Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE) Practice test

What is most likely for Mrs. Peterson to exhibit during the initial assessment?

1. Auditory hallucinations

2. Intrusive thoughts

3. Inability to recall the event

4. Mood instability

The correct answer is: Intrusive thoughts

During the initial assessment, it is likely for Mrs. Peterson to exhibit intrusive thoughts. Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts that can cause significant distress and may reflect underlying anxiety or trauma. This symptom can be prevalent when a person is undergoing a mental health assessment, especially if they have experienced a distressing or traumatic event recently. Such thoughts can interfere with the person's ability to focus on the assessment itself and may indicate an underlying psychological issue that needs to be addressed. In contrast, while auditory hallucinations could be present in certain mental health conditions, they would typically indicate more severe psychiatric disturbances. An inability to recall the event is often associated with dissociative responses, which might not be as immediate during an initial assessment unless the event was profoundly traumatic. Mood instability is also a possibility; however, it may not be present in every individual during the assessment phase. The presence of intrusive thoughts, on the other hand, is more common and offers insight into the patient's mental state and potential areas of concern.