NRNP 6665 MIDTERM EXAM (2024/2025 UPDATE)
– PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE
PRACTITIONER CARE ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I
Question 1
Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Excessive worry for at least 6 months
B) Delusions and disorganized thoughts
C) Recurrent deliberate fire-setting
D) Inability to recall important personal information
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Schizophrenia is characterized by positive symptoms such as delusions,
hallucinations, and disorganized thoughts, as well as negative symptoms like flattened affect.
Excessive worry is more indicative of anxiety disorders, fire-setting is associated with
pyromania, and inability to recall personal information may suggest dissociative disorders.
Question 2
A patient presents with excessive preoccupation with having a serious illness despite no medical
evidence. This is best described as:
A) Somatic symptom disorder
B) Illness anxiety disorder
C) Conversion disorder
D) Factitious disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Illness anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about having a serious illness with
minimal or no somatic symptoms, often despite medical reassurance. Somatic symptom disorder
involves distressing physical symptoms, conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms
without medical cause, and factitious disorder involves intentional fabrication of symptoms.
Question 3
Which neurotransmitter is most implicated in the development of substance use disorders?
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) GABA
D) Acetylcholine
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dopamine plays a critical role in the reward system of the brain, contributing to the
reinforcing effects of substances in substance use disorders. Serotonin is more associated with
mood regulation, GABA with anxiety and inhibition, and acetylcholine with cognitive functions.
Question 4
The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is used to assess which of the following disorders?
A) Delirium
B) Dementia
C) Schizophrenia
D) Major depressive disorder
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The CAM is a standardized tool designed to identify delirium, characterized by acute
onset, fluctuating cognition, and altered consciousness. It is not used for dementia,
schizophrenia, or depression, which have different diagnostic criteria.
Question 5
Which of the following is a risk factor for neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
A) Low-potency antipsychotics
B) Rapid dose escalation
C) Oral route of administration
D) Older age
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid dose escalation of antipsychotics, particularly high-potency ones, is a known
risk factor for neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a life-threatening condition. Low-potency
antipsychotics, oral administration, and older age are less directly associated.
Question 6
A patient with a history of trauma reports feeling detached from their surroundings and as if they
are in a dream. This is consistent with:
A) Depersonalization/derealization disorder
B) Posttraumatic stress disorder
C) Dissociative identity disorder
D) Acute stress disorder
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Depersonalization/derealization disorder is characterized by persistent feelings of
detachment from oneself or surroundings. PTSD and acute stress disorder involve trauma-related
symptoms like flashbacks, while dissociative identity disorder involves multiple identities.
, Question 7
According to the DSM-5, what is the minimum duration of symptoms required for a diagnosis of
generalized anxiety disorder?
A) 1 month
B) 3 months
C) 6 months
D) 12 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The DSM-5 specifies that excessive anxiety and worry must occur for at least 6
months for a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, along with associated symptoms like
restlessness or difficulty concentrating.
Question 8
Which of the following medications is FDA-approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder in
children?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Lithium
C) Sertraline
D) Bupropion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium is FDA-approved for bipolar disorder in children aged 7 and older.
Fluoxetine and sertraline are approved for other conditions like depression or OCD, and
bupropion is not indicated for bipolar disorder.
Question 9
A patient presents with recurrent, purposeful fire-setting. This behavior is consistent with which
disorder?
A) Conduct disorder
B) Pyromania
C) Obsessive-compulsive disorder
D) Antisocial personality disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pyromania is characterized by deliberate and recurrent fire-setting with fascination or
pleasure, not for monetary gain or revenge. Conduct disorder may include fire-setting but is
broader, OCD involves intrusive thoughts, and antisocial personality disorder focuses on
disregard for others.
Question 10
– PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE
PRACTITIONER CARE ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I
Question 1
Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Excessive worry for at least 6 months
B) Delusions and disorganized thoughts
C) Recurrent deliberate fire-setting
D) Inability to recall important personal information
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Schizophrenia is characterized by positive symptoms such as delusions,
hallucinations, and disorganized thoughts, as well as negative symptoms like flattened affect.
Excessive worry is more indicative of anxiety disorders, fire-setting is associated with
pyromania, and inability to recall personal information may suggest dissociative disorders.
Question 2
A patient presents with excessive preoccupation with having a serious illness despite no medical
evidence. This is best described as:
A) Somatic symptom disorder
B) Illness anxiety disorder
C) Conversion disorder
D) Factitious disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Illness anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about having a serious illness with
minimal or no somatic symptoms, often despite medical reassurance. Somatic symptom disorder
involves distressing physical symptoms, conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms
without medical cause, and factitious disorder involves intentional fabrication of symptoms.
Question 3
Which neurotransmitter is most implicated in the development of substance use disorders?
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) GABA
D) Acetylcholine
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dopamine plays a critical role in the reward system of the brain, contributing to the
reinforcing effects of substances in substance use disorders. Serotonin is more associated with
mood regulation, GABA with anxiety and inhibition, and acetylcholine with cognitive functions.
Question 4
The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is used to assess which of the following disorders?
A) Delirium
B) Dementia
C) Schizophrenia
D) Major depressive disorder
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The CAM is a standardized tool designed to identify delirium, characterized by acute
onset, fluctuating cognition, and altered consciousness. It is not used for dementia,
schizophrenia, or depression, which have different diagnostic criteria.
Question 5
Which of the following is a risk factor for neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
A) Low-potency antipsychotics
B) Rapid dose escalation
C) Oral route of administration
D) Older age
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid dose escalation of antipsychotics, particularly high-potency ones, is a known
risk factor for neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a life-threatening condition. Low-potency
antipsychotics, oral administration, and older age are less directly associated.
Question 6
A patient with a history of trauma reports feeling detached from their surroundings and as if they
are in a dream. This is consistent with:
A) Depersonalization/derealization disorder
B) Posttraumatic stress disorder
C) Dissociative identity disorder
D) Acute stress disorder
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Depersonalization/derealization disorder is characterized by persistent feelings of
detachment from oneself or surroundings. PTSD and acute stress disorder involve trauma-related
symptoms like flashbacks, while dissociative identity disorder involves multiple identities.
, Question 7
According to the DSM-5, what is the minimum duration of symptoms required for a diagnosis of
generalized anxiety disorder?
A) 1 month
B) 3 months
C) 6 months
D) 12 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The DSM-5 specifies that excessive anxiety and worry must occur for at least 6
months for a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, along with associated symptoms like
restlessness or difficulty concentrating.
Question 8
Which of the following medications is FDA-approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder in
children?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Lithium
C) Sertraline
D) Bupropion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium is FDA-approved for bipolar disorder in children aged 7 and older.
Fluoxetine and sertraline are approved for other conditions like depression or OCD, and
bupropion is not indicated for bipolar disorder.
Question 9
A patient presents with recurrent, purposeful fire-setting. This behavior is consistent with which
disorder?
A) Conduct disorder
B) Pyromania
C) Obsessive-compulsive disorder
D) Antisocial personality disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pyromania is characterized by deliberate and recurrent fire-setting with fascination or
pleasure, not for monetary gain or revenge. Conduct disorder may include fire-setting but is
broader, OCD involves intrusive thoughts, and antisocial personality disorder focuses on
disregard for others.
Question 10
