NR 605 PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH: DIAGNOSIS & MANAGEMENT IN PSYCHIATRIC-
MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I PRACTICUM WEEK 3 MIDTERM EXAM
2026/2027 | MOST TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | CHAMBERLAIN - A+ GRADED
INSTRUCTIONS
Select the single best answer for each question.
Each question has one correct answer and three plausible distractors.
Questions focus on defense mechanisms, psychodynamic psychotherapy, therapeutic techniques, the
therapeutic frame, and theoretical models.
Assume standard adult parameters unless otherwise specified.
SECTION I: DEFENSE MECHANISMS (Questions 1–10)
Q1 (NR605-W3-01). A patient with schizophrenia denies that they are ill and refuses to take medication. This
is an example of which defense mechanism?
A) Denial
B) Projection
C) Rationalization
D) Displacement
Answer: A
Rationale: Denial is a primitive defense mechanism where the individual refuses to acknowledge a painful
reality . In schizophrenia, denial of illness (anosognosia) is a common symptom that contributes to
medication non-adherence. Projection (B) involves attributing one's own unacceptable feelings to others.
Rationalization (C) involves creating logical explanations for irrational behavior. Displacement (D) involves
redirecting emotions to a substitute target .
Reference: Wheeler K. Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse. 3rd ed. Springer; 2022.
, NR 605 PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH: DIAGNOSIS & MANAGEMENT IN PSYCHIATRIC-
MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I PRACTICUM WEEK 3 MIDTERM EXAM
2026/2027 | MOST TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | CHAMBERLAIN - A+ GRADED
Bloom Level: Analysis
Q2 (NR605-W3-02). A patient with borderline personality disorder states, "You're the only provider who has
ever understood me. Everyone else was terrible." The PMHNP recognizes this as:
A) Idealization (splitting)
B) Positive transference
C) Reality testing
D) Intellectualization
Answer: A
Rationale: Splitting involves viewing others or self as all-good (idealization) or all-bad (devaluation) . This
dichotomous thinking is a primitive defense mechanism characteristic of borderline personality disorder .
Positive transference (B) involves the patient projecting positive feelings from past relationships onto the
therapist. Reality testing (C) is the ability to distinguish internal from external reality. Intellectualization (D)
involves using logic to avoid emotional experience.
Reference: American Psychiatric Association. Practice Guideline for Borderline Personality Disorder. 2020.
Bloom Level: Analysis
Q3 (NR605-W3-03). Instead of feeling sad about a recent breakup, a patient goes out and gets drunk. This is
an example of which defense mechanism?
A) Acting out
B) Regression
C) Displacement
, NR 605 PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH: DIAGNOSIS & MANAGEMENT IN PSYCHIATRIC-
MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I PRACTICUM WEEK 3 MIDTERM EXAM
2026/2027 | MOST TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | CHAMBERLAIN - A+ GRADED
D) Reaction formation
Answer: A
Rationale: Acting out involves avoiding conscious experience of an emotion through impulsive action .
Instead of experiencing sadness, the patient acts out by drinking. Regression (B) involves returning to an
earlier developmental level (e.g., bedwetting after a sibling is born). Displacement (C) involves redirecting
emotions to a substitute target. Reaction formation (D) involves expressing the opposite of one's true feelings.
Reference: Wheeler K. Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse. 3rd ed. Springer; 2022.
Bloom Level: Analysis
Q4 (NR605-W3-04). A patient who is angry with their boss comes home and yells at their spouse. This is an
example of which defense mechanism?
A) Displacement
B) Projection
C) Rationalization
D) Sublimation
Answer: A
Rationale: Displacement involves redirecting emotions from their original source to a substitute target . The
patient is angry at their boss but displaces that anger onto their spouse. Projection (B) involves attributing
one's own unacceptable feelings to others. Rationalization (C) involves creating logical explanations for
irrational behavior. Sublimation (D) involves channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable
activities.
Reference: Wheeler K. Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse. 3rd ed. Springer; 2022.
, NR 605 PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH: DIAGNOSIS & MANAGEMENT IN PSYCHIATRIC-
MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I PRACTICUM WEEK 3 MIDTERM EXAM
2026/2027 | MOST TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | CHAMBERLAIN - A+ GRADED
Bloom Level: Analysis
Q5 (NR605-W3-05). A patient who is jealous of a colleague's success states, "They're only successful because
they're sleeping with the boss." This is an example of which defense mechanism?
A) Projection
B) Denial
C) Displacement
D) Intellectualization
Answer: A
Rationale: Projection involves perceiving and reacting to unacceptable feelings and impulses as if they were
outside the self . The patient's own jealousy or competitiveness is projected onto the colleague. Denial (B)
involves refusing to acknowledge reality. Displacement (C) involves redirecting emotions to a substitute
target. Intellectualization (D) involves using logic to avoid emotional experience.
Reference: Wheeler K. Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse. 3rd ed. Springer; 2022.
Bloom Level: Analysis
Q6 (NR605-W3-06). A patient who lost their job immediately says, "I wanted to quit anyway. That job was
terrible." This is an example of which defense mechanism?
A) Rationalization
B) Denial
C) Displacement
D) Reaction formation
MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I PRACTICUM WEEK 3 MIDTERM EXAM
2026/2027 | MOST TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | CHAMBERLAIN - A+ GRADED
INSTRUCTIONS
Select the single best answer for each question.
Each question has one correct answer and three plausible distractors.
Questions focus on defense mechanisms, psychodynamic psychotherapy, therapeutic techniques, the
therapeutic frame, and theoretical models.
Assume standard adult parameters unless otherwise specified.
SECTION I: DEFENSE MECHANISMS (Questions 1–10)
Q1 (NR605-W3-01). A patient with schizophrenia denies that they are ill and refuses to take medication. This
is an example of which defense mechanism?
A) Denial
B) Projection
C) Rationalization
D) Displacement
Answer: A
Rationale: Denial is a primitive defense mechanism where the individual refuses to acknowledge a painful
reality . In schizophrenia, denial of illness (anosognosia) is a common symptom that contributes to
medication non-adherence. Projection (B) involves attributing one's own unacceptable feelings to others.
Rationalization (C) involves creating logical explanations for irrational behavior. Displacement (D) involves
redirecting emotions to a substitute target .
Reference: Wheeler K. Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse. 3rd ed. Springer; 2022.
, NR 605 PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH: DIAGNOSIS & MANAGEMENT IN PSYCHIATRIC-
MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I PRACTICUM WEEK 3 MIDTERM EXAM
2026/2027 | MOST TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | CHAMBERLAIN - A+ GRADED
Bloom Level: Analysis
Q2 (NR605-W3-02). A patient with borderline personality disorder states, "You're the only provider who has
ever understood me. Everyone else was terrible." The PMHNP recognizes this as:
A) Idealization (splitting)
B) Positive transference
C) Reality testing
D) Intellectualization
Answer: A
Rationale: Splitting involves viewing others or self as all-good (idealization) or all-bad (devaluation) . This
dichotomous thinking is a primitive defense mechanism characteristic of borderline personality disorder .
Positive transference (B) involves the patient projecting positive feelings from past relationships onto the
therapist. Reality testing (C) is the ability to distinguish internal from external reality. Intellectualization (D)
involves using logic to avoid emotional experience.
Reference: American Psychiatric Association. Practice Guideline for Borderline Personality Disorder. 2020.
Bloom Level: Analysis
Q3 (NR605-W3-03). Instead of feeling sad about a recent breakup, a patient goes out and gets drunk. This is
an example of which defense mechanism?
A) Acting out
B) Regression
C) Displacement
, NR 605 PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH: DIAGNOSIS & MANAGEMENT IN PSYCHIATRIC-
MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I PRACTICUM WEEK 3 MIDTERM EXAM
2026/2027 | MOST TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | CHAMBERLAIN - A+ GRADED
D) Reaction formation
Answer: A
Rationale: Acting out involves avoiding conscious experience of an emotion through impulsive action .
Instead of experiencing sadness, the patient acts out by drinking. Regression (B) involves returning to an
earlier developmental level (e.g., bedwetting after a sibling is born). Displacement (C) involves redirecting
emotions to a substitute target. Reaction formation (D) involves expressing the opposite of one's true feelings.
Reference: Wheeler K. Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse. 3rd ed. Springer; 2022.
Bloom Level: Analysis
Q4 (NR605-W3-04). A patient who is angry with their boss comes home and yells at their spouse. This is an
example of which defense mechanism?
A) Displacement
B) Projection
C) Rationalization
D) Sublimation
Answer: A
Rationale: Displacement involves redirecting emotions from their original source to a substitute target . The
patient is angry at their boss but displaces that anger onto their spouse. Projection (B) involves attributing
one's own unacceptable feelings to others. Rationalization (C) involves creating logical explanations for
irrational behavior. Sublimation (D) involves channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable
activities.
Reference: Wheeler K. Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse. 3rd ed. Springer; 2022.
, NR 605 PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH: DIAGNOSIS & MANAGEMENT IN PSYCHIATRIC-
MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I PRACTICUM WEEK 3 MIDTERM EXAM
2026/2027 | MOST TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | CHAMBERLAIN - A+ GRADED
Bloom Level: Analysis
Q5 (NR605-W3-05). A patient who is jealous of a colleague's success states, "They're only successful because
they're sleeping with the boss." This is an example of which defense mechanism?
A) Projection
B) Denial
C) Displacement
D) Intellectualization
Answer: A
Rationale: Projection involves perceiving and reacting to unacceptable feelings and impulses as if they were
outside the self . The patient's own jealousy or competitiveness is projected onto the colleague. Denial (B)
involves refusing to acknowledge reality. Displacement (C) involves redirecting emotions to a substitute
target. Intellectualization (D) involves using logic to avoid emotional experience.
Reference: Wheeler K. Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse. 3rd ed. Springer; 2022.
Bloom Level: Analysis
Q6 (NR605-W3-06). A patient who lost their job immediately says, "I wanted to quit anyway. That job was
terrible." This is an example of which defense mechanism?
A) Rationalization
B) Denial
C) Displacement
D) Reaction formation
