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TUSAIE - ADVANCED PRACTICE PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2025-2026
Integrative mental health treatment - Answer: Prospective, relationship-based,
client centered, holistic approach that focuses on client's priorities for well-being
and preventing, managing, and rehabilitating disease
*Broad and comprehensive, rather than reductionist and focused on the effects of a
specific treatment on a specific symptom
*Does not consist of haphazard selection of techniques
*Looks beyond confine of a single perspective
*Clinicians begin developing a conceptual framework that fits for themselves and
their clients - synthesizes several theoretical approaches
*Developing an integrated perspective is a lifelong process that is the product of a
great deal of study, clinical practice, and theorizing
*Signs and symptoms are interpreted differently across cultures
Energy work - Answer: *Manipulation of energy fields to affect health
*Traditional healers use approaches based on indigenous theories and beliefs
*Ayurvedic medicine is natural health systems based in India
*Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on concepts of yin and yang, qi, essence,
and spirit (acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, massage, herbals, and qigong)
*Homeopathy and naturopathy stimulate body's ability to heal (Small doses of
diluted substances are used to stimulate the body's ability to heal itself)
Considerations of complementary and alternative techniques - Answer: Identify
benefit for client
Check state and federal regulations to ensure this practice is not constrained
Review standards and scope of practice from psychiatric-mental health and
advanced practice nursing organizations for compliance
Review methods used to gain competence in the technique
What is the evidence base?
CAM appropriate - Answer: Patient tried and failed to respond to standard
treatments
Patient is unable to tolerate standard treatment adverse effects
Patient has condition with no effective standard treatment
Standard treatments partially relieve symptoms
Medications causing adverse effects that CAM may help
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Patient wants to reduce effects of risk factors
Patient wants to explore full range of options
Patient is uncomfortable with traditional pharmaceuticals
Patient cannot afford traditional pharmaceuticals
Training and information - Answer: Natural products (May be self-taught with
recordings, books or trained professional)
Hypnosis (Use professionally licensed trainers)
Acupuncture (Schools offer certificate or doctorate in acupuncture and take 3 to 4
years to complete coursework and clinical practice; some states offer their own
guidelines)
Guidelines for the Assessment of Herbal Medications - Answer: World Health
Organization
Preparing for interview - Answer: Self-care (adequate rest, exercise, and time to be
relaxed before session)
Familiarity with forms and resources available, including emergency numbers
Preparing physical environment and making it safe and comfortable
Always have the following accessible: Exit door; Ability to see a clock; No large
desks between you and the client
Common difficulties - Answer: Countertransference: the desire to fix the client
without and appreciation of the client's narrative
Rationale for integrated treatment - Answer: *Nursing practice is holistic and the
phenomena of interest include not only symptoms but also health risks and
promotion
*Underlying holistic theory remains as the foundation for any intervention
*Scope of practice in PMH-APRN is continually expanding in response to the
context of practice, knowledge base evolution, and ongoing need for clients
holistic care
*The increasing cost of health care is reaching a level where it will soon not be
sustainable
Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) project - Answer: Low-
dose medication
Family psychoeducation
Supported education/employment
Individualized resilience training
TUSAIE - ADVANCED PRACTICE PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2025-2026
Integrative mental health treatment - Answer: Prospective, relationship-based,
client centered, holistic approach that focuses on client's priorities for well-being
and preventing, managing, and rehabilitating disease
*Broad and comprehensive, rather than reductionist and focused on the effects of a
specific treatment on a specific symptom
*Does not consist of haphazard selection of techniques
*Looks beyond confine of a single perspective
*Clinicians begin developing a conceptual framework that fits for themselves and
their clients - synthesizes several theoretical approaches
*Developing an integrated perspective is a lifelong process that is the product of a
great deal of study, clinical practice, and theorizing
*Signs and symptoms are interpreted differently across cultures
Energy work - Answer: *Manipulation of energy fields to affect health
*Traditional healers use approaches based on indigenous theories and beliefs
*Ayurvedic medicine is natural health systems based in India
*Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on concepts of yin and yang, qi, essence,
and spirit (acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, massage, herbals, and qigong)
*Homeopathy and naturopathy stimulate body's ability to heal (Small doses of
diluted substances are used to stimulate the body's ability to heal itself)
Considerations of complementary and alternative techniques - Answer: Identify
benefit for client
Check state and federal regulations to ensure this practice is not constrained
Review standards and scope of practice from psychiatric-mental health and
advanced practice nursing organizations for compliance
Review methods used to gain competence in the technique
What is the evidence base?
CAM appropriate - Answer: Patient tried and failed to respond to standard
treatments
Patient is unable to tolerate standard treatment adverse effects
Patient has condition with no effective standard treatment
Standard treatments partially relieve symptoms
Medications causing adverse effects that CAM may help
, 2|Page
Patient wants to reduce effects of risk factors
Patient wants to explore full range of options
Patient is uncomfortable with traditional pharmaceuticals
Patient cannot afford traditional pharmaceuticals
Training and information - Answer: Natural products (May be self-taught with
recordings, books or trained professional)
Hypnosis (Use professionally licensed trainers)
Acupuncture (Schools offer certificate or doctorate in acupuncture and take 3 to 4
years to complete coursework and clinical practice; some states offer their own
guidelines)
Guidelines for the Assessment of Herbal Medications - Answer: World Health
Organization
Preparing for interview - Answer: Self-care (adequate rest, exercise, and time to be
relaxed before session)
Familiarity with forms and resources available, including emergency numbers
Preparing physical environment and making it safe and comfortable
Always have the following accessible: Exit door; Ability to see a clock; No large
desks between you and the client
Common difficulties - Answer: Countertransference: the desire to fix the client
without and appreciation of the client's narrative
Rationale for integrated treatment - Answer: *Nursing practice is holistic and the
phenomena of interest include not only symptoms but also health risks and
promotion
*Underlying holistic theory remains as the foundation for any intervention
*Scope of practice in PMH-APRN is continually expanding in response to the
context of practice, knowledge base evolution, and ongoing need for clients
holistic care
*The increasing cost of health care is reaching a level where it will soon not be
sustainable
Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) project - Answer: Low-
dose medication
Family psychoeducation
Supported education/employment
Individualized resilience training
