NU 673 MIDTERM EXAM – PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTHCARE I
130 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES | 2026/2027 | WILKES UNIVERSITY
Core Domains
• Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Theories, Therapeutic
Relationship, Ethics
• Neurobiology & Psychopharmacology: Neurotransmitters,
Pharmacokinetics, Drug Classes
• Psychiatric Disorders Across the Lifespan: Assessment, Diagnosis, DSM-5-
TR Criteria
• Therapeutic Communication & Crisis Intervention
• Legal & Ethical Issues in Mental Health
• Substance Use & Withdrawal Management
• Suicide Risk Assessment & Safety Planning
This comprehensive examination guide is designed for students preparing for the
NU 673 Psychiatric Mental Healthcare I Midterm Exam at Wilkes University for
the 2026/2027 academic year. The exam evaluates foundational knowledge in
psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and treatment planning
across the lifespan . This resource features 130 practice questions with verified
answers and detailed rationales, aligned with the PMHNP curriculum to ensure
exam readiness .
EXAM FORMAT OVERVIEW
Component Details
Course NU 673 Psychiatric Mental Healthcare I
,Component Details
Advanced psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacology, evidenc
Focus
based treatment planning
Neurobiology, DSM-5-TR criteria, therapeutic communication, crisis
Core Topics
intervention, substance use disorders
Question Multiple-choice, SATA, Matching, Fill-in-the-Blank, True/False, Short
Formats Answer, NGN-style cases
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
Which of the following best describes the first step in assessing a patient's mental
health care needs?
A. Obtaining a detailed family history
B. Conducting a physical examination
C. Administering a mental status exam
D. Reviewing the patient's medical history
Correct answer: D
RATIONALE: Reviewing the patient's medical history is the first step in
assessing a patient's mental health care needs . This establishes a baseline
understanding of the patient's health status and helps guide further assessment.
Question 2
Therapeutic nurse-client relationship is central to psychiatric nursing. According to
Peplau's Interpersonal Relations Theory, the relationship phases are:
,A. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
B. Orientation, Working, Termination
C. Introduction, Exploration, Resolution, Termination
D. Engagement, Assessment, Intervention, Evaluation
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Peplau's Interpersonal Relations Theory identifies the phases of
the therapeutic nurse-client relationship as orientation, working, and termination .
The orientation phase involves establishing trust and setting goals; the working
phase involves exploring feelings and behaviors; the termination phase involves
reviewing progress and closure.
Question 3
What is the primary goal of the therapeutic nurse-client relationship?
A. To provide advice and direction to the client
B. To meet the client's needs through goal-directed interactions
C. To establish a social friendship with the client
D. To maintain professional distance at all times
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: The therapeutic nurse-client relationship is goal-directed and
focused on meeting the client's needs . It is not a social relationship, and the nurse
does not provide personal advice or friendship.
Question 4
Which of the following statements by a nurse demonstrates the therapeutic
communication technique of reflection?
A. "You seem upset about what happened today."
B. "What do you think you should do about this situation?"
C. "Let's focus on what you're feeling right now."
D. "It sounds like you've been feeling very sad and hopeless lately."
Correct answer: D
, RATIONALE: Reflection is a therapeutic communication technique in which
the nurse directs back to the client the feelings or thoughts that have been
expressed . "It sounds like you've been feeling very sad and hopeless lately"
mirrors the client's emotions. Option A is making an observation; Option B is
exploring; Option C is focusing.
Question 5
The ethical principle of autonomy in psychiatric care means:
A. The nurse must always act in the client's best interest
B. The client has the right to make their own decisions
C. The nurse must not harm the client
D. The client must be treated fairly and equally
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Autonomy is the right to make one's own decisions and respect
for clients' right to make their own decisions . Beneficence is acting in the client's
best interest, nonmaleficence is doing no harm, and justice is fairness and equal
treatment.
Question 6
A client with a terminal illness tells the nurse, "I feel like I am being punished."
According to Kübler-Ross, this statement is indicative of which stage of grief?
A. Denial
B. Anger
C. Depression
D. Bargaining
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Anger is the second stage of grief, where the client may direct
anger toward God, healthcare providers, or the situation . Denial is the first stage,
bargaining involves "if only," and depression involves sadness and withdrawal.
130 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES | 2026/2027 | WILKES UNIVERSITY
Core Domains
• Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Theories, Therapeutic
Relationship, Ethics
• Neurobiology & Psychopharmacology: Neurotransmitters,
Pharmacokinetics, Drug Classes
• Psychiatric Disorders Across the Lifespan: Assessment, Diagnosis, DSM-5-
TR Criteria
• Therapeutic Communication & Crisis Intervention
• Legal & Ethical Issues in Mental Health
• Substance Use & Withdrawal Management
• Suicide Risk Assessment & Safety Planning
This comprehensive examination guide is designed for students preparing for the
NU 673 Psychiatric Mental Healthcare I Midterm Exam at Wilkes University for
the 2026/2027 academic year. The exam evaluates foundational knowledge in
psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and treatment planning
across the lifespan . This resource features 130 practice questions with verified
answers and detailed rationales, aligned with the PMHNP curriculum to ensure
exam readiness .
EXAM FORMAT OVERVIEW
Component Details
Course NU 673 Psychiatric Mental Healthcare I
,Component Details
Advanced psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacology, evidenc
Focus
based treatment planning
Neurobiology, DSM-5-TR criteria, therapeutic communication, crisis
Core Topics
intervention, substance use disorders
Question Multiple-choice, SATA, Matching, Fill-in-the-Blank, True/False, Short
Formats Answer, NGN-style cases
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
Which of the following best describes the first step in assessing a patient's mental
health care needs?
A. Obtaining a detailed family history
B. Conducting a physical examination
C. Administering a mental status exam
D. Reviewing the patient's medical history
Correct answer: D
RATIONALE: Reviewing the patient's medical history is the first step in
assessing a patient's mental health care needs . This establishes a baseline
understanding of the patient's health status and helps guide further assessment.
Question 2
Therapeutic nurse-client relationship is central to psychiatric nursing. According to
Peplau's Interpersonal Relations Theory, the relationship phases are:
,A. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
B. Orientation, Working, Termination
C. Introduction, Exploration, Resolution, Termination
D. Engagement, Assessment, Intervention, Evaluation
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Peplau's Interpersonal Relations Theory identifies the phases of
the therapeutic nurse-client relationship as orientation, working, and termination .
The orientation phase involves establishing trust and setting goals; the working
phase involves exploring feelings and behaviors; the termination phase involves
reviewing progress and closure.
Question 3
What is the primary goal of the therapeutic nurse-client relationship?
A. To provide advice and direction to the client
B. To meet the client's needs through goal-directed interactions
C. To establish a social friendship with the client
D. To maintain professional distance at all times
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: The therapeutic nurse-client relationship is goal-directed and
focused on meeting the client's needs . It is not a social relationship, and the nurse
does not provide personal advice or friendship.
Question 4
Which of the following statements by a nurse demonstrates the therapeutic
communication technique of reflection?
A. "You seem upset about what happened today."
B. "What do you think you should do about this situation?"
C. "Let's focus on what you're feeling right now."
D. "It sounds like you've been feeling very sad and hopeless lately."
Correct answer: D
, RATIONALE: Reflection is a therapeutic communication technique in which
the nurse directs back to the client the feelings or thoughts that have been
expressed . "It sounds like you've been feeling very sad and hopeless lately"
mirrors the client's emotions. Option A is making an observation; Option B is
exploring; Option C is focusing.
Question 5
The ethical principle of autonomy in psychiatric care means:
A. The nurse must always act in the client's best interest
B. The client has the right to make their own decisions
C. The nurse must not harm the client
D. The client must be treated fairly and equally
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Autonomy is the right to make one's own decisions and respect
for clients' right to make their own decisions . Beneficence is acting in the client's
best interest, nonmaleficence is doing no harm, and justice is fairness and equal
treatment.
Question 6
A client with a terminal illness tells the nurse, "I feel like I am being punished."
According to Kübler-Ross, this statement is indicative of which stage of grief?
A. Denial
B. Anger
C. Depression
D. Bargaining
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Anger is the second stage of grief, where the client may direct
anger toward God, healthcare providers, or the situation . Denial is the first stage,
bargaining involves "if only," and depression involves sadness and withdrawal.
