,NR 548 Exam 2 | Weeks 1–8 | Chamberlain University |
psychiatric Q & A | Latest 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. What is the primary purpose of the psychiatric interview?
A) To build a therapeutic alliance and obtain a psychiatric database
B) To prescribe medication for the client's symptoms
C) To determine the client's medical history
D) To provide psychotherapy to the client
Correct Answer: To build a therapeutic alliance and obtain a psychiatric database.
Rationale: The psychiatric interview is the structured process through which the PMHNP conducts a
psychiatric assessment. Its primary tasks include building a therapeutic alliance, obtaining a database of
psychiatric information, establishing a diagnosis, and negotiating a treatment plan.
2. Which of the following is the most important goal of the diagnostic interview process?
A) Establishing a medical diagnosis
B) Creating a therapeutic alliance
C) Completing a mental status exam
D) Obtaining a family history
Correct Answer: Creating a therapeutic alliance.
Rationale: The therapeutic alliance is the most important goal of the interview process, as it is the
cooperative working relationship between the therapist and client. Without trust, adherence to
treatment recommendations may be compromised.
3. A PMHNP is beginning an initial psychiatric interview with a new client. According to best practices,
how should the PMHNP approach the opening phase?
A) Begin with the psychiatric review of systems immediately
B) Give the patient the opening word and defuse the strangeness of the clinical situation
,C) Start by asking about the patient's family history
D) Immediately establish the treatment plan
Correct Answer: Give the patient the opening word and defuse the strangeness of the clinical situation.
Rationale: Creating rapport involves several strategies, including giving the patient the opening word,
actively defusing the strangeness of the clinical situation, being warm and emotionally sensitive, and
projecting competence.
4. A profoundly depressed patient has expressed feelings of hopelessness. The PMHNP suspects
suicidality but senses the patient may be too ashamed to admit it. Which technique should the PMHNP
use to explore this sensitive topic?
A) Normalization
B) Symptom expectation
C) Symptom exaggeration
D) Reduction of guilt
Correct Answer: Symptom expectation.
Rationale: Symptom expectation involves phrasing questions to imply that the provider already assumes
the patient has engaged in a behavior and will not be offended by a positive response. For example,
"What kinds of ways to hurt yourself have you thought about?" is more direct than asking if the patient
has had thoughts of being better off dead.
5. A PMHNP is asking a patient about suicidal ideation and begins with the statement, "Sometimes when
people are very depressed, they think of hurting themselves." Which interview technique is being used?
A) Symptom expectation
B) Symptom exaggeration
C) Normalization
D) Reduction of guilt
Correct Answer: Normalization.
, Rationale: Normalization introduces a question with a normalizing statement, implying that the behavior
is a normal or understandable response to a mood or situation. This can help the patient feel less alone
or ashamed.
6. A PMHNP is interviewing a patient who is reluctant to discuss personal topics. Which communication
technique is most likely to help the patient feel more comfortable?
A) Confronting the patient directly about their reluctance
B) Using familiar language when asking about behaviors
C) Terminating the interview and rescheduling
D) Asking closed-ended questions only
Correct Answer: Using familiar language when asking about behaviors.
Rationale: When approaching threatening or embarrassing topics, using familiar language and
techniques such as normalization, symptom expectation, symptom exaggeration, and reduction of guilt
can help the patient feel more comfortable sharing sensitive information.
7. What is the primary purpose of using symptom exaggeration in a psychiatric interview?
A) To make the patient feel that their actual, lower frequency of behavior is more acceptable
B) To force the patient to admit to a behavior they are denying
C) To confuse the patient into revealing more information
D) To test the patient's memory and cognitive function
Correct Answer: To make the patient feel that their actual, lower frequency of behavior is more
acceptable.
Rationale: Symptom exaggeration suggests a frequency of a problematic behavior that is higher than the
provider's expectation. This can make the patient feel that their actual, lower frequency of the behavior
is more acceptable and easier to admit to.
8. Which of the following is a key component of the closing phase of the psychiatric interview?
psychiatric Q & A | Latest 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. What is the primary purpose of the psychiatric interview?
A) To build a therapeutic alliance and obtain a psychiatric database
B) To prescribe medication for the client's symptoms
C) To determine the client's medical history
D) To provide psychotherapy to the client
Correct Answer: To build a therapeutic alliance and obtain a psychiatric database.
Rationale: The psychiatric interview is the structured process through which the PMHNP conducts a
psychiatric assessment. Its primary tasks include building a therapeutic alliance, obtaining a database of
psychiatric information, establishing a diagnosis, and negotiating a treatment plan.
2. Which of the following is the most important goal of the diagnostic interview process?
A) Establishing a medical diagnosis
B) Creating a therapeutic alliance
C) Completing a mental status exam
D) Obtaining a family history
Correct Answer: Creating a therapeutic alliance.
Rationale: The therapeutic alliance is the most important goal of the interview process, as it is the
cooperative working relationship between the therapist and client. Without trust, adherence to
treatment recommendations may be compromised.
3. A PMHNP is beginning an initial psychiatric interview with a new client. According to best practices,
how should the PMHNP approach the opening phase?
A) Begin with the psychiatric review of systems immediately
B) Give the patient the opening word and defuse the strangeness of the clinical situation
,C) Start by asking about the patient's family history
D) Immediately establish the treatment plan
Correct Answer: Give the patient the opening word and defuse the strangeness of the clinical situation.
Rationale: Creating rapport involves several strategies, including giving the patient the opening word,
actively defusing the strangeness of the clinical situation, being warm and emotionally sensitive, and
projecting competence.
4. A profoundly depressed patient has expressed feelings of hopelessness. The PMHNP suspects
suicidality but senses the patient may be too ashamed to admit it. Which technique should the PMHNP
use to explore this sensitive topic?
A) Normalization
B) Symptom expectation
C) Symptom exaggeration
D) Reduction of guilt
Correct Answer: Symptom expectation.
Rationale: Symptom expectation involves phrasing questions to imply that the provider already assumes
the patient has engaged in a behavior and will not be offended by a positive response. For example,
"What kinds of ways to hurt yourself have you thought about?" is more direct than asking if the patient
has had thoughts of being better off dead.
5. A PMHNP is asking a patient about suicidal ideation and begins with the statement, "Sometimes when
people are very depressed, they think of hurting themselves." Which interview technique is being used?
A) Symptom expectation
B) Symptom exaggeration
C) Normalization
D) Reduction of guilt
Correct Answer: Normalization.
, Rationale: Normalization introduces a question with a normalizing statement, implying that the behavior
is a normal or understandable response to a mood or situation. This can help the patient feel less alone
or ashamed.
6. A PMHNP is interviewing a patient who is reluctant to discuss personal topics. Which communication
technique is most likely to help the patient feel more comfortable?
A) Confronting the patient directly about their reluctance
B) Using familiar language when asking about behaviors
C) Terminating the interview and rescheduling
D) Asking closed-ended questions only
Correct Answer: Using familiar language when asking about behaviors.
Rationale: When approaching threatening or embarrassing topics, using familiar language and
techniques such as normalization, symptom expectation, symptom exaggeration, and reduction of guilt
can help the patient feel more comfortable sharing sensitive information.
7. What is the primary purpose of using symptom exaggeration in a psychiatric interview?
A) To make the patient feel that their actual, lower frequency of behavior is more acceptable
B) To force the patient to admit to a behavior they are denying
C) To confuse the patient into revealing more information
D) To test the patient's memory and cognitive function
Correct Answer: To make the patient feel that their actual, lower frequency of behavior is more
acceptable.
Rationale: Symptom exaggeration suggests a frequency of a problematic behavior that is higher than the
provider's expectation. This can make the patient feel that their actual, lower frequency of the behavior
is more acceptable and easier to admit to.
8. Which of the following is a key component of the closing phase of the psychiatric interview?
