NR548 Exam 3 Actual Exam Style V2 | NR
548 Psychiatric Assessment for
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner Chamberlain
1. When conducting a suicide risk assessment, which tool is considered the gold standard for
assessing severity and tracking suicidal ideation and behavior over time?
A. PHQ-9
B. SAD PERSONS Scale
C. GAD-7
D. Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
Answer: D
Rationale: The C-SSRS is widely recognized as the gold standard for clinical suicide
assessment because it captures the full spectrum of suicidal ideation and behavior. It
provides specific probes to determine the severity and immediacy of risk. This tool is
essential for both initial screening and ongoing monitoring in psychiatric settings.
2. A patient presents with rapid speech, decreased need for sleep, and grandiosity. Which
screening tool should the PMHNP use to differentiate between MDD and Bipolar Disorder?
A. Zung Self-Rating Scale
B. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
,C. HAM-D
D. Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)
Answer: D
Rationale: The MDQ is specifically designed to screen for symptoms of mania or
hypomania associated with Bipolar Disorder. It helps clinicians identify if a patient’s
depressive symptoms are part of a larger bipolar pattern. Accurate diagnosis is critical
because treating bipolar depression with antidepressants alone can trigger a manic switch.
3. During a Mental Status Exam (MSE), a patient expresses the belief that the FBI is
monitoring their thoughts through the television. This is an example of an abnormality in:
A. Thought Process
B. Thought Content
C. Perception
D. Sensorium
Answer: B
Rationale: Thought content refers to what the patient is actually thinking, including
delusions, obsessions, and suicidal ideation. In this case, the belief about FBI monitoring is
a delusion, which falls under the category of thought content. This is distinct from thought
process, which describes the flow and organization of thoughts.
, 4. Which screening tool is most appropriate for assessing a child’s symptoms of ADHD in both
the home and school environment?
A. Vanderbilt Assessment Scale
B. SCARED
C. PHQ-A
D. M-CHAT
Answer: A
Rationale: The Vanderbilt Assessment Scale is used to gather diagnostic information about
ADHD from parents and teachers. It assesses symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and
impulsivity, as well as comorbid conditions like ODD. Using this tool ensures that the
PMHNP collects data across multiple settings, which is a requirement for a DSM-5
diagnosis.
5. A patient scoring a 12 on the GAD-7 assessment is categorized as having what level of
anxiety?
A. Mild
B. Severe
C. Moderate
D. Minimal
Answer: C
548 Psychiatric Assessment for
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner Chamberlain
1. When conducting a suicide risk assessment, which tool is considered the gold standard for
assessing severity and tracking suicidal ideation and behavior over time?
A. PHQ-9
B. SAD PERSONS Scale
C. GAD-7
D. Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
Answer: D
Rationale: The C-SSRS is widely recognized as the gold standard for clinical suicide
assessment because it captures the full spectrum of suicidal ideation and behavior. It
provides specific probes to determine the severity and immediacy of risk. This tool is
essential for both initial screening and ongoing monitoring in psychiatric settings.
2. A patient presents with rapid speech, decreased need for sleep, and grandiosity. Which
screening tool should the PMHNP use to differentiate between MDD and Bipolar Disorder?
A. Zung Self-Rating Scale
B. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
,C. HAM-D
D. Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)
Answer: D
Rationale: The MDQ is specifically designed to screen for symptoms of mania or
hypomania associated with Bipolar Disorder. It helps clinicians identify if a patient’s
depressive symptoms are part of a larger bipolar pattern. Accurate diagnosis is critical
because treating bipolar depression with antidepressants alone can trigger a manic switch.
3. During a Mental Status Exam (MSE), a patient expresses the belief that the FBI is
monitoring their thoughts through the television. This is an example of an abnormality in:
A. Thought Process
B. Thought Content
C. Perception
D. Sensorium
Answer: B
Rationale: Thought content refers to what the patient is actually thinking, including
delusions, obsessions, and suicidal ideation. In this case, the belief about FBI monitoring is
a delusion, which falls under the category of thought content. This is distinct from thought
process, which describes the flow and organization of thoughts.
, 4. Which screening tool is most appropriate for assessing a child’s symptoms of ADHD in both
the home and school environment?
A. Vanderbilt Assessment Scale
B. SCARED
C. PHQ-A
D. M-CHAT
Answer: A
Rationale: The Vanderbilt Assessment Scale is used to gather diagnostic information about
ADHD from parents and teachers. It assesses symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and
impulsivity, as well as comorbid conditions like ODD. Using this tool ensures that the
PMHNP collects data across multiple settings, which is a requirement for a DSM-5
diagnosis.
5. A patient scoring a 12 on the GAD-7 assessment is categorized as having what level of
anxiety?
A. Mild
B. Severe
C. Moderate
D. Minimal
Answer: C
