NR 547 CEA DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS PRACTICUM – CHAMBERLAIN
NEWEST 2026/2027 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS & CLINICAL REASONING (Qs 1-25)
SECTION 2: PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT, HISTORY TAKING & SCREENING TOOLS (Qs 26-50)
SECTION 3: MOOD DISORDERS – DEPRESSION & BIPOLAR DISORDERS (Qs 51-75)
SECTION 4: ANXIETY, TRAUMA & STRESSOR-RELATED DISORDERS (Qs 76-100)
SECTION 5: PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS & SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM (Qs 101-120)
SECTION 6: NEUROCOGNITIVE DISORDERS & DELIRIUM (Qs 121-140)
SECTION 7: SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS & MEDICAL ETIOLOGIES (Qs 141-160)
SECTION 8: PERSONALITY DISORDERS (Qs 161-175)
SECTION 9: SLEEP-WAKE, EATING & OTHER DISORDERS (Qs 176-190)
SECTION 10: TREATMENT PLANNING, PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS (Qs 191-200)
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS & CLINICAL REASONING
(Qs 1-25)
Q1. What is the initial step in formulating a differential diagnosis in psychiatric
practice?
A) Ordering diagnostic tests
B) Rule out malingering or factitious disorder
C) Prescribing medication
D) Referring to a specialist
Answer: B
Rationale: The six-step differential diagnosis process begins with ruling out
malingering or factitious disorder to ensure the patient's presentation is genuine.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• A – Ordering diagnostic tests is premature before ruling out intentional
deception
• C – Prescribing medication before establishing a valid diagnosis is unethical
• D – Referring to a specialist should occur after completing the diagnostic
process
Q2. A provider's initial hypothesis - a working list of potential problems
1
,associated with the chief complaint - is known as:
A) Final diagnosis
B) Differential diagnosis
C) Prognosis
D) Treatment plan
Answer: B
Rationale: A differential diagnosis is a working list of potential problems that
guides further assessment and diagnostic testing.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• A – A final diagnosis is the confirmed conclusion after comprehensive evaluation
• C – Prognosis is the expected course and outcome of a disease
• D – Treatment plan is developed after diagnosis is established
Q3. According to the DSM-5-TR, which of the following is the correct order of the
six-step differential diagnosis process?
A) Rule out substance/medication etiology → Rule out medical condition → Rule
out
malingering → Determine primary disorder → Differentiate adjustment
disorders →
Establish boundary with no mental disorder
B) Rule out malingering → Rule out substance/medication etiology → Rule out
medical
condition → Determine primary disorder → Differentiate adjustment disorders
→
Establish boundary with no mental disorder
C) Determine primary disorder → Rule out malingering → Rule out
substance/medication
etiology → Rule out medical condition → Differentiate adjustment disorders →
Establish boundary with no mental disorder
D) Rule out medical condition → Rule out substance/medication etiology → Rule
out
malingering → Determine primary disorder → Differentiate adjustment
disorders →
Establish boundary with no mental disorder
2
,Answer: B
Rationale: The correct order is: (1) Rule out malingering, (2) Rule out substance/
medication, (3) Rule out medical condition, (4) Determine primary disorder,
(5) Differentiate adjustment disorders, (6) Establish boundary with no mental
disorder.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• A – Places substance/medication before malingering, violating the hierarchy
• C – Determining primary disorder should occur after ruling out other etiologies
• D – Medical conditions are ruled out after substance/medication, not before
Q4. Which of the following is TRUE about ruling out a substance/medication
etiology in psychiatric differential diagnosis?
A) Symptoms typically persist for more than one month after stopping the
substance
B) Symptoms typically stop within one month of stopping the substance
C) Symptoms are unrelated to substance use
D) Symptoms only occur during active substance use
Answer: B
Rationale: When ruling out substance/medication etiology, symptoms stop within
one month of stopping the substance.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• A – Persistent symptoms beyond one month suggest a primary disorder
• C – Symptoms are directly related to the substance in substance-induced
disorders
• D – Symptoms can persist up to one month after cessation
Q5. Which of the following is TRUE about ruling out a medical condition in
psychiatric differential diagnosis?
A) Symptoms begin after the medical condition onset
B) Symptoms begin before the medical condition onset
C) Symptoms are unrelated to the medical condition
D) Symptoms resolve spontaneously without treatment
3
, Answer: A
Rationale: Symptoms due to a medical condition begin after the medical condition
onset and vary with its severity.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• B – Symptoms before the medical condition suggest a primary psychiatric
disorder
• C – Symptoms are directly related to and caused by the medical condition
• D – Symptoms resolve with treatment of the underlying condition, not
spontaneously
Q6. A 45-year-old patient presents with depressive symptoms. The PMHNP
notices
that the patient's symptoms began shortly after a diagnosis of hypothyroidism
and
worsen when thyroid levels are suboptimal. What should be the PMHNP's next
step?
A) Prescribe an antidepressant immediately
B) Rule out depressive disorder due to another medical condition
C) Refer to psychotherapy only
D) Order a sleep study
Answer: B
Rationale: Because symptoms began after a medical diagnosis and vary with its
severity, the PMHNP must rule out a medical cause.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• A – Antidepressants would mask the underlying hypothyroidism
• C – Psychotherapy alone would not address the underlying medical condition
• D – A sleep study is not indicated for ruling out a medical cause of depression
Q7. What is the purpose of Step 5 in the differential diagnosis process:
"Differentiate adjustment disorders from other specified/unspecified categories"?
A) To determine if the patient has a substance use disorder
B) To determine if the patient's symptoms are better explained by an adjustment
4
NEWEST 2026/2027 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS & CLINICAL REASONING (Qs 1-25)
SECTION 2: PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT, HISTORY TAKING & SCREENING TOOLS (Qs 26-50)
SECTION 3: MOOD DISORDERS – DEPRESSION & BIPOLAR DISORDERS (Qs 51-75)
SECTION 4: ANXIETY, TRAUMA & STRESSOR-RELATED DISORDERS (Qs 76-100)
SECTION 5: PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS & SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM (Qs 101-120)
SECTION 6: NEUROCOGNITIVE DISORDERS & DELIRIUM (Qs 121-140)
SECTION 7: SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS & MEDICAL ETIOLOGIES (Qs 141-160)
SECTION 8: PERSONALITY DISORDERS (Qs 161-175)
SECTION 9: SLEEP-WAKE, EATING & OTHER DISORDERS (Qs 176-190)
SECTION 10: TREATMENT PLANNING, PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS (Qs 191-200)
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS & CLINICAL REASONING
(Qs 1-25)
Q1. What is the initial step in formulating a differential diagnosis in psychiatric
practice?
A) Ordering diagnostic tests
B) Rule out malingering or factitious disorder
C) Prescribing medication
D) Referring to a specialist
Answer: B
Rationale: The six-step differential diagnosis process begins with ruling out
malingering or factitious disorder to ensure the patient's presentation is genuine.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• A – Ordering diagnostic tests is premature before ruling out intentional
deception
• C – Prescribing medication before establishing a valid diagnosis is unethical
• D – Referring to a specialist should occur after completing the diagnostic
process
Q2. A provider's initial hypothesis - a working list of potential problems
1
,associated with the chief complaint - is known as:
A) Final diagnosis
B) Differential diagnosis
C) Prognosis
D) Treatment plan
Answer: B
Rationale: A differential diagnosis is a working list of potential problems that
guides further assessment and diagnostic testing.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• A – A final diagnosis is the confirmed conclusion after comprehensive evaluation
• C – Prognosis is the expected course and outcome of a disease
• D – Treatment plan is developed after diagnosis is established
Q3. According to the DSM-5-TR, which of the following is the correct order of the
six-step differential diagnosis process?
A) Rule out substance/medication etiology → Rule out medical condition → Rule
out
malingering → Determine primary disorder → Differentiate adjustment
disorders →
Establish boundary with no mental disorder
B) Rule out malingering → Rule out substance/medication etiology → Rule out
medical
condition → Determine primary disorder → Differentiate adjustment disorders
→
Establish boundary with no mental disorder
C) Determine primary disorder → Rule out malingering → Rule out
substance/medication
etiology → Rule out medical condition → Differentiate adjustment disorders →
Establish boundary with no mental disorder
D) Rule out medical condition → Rule out substance/medication etiology → Rule
out
malingering → Determine primary disorder → Differentiate adjustment
disorders →
Establish boundary with no mental disorder
2
,Answer: B
Rationale: The correct order is: (1) Rule out malingering, (2) Rule out substance/
medication, (3) Rule out medical condition, (4) Determine primary disorder,
(5) Differentiate adjustment disorders, (6) Establish boundary with no mental
disorder.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• A – Places substance/medication before malingering, violating the hierarchy
• C – Determining primary disorder should occur after ruling out other etiologies
• D – Medical conditions are ruled out after substance/medication, not before
Q4. Which of the following is TRUE about ruling out a substance/medication
etiology in psychiatric differential diagnosis?
A) Symptoms typically persist for more than one month after stopping the
substance
B) Symptoms typically stop within one month of stopping the substance
C) Symptoms are unrelated to substance use
D) Symptoms only occur during active substance use
Answer: B
Rationale: When ruling out substance/medication etiology, symptoms stop within
one month of stopping the substance.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• A – Persistent symptoms beyond one month suggest a primary disorder
• C – Symptoms are directly related to the substance in substance-induced
disorders
• D – Symptoms can persist up to one month after cessation
Q5. Which of the following is TRUE about ruling out a medical condition in
psychiatric differential diagnosis?
A) Symptoms begin after the medical condition onset
B) Symptoms begin before the medical condition onset
C) Symptoms are unrelated to the medical condition
D) Symptoms resolve spontaneously without treatment
3
, Answer: A
Rationale: Symptoms due to a medical condition begin after the medical condition
onset and vary with its severity.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• B – Symptoms before the medical condition suggest a primary psychiatric
disorder
• C – Symptoms are directly related to and caused by the medical condition
• D – Symptoms resolve with treatment of the underlying condition, not
spontaneously
Q6. A 45-year-old patient presents with depressive symptoms. The PMHNP
notices
that the patient's symptoms began shortly after a diagnosis of hypothyroidism
and
worsen when thyroid levels are suboptimal. What should be the PMHNP's next
step?
A) Prescribe an antidepressant immediately
B) Rule out depressive disorder due to another medical condition
C) Refer to psychotherapy only
D) Order a sleep study
Answer: B
Rationale: Because symptoms began after a medical diagnosis and vary with its
severity, the PMHNP must rule out a medical cause.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• A – Antidepressants would mask the underlying hypothyroidism
• C – Psychotherapy alone would not address the underlying medical condition
• D – A sleep study is not indicated for ruling out a medical cause of depression
Q7. What is the purpose of Step 5 in the differential diagnosis process:
"Differentiate adjustment disorders from other specified/unspecified categories"?
A) To determine if the patient has a substance use disorder
B) To determine if the patient's symptoms are better explained by an adjustment
4
