RPNCE - Registered Psychiatric Nurse of Canada Examination Collaborative and Interprofessional Practice Questions and Answers

Question 1

An RPN on an inpatient unit is concerned that a new medication prescribed by a psychiatrist is causing significant, distressing akathisia for a client.
The RPN's initial attempt to speak with the busy psychiatrist was unsuccessful.
What is the most appropriate next action for the RPN?

Accepted Answer

Use a structured communication tool, such as SBAR, to page the psychiatrist with a concise summary of the situation and a request for assessment.

Answer

Document the findings in the client's chart and wait for the psychiatrist's scheduled rounds the next day.

Answer

Advise the client's family to contact the psychiatrist directly to advocate for a medication change.

Answer

Administer a PRN lorazepam from the standing orders to manage the symptom without further consultation.

Question 2

Which of the following statements best describes the primary goal of the Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative (CIHC) National Interprofessional Competency Framework?

Accepted Answer

To provide a common set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes to guide effective interprofessional collaboration and improve health outcomes.

Answer

To replace individual professional scopes of practice with a single, unified scope for all team members.

Answer

To establish a hierarchical team structure with the physician as the designated leader in all clinical situations.

Answer

To mandate specific communication technologies that all Canadian healthcare teams must use for patient handovers.

Question 3

During a discharge planning meeting for a client with complex psychosocial needs, the team includes an RPN, a social worker, an occupational therapist, and a housing support worker. The RPN's most crucial contribution to this interprofessional team is to:

Accepted Answer

Integrate information about the client's mental state, coping skills, and potential relapse triggers with the practical plans being made by other team members.

Answer

Defer all decisions about community resources to the social worker and housing support worker.

Answer

Focus solely on providing a detailed list of the client's current medications and potential side effects.

Answer

Arrange all the follow-up medical appointments on behalf of the entire team.

Question 4

An RPN and a social worker on a community mental health team have a disagreement regarding the level of independence a client is ready for. The RPN believes a gradual transition to a supported group home is best, while the social worker advocates for an immediate move to an independent apartment. What is the most constructive first step to resolve this interprofessional conflict?

Accepted Answer

Focus the discussion on the client's own stated goals and collaboratively identify the risks and benefits of each option from both professional perspectives.

Answer

Ask the team manager to make the final decision to avoid further conflict.

Answer

Agree to disagree and independently work on separate plans for the client.

Answer

Document the disagreement in the client's chart and let the client decide without further guidance.

Question 5

Which of the following is a key principle of a 'Collaborative Mental Health Care' model in the Canadian primary care context?

Accepted Answer

Integrating mental health services and professionals within primary care settings to improve access and provide coordinated care.

Answer

Mental health specialists only see clients after they have failed multiple treatments prescribed by a family physician.

Answer

Family physicians transfer all responsibility for clients with mental health issues to psychiatric services.

Answer

Requiring all clients with mental health concerns to be managed exclusively by psychiatrists in specialized clinics.

Question 6

An RPN is working with an Occupational Therapist (OT) to develop a care plan for a client experiencing severe apathy and amotivation due to depression. The OT suggests a specific graded activity schedule. What is the RPN's most effective collaborative action?

Accepted Answer

Discuss with the OT how to align the activity schedule with the client's medication times and daily energy patterns to maximize the potential for success.

Answer

Implement the schedule without question, as it falls under the OT's scope of practice.

Answer

Develop a separate nursing care plan focused only on medication and sleep hygiene.

Answer

Tell the client that the OT has assigned them 'homework' to complete each day.