NR547 MIDTERM EXAM WITH
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025
differential diagnosis - CORRECT-ANSWERSThe provider's initial hypothesis
-a working list of potential problems that can be associated with the initial or chief
complaint
-Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)
• provides guidance for identifying psychiatric diagnoses
Psychiatric assessment: History taking - CORRECT-ANSWERS-History of Present Illness
-How long have you been feeling this way?
-Did something happen in your life that may have triggered these emotions?
-How is this current situation impacting your life?
The Psychiatric History
-Have you ever been hospitalized for any mental health issues?
-Have you ever had counseling or psychotherapy?
-Have you ever taken medications for your mental health in the past?
-Are you currently on any medications for mental health or sleep?
Medical History/Screening for General Medical Conditions
,-Do you have a primary care provider?
-Do you have any medical illnesses?
-Are you currently taking any medications or herbal supplements?
-Do you have any allergies to medications?
-Have you ever been hospitalized for any reason?
-Have you ever had surgery?
Family Psychiatric History
-Has any relative of yours ever been hospitalized for a mental health issue?
-Has any blood relative of yours ever been diagnosed with a mental health issue?
-Has any blood relative of yours had a history of seizures or dementia/Alzheimer's?
Social and Developmental History
-Tell me a little bit about your childhood and how you grew up.
-How was your experience in school when you were younger? Did you enjoy school?
-How do you support yourself with your finances?
-Do you have a good support system? Are you currently in a relationship? Where do you
live? Who do you live with?
-What do you do in your free time? What activities do you enjoy?
Screening and Psychiatric Rating Scales - CORRECT-ANSWERSEvidence-based screening
tools and psychiatric rating scales
,-can help the provider identify symptoms and assess their severity and can assist with the
evaluation of response to treatment
A 52-year-old client presents to the emergency department following a car accident. The
emergency department (ED) physician is concerned that the client may have intentionally
crashed her car and requests a stat PMHNP consult. In speaking with the PMHNP, the
client describes persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. She states that she often
wonders if her husband would be happier if she wasn't around anymore since she's never
happy and sometimes thinks about what it would be like to just take a handful of sleeping
pills and go to sleep forever. The client reports a previous suicide attempt when she was 16
but denies that she is considering killing herself right now.
Based on the client's ASQ score, what is the most appropriate response?
No action is necessary as the client is not currently considering suicide.
Provide a brief suicide safety assessment.
Alert the client's primary care physician.
Provide a ST - CORRECT-ANSWERSProvide a brief suicide safety assessment.
Rationale: While the client's responses do not indicate a need for a stat full safety and
mental health evaluation, the client requires a brief suicide safety assessment to determine
whether a full mental health evaluation in necessary. It is also important to notify the
client's physician or the clinician responsible for the client's care.
, Diagnostic Testing when diagnosing mental health disorders - CORRECT-ANSWERS-
Diagnostic tests and labs are most used to rule out physical conditions that may cause
psychiatric symptoms and to evaluate the effects of treatment
Basic Laboratory Interpretation - CORRECT-ANSWERSComplete Blood Count
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Thyroid Function Tests
Vitamin B12 Level
Vitamin D Level
Toxicology Screen
Urinalysis (UA)
Basic Laboratory Interpretation: Complete Blood Count - CORRECT-ANSWERS-measures
RBCs, WBCs, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets
-includes a differential of the WBCs
-In mental health, the CBC is used to rule out medical conditions that may present with
symptoms that can be attributed to both medical and psychiatric diagnoses
• Ex: rule out anemia as a cause for depressive symptoms and fatigue
• Ex: rule out infection as a cause of acute mental status changes
RBCs: 4.5-6.0 million/microliter
Hemoglobin: 12-18 grams/100 mL
Hematocrit: 38%-48%
Reticulocytes: 0%-1.5%
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025
differential diagnosis - CORRECT-ANSWERSThe provider's initial hypothesis
-a working list of potential problems that can be associated with the initial or chief
complaint
-Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)
• provides guidance for identifying psychiatric diagnoses
Psychiatric assessment: History taking - CORRECT-ANSWERS-History of Present Illness
-How long have you been feeling this way?
-Did something happen in your life that may have triggered these emotions?
-How is this current situation impacting your life?
The Psychiatric History
-Have you ever been hospitalized for any mental health issues?
-Have you ever had counseling or psychotherapy?
-Have you ever taken medications for your mental health in the past?
-Are you currently on any medications for mental health or sleep?
Medical History/Screening for General Medical Conditions
,-Do you have a primary care provider?
-Do you have any medical illnesses?
-Are you currently taking any medications or herbal supplements?
-Do you have any allergies to medications?
-Have you ever been hospitalized for any reason?
-Have you ever had surgery?
Family Psychiatric History
-Has any relative of yours ever been hospitalized for a mental health issue?
-Has any blood relative of yours ever been diagnosed with a mental health issue?
-Has any blood relative of yours had a history of seizures or dementia/Alzheimer's?
Social and Developmental History
-Tell me a little bit about your childhood and how you grew up.
-How was your experience in school when you were younger? Did you enjoy school?
-How do you support yourself with your finances?
-Do you have a good support system? Are you currently in a relationship? Where do you
live? Who do you live with?
-What do you do in your free time? What activities do you enjoy?
Screening and Psychiatric Rating Scales - CORRECT-ANSWERSEvidence-based screening
tools and psychiatric rating scales
,-can help the provider identify symptoms and assess their severity and can assist with the
evaluation of response to treatment
A 52-year-old client presents to the emergency department following a car accident. The
emergency department (ED) physician is concerned that the client may have intentionally
crashed her car and requests a stat PMHNP consult. In speaking with the PMHNP, the
client describes persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. She states that she often
wonders if her husband would be happier if she wasn't around anymore since she's never
happy and sometimes thinks about what it would be like to just take a handful of sleeping
pills and go to sleep forever. The client reports a previous suicide attempt when she was 16
but denies that she is considering killing herself right now.
Based on the client's ASQ score, what is the most appropriate response?
No action is necessary as the client is not currently considering suicide.
Provide a brief suicide safety assessment.
Alert the client's primary care physician.
Provide a ST - CORRECT-ANSWERSProvide a brief suicide safety assessment.
Rationale: While the client's responses do not indicate a need for a stat full safety and
mental health evaluation, the client requires a brief suicide safety assessment to determine
whether a full mental health evaluation in necessary. It is also important to notify the
client's physician or the clinician responsible for the client's care.
, Diagnostic Testing when diagnosing mental health disorders - CORRECT-ANSWERS-
Diagnostic tests and labs are most used to rule out physical conditions that may cause
psychiatric symptoms and to evaluate the effects of treatment
Basic Laboratory Interpretation - CORRECT-ANSWERSComplete Blood Count
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Thyroid Function Tests
Vitamin B12 Level
Vitamin D Level
Toxicology Screen
Urinalysis (UA)
Basic Laboratory Interpretation: Complete Blood Count - CORRECT-ANSWERS-measures
RBCs, WBCs, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets
-includes a differential of the WBCs
-In mental health, the CBC is used to rule out medical conditions that may present with
symptoms that can be attributed to both medical and psychiatric diagnoses
• Ex: rule out anemia as a cause for depressive symptoms and fatigue
• Ex: rule out infection as a cause of acute mental status changes
RBCs: 4.5-6.0 million/microliter
Hemoglobin: 12-18 grams/100 mL
Hematocrit: 38%-48%
Reticulocytes: 0%-1.5%
