NR 547 CEA Differential Diagnosis
Practicum
300 High-Yield Questions & Answers · 2026/2027 AHA/DSM-5-TR Guidelines ·
Graded A+
About This Examination
This comprehensive practice exam is designed for the Chamberlain University NR 547
Comprehensive Exam Assessment (CEA) in Differential Diagnosis. It covers psychiatric-
mental health assessment, DSM-5-TR criteria, psychopharmacology, physical exam findings,
and clinical reasoning across the lifespan.
300 original, exam-style questions with verified answers
Detailed rationales and "why wrong" explanations for every option
Updated for 2026–2027 academic year and current clinical guidelines
Covers all key domains: psychiatric disorders, neurologic exam, lab interpretation,
treatment algorithms
Psychiatric Assessment & DSM-5-TR (73 questions)
1. An elderly patient leans in with the right side of his head and frequently asks for
statements to be repeated. The PMHNP should first assess for:
A. Hearing impairment
B. Dementia
C. Depression
D. Paranoia
✓ Correct answer: A. Hearing impairment
Rationale: The patient's behavior — favoring one ear and asking for repetition — strongly
suggests hearing loss, a common reversible cause of social withdrawal and irritability in older
adults. Hearing impairment should be ruled out before attributing symptoms to cognitive or
psychiatric disorders.
Why the others are wrong:
B: Dementia would present with progressive memory loss and functional decline, not isolated hearing
difficulty.
C: Depression may cause social withdrawal but does not explain the leaning and repetition.
D: Paranoia involves suspiciousness and fear, not a sensory deficit.
Reference: Chamberlain NR 547 CEA Blueprint · DSM-5-TR · USPSTF Guidelines.
,2. Which sleep stage is characterized by delta waves and is considered the most
restorative?
A. REM
B. NREM Stage 1
C. NREM Stage 3 (slow-wave sleep)
D. NREM Stage 2
✓ Correct answer: C. NREM Stage 3 (slow-wave sleep)
Rationale: NREM Stage 3 is deep sleep dominated by high-amplitude delta waves on EEG. It is
critical for physical restoration, immune function, and feeling refreshed. Sleep disorders often
disrupt this stage, leading to daytime fatigue.
Why the others are wrong:
A: REM is associated with dreaming and memory consolidation, not physical restoration.
B: NREM Stage 1 is light sleep with theta waves.
D: NREM Stage 2 is characterized by sleep spindles and K-complexes, not delta waves.
Reference: Chamberlain NR 547 CEA Blueprint · DSM-5-TR · USPSTF Guidelines.
3. A patient with bipolar I disorder is prescribed lithium. The PMHNP should
monitor which organ function regularly?
A. Renal function (creatinine, BUN)
B. Liver function
C. Cardiac function
D. Pulmonary function
✓ Correct answer: A. Renal function (creatinine, BUN)
Rationale: Lithium is excreted primarily by the kidneys, and long-term use can cause
nephrotoxicity. Baseline and periodic monitoring of renal function (creatinine, BUN), along with
thyroid function and lithium levels, is essential for safe therapy.
Why the others are wrong:
B: Liver function is not directly affected by lithium.
C: Cardiac function is not a primary concern with lithium.
D: Pulmonary function is not affected by lithium.
Reference: Chamberlain NR 547 CEA Blueprint · DSM-5-TR · USPSTF Guidelines.
,4. A patient reports difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep for the past month.
This meets criteria for which disorder?
A. Circadian rhythm disorder
B. Insomnia disorder
C. Hypersomnia
D. Narcolepsy
✓ Correct answer: B. Insomnia disorder
Rationale: Insomnia disorder involves dissatisfaction with sleep quantity or quality, with
difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, occurring at least three nights per week for three
months, causing significant distress or impairment. The patient's symptoms are consistent with
this diagnosis.
Why the others are wrong:
A: Circadian rhythm disorder involves a misalignment between sleep-wake cycle and environmental cues.
C: Hypersomnia involves excessive daytime sleepiness.
D: Narcolepsy involves sudden sleep attacks and cataplexy.
Reference: Chamberlain NR 547 CEA Blueprint · DSM-5-TR · USPSTF Guidelines.
5. Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
C. Disorganized speech
D. Avolition
✓ Correct answer: D. Avolition
Rationale: Avolition (lack of motivation) is a core negative symptom, along with alogia,
anhedonia, and flat affect. Negative symptoms represent a reduction or absence of normal
functions and are often more disabling than positive symptoms.
Why the others are wrong:
A: Hallucinations are positive symptoms (excess of normal function).
B: Delusions are positive symptoms.
C: Disorganized speech is a positive/disorganized symptom.
Reference: Chamberlain NR 547 CEA Blueprint · DSM-5-TR · USPSTF Guidelines.
, 6. The PHQ-9 is used to screen for:
A. Anxiety
B. Bipolar disorder
C. Depression
D. PTSD
✓ Correct answer: C. Depression
Rationale: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a widely used screening tool for
depression. It assesses the nine DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder and provides a
severity score.
Why the others are wrong:
A: GAD-7 is used for anxiety.
B: The MDQ or Mood Disorder Questionnaire screens for bipolar disorder.
D: The PCL-5 or PC-PTSD screens for PTSD.
Reference: Chamberlain NR 547 CEA Blueprint · DSM-5-TR · USPSTF Guidelines.
7. Which medication is a first-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Haloperidol
B. Lithium
C. Phenelzine
D. Sertraline (SSRI)
✓ Correct answer: D. Sertraline (SSRI)
Rationale: SSRIs and SNRIs are first-line pharmacotherapy for GAD due to their favorable
safety profile and efficacy. Sertraline is an SSRI commonly used for GAD. Benzodiazepines are
used for short-term relief but carry risks of dependence and tolerance.
Why the others are wrong:
A: Haloperidol is an antipsychotic, not first-line for GAD.
B: Lithium is a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder.
C: Phenelzine is an MAOI used for treatment-resistant depression, not first-line for GAD.
Reference: Chamberlain NR 547 CEA Blueprint · DSM-5-TR · USPSTF Guidelines.
Practicum
300 High-Yield Questions & Answers · 2026/2027 AHA/DSM-5-TR Guidelines ·
Graded A+
About This Examination
This comprehensive practice exam is designed for the Chamberlain University NR 547
Comprehensive Exam Assessment (CEA) in Differential Diagnosis. It covers psychiatric-
mental health assessment, DSM-5-TR criteria, psychopharmacology, physical exam findings,
and clinical reasoning across the lifespan.
300 original, exam-style questions with verified answers
Detailed rationales and "why wrong" explanations for every option
Updated for 2026–2027 academic year and current clinical guidelines
Covers all key domains: psychiatric disorders, neurologic exam, lab interpretation,
treatment algorithms
Psychiatric Assessment & DSM-5-TR (73 questions)
1. An elderly patient leans in with the right side of his head and frequently asks for
statements to be repeated. The PMHNP should first assess for:
A. Hearing impairment
B. Dementia
C. Depression
D. Paranoia
✓ Correct answer: A. Hearing impairment
Rationale: The patient's behavior — favoring one ear and asking for repetition — strongly
suggests hearing loss, a common reversible cause of social withdrawal and irritability in older
adults. Hearing impairment should be ruled out before attributing symptoms to cognitive or
psychiatric disorders.
Why the others are wrong:
B: Dementia would present with progressive memory loss and functional decline, not isolated hearing
difficulty.
C: Depression may cause social withdrawal but does not explain the leaning and repetition.
D: Paranoia involves suspiciousness and fear, not a sensory deficit.
Reference: Chamberlain NR 547 CEA Blueprint · DSM-5-TR · USPSTF Guidelines.
,2. Which sleep stage is characterized by delta waves and is considered the most
restorative?
A. REM
B. NREM Stage 1
C. NREM Stage 3 (slow-wave sleep)
D. NREM Stage 2
✓ Correct answer: C. NREM Stage 3 (slow-wave sleep)
Rationale: NREM Stage 3 is deep sleep dominated by high-amplitude delta waves on EEG. It is
critical for physical restoration, immune function, and feeling refreshed. Sleep disorders often
disrupt this stage, leading to daytime fatigue.
Why the others are wrong:
A: REM is associated with dreaming and memory consolidation, not physical restoration.
B: NREM Stage 1 is light sleep with theta waves.
D: NREM Stage 2 is characterized by sleep spindles and K-complexes, not delta waves.
Reference: Chamberlain NR 547 CEA Blueprint · DSM-5-TR · USPSTF Guidelines.
3. A patient with bipolar I disorder is prescribed lithium. The PMHNP should
monitor which organ function regularly?
A. Renal function (creatinine, BUN)
B. Liver function
C. Cardiac function
D. Pulmonary function
✓ Correct answer: A. Renal function (creatinine, BUN)
Rationale: Lithium is excreted primarily by the kidneys, and long-term use can cause
nephrotoxicity. Baseline and periodic monitoring of renal function (creatinine, BUN), along with
thyroid function and lithium levels, is essential for safe therapy.
Why the others are wrong:
B: Liver function is not directly affected by lithium.
C: Cardiac function is not a primary concern with lithium.
D: Pulmonary function is not affected by lithium.
Reference: Chamberlain NR 547 CEA Blueprint · DSM-5-TR · USPSTF Guidelines.
,4. A patient reports difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep for the past month.
This meets criteria for which disorder?
A. Circadian rhythm disorder
B. Insomnia disorder
C. Hypersomnia
D. Narcolepsy
✓ Correct answer: B. Insomnia disorder
Rationale: Insomnia disorder involves dissatisfaction with sleep quantity or quality, with
difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, occurring at least three nights per week for three
months, causing significant distress or impairment. The patient's symptoms are consistent with
this diagnosis.
Why the others are wrong:
A: Circadian rhythm disorder involves a misalignment between sleep-wake cycle and environmental cues.
C: Hypersomnia involves excessive daytime sleepiness.
D: Narcolepsy involves sudden sleep attacks and cataplexy.
Reference: Chamberlain NR 547 CEA Blueprint · DSM-5-TR · USPSTF Guidelines.
5. Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
C. Disorganized speech
D. Avolition
✓ Correct answer: D. Avolition
Rationale: Avolition (lack of motivation) is a core negative symptom, along with alogia,
anhedonia, and flat affect. Negative symptoms represent a reduction or absence of normal
functions and are often more disabling than positive symptoms.
Why the others are wrong:
A: Hallucinations are positive symptoms (excess of normal function).
B: Delusions are positive symptoms.
C: Disorganized speech is a positive/disorganized symptom.
Reference: Chamberlain NR 547 CEA Blueprint · DSM-5-TR · USPSTF Guidelines.
, 6. The PHQ-9 is used to screen for:
A. Anxiety
B. Bipolar disorder
C. Depression
D. PTSD
✓ Correct answer: C. Depression
Rationale: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a widely used screening tool for
depression. It assesses the nine DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder and provides a
severity score.
Why the others are wrong:
A: GAD-7 is used for anxiety.
B: The MDQ or Mood Disorder Questionnaire screens for bipolar disorder.
D: The PCL-5 or PC-PTSD screens for PTSD.
Reference: Chamberlain NR 547 CEA Blueprint · DSM-5-TR · USPSTF Guidelines.
7. Which medication is a first-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Haloperidol
B. Lithium
C. Phenelzine
D. Sertraline (SSRI)
✓ Correct answer: D. Sertraline (SSRI)
Rationale: SSRIs and SNRIs are first-line pharmacotherapy for GAD due to their favorable
safety profile and efficacy. Sertraline is an SSRI commonly used for GAD. Benzodiazepines are
used for short-term relief but carry risks of dependence and tolerance.
Why the others are wrong:
A: Haloperidol is an antipsychotic, not first-line for GAD.
B: Lithium is a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder.
C: Phenelzine is an MAOI used for treatment-resistant depression, not first-line for GAD.
Reference: Chamberlain NR 547 CEA Blueprint · DSM-5-TR · USPSTF Guidelines.
