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NURS 6437 DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSE
EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
NURS 6437 DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSE: COMPLETE EXAM
QUESTIONS 1-50: FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT
1. The primary purpose of psychiatric assessment is to:
A. Label the patient with a diagnosis
B. Collect comprehensive biopsychosocial data to inform diagnosis and treatment
planning
C. Determine medication doses
D. Complete insurance documentation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of psychiatric assessment is to collect comprehensive
biopsychosocial data to inform diagnosis and treatment planning . While diagnosis is
important, the assessment process is broader and more comprehensive, aiming to
understand the patient's complete clinical picture.
2. Which of the following is NOT a level of psychiatric assessment?
A. Screening
B. Comprehensive Evaluation
C. Diagnostic Formulation
D. Medication Administration
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Medication administration is a treatment intervention, not an assessment
level . The levels of psychiatric assessment include screening, comprehensive
evaluation, and diagnostic formulation.
3. According to Peplau's interpersonal theory, the phase of the therapeutic
relationship where the nurse and client identify problems and develop coping
strategies is the:
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A. Orientation Phase
B. Working Phase
C. Termination Phase
D. Pre-Interaction Phase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The working phase is when the nurse and client identify problems, develop
coping strategies, and implement therapeutic interventions . This is the active treatment
phase of the therapeutic relationship.
4. A client says, "I don't think anyone can help me," during the first session. The
nurse responds by explaining the purpose of therapy and encouraging
collaboration. What phase is this?
A. Termination Phase
B. Orientation Phase
C. Working Phase
D. Pre-Interaction Phase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase includes establishing rapport, addressing mistrust,
and clarifying expectations of the therapeutic process . Addressing a client's
ambivalence or hopelessness about therapy is appropriate during this phase.
5. A family genogram provides information about:
A. The patient's current support system only
B. Biological history and family process information, beginning with current family
structure, then exploring 2 generations past
C. The patient's medication history
D. The patient's social media activity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A family genogram provides biological history and family process
information, beginning with the current family structure and then exploring two
generations past to identify patterns of mental illness, medical conditions, and
relationship dynamics .
6. Which aspect is NOT typically covered during Developmental History?
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A. Birth history (full term, complications)
B. Developmental milestones
C. Current living situation
D. Learning disabilities or special education
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Developmental history covers birth history, developmental milestones,
learning disabilities, and difficulties with teachers or authority figures . Current living
situation is assessed elsewhere in the evaluation.
7. Which of the following is NOT part of the "Beginning the Process" stage of
psychiatric assessment?
A. Establish therapeutic relationship
B. Set the stage for the assessment
C. Seek patient permission to consult with family
D. Prescribe medication
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The four steps of "Beginning the Process" are: 1) Establish therapeutic
relationship, 2) Set the stage for the assessment, 3) Seek patient permission to consult
with family, and 4) Safety . Medication prescription comes later, after assessment.
8. When assessing an adolescent, the PMHNP should ideally interview the patient:
A. Only with the parents present to ensure accuracy
B. Only alone to ensure privacy
C. Both with the parents and alone for a portion of the time
D. Through written questionnaires only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Interviewing the adolescent with parents provides family dynamic data;
interviewing them alone allows for disclosure of sensitive topics (drugs, sex, self-harm) .
Both approaches are essential for a comprehensive assessment.
9. The CAGE questionnaire includes questions about all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
B. Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
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C. Have you ever felt Guilty about your drinking?
D. Have you ever used alcohol as a coping mechanism?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The CAGE questionnaire asks about: Cut down, Annoyance, Guilt, and Eye-
opener (need to drink in the morning) . "Using alcohol as a coping mechanism" is not
part of the CAGE screening.
10. The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is used to:
A. Assess depression severity
B. Assess suicide risk
C. Screen for substance use
D. Evaluate cognitive function
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The C-SSRS is a validated tool specifically designed to assess suicide risk,
including suicidal ideation, behavior, and attempts .
11. Which of the following is a "red flag" for suicide risk?
A. Good social support
B. Making a will or giving away possessions
C. Talking about future plans
D. Expressing hope
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Giving away possessions or making arrangements for after death are "red
flags" for suicide risk . These indicate that the individual may be preparing for death.
12. The mnemonic COLDSPA is used for which aspect of assessment?
A. Mental Status Exam documentation
B. History of Presenting Problems
C. Substance use assessment
D. Family history
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: COLDSPA is used for the History of Presenting Problems: Characteristics of
symptoms, Onset, Location, Duration, Severity, Precipitating factors/triggers .
NURS 6437 DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSE
EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
NURS 6437 DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSE: COMPLETE EXAM
QUESTIONS 1-50: FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT
1. The primary purpose of psychiatric assessment is to:
A. Label the patient with a diagnosis
B. Collect comprehensive biopsychosocial data to inform diagnosis and treatment
planning
C. Determine medication doses
D. Complete insurance documentation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of psychiatric assessment is to collect comprehensive
biopsychosocial data to inform diagnosis and treatment planning . While diagnosis is
important, the assessment process is broader and more comprehensive, aiming to
understand the patient's complete clinical picture.
2. Which of the following is NOT a level of psychiatric assessment?
A. Screening
B. Comprehensive Evaluation
C. Diagnostic Formulation
D. Medication Administration
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Medication administration is a treatment intervention, not an assessment
level . The levels of psychiatric assessment include screening, comprehensive
evaluation, and diagnostic formulation.
3. According to Peplau's interpersonal theory, the phase of the therapeutic
relationship where the nurse and client identify problems and develop coping
strategies is the:
, Page 2 of 59
A. Orientation Phase
B. Working Phase
C. Termination Phase
D. Pre-Interaction Phase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The working phase is when the nurse and client identify problems, develop
coping strategies, and implement therapeutic interventions . This is the active treatment
phase of the therapeutic relationship.
4. A client says, "I don't think anyone can help me," during the first session. The
nurse responds by explaining the purpose of therapy and encouraging
collaboration. What phase is this?
A. Termination Phase
B. Orientation Phase
C. Working Phase
D. Pre-Interaction Phase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase includes establishing rapport, addressing mistrust,
and clarifying expectations of the therapeutic process . Addressing a client's
ambivalence or hopelessness about therapy is appropriate during this phase.
5. A family genogram provides information about:
A. The patient's current support system only
B. Biological history and family process information, beginning with current family
structure, then exploring 2 generations past
C. The patient's medication history
D. The patient's social media activity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A family genogram provides biological history and family process
information, beginning with the current family structure and then exploring two
generations past to identify patterns of mental illness, medical conditions, and
relationship dynamics .
6. Which aspect is NOT typically covered during Developmental History?
, Page 3 of 59
A. Birth history (full term, complications)
B. Developmental milestones
C. Current living situation
D. Learning disabilities or special education
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Developmental history covers birth history, developmental milestones,
learning disabilities, and difficulties with teachers or authority figures . Current living
situation is assessed elsewhere in the evaluation.
7. Which of the following is NOT part of the "Beginning the Process" stage of
psychiatric assessment?
A. Establish therapeutic relationship
B. Set the stage for the assessment
C. Seek patient permission to consult with family
D. Prescribe medication
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The four steps of "Beginning the Process" are: 1) Establish therapeutic
relationship, 2) Set the stage for the assessment, 3) Seek patient permission to consult
with family, and 4) Safety . Medication prescription comes later, after assessment.
8. When assessing an adolescent, the PMHNP should ideally interview the patient:
A. Only with the parents present to ensure accuracy
B. Only alone to ensure privacy
C. Both with the parents and alone for a portion of the time
D. Through written questionnaires only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Interviewing the adolescent with parents provides family dynamic data;
interviewing them alone allows for disclosure of sensitive topics (drugs, sex, self-harm) .
Both approaches are essential for a comprehensive assessment.
9. The CAGE questionnaire includes questions about all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
B. Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
, Page 4 of 59
C. Have you ever felt Guilty about your drinking?
D. Have you ever used alcohol as a coping mechanism?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The CAGE questionnaire asks about: Cut down, Annoyance, Guilt, and Eye-
opener (need to drink in the morning) . "Using alcohol as a coping mechanism" is not
part of the CAGE screening.
10. The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is used to:
A. Assess depression severity
B. Assess suicide risk
C. Screen for substance use
D. Evaluate cognitive function
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The C-SSRS is a validated tool specifically designed to assess suicide risk,
including suicidal ideation, behavior, and attempts .
11. Which of the following is a "red flag" for suicide risk?
A. Good social support
B. Making a will or giving away possessions
C. Talking about future plans
D. Expressing hope
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Giving away possessions or making arrangements for after death are "red
flags" for suicide risk . These indicate that the individual may be preparing for death.
12. The mnemonic COLDSPA is used for which aspect of assessment?
A. Mental Status Exam documentation
B. History of Presenting Problems
C. Substance use assessment
D. Family history
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: COLDSPA is used for the History of Presenting Problems: Characteristics of
symptoms, Onset, Location, Duration, Severity, Precipitating factors/triggers .
