ANSWERS
The Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance for
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
specify the minimum levels of acceptable performance which can legally be used to
describe the standard of care that psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners
(PMHNPs) must demonstrate
-Each standard for the psychiatric mental health registered nurse (PMH-RN) also
applies to the PMHNP role
17 standards of professional performance
Guide PMHNP practice:
Standard 1: Assessment
Standard 2: Diagnosis
Standard 3: Outcomes Identification
Standard 4: Planning
Standard 5: Implementation
Standard 6: Evaluation
Standard 7: Ethics
Standard 8: Cultural Humanity
Standard 9: Communication
Standard 10: Professional Collaboration
Standard 11: Leadership
Standard 12: Education
Standard 13: Evidence-Based Practice and Research
Standard 14: Quality of Practice
Standard 15: Professional Practice Evaluation
Standard 16: Resource Utilization
Standard 17: Environmental Health
PMHNP standards of Practice: Assessment
Standard 1: Assessment
The PMHNP must be able to perform a comprehensive, person-centered psychiatric
, and mental health diagnostic evaluation, using relevant diagnostic tests and
procedures. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines inform screening and diagnostic
activities when appropriate. Assessment may include a multigenerational family
assessment as well as the assessment of interactions between the individual, family,
community, and social systems as they relate to mental health.
PMHNP standards of Practice: Diagnosis
Standard 2: Diagnosis
The PMHNP must be able to use data obtained during the interview, examination, and
diagnostic procedures to develop standard psychiatric and substance use diagnoses.
The PMHNP evaluates the effects of psychiatric disorders on recovery, quality of life,
and functional status and may examine the impact of stressors, trauma, and situational
crisis in the context of the family cycle. The PMHNP may assist other staff in developing
competence in the diagnostic process.
PMHNP standards of Practice: Outcomes Identification
Standard 3: Outcomes Identification
The PMHNP assists the PMH-RN to identify expected outcomes based on scientific
evidence. Outcomes identification includes consideration of costs, clinical effectiveness,
satisfaction, consistency, and continuity among providers. The PMHNP develops and
applies clinical guidelines associated with positive clinical outcomes.
PMHNP standards of Practice: Planning
Standard 4: Planning
The PMHNP applies current evidence and expert clinical knowledge to the identification
of assessment and diagnostic strategies and therapeutic interventions. Individualized
plans of care incorporate the client's beliefs and values and may include treatment
modalities such as psychopharmacology and psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and
supportive interpersonal therapies.
PMHNP standards of Practice: Implementation
Standard 5: Implementation
PMHNPs facilitate the use of system and community resources to implement the plan of
care. The implementation standard incorporates coordination of care across disciplines;
health teaching and health promotion; consultation; prescriptive authority and treatment;