NR 548 CEA EXAM (CLINICAL
EVALUATION ASSESSMENT) Psychiatric-
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner |
Chamberlain University 100 Practice
Questions with Answers & Rationales
The NR 548 CEA Exam is a comprehensive clinical evaluation assessment for the
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program at Chamberlain
University. This exam covers psychiatric assessment, diagnostic criteria,
psychopharmacology, evidence-based decision-making, and PMHNP scope of
practice.
SECTION 1: MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATION (MSE) & PSYCHIATRIC
ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–25)
QUESTION 1
During a Mental Status Examination (MSE), a client presents with an extremely
rapid and pressured speech with constant interruptions. This presentation is most
consistent with:
,A) Dementia
B) Hypomania or mania
C) Psychotic disorder
D) Major depressive disorder
Correct Answer: B) Hypomania or mania
Rationale: Rapid and pressured speech with interruptions is characteristic of
hypomania or mania, often seen in bipolar disorder. The pressured speech reflects
the racing thoughts and increased psychomotor activity associated with elevated
mood states.
QUESTION 2
An absence of speech (alogia) is most commonly associated with which of the
following diagnoses?
A) Dementia
B) Panic disorder
C) Generalized anxiety disorder
D) Adjustment disorder
Correct Answer: A) Dementia
Rationale: Absence of speech (alogia) is seen with some diagnoses such as
dementia. Alogia can also be observed in schizophrenia and severe depression but
is a hallmark of cognitive decline in dementia.
,QUESTION 3
Non-sensical speech (incoherent or disorganized speech) is often associated with:
A) Obsessive-compulsive disorder
B) Psychotic disorders
C) Social anxiety disorder
D) Post-traumatic stress disorder
Correct Answer: B) Psychotic disorders
Rationale: Non-sensical speech is often associated with psychotic disorders.
Disorganized speech reflects thought disorganization, a hallmark of schizophrenia
and other psychotic disorders.
QUESTION 4
In the Mental Status Examination, "mood" is best described as:
A) The physical manifestation of the client's emotional state as observed by the
provider
B) The client's state of mind or prevalent emotional state, typically self-reported
C) The rate of thoughts and how they flow and are connected
D) Evaluation of a client's level of awareness and concentration
Correct Answer: B) The client's state of mind or prevalent emotional state,
typically self-reported
Rationale: Mood is the client's state of mind or prevalent emotional state—it is
subjective and typically self-reported. Mood can be stable, bright, happy, angry,
agitated, irritable, labile, anxious, depressed, or euphoric.
, QUESTION 5
In the Mental Status Examination, "affect" is best described as:
A) The client's self-reported emotional state
B) The physical manifestation of the client's emotional state as observed by the
provider
C) The client's level of awareness and orientation
D) The client's thought content and process
Correct Answer: B) The physical manifestation of the client's emotional state
as observed by the provider
Rationale: Affect is the physical manifestation of the client's emotional state as
observed by the provider. It can be normal, blunted, flat, bizarre, dysphoric, or
euphoric. Qualities of affect include stability (stable or labile), appropriateness,
range, and intensity.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following describes a "labile" affect?
A) Emotional state that remains stable and appropriate
B) Emotional state that changes rapidly and unpredictably
C) Emotional state that shows no emotional expression
D) Emotional state that is consistently flat and unresponsive
Correct Answer: B) Emotional state that changes rapidly and unpredictably
EVALUATION ASSESSMENT) Psychiatric-
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner |
Chamberlain University 100 Practice
Questions with Answers & Rationales
The NR 548 CEA Exam is a comprehensive clinical evaluation assessment for the
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program at Chamberlain
University. This exam covers psychiatric assessment, diagnostic criteria,
psychopharmacology, evidence-based decision-making, and PMHNP scope of
practice.
SECTION 1: MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATION (MSE) & PSYCHIATRIC
ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–25)
QUESTION 1
During a Mental Status Examination (MSE), a client presents with an extremely
rapid and pressured speech with constant interruptions. This presentation is most
consistent with:
,A) Dementia
B) Hypomania or mania
C) Psychotic disorder
D) Major depressive disorder
Correct Answer: B) Hypomania or mania
Rationale: Rapid and pressured speech with interruptions is characteristic of
hypomania or mania, often seen in bipolar disorder. The pressured speech reflects
the racing thoughts and increased psychomotor activity associated with elevated
mood states.
QUESTION 2
An absence of speech (alogia) is most commonly associated with which of the
following diagnoses?
A) Dementia
B) Panic disorder
C) Generalized anxiety disorder
D) Adjustment disorder
Correct Answer: A) Dementia
Rationale: Absence of speech (alogia) is seen with some diagnoses such as
dementia. Alogia can also be observed in schizophrenia and severe depression but
is a hallmark of cognitive decline in dementia.
,QUESTION 3
Non-sensical speech (incoherent or disorganized speech) is often associated with:
A) Obsessive-compulsive disorder
B) Psychotic disorders
C) Social anxiety disorder
D) Post-traumatic stress disorder
Correct Answer: B) Psychotic disorders
Rationale: Non-sensical speech is often associated with psychotic disorders.
Disorganized speech reflects thought disorganization, a hallmark of schizophrenia
and other psychotic disorders.
QUESTION 4
In the Mental Status Examination, "mood" is best described as:
A) The physical manifestation of the client's emotional state as observed by the
provider
B) The client's state of mind or prevalent emotional state, typically self-reported
C) The rate of thoughts and how they flow and are connected
D) Evaluation of a client's level of awareness and concentration
Correct Answer: B) The client's state of mind or prevalent emotional state,
typically self-reported
Rationale: Mood is the client's state of mind or prevalent emotional state—it is
subjective and typically self-reported. Mood can be stable, bright, happy, angry,
agitated, irritable, labile, anxious, depressed, or euphoric.
, QUESTION 5
In the Mental Status Examination, "affect" is best described as:
A) The client's self-reported emotional state
B) The physical manifestation of the client's emotional state as observed by the
provider
C) The client's level of awareness and orientation
D) The client's thought content and process
Correct Answer: B) The physical manifestation of the client's emotional state
as observed by the provider
Rationale: Affect is the physical manifestation of the client's emotional state as
observed by the provider. It can be normal, blunted, flat, bizarre, dysphoric, or
euphoric. Qualities of affect include stability (stable or labile), appropriateness,
range, and intensity.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following describes a "labile" affect?
A) Emotional state that remains stable and appropriate
B) Emotional state that changes rapidly and unpredictably
C) Emotional state that shows no emotional expression
D) Emotional state that is consistently flat and unresponsive
Correct Answer: B) Emotional state that changes rapidly and unpredictably
