NR 547 DIFFERENTIAL DX MIDTERM
EXAM WITH CORRECT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2025
Differential Dx - CORRECT-ANSWERSDiagnostic reasoning is the process of
questioning one's thinking to determine if all possible avenues have been
explored and if the conclusions that are drawn are based on evidence. This is
a critical step for providers who are trying to uncover a cause, or diagnosis,
for their clients' signs and symptoms. The provider's initial hypothesis is
known as the differential diagnosis. The differential diagnosis, or differential,
is a working list of potential problems that can be associated with the initial
or chief complaint. Establishing a differential diagnosis is a critical step in
providing safe, quality care. This evolving process of clinical reasoning and
decision making involves examining the client's presentation, clinical data,
and when appropriate, screening and diagnostic test results to distinguish
one disease from another and arrive at the correct diagnosis. The Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)provides guidance for
identifying psychiatric diagnosest
History of Present Illness - CORRECT-ANSWERSHow 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 - CORRECT-ANSWERSHave 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 - CORRECT-
ANSWERSDo 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 - CORRECT-ANSWERSHas 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 - CORRECT-ANSWERSTell 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?
Which of the following should be included when providing client education
about medication regimens? Select all that apply. - CORRECT-
ANSWERSA)Explain how the medication targets the symptoms, specific
benefits, and expected time course. (Correct answer)
B)Identify potential side effects, duration of side effects, and adverse effects.
(Correct answer)
C)Explain the instructions, dosing, and special requirements. (Correct
answer)
D)Use teach-back methods to ensure client understanding. (Correct answer)
Apply the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) Suicide Risk Screening Tool
(Links to an external site.) to the scenario below.
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?
A) No action is necessary as the client is not - CORRECT-ANSWERSB)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.
Complete Blood Count - CORRECT-ANSWERSThe CBC is a serum diagnostic
test that measures red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin,
hematocrit, and platelets. The CBC includes a differential of the white blood
cells. A CBC is often included as part of routine health screening or to obtain
information related to specific conditions. In mental health, the CBC is used
to rule out medical conditions that may present with symptoms that can be
attributed to both medical and psychiatric diagnoses. For example, the CBC
can help rule out anemia as a cause for depressive symptoms and fatigue or
EXAM WITH CORRECT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2025
Differential Dx - CORRECT-ANSWERSDiagnostic reasoning is the process of
questioning one's thinking to determine if all possible avenues have been
explored and if the conclusions that are drawn are based on evidence. This is
a critical step for providers who are trying to uncover a cause, or diagnosis,
for their clients' signs and symptoms. The provider's initial hypothesis is
known as the differential diagnosis. The differential diagnosis, or differential,
is a working list of potential problems that can be associated with the initial
or chief complaint. Establishing a differential diagnosis is a critical step in
providing safe, quality care. This evolving process of clinical reasoning and
decision making involves examining the client's presentation, clinical data,
and when appropriate, screening and diagnostic test results to distinguish
one disease from another and arrive at the correct diagnosis. The Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)provides guidance for
identifying psychiatric diagnosest
History of Present Illness - CORRECT-ANSWERSHow 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 - CORRECT-ANSWERSHave 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 - CORRECT-
ANSWERSDo 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 - CORRECT-ANSWERSHas 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 - CORRECT-ANSWERSTell 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?
Which of the following should be included when providing client education
about medication regimens? Select all that apply. - CORRECT-
ANSWERSA)Explain how the medication targets the symptoms, specific
benefits, and expected time course. (Correct answer)
B)Identify potential side effects, duration of side effects, and adverse effects.
(Correct answer)
C)Explain the instructions, dosing, and special requirements. (Correct
answer)
D)Use teach-back methods to ensure client understanding. (Correct answer)
Apply the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) Suicide Risk Screening Tool
(Links to an external site.) to the scenario below.
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?
A) No action is necessary as the client is not - CORRECT-ANSWERSB)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.
Complete Blood Count - CORRECT-ANSWERSThe CBC is a serum diagnostic
test that measures red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin,
hematocrit, and platelets. The CBC includes a differential of the white blood
cells. A CBC is often included as part of routine health screening or to obtain
information related to specific conditions. In mental health, the CBC is used
to rule out medical conditions that may present with symptoms that can be
attributed to both medical and psychiatric diagnoses. For example, the CBC
can help rule out anemia as a cause for depressive symptoms and fatigue or
