NCAS Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing

Question 1

Which brief validated tool is most widely used in community settings to screen for depression in adults?

Accepted Answer

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

Answer

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

Answer

GAD-7 for anxiety only

Answer

Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)

Question 2

A community nurse is assessing a patient who reports hearing voices commanding self-harm. The MOST appropriate immediate action is:

Accepted Answer

Conduct a full suicide and homicide risk assessment and arrange immediate psychiatric evaluation

Answer

Document the complaint and schedule a follow-up in 2 weeks

Answer

Prescribe antipsychotic medication independently

Answer

Reassure the patient that the voices will go away on their own

Question 3

Which US law mandates that insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorders be comparable to coverage for medical and surgical care?

Accepted Answer

Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA)

Answer

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Answer

Affordable Care Act (ACA) only

Answer

HIPAA Privacy Rule

Question 4

In the context of community mental health, what does 'recovery' mean according to SAMHSA?

Accepted Answer

A process of change through which individuals improve health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and reach their full potential

Answer

Complete elimination of all mental health symptoms

Answer

Discharge from all psychiatric services

Answer

Returning to the same level of functioning as before illness onset

Question 5

A community health nurse is assessing a teenager using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). This tool primarily assesses:

Accepted Answer

Suicidal ideation intensity and suicidal behavior history

Answer

Anxiety disorder severity

Answer

Substance use frequency

Answer

Academic performance decline

Question 6

Which therapeutic communication technique should a community nurse use when a patient with schizophrenia expresses a delusion?

Accepted Answer

Do not reinforce the delusion but acknowledge the patient's feelings without arguing about reality

Answer

Firmly correct the patient and explain why they are wrong

Answer

Agree with the delusion to build rapport

Answer

Change the subject immediately without acknowledgment