CEA ADVANCED NURSING MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
A 62-year-old woman formerly employed as a receptionist reports progressive word-
finding difficulty over the past 6 months that caused her so much anxiety she quit her
job. Her daughter has become increasingly impatient waiting for her to finish her
sentences but she has now become depressed due to the relational strain. She denies
any other behavioral problems. Which of the following diagnostic tests would be most
appropriate?
Bilateral carotid Doppler study
Transthoracic echocardiogram
EEG
Brain MRI with and without contrast - Brain MRI with and without contrast
A 26-year-old female is diagnosed with psychosis not otherwise specified (NOS) and
substance use disorder. Which of the following lab tests should be ordered prior to
starting antipsychotic medications?
Amylase, lipase, liver function test
Urinalysis, urine pregnancy test
Cardiac enzymes, brain naturetic peptide
Hemoglobin A1C, lipid profile, EKG - Hemoglobin A1C, lipid profile, EKG
A mother of a teenage boy is unable to acknowledge that her son's mental illness is
perpetuated by his poly substance use disorder and is insisting that his father's genes
are to blame. Which defense mechanism is employed?
Regression
Dissociation
Reaction formation
Denial - Denial
A 72-year-old female presents to the emergency department for altered mental status.
Her urine analysis is negative, and her labs are normal. She has been referred to
psychiatry for dementia. The patient's husband reports increasing forgetfulness over the
last 6 months, walking as if her feet are stuck to the ground, and most recently episodes
of urinary incontinence. Based on the signs and symptoms which of the following
diagnostic tests should the PMHNP order to rule out an underlying condition?
Lumbar puncture
Electroencephalogram
Noncontrast head CT scan
Arterial blood gas - Noncontrast head CT scan
When providing psychoeducation to a patient with treatment-resistant depression about
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), you tell the patient that the most common adverse
effect of treatment is which of the following?
Amnesia
, Psychosis
Respiratory depression
Arrhythmi - Amnesia
A 66-year-old registered nurse, who retired from psychiatry 3 years ago, spends much
of her time watching television. She is easily irritated by those interrupting her shows
and has no desire to engage in any activities or identify with a broader community.
Which developmental stage did she fail to master?
Initiative versus Guilt
Industry versus Inferiority
Ego integrity versus Despiar
Generativity versus Stagnation - Generativity versus Stagnation
A 21-year-old man had his first drink at his birthday party with friends last night. He
presented the following morning to the emergency department with psychomotor
agitation, cognitive impairment, depressed mood, flat affect, and anhedonia. His heart
rate is 110, his blood pressure is 90/60, and he complains of abdominal pain. He
received 2 L of normal saline IV and is referred to psychiatry for evaluation of mood
disorder. Which of the following tests should the consulting PMHNP order given these
symptoms?
Urinalysis
Blood alcohol level
Urinary porphobilinogen
Acetaminophen level - Urinary porphobilinogen
A 52-year-old obese man with type 2 diabetes reports dozing off while driving, watching
TV, or reading, with increased apathy and fatigue. The PMHNP ordered a sleep study,
which revealed 10 episodes of apnea lasting 15 to 20 seconds each per hour of sleep.
Based on these findings, what should the PMHNP prescribe for his condition?
Referral to otolaryngology for uvuloplasty
Referral to otolaryngology for rhinoplasty
Continuous positive airway pressure
Antidepressant medications - CPAP
Which of the following is true regarding the influenza vaccination?
Those who currently have cold like symptoms with a temperature of 101.6 should not
receive the vaccine
All of the statements are true.
Anyone 6 months of age or older should obtain the influenza vaccine
A history of Guillain Barre 4 weeks after a previous inlfuenza injection would be a
contraindication for future influenza vaccination - All of the statements are true.
A patient presents with atypical symptoms of psychosis that include inconsistent
auditory hallucinations without disorganization. What is the best definition of an EEG
and its utility?
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
A 62-year-old woman formerly employed as a receptionist reports progressive word-
finding difficulty over the past 6 months that caused her so much anxiety she quit her
job. Her daughter has become increasingly impatient waiting for her to finish her
sentences but she has now become depressed due to the relational strain. She denies
any other behavioral problems. Which of the following diagnostic tests would be most
appropriate?
Bilateral carotid Doppler study
Transthoracic echocardiogram
EEG
Brain MRI with and without contrast - Brain MRI with and without contrast
A 26-year-old female is diagnosed with psychosis not otherwise specified (NOS) and
substance use disorder. Which of the following lab tests should be ordered prior to
starting antipsychotic medications?
Amylase, lipase, liver function test
Urinalysis, urine pregnancy test
Cardiac enzymes, brain naturetic peptide
Hemoglobin A1C, lipid profile, EKG - Hemoglobin A1C, lipid profile, EKG
A mother of a teenage boy is unable to acknowledge that her son's mental illness is
perpetuated by his poly substance use disorder and is insisting that his father's genes
are to blame. Which defense mechanism is employed?
Regression
Dissociation
Reaction formation
Denial - Denial
A 72-year-old female presents to the emergency department for altered mental status.
Her urine analysis is negative, and her labs are normal. She has been referred to
psychiatry for dementia. The patient's husband reports increasing forgetfulness over the
last 6 months, walking as if her feet are stuck to the ground, and most recently episodes
of urinary incontinence. Based on the signs and symptoms which of the following
diagnostic tests should the PMHNP order to rule out an underlying condition?
Lumbar puncture
Electroencephalogram
Noncontrast head CT scan
Arterial blood gas - Noncontrast head CT scan
When providing psychoeducation to a patient with treatment-resistant depression about
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), you tell the patient that the most common adverse
effect of treatment is which of the following?
Amnesia
, Psychosis
Respiratory depression
Arrhythmi - Amnesia
A 66-year-old registered nurse, who retired from psychiatry 3 years ago, spends much
of her time watching television. She is easily irritated by those interrupting her shows
and has no desire to engage in any activities or identify with a broader community.
Which developmental stage did she fail to master?
Initiative versus Guilt
Industry versus Inferiority
Ego integrity versus Despiar
Generativity versus Stagnation - Generativity versus Stagnation
A 21-year-old man had his first drink at his birthday party with friends last night. He
presented the following morning to the emergency department with psychomotor
agitation, cognitive impairment, depressed mood, flat affect, and anhedonia. His heart
rate is 110, his blood pressure is 90/60, and he complains of abdominal pain. He
received 2 L of normal saline IV and is referred to psychiatry for evaluation of mood
disorder. Which of the following tests should the consulting PMHNP order given these
symptoms?
Urinalysis
Blood alcohol level
Urinary porphobilinogen
Acetaminophen level - Urinary porphobilinogen
A 52-year-old obese man with type 2 diabetes reports dozing off while driving, watching
TV, or reading, with increased apathy and fatigue. The PMHNP ordered a sleep study,
which revealed 10 episodes of apnea lasting 15 to 20 seconds each per hour of sleep.
Based on these findings, what should the PMHNP prescribe for his condition?
Referral to otolaryngology for uvuloplasty
Referral to otolaryngology for rhinoplasty
Continuous positive airway pressure
Antidepressant medications - CPAP
Which of the following is true regarding the influenza vaccination?
Those who currently have cold like symptoms with a temperature of 101.6 should not
receive the vaccine
All of the statements are true.
Anyone 6 months of age or older should obtain the influenza vaccine
A history of Guillain Barre 4 weeks after a previous inlfuenza injection would be a
contraindication for future influenza vaccination - All of the statements are true.
A patient presents with atypical symptoms of psychosis that include inconsistent
auditory hallucinations without disorganization. What is the best definition of an EEG
and its utility?
