NR 547 DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS IN
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS
THE LIFESPAN PRACTICUM EXAM REVIEW
2026||CERTIFIED Q&A
Normal CMP levels
Misc.
Calcium, serum (Ca 2+)
Glucose, serum Fasting:
2-h postprandial:
Cholesterol, serum:
Total Protein
Albumin - correct-answer -Calcium, serum (Ca 2+) 8.4-10.2 mg/dl
Glucose, serum Fasting: 70-110 mg/dl;
2-h postprandial: <120mg/dl
Cholesterol, serum: REC<200 mg/dl
Total Protein 6.0-7.8 g/dl
Albumin 3.5-5.5 g/dl
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Kidney Tests
Creatinine, serum
Urea nitrogen, serum (BUN) - correct-answer -Creatinine, serum 0.6-1.2mg/dl
Urea nitrogen, serum (BUN) 7-18mg/dl
Liver Tests
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum:
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST),
Bilirubin, serum (adult) Total//Direct:
Phosphatase (alkaline), serum: - correct-answer -Liver Tests
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum: 8-20 U/L
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum: 8-20 U/L
Bilirubin, serum (adult) Total//Direct: 0.1-1.0 mg/dl // 0.0-0.3 mg/dl
Phosphatase (alkaline), serum: 20-70 U/L
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Normal TFT levels
TSH:
T3:
T4: - correct-answer -Normal TFT levels
TSH: 0.4-4.5 mIU/L
T3: 100-200 ng/dL
T4: 5-11 ug/dL
Vitamin B12 Level - correct-answer -Providers may choose to check vitamin B12
levels. Deficiency of vitamin B12 can affect mood and other brain functions.
Common psychiatric symptoms associated with B12 deficiency include
depression, mania, psychotic symptoms, and cognitive impairment (
A normal vitamin B12 level is between 190-950 picograms/mL. Between 200-
300/mL indicates a borderline level with a possible need for additional testing.
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Vitamin D Level - correct-answer -Vitamin D affects functions such as
neurotransmission, neuroprotection, and neuroimmunomodulation. Studies have
indicated a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in clients with psychiatric
disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, seasonal affective disorder, and
cognitive impairment (Cuomo et al., 2019). Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency
include depression, irritability, anxiety, psychosis, and poor brain development.
A vitamin D level can be measured via the 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood test. A
normal level is between 20-50 ng/mL. A level less than 12 ng/mL indicates a
deficiency.
Toxicology Screen - correct-answer -When diagnosing psychiatric conditions,
providers may use toxicology screenings to rule out substance use as a cause for
symptoms. Toxicology screenings are also used before starting therapy involving
controlled substances, to monitor medication adherence, and in the diagnosis of
substance use disorder.