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Chamberlain NR547 Actual Exam
Questions and Answers with Rationales
2026/2027 | Differential Diagnosis
Psychiatric-Mental Health Final |
PMHNP Practicum | Pass Guarantee
Q001: A 17-year-old female presents with 6 weeks of depressed mood, irritability,
hypersomnia, increased appetite, and a 5-lb weight gain. Symptoms worsen in
winter and remit in spring for the past 3 years. She denies manic episodes or
psychosis. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
Options:
A. Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate
B. Bipolar II disorder
C. Major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern
D. Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
ANSWER: C
Q002: A 9-year-old boy is brought in for “mood swings.” Teachers report he
becomes intensely angry, throws chairs, and then calms within 15 minutes.
Episodes occur 3–4×/wk; between episodes he is euthymic. He has never had a
hypomanic period lasting >4 days. Which diagnosis best fits?
Options:
A. Bipolar I disorder
B. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
C. Intermittent explosive disorder
, 2
D. Oppositional defiant disorder
ANSWER: B
Q003: A 28-year-old Army veteran reports nightly nightmares, hypervigilance in
crowds, and avoiding fireworks displays since a roadside bombing 18 months ago.
He has intrusive combat memories while driving. No manic or psychotic
symptoms. Which is the primary diagnosis?
Options:
A. Acute stress disorder
B. Post-traumatic stress disorder
C. Generalized anxiety disorder
D. Panic disorder
ANSWER: B
Q004: A 34-year-old woman presents with 4 weeks of palpitations, tremulousness,
and fear of impending doom that peak within 5 minutes and resolve in 20 minutes.
She now avoids highways for fear of another attack. She denies substance use.
Which diagnosis is most likely?
Options:
A. Social anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
C. Generalized anxiety disorder
D. Substance-induced anxiety disorder
ANSWER: B
Q005: A 6-year-old girl repeatedly washes her hands 40×/day until raw, fearing
“bad germs.” She takes 45 minutes to leave the house due to checking rituals. She
is distressed and wants to stop but cannot. Which diagnosis is primary?
Options:
A. Autism spectrum disorder
, 3
B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
C. Generalized anxiety disorder
D. Body dysmorphic disorder
ANSWER: B
Q006: A 19-year-old college student believes classmates are “reading my mind and
inserting thoughts.” He hears a constant commentary about his actions and has
withdrawn from classes. Symptoms began 3 months ago and are present most days.
Urine drug screen negative. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
Options:
A. Delusional disorder
B. Brief psychotic disorder
C. Schizophreniform disorder
D. Schizoaffective disorder
ANSWER: C
Q007: A 24-year-old woman with a 2-year history of daily cannabis use reports
depressed mood, anhedonia, and fatigue since quitting cannabis 3 weeks ago. She
denies prior major depressive episodes and has no psychosis. Which diagnosis best
explains her mood symptoms?
Options:
A. Major depressive disorder
B. Cannabis withdrawal with depressed mood
C. Persistent depressive disorder
D. Bipolar II disorder
ANSWER: B
Q008: A 15-year-old boy has 6 months of social withdrawal, flattened affect, and
odd magical thinking. He reports occasional whispers “calling my name” but no
Chamberlain NR547 Actual Exam
Questions and Answers with Rationales
2026/2027 | Differential Diagnosis
Psychiatric-Mental Health Final |
PMHNP Practicum | Pass Guarantee
Q001: A 17-year-old female presents with 6 weeks of depressed mood, irritability,
hypersomnia, increased appetite, and a 5-lb weight gain. Symptoms worsen in
winter and remit in spring for the past 3 years. She denies manic episodes or
psychosis. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
Options:
A. Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate
B. Bipolar II disorder
C. Major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern
D. Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
ANSWER: C
Q002: A 9-year-old boy is brought in for “mood swings.” Teachers report he
becomes intensely angry, throws chairs, and then calms within 15 minutes.
Episodes occur 3–4×/wk; between episodes he is euthymic. He has never had a
hypomanic period lasting >4 days. Which diagnosis best fits?
Options:
A. Bipolar I disorder
B. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
C. Intermittent explosive disorder
, 2
D. Oppositional defiant disorder
ANSWER: B
Q003: A 28-year-old Army veteran reports nightly nightmares, hypervigilance in
crowds, and avoiding fireworks displays since a roadside bombing 18 months ago.
He has intrusive combat memories while driving. No manic or psychotic
symptoms. Which is the primary diagnosis?
Options:
A. Acute stress disorder
B. Post-traumatic stress disorder
C. Generalized anxiety disorder
D. Panic disorder
ANSWER: B
Q004: A 34-year-old woman presents with 4 weeks of palpitations, tremulousness,
and fear of impending doom that peak within 5 minutes and resolve in 20 minutes.
She now avoids highways for fear of another attack. She denies substance use.
Which diagnosis is most likely?
Options:
A. Social anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
C. Generalized anxiety disorder
D. Substance-induced anxiety disorder
ANSWER: B
Q005: A 6-year-old girl repeatedly washes her hands 40×/day until raw, fearing
“bad germs.” She takes 45 minutes to leave the house due to checking rituals. She
is distressed and wants to stop but cannot. Which diagnosis is primary?
Options:
A. Autism spectrum disorder
, 3
B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
C. Generalized anxiety disorder
D. Body dysmorphic disorder
ANSWER: B
Q006: A 19-year-old college student believes classmates are “reading my mind and
inserting thoughts.” He hears a constant commentary about his actions and has
withdrawn from classes. Symptoms began 3 months ago and are present most days.
Urine drug screen negative. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
Options:
A. Delusional disorder
B. Brief psychotic disorder
C. Schizophreniform disorder
D. Schizoaffective disorder
ANSWER: C
Q007: A 24-year-old woman with a 2-year history of daily cannabis use reports
depressed mood, anhedonia, and fatigue since quitting cannabis 3 weeks ago. She
denies prior major depressive episodes and has no psychosis. Which diagnosis best
explains her mood symptoms?
Options:
A. Major depressive disorder
B. Cannabis withdrawal with depressed mood
C. Persistent depressive disorder
D. Bipolar II disorder
ANSWER: B
Q008: A 15-year-old boy has 6 months of social withdrawal, flattened affect, and
odd magical thinking. He reports occasional whispers “calling my name” but no
