Wilkes University NSG 526 Exam 1 –
Original PMHNP Exam Questions and
Answers 2026-2027
Question 1
A 32-year-old patient reports persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities,
insomnia, and feelings of worthlessness for the past 3 weeks. Which additional
assessment is the PMHNP's highest priority?
A. Dietary habits
B. Suicide risk assessment
C. Family history of diabetes
D. Employment history
� Correct Answer: B. Suicide risk assessment
� Rationale:
The patient's symptoms are consistent with major depressive disorder. Feelings of
worthlessness significantly increase suicide risk, making immediate assessment of
suicidal thoughts, plans, intent, and means the highest priority.
� Question 2
Which defense mechanism is demonstrated when a patient who is angry with a
supervisor comes home and yells at family members?
A. Projection
B. Reaction formation
,C. Displacement
D. Denial
� Correct Answer: C. Displacement
� Rationale:
Displacement involves redirecting emotions from the original source of frustration
to a less threatening target.
� Question 3
Which therapeutic communication technique is most appropriate when
interviewing a patient experiencing anxiety?
A. "Why are you anxious?"
B. "Everything will be okay."
C. "Tell me more about what you're experiencing."
D. "You shouldn't worry."
� Correct Answer: C. Tell me more about what you're experiencing.
� Rationale:
Open-ended questions encourage expression without judgment and promote
therapeutic communication.
� Question 4
According to Erikson, adolescents primarily struggle with which developmental
task?
, A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
C. Intimacy vs. Isolation
D. Generativity vs. Stagnation
� Correct Answer: B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
� Rationale:
Adolescents work toward establishing a stable sense of identity and personal
values.
� Question 5
A patient believes the nurse reminds him of his father and becomes angry during
every session. This behavior is an example of:
A. Countertransference
B. Transference
C. Projection
D. Sublimation
� Correct Answer: B. Transference
� Rationale:
Transference occurs when feelings originally directed toward significant
individuals are unconsciously redirected toward the clinician.
Original PMHNP Exam Questions and
Answers 2026-2027
Question 1
A 32-year-old patient reports persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities,
insomnia, and feelings of worthlessness for the past 3 weeks. Which additional
assessment is the PMHNP's highest priority?
A. Dietary habits
B. Suicide risk assessment
C. Family history of diabetes
D. Employment history
� Correct Answer: B. Suicide risk assessment
� Rationale:
The patient's symptoms are consistent with major depressive disorder. Feelings of
worthlessness significantly increase suicide risk, making immediate assessment of
suicidal thoughts, plans, intent, and means the highest priority.
� Question 2
Which defense mechanism is demonstrated when a patient who is angry with a
supervisor comes home and yells at family members?
A. Projection
B. Reaction formation
,C. Displacement
D. Denial
� Correct Answer: C. Displacement
� Rationale:
Displacement involves redirecting emotions from the original source of frustration
to a less threatening target.
� Question 3
Which therapeutic communication technique is most appropriate when
interviewing a patient experiencing anxiety?
A. "Why are you anxious?"
B. "Everything will be okay."
C. "Tell me more about what you're experiencing."
D. "You shouldn't worry."
� Correct Answer: C. Tell me more about what you're experiencing.
� Rationale:
Open-ended questions encourage expression without judgment and promote
therapeutic communication.
� Question 4
According to Erikson, adolescents primarily struggle with which developmental
task?
, A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
C. Intimacy vs. Isolation
D. Generativity vs. Stagnation
� Correct Answer: B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
� Rationale:
Adolescents work toward establishing a stable sense of identity and personal
values.
� Question 5
A patient believes the nurse reminds him of his father and becomes angry during
every session. This behavior is an example of:
A. Countertransference
B. Transference
C. Projection
D. Sublimation
� Correct Answer: B. Transference
� Rationale:
Transference occurs when feelings originally directed toward significant
individuals are unconsciously redirected toward the clinician.
