Question

one of the differences between an advanced practice registered nurse (aprn) and a psychiatric registered nurse practicing at the basic level is that the aprn will earn a doctoral or masters degree and
a. will assess mental health needs as well as develop a nursing diagnosis and plan for nursing care
b. will often diagnose and prescribe medication for mental health problems or disorders
c. is able to diagnose and treat people with psychiatric problems or disorders
d. will work with individuals, families, or groups to implement and evaluate a nursing care plan
please select the best answer from the choices provided
a
b
c
d

Explanation:

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), especially in psychiatric - mental health, have an expanded scope of practice. While basic - level psychiatric registered nurses (RNs) also assess mental health needs (A and D are tasks of basic - level RNs too), diagnose (in terms of nursing diagnosis for basic - level RNs), and work with patients and their families, APRNs have the additional authority (in many regions) to diagnose mental health disorders (medical diagnosis in some aspects related to mental health) and prescribe medications. Option C is too broad as basic - level RNs also contribute to the care of people with psychiatric problems (though in a more limited, non - prescriptive, non - medical - diagnosis - based way). APRNs' advanced education (doctoral or master's) often leads to prescriptive authority for mental health medications, which is a key difference from basic - level psychiatric RNs.

Answer:

B. will often diagnose and prescribe medication for mental health problems or disorders