Crisis Intervention and Emergency Psychiatry Flashcards
6 cards from real Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Crisis Intervention and Emergency Psychiatry flashcards as text
A PMHNP evaluating a patient in crisis should first prioritize which action?
Answer: Establish safety and assess risk of harm to self or others
Safety assessment is always the first priority in any psychiatric crisis situation.
Which validated tool is commonly used by PMHNPs to assess suicide risk in emergency settings?
Answer: Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
The C-SSRS is a standardized, evidence-based tool that quantifies suicidal ideation and behavior severity.
A patient in acute psychotic crisis is agitated and threatening violence. What is the PMHNP's safest first intervention?
Answer: Verbal de-escalation in a calm, low-stimulation environment
Verbal de-escalation is the least restrictive, safest first-line intervention for agitated patients.
When a patient meets criteria for involuntary psychiatric hospitalization, which legal standard most commonly applies in the US?
Answer: Imminent danger to self or others due to mental illness
Involuntary holds in the US require evidence of a mental illness causing imminent risk of harm to self or others.
Which medication combination is considered first-line for rapid tranquilization of an acutely agitated patient in the ED?
Answer: Haloperidol + lorazepam (or diphenhydramine)
Haloperidol combined with lorazepam (or diphenhydramine to prevent EPS) is a widely used, evidence-supported rapid tranquilization regimen.
A PMHNP using the SLAP mnemonic to assess lethality of a suicide plan is assessing which four elements?
Answer: Seriousness, Lethality, Availability, Proximity
The SLAP mnemonic assesses the Seriousness of intent, Lethality of the chosen method, Availability of the means, and Proximity of rescue.