Free PMH-BC® Practice Test Questions

A 25-year-old patient with a history of borderline personality disorder has been admitted to a psychiatric unit following a suicide attempt. The patient is participating in milieu therapy as part of the treatment plan. How should the psychiatric-mental health nurse evaluate the effectiveness of the milieu therapy in this setting?

A 26-year-old woman presents to therapy with excessive worry that appears to conflict with her cognitive awareness that these concerns are irrational. The psychiatric-mental health nurse observes the patient employing humor frequently when discussing her worries. How should the nurse best address this defense mechanism in therapy sessions to facilitate progress?

A 34-year-old mother of two, recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia, often experiences overwhelming fatigue and diffuse body pain. Her psychiatric-mental health nurse is helping her develop effective coping mechanisms to manage her chronic condition and improve her quality of life. Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize to support the patient's coping strategy development?

A 32-year-old male patient with a history of borderline personality disorder is admitted to a psychiatric unit after expressing severe agitation and hostility. He reports feelings of abandonment following a break-up. Which of the following immediate interventions should the psychiatric-mental health nurse prioritize to ensure the patient's safety?

A 55-year-old patient has recently completed an intensive outpatient program for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. As part of their mental health care plan, the psychiatric-mental health nurse needs to measure the outcomes of the treatment. Which of the following tools would be most appropriate for evaluating symptom reduction in this case?

A 55-year-old female patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) presents at a mental health clinic experiencing significant emotional distress and feelings of worthlessness. She reports that her chronic illness is consuming her thoughts and negatively impacting her ability to focus on other aspects of life, including her relationships and work. As her psychiatric-mental health nurse, what is the most appropriate initial intervention to support her mental health?

A 65-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease has been enrolled in a new care facility. During a routine evaluation, the psychiatric-mental health nurse notices inconsistencies in the patient's medication administration record. To ensure the highest quality of care and reduce potential medication errors, which of the following steps should the nurse prioritize?

A 22-year-old female patient with an intense fear of dogs has recently started a cognitive behavioral therapy program to manage her phobia. The patient reports that she avoids all situations where she might encounter dogs, including parks and visits to friends who have dogs. The psychiatric-mental health nurse decides to implement a specific cognitive-behavioral technique to help the patient confront her fear. Which technique is most appropriate for this purpose?

A 34-year-old patient with a high-stress job is experiencing chronic headaches and difficulty sleeping. The psychiatric-mental health nurse suggests integrating mindfulness techniques into the patient's daily routine. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial step for the nurse to recommend to effectively integrate mindfulness techniques for stress reduction?

A 60-year-old visually impaired patient who recently underwent an eye surgery experiences difficulty in communicating with healthcare providers about their medication routine. The psychiatric-mental health nurse aims to develop an effective communication strategy to ensure the patient manages their medication correctly. Which of the following approaches should the nurse prioritize?

A 55-year-old male patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted to a psychiatric unit with symptoms of anxiety and depression. During the patient's stay, the psychiatric-mental health nurse recognizes the need to address the patient's anxiety-related breathing difficulties while ensuring accurate documentation of the psychiatric care provided. Which legal and ethical consideration is most important in documenting the psychiatric care for this patient?