1|Page
NURS 6640 FINAL EXAM TEST BANK 2026-2027 |
PMHNP | 200+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
RATIONALES | PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH
NURSE PRACTITIONER | HIGH-YIELD | A+
GUIDE
## Table of Contents
1. **Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing** (Q1–Q15)
2. **Neurobiology & Psychopharmacology** (Q16–Q40)
3. **Mood Disorders (Depression & Bipolar)** (Q41–Q60)
4. **Anxiety Disorders, OCD & Trauma-Related Disorders** (Q61–
Q80)
5. **Schizophrenia Spectrum & Psychotic Disorders** (Q81–Q100)
6. **Personality Disorders** (Q101–Q115)
7. **Substance Use Disorders** (Q116–Q130)
8. **Child & Adolescent Psychiatry** (Q131–Q145)
9. **Geriatric Psychiatry** (Q146–Q155)
10. **Psychotherapy Modalities** (Q156–Q170)
11. **Ethics, Legal Issues & Professional Practice** (Q171–Q180)
12. **High-Yield NGN Case Scenarios** (Q181–Q200)
,2|Page
# Section 1: Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (Q1–
Q15)
**Q1.** A PMHNP is conducting an initial psychiatric evaluation.
Which component is essential for establishing a therapeutic alliance?
A. Active listening and empathy
B. Prescribing medication immediately
C. Completing a physical exam first
D. Referring the patient to a specialist
**Correct Answer: A – Active listening and empathy**
*Rationale: A therapeutic alliance is built on trust, empathy, and active
listening, which are foundational to psychiatric care.*
**Q2.** The biopsychosocial model in psychiatry emphasizes that
mental illness results from:
A. Only biological factors
B. Only psychological factors
C. Only social factors
D. The interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors
,3|Page
**Correct Answer: D – The interaction of biological, psychological, and
social factors**
*Rationale: The biopsychosocial model integrates multiple domains to
understand and treat mental disorders.*
**Q3.** A PMHNP is using a trauma-informed care approach. Which
statement reflects this approach?
A. “What is wrong with you?”
B. “What happened to you?”
C. “Why are you acting this way?”
D. “You need to try harder.”
**Correct Answer: B – “What happened to you?”**
*Rationale: Trauma-informed care shifts from asking “What is wrong?”
to “What happened?” to validate experiences and avoid
retraumatization.*
**Q4.** The PMHNP understands that cultural competence in
psychiatry requires:
A. Applying the same treatment to all patients
B. Ignoring cultural differences
C. Understanding and respecting the patient’s cultural background and
beliefs
D. Assuming all patients share the same values
, 4|Page
**Correct Answer: C – Understanding and respecting the patient’s
cultural background and beliefs**
*Rationale: Cultural competence involves tailoring care to the
individual’s cultural context.*
**Q5.** The Mental Status Exam (MSE) includes assessment of:
A. Appearance, behavior, speech, mood, affect, thought process, thought
content, perception, cognition, and insight
B. Only mood and affect
C. Only cognition
D. Only thought content
**Correct Answer: A – Appearance, behavior, speech, mood, affect,
thought process, thought content, perception, cognition, and insight**
*Rationale: The MSE is a comprehensive assessment of mental
functioning.*
**Q6.** A PMHNP is documenting a patient’s mood as “euthymic.”
This means:
A. Normal, stable mood
B. Extremely elevated mood
C. Depressed mood
D. Irritable mood
NURS 6640 FINAL EXAM TEST BANK 2026-2027 |
PMHNP | 200+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
RATIONALES | PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH
NURSE PRACTITIONER | HIGH-YIELD | A+
GUIDE
## Table of Contents
1. **Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing** (Q1–Q15)
2. **Neurobiology & Psychopharmacology** (Q16–Q40)
3. **Mood Disorders (Depression & Bipolar)** (Q41–Q60)
4. **Anxiety Disorders, OCD & Trauma-Related Disorders** (Q61–
Q80)
5. **Schizophrenia Spectrum & Psychotic Disorders** (Q81–Q100)
6. **Personality Disorders** (Q101–Q115)
7. **Substance Use Disorders** (Q116–Q130)
8. **Child & Adolescent Psychiatry** (Q131–Q145)
9. **Geriatric Psychiatry** (Q146–Q155)
10. **Psychotherapy Modalities** (Q156–Q170)
11. **Ethics, Legal Issues & Professional Practice** (Q171–Q180)
12. **High-Yield NGN Case Scenarios** (Q181–Q200)
,2|Page
# Section 1: Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (Q1–
Q15)
**Q1.** A PMHNP is conducting an initial psychiatric evaluation.
Which component is essential for establishing a therapeutic alliance?
A. Active listening and empathy
B. Prescribing medication immediately
C. Completing a physical exam first
D. Referring the patient to a specialist
**Correct Answer: A – Active listening and empathy**
*Rationale: A therapeutic alliance is built on trust, empathy, and active
listening, which are foundational to psychiatric care.*
**Q2.** The biopsychosocial model in psychiatry emphasizes that
mental illness results from:
A. Only biological factors
B. Only psychological factors
C. Only social factors
D. The interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors
,3|Page
**Correct Answer: D – The interaction of biological, psychological, and
social factors**
*Rationale: The biopsychosocial model integrates multiple domains to
understand and treat mental disorders.*
**Q3.** A PMHNP is using a trauma-informed care approach. Which
statement reflects this approach?
A. “What is wrong with you?”
B. “What happened to you?”
C. “Why are you acting this way?”
D. “You need to try harder.”
**Correct Answer: B – “What happened to you?”**
*Rationale: Trauma-informed care shifts from asking “What is wrong?”
to “What happened?” to validate experiences and avoid
retraumatization.*
**Q4.** The PMHNP understands that cultural competence in
psychiatry requires:
A. Applying the same treatment to all patients
B. Ignoring cultural differences
C. Understanding and respecting the patient’s cultural background and
beliefs
D. Assuming all patients share the same values
, 4|Page
**Correct Answer: C – Understanding and respecting the patient’s
cultural background and beliefs**
*Rationale: Cultural competence involves tailoring care to the
individual’s cultural context.*
**Q5.** The Mental Status Exam (MSE) includes assessment of:
A. Appearance, behavior, speech, mood, affect, thought process, thought
content, perception, cognition, and insight
B. Only mood and affect
C. Only cognition
D. Only thought content
**Correct Answer: A – Appearance, behavior, speech, mood, affect,
thought process, thought content, perception, cognition, and insight**
*Rationale: The MSE is a comprehensive assessment of mental
functioning.*
**Q6.** A PMHNP is documenting a patient’s mood as “euthymic.”
This means:
A. Normal, stable mood
B. Extremely elevated mood
C. Depressed mood
D. Irritable mood
