PMHNP ANCC Review Questions and
Answers
1. The purpose of the American Nurses Association's Psychiatric-
Mental Health Nursing:
Scope and Standards of Practice is to
a. Define the role and actions for the NP
b. Establish the legal authority for the prescription of psychotropic
medica-tions
c. Define the legal statutes of the role of the PMHNP
d. Define the differences between the physician role and the NP role: A.
The ANAs Psych-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice defines the role and
actions of the nurse practitioner.
2. D. Information reduces incidence of disease.: Primary prevention care
practices are an essential aspect of the PMHNP role. Which of the following is the best example of a
primary prevention care strategy for community behavioral health?
a. Aftercare program for chronically mentally ill clients recently discharged from the hospital
b. Court-ordered counseling for abusive parents
c. 24-hour crisis hotlines
d. Parenting skills classes for pregnant adolescents
3. The trend in legal rulings on cases involving mental illness over
,the past 25 years has been to
a. Encourage juries to find defendants not guilty by reason of insanity
b. Protect the person's freedoms or rights when he or she is
committed to a mental hospital
c. Place increasing trust in mental health professionals to make
good and ethical decisions
d. Decrease the "red tape" associated with commitments so that
commitments are faster and easier: B. Identifies the trend of ensuring the protection of
individual civil liberties for psychiatric clients.
4. Mr. Smithers, an involuntarily hospitalized patient experiencing
psychotic
symptoms, refuses to take any of his ordered medication because he
believes "Jesus Christ told me I am the prophet and must fast for a
year." Your actions should be based on your knowledge of which of
the following?
a. Psychiatric clients cannot refuse treatment
b. Psychiatric clients do not always know what is good for them
c. Psychiatric clients can refuse treatment
d. Psychiatric clients cannot be trusted to make good healthcare
decisions and, therefore, the nurse's best clinical judgment should
guide actions: C. As with any client, psychiatric clients can refuse treatment unless a legal
process resulting in involuntary commitment or mandatory court order for treatment has been obtained.
5. Which of the following statements best reflects the difference
, between the
nurse-client (N-C) relationship and a social relationship?
a. In the N-C relationship, the primary focus is on the client and
the client's needs.
b. Goals in the N-C relationship are deliberately left vague and
unspoken so that the client can work on any issue.
c. In the N-C relationship, the nurse is solely responsible for making
the rela-tionship work.
d. In the N-C relationship, there is no place for social interaction.: A. Social
relationships are mutual interpersonal relationships in which the needs of both parties are addressed.
The N-C relationship is most concerned with meeting the needs of the client.
6. A community has an unusually high incidence of depression and
drug use
among the teenage population. The public health nurses decide
to address this problem, in part, by modifying the environment
and strengthening the capacities of families to prevent the
development of new cases of depression and drug use. What is this
is an example of?
a. Primary prevention
b. Secondary prevention
c. Tertiary prevention
d. Protective factorial prevention: A. This action focuses on interventions designed to
reduce the incidence of new cases of disease.
, 7. Mrs. Kemp is voluntarily admitted to the hospital. After 24 hours,
she states she wishes to leave because "this place can't help me."
The best nursing action that reflects the legal right of this client is
a. Discharge the client
b. Explain that the client cannot leave until you can complete
further assess-ment
c.Allow the client to leave but have her sign forms stating she is leaving
against medical advice
d. Immediately start the paperwork to commit the client and to allow
you to treat her against her wishes: B. Almost every state allows for a brief for a period
detainment to assess a client for dangerousness to self or others before allowing the client to leave a
hospital setting, even if the admission was voluntary.
8. In forming a therapeutic relationship with clients, the PMHNP must
con-
sider developing many characteristics that are known to be
helpful in rela-tionship-building. Which of the following is an
essential part of building a therapeutic relationship?
a. Collecting a family history
b. Like-mindedness
c. Authenticity
d. Accuracy in assessment: C. Authenticity. Being genuine, honest, and respectful are essential
elements in establishing a working relationship with any client. Like-mindedness is not a part of the
therapeutic relationship. Although an important aspect of the PMHNP role, collecting a family history
and accuracy in assessment does not in and of itself facilitate relationship building.
Answers
1. The purpose of the American Nurses Association's Psychiatric-
Mental Health Nursing:
Scope and Standards of Practice is to
a. Define the role and actions for the NP
b. Establish the legal authority for the prescription of psychotropic
medica-tions
c. Define the legal statutes of the role of the PMHNP
d. Define the differences between the physician role and the NP role: A.
The ANAs Psych-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice defines the role and
actions of the nurse practitioner.
2. D. Information reduces incidence of disease.: Primary prevention care
practices are an essential aspect of the PMHNP role. Which of the following is the best example of a
primary prevention care strategy for community behavioral health?
a. Aftercare program for chronically mentally ill clients recently discharged from the hospital
b. Court-ordered counseling for abusive parents
c. 24-hour crisis hotlines
d. Parenting skills classes for pregnant adolescents
3. The trend in legal rulings on cases involving mental illness over
,the past 25 years has been to
a. Encourage juries to find defendants not guilty by reason of insanity
b. Protect the person's freedoms or rights when he or she is
committed to a mental hospital
c. Place increasing trust in mental health professionals to make
good and ethical decisions
d. Decrease the "red tape" associated with commitments so that
commitments are faster and easier: B. Identifies the trend of ensuring the protection of
individual civil liberties for psychiatric clients.
4. Mr. Smithers, an involuntarily hospitalized patient experiencing
psychotic
symptoms, refuses to take any of his ordered medication because he
believes "Jesus Christ told me I am the prophet and must fast for a
year." Your actions should be based on your knowledge of which of
the following?
a. Psychiatric clients cannot refuse treatment
b. Psychiatric clients do not always know what is good for them
c. Psychiatric clients can refuse treatment
d. Psychiatric clients cannot be trusted to make good healthcare
decisions and, therefore, the nurse's best clinical judgment should
guide actions: C. As with any client, psychiatric clients can refuse treatment unless a legal
process resulting in involuntary commitment or mandatory court order for treatment has been obtained.
5. Which of the following statements best reflects the difference
, between the
nurse-client (N-C) relationship and a social relationship?
a. In the N-C relationship, the primary focus is on the client and
the client's needs.
b. Goals in the N-C relationship are deliberately left vague and
unspoken so that the client can work on any issue.
c. In the N-C relationship, the nurse is solely responsible for making
the rela-tionship work.
d. In the N-C relationship, there is no place for social interaction.: A. Social
relationships are mutual interpersonal relationships in which the needs of both parties are addressed.
The N-C relationship is most concerned with meeting the needs of the client.
6. A community has an unusually high incidence of depression and
drug use
among the teenage population. The public health nurses decide
to address this problem, in part, by modifying the environment
and strengthening the capacities of families to prevent the
development of new cases of depression and drug use. What is this
is an example of?
a. Primary prevention
b. Secondary prevention
c. Tertiary prevention
d. Protective factorial prevention: A. This action focuses on interventions designed to
reduce the incidence of new cases of disease.
, 7. Mrs. Kemp is voluntarily admitted to the hospital. After 24 hours,
she states she wishes to leave because "this place can't help me."
The best nursing action that reflects the legal right of this client is
a. Discharge the client
b. Explain that the client cannot leave until you can complete
further assess-ment
c.Allow the client to leave but have her sign forms stating she is leaving
against medical advice
d. Immediately start the paperwork to commit the client and to allow
you to treat her against her wishes: B. Almost every state allows for a brief for a period
detainment to assess a client for dangerousness to self or others before allowing the client to leave a
hospital setting, even if the admission was voluntary.
8. In forming a therapeutic relationship with clients, the PMHNP must
con-
sider developing many characteristics that are known to be
helpful in rela-tionship-building. Which of the following is an
essential part of building a therapeutic relationship?
a. Collecting a family history
b. Like-mindedness
c. Authenticity
d. Accuracy in assessment: C. Authenticity. Being genuine, honest, and respectful are essential
elements in establishing a working relationship with any client. Like-mindedness is not a part of the
therapeutic relationship. Although an important aspect of the PMHNP role, collecting a family history
and accuracy in assessment does not in and of itself facilitate relationship building.
