NR548 Exam 3 Actual Exam Style V1 | NR
548 Psychiatric Assessment for
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner Chamberlain
1. When assessing a patient for suicide risk using the IS PATH WARM mnemonic, what does
the ‘I’ represent?
A. Intent
B. Ideation
C. Impulsivity
D. Insomnia
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The letter I in IS PATH WARM stands for Ideation, which refers to
thoughts about suicide. This mnemonic is a common tool used to help clinicians remember
the warning signs of suicide risk. Assessing ideation is a critical first step in safety planning
for any psychiatric patient.
2. Which screening tool is most appropriate for identifying alcohol use disorders in a primary
care setting?
A. GDS
B. PHQ-9
C. CAGE
,D. HAM-A
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The CAGE questionnaire is a brief screening tool used to detect
alcohol dependence. It consists of four questions regarding cutting down, annoyance, guilt,
and eye-openers. A score of two or more is considered clinically significant for alcohol
misuse.
3. In the Mental Status Exam (MSE), how is ‘affect’ typically defined?
A. The patient’s internal emotional state
B. The patient’s belief about their future
C. The patient’s level of cognitive functioning
D. The clinician’s observation of the patient’s expressed emotion
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Affect refers to the external expression of a patient’s internal
emotional state as observed by the provider. It is described using terms like blunted, flat,
constricted, or full range. Mood, conversely, is the patient’s subjective report of how they
feel.
4. Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for executive functions such as planning
and decision-making?
A. Occipital lobe
, B. Prefrontal cortex
C. Temporal lobe
D. Cerebellum
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The prefrontal cortex is the area of the brain associated with complex
cognitive behavior and decision-making. Damage to this area often results in poor impulse
control and impaired social judgment. It is a key area of interest in many psychiatric
assessments.
5. What is the minimum score on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) that generally
indicates no cognitive impairment?
A. 15
B. 20
C. 30
D. 24
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: A score of 24 or higher on the MMSE is typically considered within
the normal range for cognitive function. The maximum score possible on this test is 30
points. Scores below 24 may indicate mild, moderate, or severe cognitive impairment
depending on the total.
548 Psychiatric Assessment for
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner Chamberlain
1. When assessing a patient for suicide risk using the IS PATH WARM mnemonic, what does
the ‘I’ represent?
A. Intent
B. Ideation
C. Impulsivity
D. Insomnia
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The letter I in IS PATH WARM stands for Ideation, which refers to
thoughts about suicide. This mnemonic is a common tool used to help clinicians remember
the warning signs of suicide risk. Assessing ideation is a critical first step in safety planning
for any psychiatric patient.
2. Which screening tool is most appropriate for identifying alcohol use disorders in a primary
care setting?
A. GDS
B. PHQ-9
C. CAGE
,D. HAM-A
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The CAGE questionnaire is a brief screening tool used to detect
alcohol dependence. It consists of four questions regarding cutting down, annoyance, guilt,
and eye-openers. A score of two or more is considered clinically significant for alcohol
misuse.
3. In the Mental Status Exam (MSE), how is ‘affect’ typically defined?
A. The patient’s internal emotional state
B. The patient’s belief about their future
C. The patient’s level of cognitive functioning
D. The clinician’s observation of the patient’s expressed emotion
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Affect refers to the external expression of a patient’s internal
emotional state as observed by the provider. It is described using terms like blunted, flat,
constricted, or full range. Mood, conversely, is the patient’s subjective report of how they
feel.
4. Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for executive functions such as planning
and decision-making?
A. Occipital lobe
, B. Prefrontal cortex
C. Temporal lobe
D. Cerebellum
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The prefrontal cortex is the area of the brain associated with complex
cognitive behavior and decision-making. Damage to this area often results in poor impulse
control and impaired social judgment. It is a key area of interest in many psychiatric
assessments.
5. What is the minimum score on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) that generally
indicates no cognitive impairment?
A. 15
B. 20
C. 30
D. 24
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: A score of 24 or higher on the MMSE is typically considered within
the normal range for cognitive function. The maximum score possible on this test is 30
points. Scores below 24 may indicate mild, moderate, or severe cognitive impairment
depending on the total.
