NSG 527 Mid-Term Exam: 2026/2027 - Psychopathology, Theories &
Advanced Clinical Modalities Questions & Answers
Overview: 80 Questions
NSG527 Midterm focuses on neurobiology, lifespan development theories, mental
status assessment, depressive, anxiety, OCD, trauma, eating disorders, introductory
psychopharmacology, and ethical principles, emphasizing DSM-5-TR criteria, defense
mechanisms, and evidence-based modalities for early clinical decision-making and
exam preparation. Correct answers in bold Green
Topics Covered:
• Neurobiology - CNS/PNS, neurotransmitters - serotonin, dopamine, GABA, NE
• Theories - Freud psychosexual, Erikson psychosocial, Piaget cognitive, Kohlberg moral,
Maslow hierarchy, Peplau interpersonal, Beck cognitive
• Assessment - MSE, mood vs affect, thought process vs content, PHQ-9, GAD-7,
insight, anosognosia
• Depressive Disorders - MDD, PDD, atypical features
• Bipolar Spectrum - Bipolar II, cyclothymia, mania criteria
• Anxiety - GAD, panic, specific phobia, agoraphobia
• OCD and Trauma - OCD, PTSD, ASD timelines and clusters
• Psychopharmacology - SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, mirtazapine, benzos, buspirone,
lithium, valproate, EPS management
• Modalities - CBT, exposure, MI, token economy
• Ethics/Legal - informed consent, confidentiality, HIPAA, Tarasoff, duty to warn/protect,
cultural humility
1. CNS composed of:
A. Brain and spinal cord
B. Peripheral nerves only
C. Autonomic only
D. Somatic only
Rationale: CNS = brain + spinal cord, PNS = peripheral.
Topic: Neurobiology
2. PNS divided into:
A. Brain and cord
B. Somatic and autonomic - sympathetic and parasympathetic
C. Only sympathetic
D. Only CNS
Rationale: Autonomic regulates involuntary.
Topic: Neurobiology
, 3. Serotonin low associated with:
A. Only psychosis
B. Only movement disorder
C. Depression, anxiety, OCD, aggression, sleep and appetite dysregulation
D. Only memory
Rationale: Target of SSRIs.
Topic: Neurobiology
4. Dopamine low in:
A. Psychosis high dopamine
B. Parkinson, depression, ADHD
C. No disorder
D. Only mania
Rationale: High DA = psychosis positive symptoms.
Topic: Neurobiology
5. Freud psychosexual: Oral stage age:
A. 0-1 year mouth focus
B. 3-6 years
C. 12+ years
D. 6-12 years
Rationale: Fixation leads to oral behaviors.
Topic: Theories
6. Erikson 0-18 months stage:
A. Autonomy
B. Trust vs Mistrust
C. Identity
D. Generativity
Rationale: Needs met = trust.
Topic: Theories
7. Beck Depression Inventory measures:
A. Anxiety only
B. Severity of depressive symptoms
C. Psychosis only
D. Personality only
Rationale: Self-report.
Topic: Assessment
8. Mental Status Exam: Affect vs Mood:
A. Same
B. Mood = sustained emotional state self-reported; Affect = observable
expression, congruent/incongruent
C. Mood observable only
D. Affect self-reported only
Rationale: Key MSE distinction.
Topic: Assessment
9. Major Depressive Disorder requires anhedonia or depressed mood plus:
A. 5+ symptoms 2 weeks, distress/impairment, not substance/medical
B. 2 symptoms only
Advanced Clinical Modalities Questions & Answers
Overview: 80 Questions
NSG527 Midterm focuses on neurobiology, lifespan development theories, mental
status assessment, depressive, anxiety, OCD, trauma, eating disorders, introductory
psychopharmacology, and ethical principles, emphasizing DSM-5-TR criteria, defense
mechanisms, and evidence-based modalities for early clinical decision-making and
exam preparation. Correct answers in bold Green
Topics Covered:
• Neurobiology - CNS/PNS, neurotransmitters - serotonin, dopamine, GABA, NE
• Theories - Freud psychosexual, Erikson psychosocial, Piaget cognitive, Kohlberg moral,
Maslow hierarchy, Peplau interpersonal, Beck cognitive
• Assessment - MSE, mood vs affect, thought process vs content, PHQ-9, GAD-7,
insight, anosognosia
• Depressive Disorders - MDD, PDD, atypical features
• Bipolar Spectrum - Bipolar II, cyclothymia, mania criteria
• Anxiety - GAD, panic, specific phobia, agoraphobia
• OCD and Trauma - OCD, PTSD, ASD timelines and clusters
• Psychopharmacology - SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, mirtazapine, benzos, buspirone,
lithium, valproate, EPS management
• Modalities - CBT, exposure, MI, token economy
• Ethics/Legal - informed consent, confidentiality, HIPAA, Tarasoff, duty to warn/protect,
cultural humility
1. CNS composed of:
A. Brain and spinal cord
B. Peripheral nerves only
C. Autonomic only
D. Somatic only
Rationale: CNS = brain + spinal cord, PNS = peripheral.
Topic: Neurobiology
2. PNS divided into:
A. Brain and cord
B. Somatic and autonomic - sympathetic and parasympathetic
C. Only sympathetic
D. Only CNS
Rationale: Autonomic regulates involuntary.
Topic: Neurobiology
, 3. Serotonin low associated with:
A. Only psychosis
B. Only movement disorder
C. Depression, anxiety, OCD, aggression, sleep and appetite dysregulation
D. Only memory
Rationale: Target of SSRIs.
Topic: Neurobiology
4. Dopamine low in:
A. Psychosis high dopamine
B. Parkinson, depression, ADHD
C. No disorder
D. Only mania
Rationale: High DA = psychosis positive symptoms.
Topic: Neurobiology
5. Freud psychosexual: Oral stage age:
A. 0-1 year mouth focus
B. 3-6 years
C. 12+ years
D. 6-12 years
Rationale: Fixation leads to oral behaviors.
Topic: Theories
6. Erikson 0-18 months stage:
A. Autonomy
B. Trust vs Mistrust
C. Identity
D. Generativity
Rationale: Needs met = trust.
Topic: Theories
7. Beck Depression Inventory measures:
A. Anxiety only
B. Severity of depressive symptoms
C. Psychosis only
D. Personality only
Rationale: Self-report.
Topic: Assessment
8. Mental Status Exam: Affect vs Mood:
A. Same
B. Mood = sustained emotional state self-reported; Affect = observable
expression, congruent/incongruent
C. Mood observable only
D. Affect self-reported only
Rationale: Key MSE distinction.
Topic: Assessment
9. Major Depressive Disorder requires anhedonia or depressed mood plus:
A. 5+ symptoms 2 weeks, distress/impairment, not substance/medical
B. 2 symptoms only
