "No ifs, ands, or buts")
8. 3-stage command ("take this piece of paper in your hand, fold it in half, place it on the
desk")
9. Reading (hold up a card that says "close your eyes" and ask pt. to read and follow
directions)
10. Writing (ask them to write any sentence they wish- must contain a subject & verb and
make sense)
11. Copying (have pt copy a specific design given to them- 2 plain intersecting pentagons)
What MMSE score indicates mild cognitive impairment? - correct answer-18-23 points
24-30: no cognitive impairment, 18-23: mild cognitive impairment, 0-17: significant cognitive
impairment
Certification
How many total questions are there on the PMH-BC exam? - correct answer-150 (125
scored, 25 unscored)
What are the PMH-BC exam requirements? - correct answer-RN license (min 2 years
experience)
2,000 hours clinical practice in past 3 years
30 hours CE in past 3 years
10 Test Taking Techniques - correct answer-1. One min per question
2. Answer every question
3. Have a "guess" answer
4. Identify key words (e.g. age, diagnosis)
5. Identify priority words (e.g. first, best)
6. Identify word clues (e.g. physiologic needs)
7. Identify opposites
8. Identify absolutes (e.g. just, always, never)
9. Identify duplicate facts
10. Avoid changing answers
What are the patient barriers to the therapeutic relationship? - correct answer-The
psychiatric illness
Being resistant to care (paranoia, cultural)
Defense mechanisms
What are the nurse barriers to the therapeutic relationship? - correct answer-Distracted/
preoccupied/ not fully focused on pts. Verbal and nonverbal cues
Countertransference
Asking patients "why" questions
Asking patients more than 1 question at a time
What are the 8 methods to enhance the therapeutic relationship? - correct answer-1.
Maintaining professional boundaries
2. Comfortable eye contact/ empathetic facial expressions
3. Engaging with a patient with gentle, supportive tone of voice
4. Keeping relaxed, open body posture
5. Providing pt with physical comforts
6. Actively listening to what patient is saying
7. Being fully self-aware
8. Using Therapeutic silence to allow pt reflect/regroup
What practitioners are qualified to make a psychiatric diagnosis? - correct answer-MD
DO
,NP
PA
What handbook is used to make a psychiatric diagnosis? - correct answer-DSM-5
In what year was the first DSM published? - correct answer-1952
What are the 5 characteristics of stable mental health? - correct answer-1. Accurately
appraise and interpret reality
2. Love, experience joy, play and laugh
3. Think clearly, make appropriate decisions and problem solve
4. Control one's behavior and cope with one's thoughts
5. Relate to other's, form relationships, experience empathy, and manage conflict
constructively
What are the 5 characteristics of a mental health disorder? - correct answer-1. Impairment of
brain functioning caused by neurotransmitter dysfunction, abnormal brain structure, genetic
factors or injury
2. There is evidence showing that severe psychological trauma causes physical brain injury
3. Dysfunction in cognition, emotion regulation or behavior
4. It is usually associated with distress or disability in important activities, relationships or
occupations
5. The inability to cope with life stressors, including job changes, loss of a loved one, birth of
a child, medical challenges, etc.
What does the AIMS assessment stand for? - correct answer-Abnormal Involuntary
Movement Scale
What does the AIMS assessment tool evaluate? - correct answer-Assesses the presence
and severity of abnormal extremity, facial and body movement.
Higher score = worse impairment
What does the BDI assessment stand for? - correct answer-Beck Depression Inventory
What does the BDI assessment tool evaluate? - correct answer-Measures the presence and
severity of depression
What BDI score is associated with moderate depression? - correct answer-19-29
What does the BVC assessment tool stand for? - correct answer-Broset Violence Checklist
What does the BVC assessment tool evaluate? - correct answer-The degree or risk a patient
has of becoming violent.
Higher score = more likely they will become violent
What does the CAGE assessment tool assess for? - correct answer-Assess for drug and/or
alcohol substance use disorder
Score of 2 or greater indicates substance use disorder
,What does CAGE stand for? - correct answer-Cut, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye Opener
Need to cut back, annoyed by criticism, guilty about use, eye opener in the morning
What does CIWA-AR stand for? - correct answer-Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment
form for Alcohol, Revised
What does the CIWA-AR assessment tool assess for? - correct answer-Alcohol withdrawal
symptoms
Higher score = more severe withdrawal
What does C-SSRS stand for? - correct answer-Columbia- Suicide Severity Rating Scale
What does C-SSRS evaluate? - correct answer-Reliably predicts the level of risk an
individual dying by suicide.
Higher the score, the more the patient is at risk
What does COWS stand for? - correct answer-Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scales
What scores are considered to indicate severe withdrawal on the COWS scale? - correct
answer-Any score 36 + is considered severe withdrawal
Mild 5-12, Moderate 13-24, Moderately Severe 25-36, Severe 36 +
What is the Conners Rating Scale used to assess for? - correct answer-Assesses for the
presence and severity of ADHD in children and adolescents 6-18 years old
What score on the Conners Rating Score indicates a moderate severity level of issues? -
correct answer-60-70
<60 = no issues, 60-70 = moderate issues, 70 + = severe issues
What does the HAM-A Scale stand for? - correct answer-Hamilton Anxiety Score
What does the HAM-A Scale assess? - correct answer-Assesses degree of anxiety, taking
both physical and psychological symptoms into consideration
Scores range 0-56; the higher the score, the worse the impairment
What does the HEEADSSS Scale stand for? - correct
answer-Home/Education/Employment/Eating/Activities/Drugs/Suicide/Sexuality/Safety
What does the HEEADSSS Scale evaluate? - correct answer-A big picture look of an
adolescent's well-being
What does the MSE stand for? - correct answer-Mental Status Exam
What 9 areas of functioning does the MSE assess for? - correct answer-1. Appearance
2. Behavior
3. Mood
4. Affect
, 5. Thought process and content
6. Perception
7. Sensorium
8. Judgment
9. Insight
What does a lower score on MSE indicate? - correct answer-Worse impairment (the lower
the score, the worse the impairment)
What does the MMSE stand for? - correct answer-Mini Mental State Exam
What is the MMSE used to evaluate for? - correct answer-Used to evaluate cognition;
usually to evaluate the presence of dementia.
Tests memory recall, executive function and language
What score on the MMSE is associated with normal cognitive functioning? - correct
answer-24 + is considered to show normal cognitive functioning
Lower the score, the worse the impairment
How often should pain be reassessed for ________?
oral medication
IM medication
non-pharmacologic intervention - correct answer-oral medication = reassess within 60
minutes of administration
IM medication = reassess within 30 minutes of administration
Non-pharmacologic intervention = reassess within 30 minutes of administration
What are the 11 components of the MMSE? - correct answer-1. Orientation to time (date,
month, year, day of week, season)
2. Orientation to place (current location, city, state, country)
3. Immediate recall (give 3 words to remember, ask to repeat later)
4. Attention (count backwards from 100 by 7, spell 'WORLD' backwards)
5. Delayed verbal recall (recall previous 3 words)
6. Naming (show a pencil and paperclip and ask patient to identify objects by name)
7. Repetition (ask patient to repeat a phrase "No ifs, ands, or buts")
8. 3-stage command ("take this piece of paper in your hand, fold it in half, place it on the
desk")
9. Reading (hold up a card that says "close your eyes" and ask pt. to read and follow
directions)
10. Writing (ask them to write any sentence they wish- must contain a subject & verb and
make sense)
11. Copying (have pt copy a specific design given to them- 2 plain intersecting pentagons)
What MMSE score indicates mild cognitive impairment? - correct answer-18-23 points
24-30: no cognitive impairment, 18-23: mild cognitive impairment, 0-17: significant cognitive
impairment
