Clinical Nurse Specialist Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing

Question 1

According to the DSM-5, how many symptoms of a major depressive episode must be present for at least two weeks to meet diagnostic criteria?

Accepted Answer

At least 5 symptoms, including depressed mood or anhedonia

Answer

At least 3 symptoms including depressed mood

Answer

At least 4 symptoms including sleep disturbance

Answer

At least 6 symptoms including suicidal ideation

Question 2

A CNS is assessing a patient for suicide risk. Which mnemonic is most commonly used in structured suicide risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

IS PATH WARM

Answer

SBAR

Answer

CIWA-Ar

Answer

CAGE-AID

Question 3

A patient with schizophrenia reports that the television is sending them special messages. This symptom is best classified as:

Accepted Answer

Idea of reference

Answer

Auditory hallucination

Answer

Thought broadcasting

Answer

Persecutory delusion

Question 4

Which therapeutic communication technique is most appropriate when a patient with depression says, 'Nobody cares if I live or die'?

Accepted Answer

Reflection: 'It sounds like you're feeling very alone and uncared for'

Answer

Reassurance: 'Of course people care about you'

Answer

Redirection: 'Let's talk about something more positive'

Answer

Information giving: 'Depression causes these types of thoughts'

Question 5

A patient on haloperidol develops muscle rigidity, fever of 104°F, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability. The CNS should suspect:

Accepted Answer

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Answer

Tardive dyskinesia

Answer

Akathisia

Answer

Acute dystonia

Question 6

In the mental status examination (MSE), a patient who describes their thoughts jumping from topic to topic with loose connections between ideas demonstrates which finding?

Accepted Answer

Loose associations

Answer

Flight of ideas

Answer

Tangentiality

Answer

Circumstantiality

Question 7

A CNS applying the recovery model to a patient with bipolar disorder would prioritize which intervention?

Accepted Answer

Empowering the patient to identify personal strengths and set their own recovery goals

Answer

Ensuring medication compliance through close monitoring

Answer

Educating family members on how to supervise the patient's behavior

Answer

Focusing treatment on symptom elimination before addressing quality of life