Week 4 Midterm Exam: NR547 / NR-547 (Latest
) Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-
Mental Health across the Lifespan Practicum/ EXAM
LATEST VERSION 2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A
A 52-year-old client presents to the emergency department following a
car accident. The emergency department (ED) physician is concerned
that the client may have intentionally crashed her car and requests a
stat PMHNP consult. In speaking with the PMHNP, the client describes
persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. She states that she
often wonders if her husband would be happier if she wasn't around
anymore since she's never happy and sometimes thinks about what it
would be like to just take a handful of sleeping pills and go to sleep
forever. The client reports a previous suicide attempt when she was 16
but denies that she is considering killing herself right now.
Based on the client's ASQ score, what is the most appropriate
response?
,No action is necessary as the client is not currently considering suicide.
Provide a brief suicide safety assessment.
Alert the client's primary care physician.
Provide a ST - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Provide a brief suicide safety
assessment.
Rationale: While the client's responses do not indicate a need for a stat
full safety and mental health evaluation, the client requires a brief
suicide safety assessment to determine whether a full mental health
evaluation in necessary. It is also important to notify the client's
physician or the clinician responsible for the client's care.
Differential diagnosis - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-The provider's initial
hypothesis
-a working list of potential problems that can be associated with the
initial or chief complaint
-Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)
• provides guidance for identifying psychiatric diagnoses
Psychiatric assessment: History taking - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔--History of
Present Illness
-How long have you been feeling this way?
-Did something happen in your life that may have triggered these
emotions?
,-How is this current situation impacting your life?
The Psychiatric History
-Have you ever been hospitalized for any mental health issues?
-Have you ever had counseling or psychotherapy?
-Have you ever taken medications for your mental health in the past?
-Are you currently on any medications for mental health or sleep?
Medical History/Screening for General Medical Conditions
-Do you have a primary care provider?
-Do you have any medical illnesses?
-Are you currently taking any medications or herbal supplements?
-Do you have any allergies to medications?
-Have you ever been hospitalized for any reason?
-Have you ever had surgery?
Family Psychiatric History
-Has any relative of yours ever been hospitalized for a mental health
issue?
-Has any blood relative of yours ever been diagnosed with a mental
health issue?
-Has any blood relative of yours had a history of seizures or
dementia/Alzheimer's?
, Social and Developmental History
-Tell me a little bit about your childhood and how you grew up.
-How was your experience in school when you were younger? Did you
enjoy school?
-How do you support yourself with your finances?
-Do you have a good support system? Are you currently in a
relationship? Where do you live? Who do you live with?
-What do you do in your free time? What activities do you enjoy?
Screening and Psychiatric Rating Scales - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Evidence-
based screening tools and psychiatric rating scales
-can help the provider identify symptoms and assess their severity and
can assist with the evaluation of response to treatment
Diagnostic Testing when diagnosing mental health disorders -
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔--Diagnostic tests and labs are most used to rule out
physical conditions that may cause psychiatric symptoms and to
evaluate the effects of treatment
Basic Laboratory Interpretation - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Complete Blood
Count
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Thyroid Function Tests
) Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-
Mental Health across the Lifespan Practicum/ EXAM
LATEST VERSION 2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A
A 52-year-old client presents to the emergency department following a
car accident. The emergency department (ED) physician is concerned
that the client may have intentionally crashed her car and requests a
stat PMHNP consult. In speaking with the PMHNP, the client describes
persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. She states that she
often wonders if her husband would be happier if she wasn't around
anymore since she's never happy and sometimes thinks about what it
would be like to just take a handful of sleeping pills and go to sleep
forever. The client reports a previous suicide attempt when she was 16
but denies that she is considering killing herself right now.
Based on the client's ASQ score, what is the most appropriate
response?
,No action is necessary as the client is not currently considering suicide.
Provide a brief suicide safety assessment.
Alert the client's primary care physician.
Provide a ST - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Provide a brief suicide safety
assessment.
Rationale: While the client's responses do not indicate a need for a stat
full safety and mental health evaluation, the client requires a brief
suicide safety assessment to determine whether a full mental health
evaluation in necessary. It is also important to notify the client's
physician or the clinician responsible for the client's care.
Differential diagnosis - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-The provider's initial
hypothesis
-a working list of potential problems that can be associated with the
initial or chief complaint
-Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)
• provides guidance for identifying psychiatric diagnoses
Psychiatric assessment: History taking - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔--History of
Present Illness
-How long have you been feeling this way?
-Did something happen in your life that may have triggered these
emotions?
,-How is this current situation impacting your life?
The Psychiatric History
-Have you ever been hospitalized for any mental health issues?
-Have you ever had counseling or psychotherapy?
-Have you ever taken medications for your mental health in the past?
-Are you currently on any medications for mental health or sleep?
Medical History/Screening for General Medical Conditions
-Do you have a primary care provider?
-Do you have any medical illnesses?
-Are you currently taking any medications or herbal supplements?
-Do you have any allergies to medications?
-Have you ever been hospitalized for any reason?
-Have you ever had surgery?
Family Psychiatric History
-Has any relative of yours ever been hospitalized for a mental health
issue?
-Has any blood relative of yours ever been diagnosed with a mental
health issue?
-Has any blood relative of yours had a history of seizures or
dementia/Alzheimer's?
, Social and Developmental History
-Tell me a little bit about your childhood and how you grew up.
-How was your experience in school when you were younger? Did you
enjoy school?
-How do you support yourself with your finances?
-Do you have a good support system? Are you currently in a
relationship? Where do you live? Who do you live with?
-What do you do in your free time? What activities do you enjoy?
Screening and Psychiatric Rating Scales - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Evidence-
based screening tools and psychiatric rating scales
-can help the provider identify symptoms and assess their severity and
can assist with the evaluation of response to treatment
Diagnostic Testing when diagnosing mental health disorders -
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔--Diagnostic tests and labs are most used to rule out
physical conditions that may cause psychiatric symptoms and to
evaluate the effects of treatment
Basic Laboratory Interpretation - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Complete Blood
Count
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Thyroid Function Tests
