NU 671 (PDF) | 2026 EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS +
RATIONALES | STUDY GUIDE
1. According to the course description for NU 671, what is the primary focus of this course?
A) The management of chronic medical conditions in geriatric patients
B) The processes applicable to clinical decision-making across the lifespan with patients
exhibiting psychiatric disorders
C) The administrative and leadership aspects of psychiatric nursing
D) The foundational principles of advanced pathophysiology
Correct Answer: The processes applicable to clinical decision-making across the lifespan with
patients exhibiting psychiatric disorders
Rationale: The official course description states that NU 671 is an examination of the processes
applicable to clinical decision making across the life span with patients exhibiting psychiatric
disorders . This includes an overview of key assessments and clinical activity categories that
impact decision-making . The course applies concepts through engagement with hypothetical
clinical scenarios in mental health .
2. Which of the following is NOT a required prerequisite for NU 671 according to the
course description?
A) NU 610 Advanced Health Assessment
B) NU 621 Advanced Pathophysiology
C) NU 636 Advanced Pharmacology
D) NU 551 Theoretical Foundations of Nursing
Correct Answer: NU 551 Theoretical Foundations of Nursing
Rationale: The prerequisites listed for NU 671 are NU 610 Advanced Health Assessment, NU
621 Advanced Pathophysiology, and NU 636 Advanced Pharmacology . NU 551 is listed as a
prerequisite for a different version of the course at Purdue Global . It is essential to verify
prerequisites with the specific institution offering the course.
3. What are the three phases of the therapeutic relationship in psychiatric nursing?
A) Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation
B) Orientation, Identification, and Resolution
C) Engagement, Treatment, and Termination
D) Intake, Intervention, and Follow-up
Correct Answer: Orientation, Identification, and Resolution
Rationale: The three phases of the therapeutic relationship are orientation, identification, and
resolution . During the orientation phase, the nurse and patient establish trust and set goals. The
identification phase involves working through issues and patterns. The resolution phase focuses
on termination and reinforcing progress. These phases provide a framework for building
effective therapeutic alliances .
, 4. What is the primary purpose of conducting a Mental Status Exam (MSE)?
A) To establish a definitive medical diagnosis through laboratory testing
B) To provide direct observation of a patient's behaviors and emotional state
C) To assess a patient's physical health status
D) To evaluate a patient's social support system
Correct Answer: To provide direct observation of a patient's behaviors and emotional state
Rationale: The MSE is a structured assessment of a patient's current psychological functioning .
It provides a systematic, direct observation of an individual's appearance, affect, behavior, and
cognitive processes . The MSE is highly subjective as it reflects the examiner's observations and
impressions, making it a key clinical tool for mental health assessment .
5. Which mnemonic is commonly used to remember the elements of the Mental Status
Exam?
A) 'A B C D E F G'
B) 'All Borderline Subjects Are Tough, Troubled, Characters'
C) 'S O A P'
D) 'P C A R A'
Correct Answer: 'All Borderline Subjects Are Tough, Troubled, Characters'
Rationale: The mnemonic 'All Borderline Subjects Are Tough, Troubled, Characters' is used to
remember the components of the MSE . This acronym helps clinicians systematically assess
appearance, behavior, speech, thought process, thought content, cognition, insight, and judgment.
The MSE is a crucial component of the psychiatric assessment .
6. What does the term "transference" refer to in the therapeutic relationship?
A) The nurse unconsciously displacing their own feelings onto the patient
B) A patient unconsciously displacing feelings from past relationships onto the provider
C) A boundary violation involving inappropriate self-disclosure
D) The process of terminating the therapeutic relationship
Correct Answer: A patient unconsciously displacing feelings from past relationships onto the
provider
Rationale: Transference is a phenomenon where a client unconsciously and inappropriately
displaces onto the nurse feelings and behaviors related to significant figures in the patient's past .
This is a common dynamic in therapeutic relationships that requires careful management.
Recognizing transference can provide valuable insight into the patient's relational patterns .
7. What is the most appropriate action a provider should take if they suspect
countertransference?
A) Immediately terminate the therapeutic relationship
B) Work with a supervisor or colleagues to examine interpersonal dynamics
C) Disclose personal feelings to the patient
D) Ignore the feelings and continue as usual
, Correct Answer: Work with a supervisor or colleagues to examine interpersonal dynamics
Rationale: If a provider suspects countertransference, they should work with a supervisor or
colleagues to examine the interpersonal dynamics at play . This professional approach ensures
the provider maintains appropriate boundaries. It also helps prevent the provider's unresolved
issues from negatively impacting patient care .
8. What is the purpose of the psychiatric interview?
A) To gather information for diagnosis, build rapport, and develop a treatment plan
B) To conduct a physical examination
C) To determine the patient's social security eligibility
D) To prescribe medication immediately
Correct Answer: To gather information for diagnosis, build rapport, and develop a treatment plan
Rationale: The psychiatric interview serves three critical functions: gathering information to
formulate a diagnosis, building a therapeutic alliance or rapport, and developing a collaborative
treatment plan . It is the cornerstone of psychiatric assessment. The interview sets the foundation
for all subsequent therapeutic interventions .
9. Which of the following components is typically included in a Mental Status Exam?
A) Vital signs and physical appearance
B) Appearance, behavior, speech, mood, affect, thought process, thought content,
cognition, insight, and judgment
C) Family history and social background
D) Laboratory and imaging results
Correct Answer: Appearance, behavior, speech, mood, affect, thought process, thought content,
cognition, insight, and judgment
Rationale: The main components of the MSE include appearance, behavior, speech, mood,
affect, thought process, thought content, cognition, insight, and judgment . These domains
provide a comprehensive picture of a patient's current psychological functioning. The MSE is a
fundamental skill in psychiatric nursing .
10. In the MSE, what does "mood" refer to?
A) The observable expression of emotion
B) The patient's sustained internal emotional state
C) The speed and flow of speech
D) The ability to make decisions
Correct Answer: The patient's sustained internal emotional state
Rationale: In the MSE, mood refers to the patient's sustained internal emotional state . This is
differentiated from affect, which is the observable expression of emotion. Assessing mood helps
clinicians understand the patient's overall emotional experience .
RATIONALES | STUDY GUIDE
1. According to the course description for NU 671, what is the primary focus of this course?
A) The management of chronic medical conditions in geriatric patients
B) The processes applicable to clinical decision-making across the lifespan with patients
exhibiting psychiatric disorders
C) The administrative and leadership aspects of psychiatric nursing
D) The foundational principles of advanced pathophysiology
Correct Answer: The processes applicable to clinical decision-making across the lifespan with
patients exhibiting psychiatric disorders
Rationale: The official course description states that NU 671 is an examination of the processes
applicable to clinical decision making across the life span with patients exhibiting psychiatric
disorders . This includes an overview of key assessments and clinical activity categories that
impact decision-making . The course applies concepts through engagement with hypothetical
clinical scenarios in mental health .
2. Which of the following is NOT a required prerequisite for NU 671 according to the
course description?
A) NU 610 Advanced Health Assessment
B) NU 621 Advanced Pathophysiology
C) NU 636 Advanced Pharmacology
D) NU 551 Theoretical Foundations of Nursing
Correct Answer: NU 551 Theoretical Foundations of Nursing
Rationale: The prerequisites listed for NU 671 are NU 610 Advanced Health Assessment, NU
621 Advanced Pathophysiology, and NU 636 Advanced Pharmacology . NU 551 is listed as a
prerequisite for a different version of the course at Purdue Global . It is essential to verify
prerequisites with the specific institution offering the course.
3. What are the three phases of the therapeutic relationship in psychiatric nursing?
A) Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation
B) Orientation, Identification, and Resolution
C) Engagement, Treatment, and Termination
D) Intake, Intervention, and Follow-up
Correct Answer: Orientation, Identification, and Resolution
Rationale: The three phases of the therapeutic relationship are orientation, identification, and
resolution . During the orientation phase, the nurse and patient establish trust and set goals. The
identification phase involves working through issues and patterns. The resolution phase focuses
on termination and reinforcing progress. These phases provide a framework for building
effective therapeutic alliances .
, 4. What is the primary purpose of conducting a Mental Status Exam (MSE)?
A) To establish a definitive medical diagnosis through laboratory testing
B) To provide direct observation of a patient's behaviors and emotional state
C) To assess a patient's physical health status
D) To evaluate a patient's social support system
Correct Answer: To provide direct observation of a patient's behaviors and emotional state
Rationale: The MSE is a structured assessment of a patient's current psychological functioning .
It provides a systematic, direct observation of an individual's appearance, affect, behavior, and
cognitive processes . The MSE is highly subjective as it reflects the examiner's observations and
impressions, making it a key clinical tool for mental health assessment .
5. Which mnemonic is commonly used to remember the elements of the Mental Status
Exam?
A) 'A B C D E F G'
B) 'All Borderline Subjects Are Tough, Troubled, Characters'
C) 'S O A P'
D) 'P C A R A'
Correct Answer: 'All Borderline Subjects Are Tough, Troubled, Characters'
Rationale: The mnemonic 'All Borderline Subjects Are Tough, Troubled, Characters' is used to
remember the components of the MSE . This acronym helps clinicians systematically assess
appearance, behavior, speech, thought process, thought content, cognition, insight, and judgment.
The MSE is a crucial component of the psychiatric assessment .
6. What does the term "transference" refer to in the therapeutic relationship?
A) The nurse unconsciously displacing their own feelings onto the patient
B) A patient unconsciously displacing feelings from past relationships onto the provider
C) A boundary violation involving inappropriate self-disclosure
D) The process of terminating the therapeutic relationship
Correct Answer: A patient unconsciously displacing feelings from past relationships onto the
provider
Rationale: Transference is a phenomenon where a client unconsciously and inappropriately
displaces onto the nurse feelings and behaviors related to significant figures in the patient's past .
This is a common dynamic in therapeutic relationships that requires careful management.
Recognizing transference can provide valuable insight into the patient's relational patterns .
7. What is the most appropriate action a provider should take if they suspect
countertransference?
A) Immediately terminate the therapeutic relationship
B) Work with a supervisor or colleagues to examine interpersonal dynamics
C) Disclose personal feelings to the patient
D) Ignore the feelings and continue as usual
, Correct Answer: Work with a supervisor or colleagues to examine interpersonal dynamics
Rationale: If a provider suspects countertransference, they should work with a supervisor or
colleagues to examine the interpersonal dynamics at play . This professional approach ensures
the provider maintains appropriate boundaries. It also helps prevent the provider's unresolved
issues from negatively impacting patient care .
8. What is the purpose of the psychiatric interview?
A) To gather information for diagnosis, build rapport, and develop a treatment plan
B) To conduct a physical examination
C) To determine the patient's social security eligibility
D) To prescribe medication immediately
Correct Answer: To gather information for diagnosis, build rapport, and develop a treatment plan
Rationale: The psychiatric interview serves three critical functions: gathering information to
formulate a diagnosis, building a therapeutic alliance or rapport, and developing a collaborative
treatment plan . It is the cornerstone of psychiatric assessment. The interview sets the foundation
for all subsequent therapeutic interventions .
9. Which of the following components is typically included in a Mental Status Exam?
A) Vital signs and physical appearance
B) Appearance, behavior, speech, mood, affect, thought process, thought content,
cognition, insight, and judgment
C) Family history and social background
D) Laboratory and imaging results
Correct Answer: Appearance, behavior, speech, mood, affect, thought process, thought content,
cognition, insight, and judgment
Rationale: The main components of the MSE include appearance, behavior, speech, mood,
affect, thought process, thought content, cognition, insight, and judgment . These domains
provide a comprehensive picture of a patient's current psychological functioning. The MSE is a
fundamental skill in psychiatric nursing .
10. In the MSE, what does "mood" refer to?
A) The observable expression of emotion
B) The patient's sustained internal emotional state
C) The speed and flow of speech
D) The ability to make decisions
Correct Answer: The patient's sustained internal emotional state
Rationale: In the MSE, mood refers to the patient's sustained internal emotional state . This is
differentiated from affect, which is the observable expression of emotion. Assessing mood helps
clinicians understand the patient's overall emotional experience .
