NURS 6630 Final Exam Version 1 verified with correct answers with rationales
2026/2027 version
1. During a psychiatric interview, which action by the nurse practitioner best
demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. Giving advice about what the patient should do
B. Using open-ended questions and allowing the patient time to respond
C. Changing the subject when emotions arise
D. Reassuring the patient that everything will be fine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage patients to share thoughts and feelings. Therapeutic
communication requires active listening, empathy, and allowing patients to express concerns
without judgment.
2. Which component is included in the Mental Status Examination (MSE)?
A. Family medical history only
B. Appearance, behavior, mood, thought process, cognition, and insight
C. Laboratory results only
D. Medication history only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The MSE evaluates current psychological functioning, including appearance, speech,
mood, affect, thought processes, cognition, judgment, and insight.
3. A patient states, “I hear voices telling me that I am worthless.” Which
symptom is the patient experiencing?
A. Delusion
B. Hallucination
C. Illusion
D. Obsession
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hallucinations are sensory experiences without an external stimulus. Hearing voices
is an example of an auditory hallucination.
,4. Which finding is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Social withdrawal
C. Auditory hallucinations
D. Lack of motivation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech or
behavior. Negative symptoms include flat affect, withdrawal, and decreased motivation.
5. Which medication class is commonly considered first-line treatment for major
depressive disorder?
A. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Stimulants
D. Antipsychotics only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs are frequently first-line antidepressants because of their effectiveness,
tolerability, and safety profile.
6. A patient taking an SSRI develops agitation, fever, sweating, and muscle
rigidity. What condition should the provider suspect?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Panic disorder
D. Withdrawal syndrome
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome results from excessive serotonergic activity and may include
agitation, hyperthermia, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular changes.
,7. Which symptom is most characteristic of mania?
A. Decreased energy and sadness
B. Elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, and increased activity
C. Social isolation only
D. Persistent fear without mood changes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mania involves abnormally elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, decreased
need for sleep, grandiosity, and impulsive behavior.
8. Which medication is commonly used as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder?
A. Lithium
B. Diphenhydramine
C. Acetaminophen
D. Omeprazole
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium is an established mood stabilizer used for bipolar disorder, particularly in
preventing manic and depressive episodes.
9. A patient taking lithium should be monitored closely for:
A. Kidney function and thyroid function
B. Hearing ability only
C. Liver enzymes only
D. Blood glucose only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium can affect renal and thyroid function; regular monitoring is required for
safety.
10. Which lithium level may indicate toxicity requiring immediate evaluation?
A. Elevated serum lithium level with symptoms such as tremor, confusion, and vomiting
B. Normal thyroid function
, C. Stable mood symptoms
D. Mild thirst only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium toxicity may present with gastrointestinal symptoms, worsening tremor,
confusion, ataxia, and seizures.
11. Which medication class is commonly used for acute anxiety symptoms but
requires caution due to dependence risk?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. SSRIs
C. Mood stabilizers
D. Stimulants
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines provide rapid anxiety relief but have risks of tolerance, dependence,
and withdrawal.
12. A patient with panic disorder reports sudden episodes of intense fear, chest
discomfort, and shortness of breath. These episodes are called:
A. Panic attacks
B. Delusions
C. Compulsions
D. Flashbacks
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms
such as palpitations, chest discomfort, and dyspnea.
13. Which psychotherapy approach is strongly supported for anxiety disorders?
A. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
B. Electroconvulsive therapy only
C. Psychoanalysis only
D. Hypnosis only
2026/2027 version
1. During a psychiatric interview, which action by the nurse practitioner best
demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. Giving advice about what the patient should do
B. Using open-ended questions and allowing the patient time to respond
C. Changing the subject when emotions arise
D. Reassuring the patient that everything will be fine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage patients to share thoughts and feelings. Therapeutic
communication requires active listening, empathy, and allowing patients to express concerns
without judgment.
2. Which component is included in the Mental Status Examination (MSE)?
A. Family medical history only
B. Appearance, behavior, mood, thought process, cognition, and insight
C. Laboratory results only
D. Medication history only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The MSE evaluates current psychological functioning, including appearance, speech,
mood, affect, thought processes, cognition, judgment, and insight.
3. A patient states, “I hear voices telling me that I am worthless.” Which
symptom is the patient experiencing?
A. Delusion
B. Hallucination
C. Illusion
D. Obsession
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hallucinations are sensory experiences without an external stimulus. Hearing voices
is an example of an auditory hallucination.
,4. Which finding is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Social withdrawal
C. Auditory hallucinations
D. Lack of motivation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech or
behavior. Negative symptoms include flat affect, withdrawal, and decreased motivation.
5. Which medication class is commonly considered first-line treatment for major
depressive disorder?
A. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Stimulants
D. Antipsychotics only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs are frequently first-line antidepressants because of their effectiveness,
tolerability, and safety profile.
6. A patient taking an SSRI develops agitation, fever, sweating, and muscle
rigidity. What condition should the provider suspect?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Panic disorder
D. Withdrawal syndrome
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome results from excessive serotonergic activity and may include
agitation, hyperthermia, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular changes.
,7. Which symptom is most characteristic of mania?
A. Decreased energy and sadness
B. Elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, and increased activity
C. Social isolation only
D. Persistent fear without mood changes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mania involves abnormally elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, decreased
need for sleep, grandiosity, and impulsive behavior.
8. Which medication is commonly used as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder?
A. Lithium
B. Diphenhydramine
C. Acetaminophen
D. Omeprazole
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium is an established mood stabilizer used for bipolar disorder, particularly in
preventing manic and depressive episodes.
9. A patient taking lithium should be monitored closely for:
A. Kidney function and thyroid function
B. Hearing ability only
C. Liver enzymes only
D. Blood glucose only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium can affect renal and thyroid function; regular monitoring is required for
safety.
10. Which lithium level may indicate toxicity requiring immediate evaluation?
A. Elevated serum lithium level with symptoms such as tremor, confusion, and vomiting
B. Normal thyroid function
, C. Stable mood symptoms
D. Mild thirst only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium toxicity may present with gastrointestinal symptoms, worsening tremor,
confusion, ataxia, and seizures.
11. Which medication class is commonly used for acute anxiety symptoms but
requires caution due to dependence risk?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. SSRIs
C. Mood stabilizers
D. Stimulants
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines provide rapid anxiety relief but have risks of tolerance, dependence,
and withdrawal.
12. A patient with panic disorder reports sudden episodes of intense fear, chest
discomfort, and shortness of breath. These episodes are called:
A. Panic attacks
B. Delusions
C. Compulsions
D. Flashbacks
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms
such as palpitations, chest discomfort, and dyspnea.
13. Which psychotherapy approach is strongly supported for anxiety disorders?
A. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
B. Electroconvulsive therapy only
C. Psychoanalysis only
D. Hypnosis only
