NURS 6650 ADVANCED PRACTICE IN PSYCHIATRIC-
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING – COMPLETE EXAM
BUNDLE VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH WELL-
ILLUSTRATED RATIONALES JUST RELEASED FOR A+
GRADE 2026
Based on Walden University NURS 6650 Course Content
Updated for 2025/2026 Academic Year
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis Questions 1 to 50
Section 2: Psychopharmacology Questions 51 to 100
Section 3: Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Interventions Questions 101 to 140
Section 4: Special Populations Questions 141 to 180
Section 5: Crisis Intervention and Emergency Psychiatry Questions 181 to 210
Section 6: Legal and Ethical Issues Questions 211 to 240
Section 7: Mixed Review and High-Yield Scenarios Questions 241 to 260
SECTION 1: PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS
QUESTIONS 1 TO 50
Question 1
A 24-year-old female presents with complaints of persistent sadness, anhedonia,
fatigue, and difficulty sleeping for the past three months. She reports that she has
lost 15 pounds unintentionally and has difficulty concentrating at work. Which of
the following is the most appropriate initial screening tool for depression?
A. PHQ-9
B. GAD-7
C. CAGE questionnaire
D. AUDIT
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a validated screening tool for depression that assesses the
nine DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder. The patient's symptoms of
persistent sadness, anhedonia, fatigue, sleep disturbance, weight loss, and
,concentration difficulty are consistent with major depressive disorder. The GAD-7
is used for anxiety screening. The CAGE questionnaire and AUDIT are used for
alcohol use disorder screening.
Question 2
A 32-year-old male presents with complaints of excessive worry, restlessness, and
difficulty sleeping. He reports that he has been worrying about his job, finances,
and family for the past eight months. He states that he cannot control his worry
and it is affecting his ability to function at work. Which of the following is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
C. Social anxiety disorder
D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive,
uncontrollable worry about multiple domains for at least six months, associated
with restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and
sleep disturbance. Panic disorder involves recurrent panic attacks. Social anxiety
disorder involves fear of social situations. OCD involves obsessions and
compulsions.
Question 3
A 28-year-old female presents with complaints of recurrent episodes of intense
fear, palpitations, sweating, and shortness of breath. These episodes occur
suddenly and peak within minutes. She reports that she is afraid of having another
episode and has been avoiding leaving her home. Which of the following is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Social anxiety disorder
D. Agoraphobia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
followed by at least one month of persistent concern about having additional
,attacks, worry about the consequences of the attacks, or significant maladaptive
change in behavior related to the attacks. Agoraphobia is a complication that may
occur with panic disorder.
Question 4
A 22-year-old male presents with complaints of hearing voices that tell him he is
worthless. He reports that he has difficulty trusting others and believes that people
are plotting against him. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Schizoaffective disorder
C. Delusional disorder
D. Bipolar disorder with psychotic features
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Schizophrenia is characterized by delusions, hallucinations,
disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, and negative
symptoms for at least six months. The presence of auditory hallucinations and
persecutory delusions is consistent with schizophrenia. Schizoaffective disorder
involves mood episodes. Delusional disorder involves non-bizarre delusions
without other psychotic symptoms.
Question 5
A 30-year-old female presents with complaints of irritability, elevated mood, and
decreased need for sleep for the past week. She reports that she has been engaging
in reckless behavior, including spending large amounts of money. She has a
history of depressive episodes. Which of the following is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Bipolar I disorder
B. Bipolar II disorder
C. Cyclothymic disorder
D. Major depressive disorder
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bipolar I disorder is characterized by at least one manic episode. Mania
involves a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or
irritable mood and increased goal-directed activity or energy lasting at least one
, week. Bipolar II disorder involves hypomanic episodes. Cyclothymic disorder
involves chronic fluctuating mood disturbances.
Question 6
A 40-year-old male presents with complaints of feeling sad, tired, and hopeless for
the past two months. He reports that he has been sleeping 12 hours per day but still
feels tired. He has gained 15 pounds and has difficulty concentrating. Which of the
following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Major depressive disorder with atypical features
B. Major depressive disorder with melancholic features
C. Dysthymic disorder
D. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atypical features of major depressive disorder include mood reactivity,
hypersomnia, hyperphagia, leaden paralysis, and rejection sensitivity. Melancholic
features include anhedonia, lack of reactivity to positive stimuli, early morning
awakening, and significant weight loss. Dysthymic disorder involves chronic
depressed mood for at least two years. Adjustment disorder occurs within three
months of a stressor.
Question 7
A 25-year-old female presents with complaints of difficulty sleeping, irritability,
and muscle tension for the past three months. She reports that she has been
worried about her health and is constantly checking her body for signs of illness.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Illness anxiety disorder
B. Somatic symptom disorder
C. Conversion disorder
D. Hypochondriasis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Illness anxiety disorder is characterized by preoccupation with having
or acquiring a serious illness, high health anxiety, excessive health-related
behaviors, or maladaptive avoidance. Somatic symptom disorder involves
distressing somatic symptoms. Conversion disorder involves neurological
symptoms.
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING – COMPLETE EXAM
BUNDLE VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH WELL-
ILLUSTRATED RATIONALES JUST RELEASED FOR A+
GRADE 2026
Based on Walden University NURS 6650 Course Content
Updated for 2025/2026 Academic Year
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis Questions 1 to 50
Section 2: Psychopharmacology Questions 51 to 100
Section 3: Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Interventions Questions 101 to 140
Section 4: Special Populations Questions 141 to 180
Section 5: Crisis Intervention and Emergency Psychiatry Questions 181 to 210
Section 6: Legal and Ethical Issues Questions 211 to 240
Section 7: Mixed Review and High-Yield Scenarios Questions 241 to 260
SECTION 1: PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS
QUESTIONS 1 TO 50
Question 1
A 24-year-old female presents with complaints of persistent sadness, anhedonia,
fatigue, and difficulty sleeping for the past three months. She reports that she has
lost 15 pounds unintentionally and has difficulty concentrating at work. Which of
the following is the most appropriate initial screening tool for depression?
A. PHQ-9
B. GAD-7
C. CAGE questionnaire
D. AUDIT
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a validated screening tool for depression that assesses the
nine DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder. The patient's symptoms of
persistent sadness, anhedonia, fatigue, sleep disturbance, weight loss, and
,concentration difficulty are consistent with major depressive disorder. The GAD-7
is used for anxiety screening. The CAGE questionnaire and AUDIT are used for
alcohol use disorder screening.
Question 2
A 32-year-old male presents with complaints of excessive worry, restlessness, and
difficulty sleeping. He reports that he has been worrying about his job, finances,
and family for the past eight months. He states that he cannot control his worry
and it is affecting his ability to function at work. Which of the following is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
C. Social anxiety disorder
D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive,
uncontrollable worry about multiple domains for at least six months, associated
with restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and
sleep disturbance. Panic disorder involves recurrent panic attacks. Social anxiety
disorder involves fear of social situations. OCD involves obsessions and
compulsions.
Question 3
A 28-year-old female presents with complaints of recurrent episodes of intense
fear, palpitations, sweating, and shortness of breath. These episodes occur
suddenly and peak within minutes. She reports that she is afraid of having another
episode and has been avoiding leaving her home. Which of the following is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Social anxiety disorder
D. Agoraphobia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
followed by at least one month of persistent concern about having additional
,attacks, worry about the consequences of the attacks, or significant maladaptive
change in behavior related to the attacks. Agoraphobia is a complication that may
occur with panic disorder.
Question 4
A 22-year-old male presents with complaints of hearing voices that tell him he is
worthless. He reports that he has difficulty trusting others and believes that people
are plotting against him. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Schizoaffective disorder
C. Delusional disorder
D. Bipolar disorder with psychotic features
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Schizophrenia is characterized by delusions, hallucinations,
disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, and negative
symptoms for at least six months. The presence of auditory hallucinations and
persecutory delusions is consistent with schizophrenia. Schizoaffective disorder
involves mood episodes. Delusional disorder involves non-bizarre delusions
without other psychotic symptoms.
Question 5
A 30-year-old female presents with complaints of irritability, elevated mood, and
decreased need for sleep for the past week. She reports that she has been engaging
in reckless behavior, including spending large amounts of money. She has a
history of depressive episodes. Which of the following is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Bipolar I disorder
B. Bipolar II disorder
C. Cyclothymic disorder
D. Major depressive disorder
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bipolar I disorder is characterized by at least one manic episode. Mania
involves a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or
irritable mood and increased goal-directed activity or energy lasting at least one
, week. Bipolar II disorder involves hypomanic episodes. Cyclothymic disorder
involves chronic fluctuating mood disturbances.
Question 6
A 40-year-old male presents with complaints of feeling sad, tired, and hopeless for
the past two months. He reports that he has been sleeping 12 hours per day but still
feels tired. He has gained 15 pounds and has difficulty concentrating. Which of the
following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Major depressive disorder with atypical features
B. Major depressive disorder with melancholic features
C. Dysthymic disorder
D. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atypical features of major depressive disorder include mood reactivity,
hypersomnia, hyperphagia, leaden paralysis, and rejection sensitivity. Melancholic
features include anhedonia, lack of reactivity to positive stimuli, early morning
awakening, and significant weight loss. Dysthymic disorder involves chronic
depressed mood for at least two years. Adjustment disorder occurs within three
months of a stressor.
Question 7
A 25-year-old female presents with complaints of difficulty sleeping, irritability,
and muscle tension for the past three months. She reports that she has been
worried about her health and is constantly checking her body for signs of illness.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Illness anxiety disorder
B. Somatic symptom disorder
C. Conversion disorder
D. Hypochondriasis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Illness anxiety disorder is characterized by preoccupation with having
or acquiring a serious illness, high health anxiety, excessive health-related
behaviors, or maladaptive avoidance. Somatic symptom disorder involves
distressing somatic symptoms. Conversion disorder involves neurological
symptoms.
