NR 548 Exam 2 – Psychiatric Interview & Therapeutic Communication
Chamberlain University | Latest 2026/2027 Update | 70 Questions with
Verified Answers
Introduction
This comprehensive study guide is designed for students preparing for the NR 548 Exam 2
(Weeks 3-4) at Chamberlain University. The exam covers the foundational skills required for
psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) practice, including the psychiatric
interview process, therapeutic alliance, communication techniques, and history-taking.
Section 1: The Psychiatric Interview
Q1. What is the psychiatric interview, and what are its primary tasks?
Answer: The psychiatric interview is the process by which psychiatric assessment is
conducted. Its primary tasks include:
Building a therapeutic alliance between the PMHNP and the client
Obtaining a comprehensive database of psychiatric information about the client
Establishing a diagnosis
Negotiating a treatment plan with the client
Rationale: Unlike the diagnostic process in physical medicine, psychiatric diagnoses are not
generally established or validated by physical examinations or laboratory tests. The
psychiatric interview itself is the primary diagnostic tool .
,Q2. What is the most important goal of the psychiatric interview process?
Answer: Creating a therapeutic alliance with the client .
Rationale: A therapeutic alliance—a sense of rapport, trust, and warmth—is the most
important goal of the interview process. Without trust, adherence to treatment
recommendations may be compromised, and the interview may not elicit the information
needed to formulate an appropriate diagnosis and plan of care .
Q3. What is a therapeutic alliance?
Answer: A therapeutic alliance is the cooperative working relationship between the
therapist and client characterized by rapport, trust, and warmth. It begins during the initial or
opening phase of the interview and is a fundamental component of successful therapy .
Rationale: It is the most important goal of the interview process and without it, treatment
adherence and information elicitation are compromised .
Q4. What are the three phases of the psychiatric interview?
Answer: The three phases are :
1. Opening Phase (5-10 minutes): Establishes rapport and therapeutic alliance; often
the most important phase. Begins with the PMHNP asking "what brought you in to
see me today?"
2. Body of the Interview (30-40 minutes): Chief complaint is established; the PMHNP
asks about HPI, family history, social/developmental history, medical history, and
psychiatric ROS. This forms the basis for diagnosis and treatment formulation.
, 3. Closing the Interview (5-10 minutes): Includes discussion of assessment, patient
education, negotiated agreement about treatment or follow-up plans, and wrap-up.
Section 2: Therapeutic Alliance & Building Rapport
Q5. How should the PMHNP establish the therapeutic relationship?
Answer: Establishing the relationship requires :
Taking time to make proper introductions
Ensuring the client is comfortable
Asking general questions to arrive at an empathic understanding of how the client
feels
Listening carefully and communicating appreciation for the client's concerns
Building a trusting relationship based on respect, kindness, and acceptance
Being present and openly engaged
Rationale: Trust is essential for a therapeutic alliance, and first impressions are critical for
establishing rapport .
Q6. According to Peplau's Theory of Interpersonal Relations, what roles does the
nurse evolve into as rapport is established?
Answer: Establishing early rapport allows the role of the nurse to evolve from stranger to :
1. Resource person
2. Teacher
Chamberlain University | Latest 2026/2027 Update | 70 Questions with
Verified Answers
Introduction
This comprehensive study guide is designed for students preparing for the NR 548 Exam 2
(Weeks 3-4) at Chamberlain University. The exam covers the foundational skills required for
psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) practice, including the psychiatric
interview process, therapeutic alliance, communication techniques, and history-taking.
Section 1: The Psychiatric Interview
Q1. What is the psychiatric interview, and what are its primary tasks?
Answer: The psychiatric interview is the process by which psychiatric assessment is
conducted. Its primary tasks include:
Building a therapeutic alliance between the PMHNP and the client
Obtaining a comprehensive database of psychiatric information about the client
Establishing a diagnosis
Negotiating a treatment plan with the client
Rationale: Unlike the diagnostic process in physical medicine, psychiatric diagnoses are not
generally established or validated by physical examinations or laboratory tests. The
psychiatric interview itself is the primary diagnostic tool .
,Q2. What is the most important goal of the psychiatric interview process?
Answer: Creating a therapeutic alliance with the client .
Rationale: A therapeutic alliance—a sense of rapport, trust, and warmth—is the most
important goal of the interview process. Without trust, adherence to treatment
recommendations may be compromised, and the interview may not elicit the information
needed to formulate an appropriate diagnosis and plan of care .
Q3. What is a therapeutic alliance?
Answer: A therapeutic alliance is the cooperative working relationship between the
therapist and client characterized by rapport, trust, and warmth. It begins during the initial or
opening phase of the interview and is a fundamental component of successful therapy .
Rationale: It is the most important goal of the interview process and without it, treatment
adherence and information elicitation are compromised .
Q4. What are the three phases of the psychiatric interview?
Answer: The three phases are :
1. Opening Phase (5-10 minutes): Establishes rapport and therapeutic alliance; often
the most important phase. Begins with the PMHNP asking "what brought you in to
see me today?"
2. Body of the Interview (30-40 minutes): Chief complaint is established; the PMHNP
asks about HPI, family history, social/developmental history, medical history, and
psychiatric ROS. This forms the basis for diagnosis and treatment formulation.
, 3. Closing the Interview (5-10 minutes): Includes discussion of assessment, patient
education, negotiated agreement about treatment or follow-up plans, and wrap-up.
Section 2: Therapeutic Alliance & Building Rapport
Q5. How should the PMHNP establish the therapeutic relationship?
Answer: Establishing the relationship requires :
Taking time to make proper introductions
Ensuring the client is comfortable
Asking general questions to arrive at an empathic understanding of how the client
feels
Listening carefully and communicating appreciation for the client's concerns
Building a trusting relationship based on respect, kindness, and acceptance
Being present and openly engaged
Rationale: Trust is essential for a therapeutic alliance, and first impressions are critical for
establishing rapport .
Q6. According to Peplau's Theory of Interpersonal Relations, what roles does the
nurse evolve into as rapport is established?
Answer: Establishing early rapport allows the role of the nurse to evolve from stranger to :
1. Resource person
2. Teacher
