2026–2027 Updated) Psychiatric
Mental Health I | Diagnosis &
Management | Exam Questions and
Answers | 100% Correct-
Chamberlain
**1. A 34-year-old client presents with symptoms of anxiety and
depression. She feels her partner makes all the decisions and states, "If
my partner can't figure out what my needs are after 12 years, I don't
know how we can save this relationship." What is the most appropriate
intervention?**
A. Bibliotherapy
B. Contingency management
C. Assertiveness training
D. Behavioral rehearsal
**Answer: C. Assertiveness training**
**Rationale:** Assertiveness training is appropriate for clients
experiencing depression, anxiety, and low self-worth. It helps clients
learn to express their point of view respectfully. The client and
therapist can use role-play to practice verbal and nonverbal behaviors
to improve assertiveness .
,**2. A 24-year-old client with anxiety states, "I feel like an idiot
whenever I open my mouth. I'm always tripping over my words and feel
so awkward" during in-person meetings. Which technique is most
appropriate?**
A. Assertiveness training
B. Behavioral rehearsal
C. Contingency management
D. Bibliotherapy
**Answer: B. Behavioral rehearsal**
**Rationale:** Behavioral rehearsal is used for clients who experience
anxiety with social skills or interactions. Rehearsal can be conducted
using guided imagery or role-play between the client and therapist to
practice appropriate responses .
**3. According to the "4-Step Approach for Overcoming Anxiety," what
is the first step?**
A. Create a list of positive messages.
B. Shift focus away from the anxiety itself.
C. Be gentle with yourself.
D. Identify the meaningful parts of life that the anxiety is blocking.
**Answer: D. Identify the meaningful parts of life that the anxiety is
blocking.**
,**Rationale:** The first step in this approach is to identify what the
anxiety is preventing the client from doing. The subsequent steps
involve shifting focus, creating positive messages, and self-compassion .
**4. A PMHNP is using Motivational Interviewing (MI) with a client
struggling with substance use. The provider listens to the patient's
experiences with open-mindedness and curiosity. Which MI principle
does this represent?**
A. Resisting the righting reflex
B. Understanding the patient's motivation
C. Listening to the patient
D. Empowering the patient
**Answer: C. Listening to the patient**
**Rationale:** The RULE mnemonic for MI stands for: **R**esist the
righting reflex, **U**nderstand the patient's motivation, **L**isten to
the patient, and **E**mpower the patient. Creating a safe
environment where patients feel accepted and free to express their
emotions and beliefs directly relates to "Listening to the patient" .
**5. A client tells the therapist, "I shouldn't yell at my kids. I should
always be able to keep my temper. I'm the adult here." This is an
example of which cognitive distortion?**
A. Catastrophizing
B. All-or-nothing thinking
, C. Filtering
D. "Should" statements
**Answer: D. "Should" statements**
**Rationale:** "Should" statements are cognitive distortions where a
person has fixed, rigid rules about how they and others "should"
behave. This often leads to feelings of guilt and frustration when these
self-imposed rules are not followed .
**6. What is the primary goal of Decatastrophizing as a cognitive
restructuring technique?**
A. To explore the client's past traumas.
B. To examine the "worst possible" outcome and develop a plan to
address it.
C. To challenge a client's negative thoughts about their own
intelligence.
D. To identify the client's core values.
**Answer: B. To examine the "worst possible" outcome and develop a
plan to address it.**
**Rationale:** Decatastrophizing is used to help clients with anxiety
who focus on the most negative outcome of a situation. The technique
involves examining that feared outcome and creating a plan of action to
manage it, which helps decrease anxiety .