Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam Crisis Intervention and Emergency Psychiatry

Question 1

A PMHNP evaluating a patient in crisis should first prioritize which action?

Accepted Answer

Establish safety and assess risk of harm to self or others

Answer

Initiate pharmacotherapy immediately

Answer

Contact the patient's family

Answer

Schedule a follow-up appointment

Question 2

Which validated tool is commonly used by PMHNPs to assess suicide risk in emergency settings?

Accepted Answer

Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

Answer

PHQ-9

Answer

GAD-7

Answer

CAGE questionnaire

Question 3

A patient in acute psychotic crisis is agitated and threatening violence. What is the PMHNP's safest first intervention?

Accepted Answer

Verbal de-escalation in a calm, low-stimulation environment

Answer

Physical restraint immediately

Answer

Administer IM antipsychotic without consent

Answer

Call police first

Question 4

When a patient meets criteria for involuntary psychiatric hospitalization, which legal standard most commonly applies in the US?

Accepted Answer

Imminent danger to self or others due to mental illness

Answer

Preponderance of evidence

Answer

Court order required in all cases

Answer

Physician agreement with family

Question 5

Which medication combination is considered first-line for rapid tranquilization of an acutely agitated patient in the ED?

Accepted Answer

Haloperidol + lorazepam (or diphenhydramine)

Answer

Lithium + valproate

Answer

Clozapine + olanzapine

Answer

Quetiapine + lamotrigine

Question 6

A PMHNP using the SLAP mnemonic to assess lethality of a suicide plan is assessing which four elements?

Accepted Answer

Seriousness, Lethality, Availability, Proximity

Answer

Severity, Location, Availability, Proximity to rescue

Answer

Suicidal thoughts, Lethality, Attempt history, Plan specificity

Answer

Severity, Likelihood, Agitation, Plan