Page 1 of 49
NU 665C REGIS COLLEGE EXAM ALL 300 QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
A 10-year-old boy presents with nightmares, irritability, and difficulty concentrating in school
following a house fire that displaced his family. His mother reports that he startles easily and
avoids conversations about the event. Which intervention should the PMHNP prioritize?A)
Encourage the child to recount the fire in detail to facilitate emotional processingB)
Implement grounding techniques and relaxation strategies to reduce hyperarousalC) Begin
family therapy to address systemic stressors before individual treatmentD) Prescribe a low-
dose benzodiazepine to manage acute anxiety symptoms
Answer: BRationale: Stabilization strategies such as grounding and relaxation techniques are
crucial early interventions to reduce hyperarousal and promote a sense of safety before trauma
processing begins.
A 15-year-old adolescent presents with dissociative symptoms, self-harm behaviors, and
intense emotional outbursts. The adolescent has a history of childhood abuse and is currently
in foster care. What initial intervention aligns with the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM)?A)
Facilitate somatic tracking to increase awareness of physical sensations during distressB)
Encourage the adolescent to discuss past abuse in detail to build resilienceC) Use cognitive
restructuring to challenge self-blaming thoughtsD) Refer the adolescent for inpatient
hospitalization to ensure safety
Answer: ARationale: TRM emphasizes somatic tracking to help patients develop awareness of
their body's stress responses and build self-regulation skills, which are critical in stabilizing
patients before deeper trauma work.
A 6-year-old child who witnessed domestic violence is experiencing frequent temper
tantrums, bedwetting, and clinginess to their caregiver. What intervention should the PMHNP
1
,Page 2 of 49
prioritize to support the child's emotional regulation?A) Teach the caregiver skills for
promoting safety and structure at homeB) Initiate trauma narrative work to help the child
process the eventC) Introduce mindfulness techniques to foster emotional awarenessD)
Recommend a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for symptom management
Answer: ARationale: Establishing safety, predictability, and caregiver support is the first priority
in young children with trauma symptoms. Caregiver involvement is crucial in stabilizing the
child.
A 17-year-old female presents with panic attacks, social withdrawal, and academic decline
following a sexual assault. The patient reports feeling "detached" from her body and often
experiences periods of lost time. Which intervention should the PMHNP prioritize?A)
Facilitate grounding exercises to help the patient reconnect with the present momentB)
Encourage the patient to describe her memories of the trauma to desensitize triggersC)
Recommend exposure therapy to gradually reintroduce the patient to social situationsD)
Prescribe a beta-blocker to manage acute panic symptoms
Answer: ARationale: For trauma survivors experiencing dissociation, grounding exercises help
stabilize the patient and reduce distress by reconnecting them with their surroundings.
A 12-year-old child presents with persistent nightmares, exaggerated startle response, and
difficulty sleeping after witnessing a violent robbery. The child expresses fear that the
perpetrator may return. What is the most appropriate psychotherapeutic intervention?A)
Begin Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) with a focus on relaxation and cognitive restructuringB)
Recommend eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as a first-line
treatmentC) Initiate psychodynamic play therapy to explore unconscious conflictsD) Utilize
exposure therapy to reduce avoidance behaviors
Answer: ARationale: TF-CBT is an evidence-based intervention designed to help children
develop coping strategies, correct maladaptive thoughts, and safely process trauma memories.
2
,Page 3 of 49
A key principle of trauma-informed care emphasizes:A) Diagnosing the trauma as early as
possibleB) Prioritizing medication management over therapeutic interventionsC) Recognizing
the widespread impact of trauma and integrating this knowledge into practiceD) Avoiding
discussion of past trauma to prevent distress
Answer: CRationale: Trauma-informed care emphasizes understanding the impact of trauma,
creating a safe environment, and integrating that knowledge into care practices.
Which intervention is most consistent with the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM)?A)
Encouraging the patient to re-experience traumatic memories for emotional processingB)
Using somatic awareness techniques to track sensations in the body and regulate the nervous
systemC) Employing cognitive restructuring to challenge negative automatic thoughtsD)
Relying primarily on insight-oriented therapy to improve trauma recovery
Answer: BRationale: TRM emphasizes mind-body integration using somatic awareness to
promote self-regulation and resiliency in trauma recovery.
.When working with a child who has experienced complex trauma, the advanced practice
psychiatric nurse’s primary focus should be:A) Encouraging the child to recount the traumatic
event in detailB) Developing a safety plan and establishing a trusting therapeutic allianceC)
Initiating family therapy to address systemic issues before individual workD) Implementing
exposure therapy as a first-line intervention
Answer: BRationale: For children with complex trauma, safety, trust, and relationship-building
are foundational before deeper trauma processing can occur
Which stabilization strategy is most appropriate for a patient with dissociative symptoms
related to trauma?A) Grounding techniques such as focusing on sensory experiencesB)
Encouraging the patient to relive traumatic memories to desensitize triggersC) Exploring the
root cause of dissociation in early therapy sessionsD) Focusing on cognitive distortions before
addressing physical symptoms
3
, Page 4 of 49
Answer: ARationale: Grounding techniques help stabilize patients with dissociation by
reconnecting them to the present moment through sensory awareness.
According to Wheeler (2020), which psychotherapeutic approach is most effective for treating
trauma-related symptoms in children?A) Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)B) Trauma-
focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)C) Eye movement desensitization and
reprocessing (EMDR)D) Psychodynamic play therapy
Answer: BRationale: TF-CBT is a gold-standard evidence-based intervention for children with
trauma-related symptoms, integrating psychoeducation, cognitive processing, and exposure
techniques in a developmentally appropriate manner.
In the Massachusetts Child Trauma Project, which intervention strategy is emphasized to
support trauma-affected children and families?A) Intensive inpatient treatment programsB) A
strengths-based framework that builds resilienceC) Pharmacologic intervention as a primary
treatment approachD) Emphasis on avoiding trauma narratives during treatment
Answer: BRationale: The Massachusetts Child Trauma Project emphasizes resilience-building
and integrating strengths-based strategies to foster recovery and empowerment.
An 8-year-old child presents with frequent stomachaches, social withdrawal, and refusal to
attend school following the sudden death of a parent. The child avoids conversations about
the loss. What intervention should the PMHNP prioritize?A) Encourage the child to create a
memory box to honor the deceased parentB) Begin cognitive restructuring to address
distorted thoughts about the lossC) Encourage prolonged exposure techniques to reduce
avoidanceD) Focus on somatic tracking to increase the child’s awareness of body sensations
Answer: ARationale: Developmentally appropriate grief interventions, such as creating a
memory box, help children express emotions in a non-threatening way while fostering
connection to the deceased.
4
NU 665C REGIS COLLEGE EXAM ALL 300 QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
A 10-year-old boy presents with nightmares, irritability, and difficulty concentrating in school
following a house fire that displaced his family. His mother reports that he startles easily and
avoids conversations about the event. Which intervention should the PMHNP prioritize?A)
Encourage the child to recount the fire in detail to facilitate emotional processingB)
Implement grounding techniques and relaxation strategies to reduce hyperarousalC) Begin
family therapy to address systemic stressors before individual treatmentD) Prescribe a low-
dose benzodiazepine to manage acute anxiety symptoms
Answer: BRationale: Stabilization strategies such as grounding and relaxation techniques are
crucial early interventions to reduce hyperarousal and promote a sense of safety before trauma
processing begins.
A 15-year-old adolescent presents with dissociative symptoms, self-harm behaviors, and
intense emotional outbursts. The adolescent has a history of childhood abuse and is currently
in foster care. What initial intervention aligns with the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM)?A)
Facilitate somatic tracking to increase awareness of physical sensations during distressB)
Encourage the adolescent to discuss past abuse in detail to build resilienceC) Use cognitive
restructuring to challenge self-blaming thoughtsD) Refer the adolescent for inpatient
hospitalization to ensure safety
Answer: ARationale: TRM emphasizes somatic tracking to help patients develop awareness of
their body's stress responses and build self-regulation skills, which are critical in stabilizing
patients before deeper trauma work.
A 6-year-old child who witnessed domestic violence is experiencing frequent temper
tantrums, bedwetting, and clinginess to their caregiver. What intervention should the PMHNP
1
,Page 2 of 49
prioritize to support the child's emotional regulation?A) Teach the caregiver skills for
promoting safety and structure at homeB) Initiate trauma narrative work to help the child
process the eventC) Introduce mindfulness techniques to foster emotional awarenessD)
Recommend a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for symptom management
Answer: ARationale: Establishing safety, predictability, and caregiver support is the first priority
in young children with trauma symptoms. Caregiver involvement is crucial in stabilizing the
child.
A 17-year-old female presents with panic attacks, social withdrawal, and academic decline
following a sexual assault. The patient reports feeling "detached" from her body and often
experiences periods of lost time. Which intervention should the PMHNP prioritize?A)
Facilitate grounding exercises to help the patient reconnect with the present momentB)
Encourage the patient to describe her memories of the trauma to desensitize triggersC)
Recommend exposure therapy to gradually reintroduce the patient to social situationsD)
Prescribe a beta-blocker to manage acute panic symptoms
Answer: ARationale: For trauma survivors experiencing dissociation, grounding exercises help
stabilize the patient and reduce distress by reconnecting them with their surroundings.
A 12-year-old child presents with persistent nightmares, exaggerated startle response, and
difficulty sleeping after witnessing a violent robbery. The child expresses fear that the
perpetrator may return. What is the most appropriate psychotherapeutic intervention?A)
Begin Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) with a focus on relaxation and cognitive restructuringB)
Recommend eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as a first-line
treatmentC) Initiate psychodynamic play therapy to explore unconscious conflictsD) Utilize
exposure therapy to reduce avoidance behaviors
Answer: ARationale: TF-CBT is an evidence-based intervention designed to help children
develop coping strategies, correct maladaptive thoughts, and safely process trauma memories.
2
,Page 3 of 49
A key principle of trauma-informed care emphasizes:A) Diagnosing the trauma as early as
possibleB) Prioritizing medication management over therapeutic interventionsC) Recognizing
the widespread impact of trauma and integrating this knowledge into practiceD) Avoiding
discussion of past trauma to prevent distress
Answer: CRationale: Trauma-informed care emphasizes understanding the impact of trauma,
creating a safe environment, and integrating that knowledge into care practices.
Which intervention is most consistent with the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM)?A)
Encouraging the patient to re-experience traumatic memories for emotional processingB)
Using somatic awareness techniques to track sensations in the body and regulate the nervous
systemC) Employing cognitive restructuring to challenge negative automatic thoughtsD)
Relying primarily on insight-oriented therapy to improve trauma recovery
Answer: BRationale: TRM emphasizes mind-body integration using somatic awareness to
promote self-regulation and resiliency in trauma recovery.
.When working with a child who has experienced complex trauma, the advanced practice
psychiatric nurse’s primary focus should be:A) Encouraging the child to recount the traumatic
event in detailB) Developing a safety plan and establishing a trusting therapeutic allianceC)
Initiating family therapy to address systemic issues before individual workD) Implementing
exposure therapy as a first-line intervention
Answer: BRationale: For children with complex trauma, safety, trust, and relationship-building
are foundational before deeper trauma processing can occur
Which stabilization strategy is most appropriate for a patient with dissociative symptoms
related to trauma?A) Grounding techniques such as focusing on sensory experiencesB)
Encouraging the patient to relive traumatic memories to desensitize triggersC) Exploring the
root cause of dissociation in early therapy sessionsD) Focusing on cognitive distortions before
addressing physical symptoms
3
, Page 4 of 49
Answer: ARationale: Grounding techniques help stabilize patients with dissociation by
reconnecting them to the present moment through sensory awareness.
According to Wheeler (2020), which psychotherapeutic approach is most effective for treating
trauma-related symptoms in children?A) Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)B) Trauma-
focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)C) Eye movement desensitization and
reprocessing (EMDR)D) Psychodynamic play therapy
Answer: BRationale: TF-CBT is a gold-standard evidence-based intervention for children with
trauma-related symptoms, integrating psychoeducation, cognitive processing, and exposure
techniques in a developmentally appropriate manner.
In the Massachusetts Child Trauma Project, which intervention strategy is emphasized to
support trauma-affected children and families?A) Intensive inpatient treatment programsB) A
strengths-based framework that builds resilienceC) Pharmacologic intervention as a primary
treatment approachD) Emphasis on avoiding trauma narratives during treatment
Answer: BRationale: The Massachusetts Child Trauma Project emphasizes resilience-building
and integrating strengths-based strategies to foster recovery and empowerment.
An 8-year-old child presents with frequent stomachaches, social withdrawal, and refusal to
attend school following the sudden death of a parent. The child avoids conversations about
the loss. What intervention should the PMHNP prioritize?A) Encourage the child to create a
memory box to honor the deceased parentB) Begin cognitive restructuring to address
distorted thoughts about the lossC) Encourage prolonged exposure techniques to reduce
avoidanceD) Focus on somatic tracking to increase the child’s awareness of body sensations
Answer: ARationale: Developmentally appropriate grief interventions, such as creating a
memory box, help children express emotions in a non-threatening way while fostering
connection to the deceased.
4
