Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing Certification Exam Content Outline

This is a computer-based test (CBT)

There are 175 questions on this examination. Of these, 150 are scored questions and 25 are pretest questions that are not scored. Pretest questions are used to determine how well these questions will perform before they are used on the scored portion of the examination. The pretest questions cannot be distinguished from those that will be scored, so it is important for a candidate to answer all questions. A candidate's score, however, is based solely on the 150 scored questions. Performance on pretest questions does not affect a candidate's score.

This Test Content Outline identifies the areas that may be included on the examination. The percentage and number of questions in each of the major categories of the scored portion of the examination also are shown.

Category	Domains of Practice	No. of Questions	Percent
I	Mental Health Science	37	24.67%
II	Advanced Practice Nursing	45	30.00%
III	Organization/Network/Health System	17	11.33%
IV	Basic and Applied Science	23	15.33%
V	Application of Research	10	6.67%
VI	Education	7	4.67%
VII	Professional Attributes	11	7.33%
Total		150	100%

Test Content Outline

1. Mental Health Science (24.67%) (as associated with Note 1:Life Span)
   1. Growth and Development Theories (Piaget, Erickson, e.g.)
   2. B. Psychiatric and Mental Health Theories and Concepts
      1. Mental Health Science Models (Freud, Beck, Sullivan, Rogers, Maslow, Pearls, etc.)
      2. Social and Behavioral Science (Skinner, Mead, Cooley, etc.)
   3. Psychopathology (mood, personality, thought disorders; addictive disorders; violence/abuse)
   4. Application of the Psychodynamic Process (Individual, Group, Family)
   5. Counseling Principles (Techniques: interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral)
   6. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Models
   7. Community Mental Health
      1. Levels of Prevention and Treatment
      2. Community Needs Assessment
   8. Communication Theories and Practice
   9. Change Theory/Management
   10. Crisis Management
2. Advanced Practice Nursing (30.00%) (as associated with Note 1: Life Span)
   1. Nursing Science Theories (Peplau, Newman, Orem, Rogers, etc.)
   2. The Therapeutic Process
      1. Assessment (e.g., Mental Health Assessment, Problem Focused System Assessment)
      2. Diagnosis (DSM-IV TR – Axis 1 through 5)
      3. Plan
      4. Implementation of Treatment Modalities
      5. Evaluation
   3. Scope and Standards of Psychiatric and Mental Health Practice
   4. Ethical Principles in Practice
      1. Organizational
      2. Patient Centered
      3. Research
   5. Legal Issues in Practice
      1. Organizational
      2. Patient Centered
      3. Research
   6. Management of Information Systems
3. Organization/ Network/ Health System (11.33%)
   1. Regulations and Standards
   2. Organization, Network, Health System Theories (case management, leadership, etc.)
   3. Outcome Measurement Management
   4. Resource Management
      1. Human
      2. Financial/Reimbursement
   5. E. Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)/Performance Improvement
   6. F. Health Care Policy and Policy Development (As associated with Note 1: Life Span)
      1. Global
      2. Program
      3. Finance
   7. Emergency Response and Disaster Planning
4. Basic and Applied Science (15.33%) (as associated with Note 1: Life Span)
   1. Pathophysiology
   2. Neurobiology
   3. Genomics
   4. Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology
   5. Epidemiology
   6. F. Complementary/Alternative Modalities (e.g., alternative medications)
5. Application of Research (6.67%)
   1. Research Methodology (Institutional Review Board, Consent, Study Design, Clinical Trials, Research Utilization)
   2. Evidence-Based Nursing Practice (Utilization)
6. Education (4.67%)
   1. Educational Models (Adult Learning, Behavioral, etc.) (as associated with Note 1: Life Span)
   2. Learning Needs Assessment (Non Individual Focused) (as associated with Note 1: Life Span)
   3. Program Development and Evaluation (as associated with Note 1: Life Span)
   4. Precepting
7. VII Professional Attributes (7.33%)
   1. Roles of the Clinical Nurse Specialist
   2. Consultation Theory/Principles
   3. Interpersonal Communication Skills (Collaborative, Consultation-Liaison, Networking, Leadership and Professional Responsibilities, etc)
   4. Peer Support and Review Process

Note 1: Life Span

1. Emancipated Adolescent
2. Adult (18 – 64 years old)
3. Older Adult (65 years old or above)
4. Non-age Specific
   

This page last revised 1/25/2007.