NR 547 CEA EXAM 2026 - Chamberlain
University Comprehensive Exam
Assessment (CEA) Practice Questions
This comprehensive practice exam is designed to help you prepare for
the NR 547 Comprehensive Exam Assessment (CEA) at Chamberlain
University. The exam covers advanced psychiatric-mental health
nursing concepts, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of
psychiatric disorders across the lifespan.
EXAM OVERVIEW
The NR 547 CEA is a comprehensive exam that evaluates your
knowledge and clinical reasoning in psychiatric-mental health nursing.
Key content areas include:
Content Area Approximate
Weight
Psychiatric 20%
Assessment &
Diagnostic
Reasoning
Mood Disorders 15%
(Depression, Bipolar)
,Anxiety & 15%
Trauma-Related
Disorders
Psychotic Disorders 10%
(Schizophrenia
Spectrum)
Substance Use 10%
Disorders
Neurocognitive 8%
Disorders
Personality 7%
Disorders
Child & Adolescent 5%
Psychiatry
Psychopharmacolog 5%
y
Legal & Ethical 5%
Issues
SECTION 1: PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT &
DIAGNOSTIC REASONING (Questions 1-30)
Question 1
,A 45-year-old patient presents with a depressed mood, anhedonia, and
significant weight loss over the past 6 weeks. The patient reports
difficulty sleeping and excessive guilt about being a burden to family.
Which assessment tool would be most appropriate to use initially?
A. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
C. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)
D. Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS)
Answer: B. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a validated screening tool for depression that
assesses the nine DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder. It is
quick to administer and provides a severity score. The MMSE (A) is for
cognitive impairment. The HAM-A (C) is for anxiety. The YMRS (D) is
for mania.
Question 2
A 32-year-old patient reports hearing voices that comment on their
actions and tell them they are "evil." The patient appears disorganized
and demonstrates loose associations. What is the most appropriate
initial assessment question?
A. "When did these voices start?"
B. "Are the voices telling you to harm yourself or others?"
C. "Do you have any insight into why you are hearing voices?"
D. "Have you been using any substances recently?"
Answer: B. "Are the voices telling you to harm yourself or others?"
, Rationale: The priority in psychiatric assessment is safety. When a
patient reports auditory hallucinations, the nurse must first assess for
command hallucinations that may instruct the patient to harm
themselves or others. This is a critical safety assessment.
Explanation of Incorrect Answers:
● A is important but not the immediate priority.
● C asks about insight but does not assess safety.
● D is part of the differential diagnosis but not the first priority.
Question 3
A 28-year-old patient presents with symptoms of anxiety, including
palpitations, sweating, and trembling. The patient reports these
symptoms began suddenly and are accompanied by a fear of dying.
This episode has occurred multiple times in the past month. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Panic Disorder
C. Social Anxiety Disorder
D. Specific Phobia
Answer: B. Panic Disorder
Rationale: Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected
panic attacks accompanied by persistent concern about additional
attacks. The symptoms described (palpitations, sweating, trembling,
fear of dying) are classic panic attack symptoms occurring repeatedly.
Explanation of Incorrect Answers:
University Comprehensive Exam
Assessment (CEA) Practice Questions
This comprehensive practice exam is designed to help you prepare for
the NR 547 Comprehensive Exam Assessment (CEA) at Chamberlain
University. The exam covers advanced psychiatric-mental health
nursing concepts, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of
psychiatric disorders across the lifespan.
EXAM OVERVIEW
The NR 547 CEA is a comprehensive exam that evaluates your
knowledge and clinical reasoning in psychiatric-mental health nursing.
Key content areas include:
Content Area Approximate
Weight
Psychiatric 20%
Assessment &
Diagnostic
Reasoning
Mood Disorders 15%
(Depression, Bipolar)
,Anxiety & 15%
Trauma-Related
Disorders
Psychotic Disorders 10%
(Schizophrenia
Spectrum)
Substance Use 10%
Disorders
Neurocognitive 8%
Disorders
Personality 7%
Disorders
Child & Adolescent 5%
Psychiatry
Psychopharmacolog 5%
y
Legal & Ethical 5%
Issues
SECTION 1: PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT &
DIAGNOSTIC REASONING (Questions 1-30)
Question 1
,A 45-year-old patient presents with a depressed mood, anhedonia, and
significant weight loss over the past 6 weeks. The patient reports
difficulty sleeping and excessive guilt about being a burden to family.
Which assessment tool would be most appropriate to use initially?
A. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
C. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)
D. Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS)
Answer: B. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a validated screening tool for depression that
assesses the nine DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder. It is
quick to administer and provides a severity score. The MMSE (A) is for
cognitive impairment. The HAM-A (C) is for anxiety. The YMRS (D) is
for mania.
Question 2
A 32-year-old patient reports hearing voices that comment on their
actions and tell them they are "evil." The patient appears disorganized
and demonstrates loose associations. What is the most appropriate
initial assessment question?
A. "When did these voices start?"
B. "Are the voices telling you to harm yourself or others?"
C. "Do you have any insight into why you are hearing voices?"
D. "Have you been using any substances recently?"
Answer: B. "Are the voices telling you to harm yourself or others?"
, Rationale: The priority in psychiatric assessment is safety. When a
patient reports auditory hallucinations, the nurse must first assess for
command hallucinations that may instruct the patient to harm
themselves or others. This is a critical safety assessment.
Explanation of Incorrect Answers:
● A is important but not the immediate priority.
● C asks about insight but does not assess safety.
● D is part of the differential diagnosis but not the first priority.
Question 3
A 28-year-old patient presents with symptoms of anxiety, including
palpitations, sweating, and trembling. The patient reports these
symptoms began suddenly and are accompanied by a fear of dying.
This episode has occurred multiple times in the past month. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Panic Disorder
C. Social Anxiety Disorder
D. Specific Phobia
Answer: B. Panic Disorder
Rationale: Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected
panic attacks accompanied by persistent concern about additional
attacks. The symptoms described (palpitations, sweating, trembling,
fear of dying) are classic panic attack symptoms occurring repeatedly.
Explanation of Incorrect Answers:
