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According to Erikson, what developmental conflict occurs during infancy?
Trust vs. Mistrust. Successful resolution leads to a sense of safety and confidence in
caregivers and the environment.
What developmental task characterizes Erikson's toddler stage?
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt. Children develop independence and self-control while
learning limits.
A preschool child insists on choosing clothes and activities independently. Which Erikson stage
is represented?
Initiative vs. Guilt. Children begin asserting power and planning activities.
What is the primary developmental challenge during Erikson's school-age stage?
Industry vs. Inferiority. Children gain competence through achievement and skill development.
Erikson believed adolescents struggle with Identity vs. __________.
Role Confusion. Failure to establish identity may lead to uncertainty about future roles and
beliefs.
According to Piaget, which stage occurs from birth to approximately 2 years of age?
Sensorimotor Stage. Learning occurs through sensory experiences and motor activity.
What is object permanence?
The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible, a milestone of
the sensorimotor stage.
A child believes everyone sees the world exactly as they do. What Piaget concept is
demonstrated?
Egocentrism. Difficulty understanding another person's perspective.
Which Piaget stage includes magical thinking and symbolic play?
Preoperational Stage. Children engage in pretend play but lack logical reasoning.
What Piaget stage is associated with conservation of mass and volume?
Concrete Operational Stage. Logical thinking develops regarding concrete situations.
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Which cognitive ability emerges during the formal operational stage?
Abstract reasoning. The ability to think hypothetically and analyze possibilities.
A patient develops sudden confusion after surgery. What condition should be suspected first?
Delirium. Acute onset and fluctuating symptoms are hallmark features.
Which infection commonly causes confusion in older adults without typical symptoms?
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Elderly patients often present with altered mental status.
What thyroid disorder may mimic major depression?
Hypothyroidism. Symptoms include fatigue, slowed thinking, and depressed mood.
What endocrine disorder can mimic anxiety symptoms?
Hyperthyroidism. Excess thyroid hormone may cause nervousness, insomnia, and
restlessness.
Which vitamin deficiency is associated with depression, psychosis, and cognitive impairment?
Vitamin B12 deficiency. Severe deficiency can mimic psychiatric disorders.
A patient with chronic alcohol use presents with confusion and ataxia. What deficiency should
be suspected?
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency. May lead to Wernicke encephalopathy.
Define delirium.
An acute disturbance in attention and awareness that develops rapidly and fluctuates
throughout the day.
What symptom is most characteristic of delirium?
Impaired attention. Difficulty focusing, sustaining, or shifting attention.
Dementia develops suddenly over hours or days. Explain.
False. Dementia typically develops gradually over months to years, unlike delirium.
What is pseudodementia?
Cognitive impairment caused by depression that resembles dementia but may improve with
treatment.
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Which defense mechanism involves refusing to accept reality?
Denial. The individual unconsciously rejects distressing facts.
A patient blames coworkers for mistakes they personally made. What defense mechanism is
present?
Projection. Unacceptable feelings are attributed to others.
Define displacement.
Redirecting emotions from a threatening target to a safer substitute target.
A student angry at a professor argues with family members at home. Which defense
mechanism is demonstrated?
Displacement. The emotional response is transferred to a less threatening person.
What is rationalization?
Creating acceptable explanations to justify unacceptable behavior or outcomes.
A patient says, "I only failed because the exam was unfair." Which defense mechanism is
illustrated?
Rationalization. The person avoids accepting personal responsibility.
What defense mechanism converts unacceptable impulses into productive activities?
Sublimation. Considered one of the most mature defense mechanisms.
A person with aggressive tendencies becomes a professional boxer. What defense mechanism
is shown?
Sublimation. Impulses are redirected into socially acceptable behavior.
Define regression.
Reverting to behaviors associated with an earlier developmental stage during stress.
An adult throws a temper tantrum after receiving criticism. Which defense mechanism is
occurring?
Regression. Immature behaviors emerge in response to stress.
What is reaction formation?
Behaving in a way opposite to one's true unacceptable feelings.
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PMH-BC Exam Practice
Questions and Answers |
Psychiatric-Mental Health
Nursing Board Certification
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According to Erikson, what developmental conflict occurs during infancy?
Trust vs. Mistrust. Successful resolution leads to a sense of safety and confidence in
caregivers and the environment.
What developmental task characterizes Erikson's toddler stage?
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt. Children develop independence and self-control while
learning limits.
A preschool child insists on choosing clothes and activities independently. Which Erikson stage
is represented?
Initiative vs. Guilt. Children begin asserting power and planning activities.
What is the primary developmental challenge during Erikson's school-age stage?
Industry vs. Inferiority. Children gain competence through achievement and skill development.
Erikson believed adolescents struggle with Identity vs. __________.
Role Confusion. Failure to establish identity may lead to uncertainty about future roles and
beliefs.
According to Piaget, which stage occurs from birth to approximately 2 years of age?
Sensorimotor Stage. Learning occurs through sensory experiences and motor activity.
What is object permanence?
The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible, a milestone of
the sensorimotor stage.
A child believes everyone sees the world exactly as they do. What Piaget concept is
demonstrated?
Egocentrism. Difficulty understanding another person's perspective.
Which Piaget stage includes magical thinking and symbolic play?
Preoperational Stage. Children engage in pretend play but lack logical reasoning.
What Piaget stage is associated with conservation of mass and volume?
Concrete Operational Stage. Logical thinking develops regarding concrete situations.
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Which cognitive ability emerges during the formal operational stage?
Abstract reasoning. The ability to think hypothetically and analyze possibilities.
A patient develops sudden confusion after surgery. What condition should be suspected first?
Delirium. Acute onset and fluctuating symptoms are hallmark features.
Which infection commonly causes confusion in older adults without typical symptoms?
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Elderly patients often present with altered mental status.
What thyroid disorder may mimic major depression?
Hypothyroidism. Symptoms include fatigue, slowed thinking, and depressed mood.
What endocrine disorder can mimic anxiety symptoms?
Hyperthyroidism. Excess thyroid hormone may cause nervousness, insomnia, and
restlessness.
Which vitamin deficiency is associated with depression, psychosis, and cognitive impairment?
Vitamin B12 deficiency. Severe deficiency can mimic psychiatric disorders.
A patient with chronic alcohol use presents with confusion and ataxia. What deficiency should
be suspected?
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency. May lead to Wernicke encephalopathy.
Define delirium.
An acute disturbance in attention and awareness that develops rapidly and fluctuates
throughout the day.
What symptom is most characteristic of delirium?
Impaired attention. Difficulty focusing, sustaining, or shifting attention.
Dementia develops suddenly over hours or days. Explain.
False. Dementia typically develops gradually over months to years, unlike delirium.
What is pseudodementia?
Cognitive impairment caused by depression that resembles dementia but may improve with
treatment.
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Which defense mechanism involves refusing to accept reality?
Denial. The individual unconsciously rejects distressing facts.
A patient blames coworkers for mistakes they personally made. What defense mechanism is
present?
Projection. Unacceptable feelings are attributed to others.
Define displacement.
Redirecting emotions from a threatening target to a safer substitute target.
A student angry at a professor argues with family members at home. Which defense
mechanism is demonstrated?
Displacement. The emotional response is transferred to a less threatening person.
What is rationalization?
Creating acceptable explanations to justify unacceptable behavior or outcomes.
A patient says, "I only failed because the exam was unfair." Which defense mechanism is
illustrated?
Rationalization. The person avoids accepting personal responsibility.
What defense mechanism converts unacceptable impulses into productive activities?
Sublimation. Considered one of the most mature defense mechanisms.
A person with aggressive tendencies becomes a professional boxer. What defense mechanism
is shown?
Sublimation. Impulses are redirected into socially acceptable behavior.
Define regression.
Reverting to behaviors associated with an earlier developmental stage during stress.
An adult throws a temper tantrum after receiving criticism. Which defense mechanism is
occurring?
Regression. Immature behaviors emerge in response to stress.
What is reaction formation?
Behaving in a way opposite to one's true unacceptable feelings.
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