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Plus Rationales 2026 Question And Correct
Answer.
Paola is a 22-year-old who presents with complaints of insomnia. She states
that she experienced a sexual assault during an off-campus party about
three months ago, and since then, she has not been able to sleep through
the night. She can recall what she did the day of the assault and remembers,
specifically, what she was wearing to the party, how she got there, and with
whom she arrived. She stated that she had two beers and flirted with a man
she knew casually through a shared acquaintance; the next thing she
remembers was being in a bedroom, alone, with her shirt off and
undergarments torn. She is concerned that she cannot remember
everything that happened, especially since she has been having vivid
nightmares about the event. She states that when she walks past the house
where the party occurred, she feels like she is floating outside her body and
does not feel like anything is real, so she has started walking a
✔️Answer✔️post-traumatic stress disorder
Rationale: According to the DSM 5-TR diagnostic criteria, the most likely
diagnosis for Paola is post-traumatic stress disorder. Paola has selective
amnesia surrounding her assault but remembers what happened before and
following the attack. She is experiencing nightmares, insomnia, guilt, and
depersonalization related specifically to the assault. Although Paola has
some symptoms that are consistent with dissociative amnesia or
depersonalization/derealization disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder is a
better diagnostic fit.
,The client is admitted to the psychiatric and behavioral health unit at the
local hospital for a 72-hour observation where the PMHNP works with her
team providing treatment. The client remains hospitalized for a week while
her medications are managed. The client attends individual and group
therapy sessions.
PMHNP role:
Acute PMHNP Care
Telehealth
Case Management
Primary Care
Pharmacologic Intervention
Crisis Intervention
Partial Hospitalization/Intensive Outpatient Tx
Community-Based Care
Self-Employment
Psychotherapy ✔️Answer✔️Acute PMHNP Care
Rationale: Acute inpatient care occurs in an intensive hospital or psychiatric
facility setting.
sometimes it just seems like it would be easier not to be here." She has a
previous history of a suicide attempt as a teenager, after which she received
several years of therapy; she has not received mental treatment for about
20 years. She also reports using occasional marijuana and alcohol socially;
she currently appears sober. Mary Ellen lives with her husband with whom
,she states she has a poor relationship; he has not been supportive of her
mental health needs in t ✔️Answer✔️recommend voluntary admission
Rationale: Mary Ellen has had suicidal thoughts, and she does not have a
plan; she has a history of suicide attempts and has a lack of support
resources. Currently, she may benefit from voluntary admission for
evaluation and treatment.
psychiatric history: Deficiency needs ✔️Answer✔️-Pts with deficiency needs
may req additional support to offset aggression
-Similar to Maslow's hierarchy, the needs may include:
• physiological (food, hydration, sleep, ability to see/hear normally)
• safety (access to personal items, pain medication)
• belonging (family members, physician-client relationship)
• esteem (clarifying the client's wishes)
The PMHNP (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) is providing care
to a 29-year-old client who presents with persistent sadness and
hopelessness for the last two months. She is having difficulty sleeping and
has a decreased appetite. This is the patient's first contact with with the
healthcare system about her concerns.
PMHNP role:
Acute PMHNP Care
Telehealth
Case Management
, Primary Care
Pharmacologic Intervention
Crisis Intervention
Partial Hospitalization/Intensive Outpatient Tx
Community-Based Care
Self-Employment
Psychotherapy ✔️Answer✔️Primary Care
Rationale: This is the client's initial contact with the healthcare system about
her concerns
The client has experienced depressive symptoms. The PMHNP prescribes a
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
PMHNP role:
Acute PMHNP Care
Telehealth
Case Management
Primary Care
Pharmacologic Intervention
Crisis Intervention
Partial Hospitalization/Intensive Outpatient Tx
Community-Based Care
Self-Employment