NRNP 6645: Psychopathology for Advanced
Practice Nursing
– Midterm Exam (2024 Version)
Focus Areas: Diagnostic Criteria, Differential
Diagnosis, Psychotropic Medications, and
Evidence-Based Assessment
1. Which of the following best differentiates Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
from Panic Disorder?
A. GAD includes fear of public places
B. Panic attacks are more common in GAD
C. GAD involves chronic worry, while Panic Disorder involves sudden episodes of
intense fear
D. Panic Disorder symptoms must last for at least six months
Answer: C
Rationale: GAD involves chronic, excessive worry, while Panic Disorder includes
acute, unexpected panic attacks.
2. A patient reports hearing voices commenting on their actions. Which symptom
is this most consistent with?
,A. Delusions
B. Disorganized speech
C. Auditory hallucinations
D. Negative symptoms
Answer: C
Rationale: Voices commenting are a type of auditory hallucination, a hallmark of
psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.
3. In a child presenting with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which
condition is most likely?
A. Autism Spectrum Disorder
B. ADHD, Combined Type
C. Conduct Disorder
D. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: ADHD, Combined Type includes symptoms of both inattention and
hyperactivity/impulsivity.
4. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with depression?
A. Acetylcholine
B. GABA
C. Serotonin
D. Glutamate
Answer: C
Rationale: Serotonin is most commonly associated with mood regulation and is
targeted by SSRIs in depression.
,5. A person with schizophrenia presents with flat affect, alogia, and avolition.
These symptoms are categorized as:
A. Mood symptoms
B. Positive symptoms
C. Cognitive symptoms
D. Negative symptoms
Answer: D
Rationale: Negative symptoms reflect deficits in emotional expression and
motivation.
6. Which disorder is characterized by alternating periods of depression and
hypomania without full manic episodes?
A. Bipolar I Disorder
B. Cyclothymic Disorder
C. Bipolar II Disorder
D. Major Depressive Disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Bipolar II includes depression and hypomania, without full mania.
7. Which of the following is a risk factor for suicide in adolescents?
A. Strong peer support
B. Access to mental health services
C. Family history of suicide
D. Lack of exposure to social media
, Answer: C
Rationale: Family history is a strong risk factor for suicidal ideation and behavior.
8. What is the most appropriate first-line treatment for PTSD in adults?
A. Antipsychotic medication
B. Exposure therapy and SSRIs
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Mood stabilizers
Answer: B
Rationale: Trauma-focused therapy and SSRIs like sertraline are first-line
treatments for PTSD.
9. Which lab test is important before initiating lithium therapy?
A. Liver function tests
B. Hemoglobin A1C
C. Renal function tests and thyroid panel
D. B12 level
Answer: C
Rationale: Lithium can affect kidney and thyroid function, so baseline labs are
essential.
10. A patient presents with intense fear of social situations. Which condition is
most likely?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Agoraphobia
Practice Nursing
– Midterm Exam (2024 Version)
Focus Areas: Diagnostic Criteria, Differential
Diagnosis, Psychotropic Medications, and
Evidence-Based Assessment
1. Which of the following best differentiates Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
from Panic Disorder?
A. GAD includes fear of public places
B. Panic attacks are more common in GAD
C. GAD involves chronic worry, while Panic Disorder involves sudden episodes of
intense fear
D. Panic Disorder symptoms must last for at least six months
Answer: C
Rationale: GAD involves chronic, excessive worry, while Panic Disorder includes
acute, unexpected panic attacks.
2. A patient reports hearing voices commenting on their actions. Which symptom
is this most consistent with?
,A. Delusions
B. Disorganized speech
C. Auditory hallucinations
D. Negative symptoms
Answer: C
Rationale: Voices commenting are a type of auditory hallucination, a hallmark of
psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.
3. In a child presenting with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which
condition is most likely?
A. Autism Spectrum Disorder
B. ADHD, Combined Type
C. Conduct Disorder
D. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: ADHD, Combined Type includes symptoms of both inattention and
hyperactivity/impulsivity.
4. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with depression?
A. Acetylcholine
B. GABA
C. Serotonin
D. Glutamate
Answer: C
Rationale: Serotonin is most commonly associated with mood regulation and is
targeted by SSRIs in depression.
,5. A person with schizophrenia presents with flat affect, alogia, and avolition.
These symptoms are categorized as:
A. Mood symptoms
B. Positive symptoms
C. Cognitive symptoms
D. Negative symptoms
Answer: D
Rationale: Negative symptoms reflect deficits in emotional expression and
motivation.
6. Which disorder is characterized by alternating periods of depression and
hypomania without full manic episodes?
A. Bipolar I Disorder
B. Cyclothymic Disorder
C. Bipolar II Disorder
D. Major Depressive Disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Bipolar II includes depression and hypomania, without full mania.
7. Which of the following is a risk factor for suicide in adolescents?
A. Strong peer support
B. Access to mental health services
C. Family history of suicide
D. Lack of exposure to social media
, Answer: C
Rationale: Family history is a strong risk factor for suicidal ideation and behavior.
8. What is the most appropriate first-line treatment for PTSD in adults?
A. Antipsychotic medication
B. Exposure therapy and SSRIs
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Mood stabilizers
Answer: B
Rationale: Trauma-focused therapy and SSRIs like sertraline are first-line
treatments for PTSD.
9. Which lab test is important before initiating lithium therapy?
A. Liver function tests
B. Hemoglobin A1C
C. Renal function tests and thyroid panel
D. B12 level
Answer: C
Rationale: Lithium can affect kidney and thyroid function, so baseline labs are
essential.
10. A patient presents with intense fear of social situations. Which condition is
most likely?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Agoraphobia
