NRNP 6665 – WEEK 6 MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES GRADED A+ LATEST
WALDEN UNIVERSITY
Question 1
A 28-year-old patient reports persistent worry, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping,
and impaired concentration for over 8 months. Symptoms occur most days and are
not limited to specific situations. Which diagnosis best fits this presentation?
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Adjustment disorder with anxiety
D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive anxiety and worry
occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, along with physical and
cognitive symptoms such as muscle tension and sleep disturbance.
Question 2
A core therapeutic goal of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is to:
A. Explore unconscious conflicts from early childhood
B. Replace maladaptive thoughts with more realistic ones
C. Strengthen the therapeutic alliance through transference
D. Promote emotional catharsis without cognitive restructuring
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CBT focuses on identifying and modifying distorted or maladaptive
cognitions that influence emotional responses and behaviors.
,Question 3
A 16-year-old presents with significant weight loss, intense fear of gaining weight,
body image distortion, and restrictive eating behaviors. Menstrual periods have
stopped. Which diagnosis is most appropriate?
A. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
B. Anorexia nervosa
C. Bulimia nervosa
D. Binge-eating disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa is characterized by restriction of energy intake,
intense fear of weight gain, and body image disturbance, often with amenorrhea in
adolescents.
Question 4
Which psychotherapy modality is most effective for patients with borderline
personality disorder?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. Dialectical behavior therapy
C. Exposure therapy
D. Motivational interviewing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is evidence-based for borderline
personality disorder and targets emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and self-
harm behaviors.
,Question 5
A patient with major depressive disorder reports minimal improvement after 6
weeks of adequate-dose SSRI therapy. The next best step is to:
A. Discontinue medication immediately
B. Increase the dose or switch antidepressants
C. Add benzodiazepines
D. Begin antipsychotic monotherapy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After an adequate trial with insufficient response, dose optimization or
switching antidepressants is recommended before discontinuation.
Question 6
Which symptom best differentiates panic disorder from generalized anxiety
disorder?
A. Restlessness
B. Excessive worry
C. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks
D. Sleep disturbance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Panic disorder is defined by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and
concern about future attacks, which is not required for GAD.
Question 7
A patient avoids social interactions due to fear of embarrassment and negative
evaluation. Symptoms began in adolescence and persist into adulthood. Which
diagnosis is most likely?
A. Avoidant personality disorder
B. Social anxiety disorder
, C. Agoraphobia
D. Dependent personality disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Social anxiety disorder involves marked fear of social situations with
potential scrutiny, leading to avoidance and functional impairment.
Question 8
Which factor is most important when selecting a psychotherapy modality?
A. Provider preference
B. Patient diagnosis and treatment goals
C. Duration of therapy
D. Insurance coverage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based care requires matching the psychotherapy modality to
the patient’s diagnosis, symptom profile, and treatment goals.
Question 9
A 45-year-old reports depressed mood, anhedonia, low energy, and impaired
concentration for 3 weeks following job loss. Symptoms do not meet full criteria
for major depressive disorder. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?
A. Major depressive disorder
B. Persistent depressive disorder
C. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
D. Acute stress disorder
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Adjustment disorder occurs in response to an identifiable stressor and
does not meet criteria for another mental disorder.
QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES GRADED A+ LATEST
WALDEN UNIVERSITY
Question 1
A 28-year-old patient reports persistent worry, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping,
and impaired concentration for over 8 months. Symptoms occur most days and are
not limited to specific situations. Which diagnosis best fits this presentation?
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Adjustment disorder with anxiety
D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive anxiety and worry
occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, along with physical and
cognitive symptoms such as muscle tension and sleep disturbance.
Question 2
A core therapeutic goal of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is to:
A. Explore unconscious conflicts from early childhood
B. Replace maladaptive thoughts with more realistic ones
C. Strengthen the therapeutic alliance through transference
D. Promote emotional catharsis without cognitive restructuring
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CBT focuses on identifying and modifying distorted or maladaptive
cognitions that influence emotional responses and behaviors.
,Question 3
A 16-year-old presents with significant weight loss, intense fear of gaining weight,
body image distortion, and restrictive eating behaviors. Menstrual periods have
stopped. Which diagnosis is most appropriate?
A. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
B. Anorexia nervosa
C. Bulimia nervosa
D. Binge-eating disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa is characterized by restriction of energy intake,
intense fear of weight gain, and body image disturbance, often with amenorrhea in
adolescents.
Question 4
Which psychotherapy modality is most effective for patients with borderline
personality disorder?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. Dialectical behavior therapy
C. Exposure therapy
D. Motivational interviewing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is evidence-based for borderline
personality disorder and targets emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and self-
harm behaviors.
,Question 5
A patient with major depressive disorder reports minimal improvement after 6
weeks of adequate-dose SSRI therapy. The next best step is to:
A. Discontinue medication immediately
B. Increase the dose or switch antidepressants
C. Add benzodiazepines
D. Begin antipsychotic monotherapy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After an adequate trial with insufficient response, dose optimization or
switching antidepressants is recommended before discontinuation.
Question 6
Which symptom best differentiates panic disorder from generalized anxiety
disorder?
A. Restlessness
B. Excessive worry
C. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks
D. Sleep disturbance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Panic disorder is defined by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and
concern about future attacks, which is not required for GAD.
Question 7
A patient avoids social interactions due to fear of embarrassment and negative
evaluation. Symptoms began in adolescence and persist into adulthood. Which
diagnosis is most likely?
A. Avoidant personality disorder
B. Social anxiety disorder
, C. Agoraphobia
D. Dependent personality disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Social anxiety disorder involves marked fear of social situations with
potential scrutiny, leading to avoidance and functional impairment.
Question 8
Which factor is most important when selecting a psychotherapy modality?
A. Provider preference
B. Patient diagnosis and treatment goals
C. Duration of therapy
D. Insurance coverage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based care requires matching the psychotherapy modality to
the patient’s diagnosis, symptom profile, and treatment goals.
Question 9
A 45-year-old reports depressed mood, anhedonia, low energy, and impaired
concentration for 3 weeks following job loss. Symptoms do not meet full criteria
for major depressive disorder. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?
A. Major depressive disorder
B. Persistent depressive disorder
C. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
D. Acute stress disorder
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Adjustment disorder occurs in response to an identifiable stressor and
does not meet criteria for another mental disorder.
