NR 548 Exam 4 – Weeks 7 to 8 Covered | Actual Questions & Answers
Complete Study Guide – Psychiatric Assessment for PMHNP |
Chamberlain University | Latest 2026/2027
This comprehensive document contains questions and verified answers for NR 548
Exam 4, covering Weeks 7–8 of the Psychiatric Assessment for the Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) course at Chamberlain University. Topics include
neurocognitive disorders (dementia, delirium, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy
body dementia, frontotemporal dementia), psychiatric emergencies, crisis intervention,
ethical principles, practice settings, and comprehensive psychiatric assessment .
SECTION 1: NEUROCOGNITIVE DISORDERS (Questions 1–25)
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of neurocognitive disorder
(dementia)?
A) Vascular dementia
B) Lewy body dementia
C) Frontotemporal dementia
D) Alzheimer's disease
Answer: D
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of neurocognitive disorder (dementia),
accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. It is characterized by progressive cognitive
decline, memory impairment, and functional deficits .
2. A patient presents with progressive memory loss, difficulty with language, and
impaired executive function. The provider suspects Alzheimer's disease. Which
finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Gradual onset and progressive cognitive decline
B) Stepwise deterioration
C) Fluctuating cognition and visual hallucinations
D) Behavioral changes with preserved memory
Answer: A
,Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a gradual onset and progressive cognitive decline.
Stepwise deterioration is more typical of vascular dementia. Fluctuating cognition and visual
hallucinations are characteristic of Lewy body dementia. Behavioral changes with preserved
memory suggest frontotemporal dementia .
3. The PMHNP is assessing a patient with vascular neurocognitive disorder. Which
finding is expected?
A) Gradual onset and progressive decline
B) Stepwise deterioration and history of cerebrovascular events
C) Visual hallucinations and fluctuating cognition
D) Early personality changes and disinhibition
Answer: B
Vascular neurocognitive disorder is characterized by stepwise deterioration with a history of
cerebrovascular events (stroke, TIA). The cognitive decline is typically related to the location
and extent of vascular damage .
4. A patient presents with fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, and
parkinsonian motor symptoms. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Alzheimer's disease
B) Vascular dementia
C) Lewy body dementia
D) Frontotemporal dementia
Answer: C
Lewy body dementia is characterized by fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations,
parkinsonian motor symptoms, and REM sleep behavior disorder. These features help
differentiate it from Alzheimer's disease .
5. The PMHNP is assessing a patient with behavioral variant frontotemporal
dementia. Which finding is most characteristic?
A) Memory impairment
B) Visual hallucinations
, C) Disinhibition, apathy, and loss of empathy
D) Fluctuating cognition
Answer: C
Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia presents with early behavioral changes
including disinhibition, apathy, loss of empathy, and repetitive behaviors. Memory is
relatively preserved in early stages .
6. Delirium is characterized by:
A) Acute onset and fluctuating course
B) Gradual onset and progressive decline
C) Stepwise deterioration
D) Early personality changes
Answer: A
Delirium is characterized by acute onset (hours to days) and a fluctuating course. It is
typically caused by an underlying medical condition, medication, or substance
intoxication/withdrawal .
7. The Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is used to:
A) Diagnose personality disorders
B) Measure cognitive impairment
C) Assess mood disorders
D) Evaluate substance use
Answer: B
The MMSE is a 30-point questionnaire that measures cognitive impairment in the areas of
orientation, attention, memory, language, and visual-spatial skills .
8. Which medication class is associated with increased risk of delirium in older
adults?
A) Anticholinergics
B) SSRIs
Complete Study Guide – Psychiatric Assessment for PMHNP |
Chamberlain University | Latest 2026/2027
This comprehensive document contains questions and verified answers for NR 548
Exam 4, covering Weeks 7–8 of the Psychiatric Assessment for the Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) course at Chamberlain University. Topics include
neurocognitive disorders (dementia, delirium, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy
body dementia, frontotemporal dementia), psychiatric emergencies, crisis intervention,
ethical principles, practice settings, and comprehensive psychiatric assessment .
SECTION 1: NEUROCOGNITIVE DISORDERS (Questions 1–25)
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of neurocognitive disorder
(dementia)?
A) Vascular dementia
B) Lewy body dementia
C) Frontotemporal dementia
D) Alzheimer's disease
Answer: D
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of neurocognitive disorder (dementia),
accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. It is characterized by progressive cognitive
decline, memory impairment, and functional deficits .
2. A patient presents with progressive memory loss, difficulty with language, and
impaired executive function. The provider suspects Alzheimer's disease. Which
finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Gradual onset and progressive cognitive decline
B) Stepwise deterioration
C) Fluctuating cognition and visual hallucinations
D) Behavioral changes with preserved memory
Answer: A
,Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a gradual onset and progressive cognitive decline.
Stepwise deterioration is more typical of vascular dementia. Fluctuating cognition and visual
hallucinations are characteristic of Lewy body dementia. Behavioral changes with preserved
memory suggest frontotemporal dementia .
3. The PMHNP is assessing a patient with vascular neurocognitive disorder. Which
finding is expected?
A) Gradual onset and progressive decline
B) Stepwise deterioration and history of cerebrovascular events
C) Visual hallucinations and fluctuating cognition
D) Early personality changes and disinhibition
Answer: B
Vascular neurocognitive disorder is characterized by stepwise deterioration with a history of
cerebrovascular events (stroke, TIA). The cognitive decline is typically related to the location
and extent of vascular damage .
4. A patient presents with fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, and
parkinsonian motor symptoms. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Alzheimer's disease
B) Vascular dementia
C) Lewy body dementia
D) Frontotemporal dementia
Answer: C
Lewy body dementia is characterized by fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations,
parkinsonian motor symptoms, and REM sleep behavior disorder. These features help
differentiate it from Alzheimer's disease .
5. The PMHNP is assessing a patient with behavioral variant frontotemporal
dementia. Which finding is most characteristic?
A) Memory impairment
B) Visual hallucinations
, C) Disinhibition, apathy, and loss of empathy
D) Fluctuating cognition
Answer: C
Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia presents with early behavioral changes
including disinhibition, apathy, loss of empathy, and repetitive behaviors. Memory is
relatively preserved in early stages .
6. Delirium is characterized by:
A) Acute onset and fluctuating course
B) Gradual onset and progressive decline
C) Stepwise deterioration
D) Early personality changes
Answer: A
Delirium is characterized by acute onset (hours to days) and a fluctuating course. It is
typically caused by an underlying medical condition, medication, or substance
intoxication/withdrawal .
7. The Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is used to:
A) Diagnose personality disorders
B) Measure cognitive impairment
C) Assess mood disorders
D) Evaluate substance use
Answer: B
The MMSE is a 30-point questionnaire that measures cognitive impairment in the areas of
orientation, attention, memory, language, and visual-spatial skills .
8. Which medication class is associated with increased risk of delirium in older
adults?
A) Anticholinergics
B) SSRIs
