NR 607 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
NR 607 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL
EXAM PRACTICE TEST 2025–2026 | NEW 400-
QUESTION COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANWERS AND RATIONALES | ALREADY GRADED A+
Which symptom must be present for a diagnosis of schizophrenia?
A. Depression
B. Anxiety
C. Delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech
D. Memory loss
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DSM-5-TR requires at least two core symptoms for at least 1 month,
and one must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech. These are
considered active-phase psychotic symptoms. Negative symptoms alone are
insufficient for diagnosis without at least one positive symptom.*
A patient taking valproate develops abdominal pain and vomiting. The
provider should suspect:
A. Hypothyroidism
B. Pancreatitis
C. Agranulocytosis
D. Serotonin syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Valproate carries a risk of acute pancreatitis, which may present with
severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. This condition can be life-
threatening and requires immediate discontinuation of the medication and medical
evaluation.*
1|Page
,NR 607 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
Which condition is most associated with rapid cycling bipolar disorder?
A. Lithium toxicity
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Low sodium intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypothyroidism has been associated with rapid cycling bipolar disorder
(four or more mood episodes per year). Thyroid dysfunction should be screened in
patients with frequent mood cycling, and correction may improve mood stability.*
Which medication is preferred for treating agitation in dementia?
A. Benzodiazepines first-line
B. Low-dose atypical antipsychotic (if severe and dangerous)
C. High-dose haloperidol
D. Lithium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nonpharmacologic interventions are first-line. If severe agitation poses
risk, low-dose atypical antipsychotics may be cautiously used, recognizing black
box warnings for increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related
psychosis.*
A patient reports excessive handwashing due to fear of contamination but
recognizes it is unreasonable. This suggests:
A. Delusion
B. Obsession with intact insight
C. Psychosis
D. Thought broadcasting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In OCD, obsessions are intrusive thoughts recognized as irrational
(good or fair insight). This distinguishes OCD from psychotic disorders, where
beliefs are typically fixed and not recognized as irrational.*
Which medication has the highest risk of QT prolongation among SSRIs?
A. Fluoxetine
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,NR 607 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
B. Paroxetine
C. Citalopram
D. Sertraline
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Citalopram has a dose-dependent risk of QT prolongation. Dose limits
are recommended, especially in older adults and patients with cardiac conditions.*
A patient on lithium develops polyuria and polydipsia. The likely cause is:
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Diabetes insipidus
C. SIADH
D. Hyperthyroidism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium can cause nephrogenic diabetes insipidus by impairing renal
response to ADH, leading to excessive urination and thirst.*
Which therapy is most evidence-based for adolescent depression?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. CBT
C. Hypnosis
D. ECT as first-line
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is strongly supported for adolescents
with depression and may be combined with SSRIs in moderate to severe cases.*
Which neurotransmitter is primarily inhibitory in the CNS?
A. Dopamine
B. Glutamate
C. GABA
D. Norepinephrine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory
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, NR 607 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
neurotransmitter. Benzodiazepines enhance GABA-A receptor activity to reduce
anxiety and seizures.*
Which personality disorder is characterized by pervasive distrust and
suspicion?
A. Schizoid
B. Paranoid
C. Histrionic
D. Dependent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Paranoid personality disorder involves persistent mistrust of others’
motives without psychotic features.*
Which medication can cause serotonin syndrome when combined with SSRIs?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Tramadol
C. Ibuprofen
D. Metformin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tramadol increases serotonin and can precipitate serotonin syndrome
when combined with SSRIs or other serotonergic agents.*
The most common side effect of stimulant medications is:
A. Weight gain
B. Sedation
C. Appetite suppression
D. Hyperthyroidism
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stimulants commonly decrease appetite and may lead to weight loss,
especially in children. Growth monitoring is recommended.*
4|Page
NR 607 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL
EXAM PRACTICE TEST 2025–2026 | NEW 400-
QUESTION COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANWERS AND RATIONALES | ALREADY GRADED A+
Which symptom must be present for a diagnosis of schizophrenia?
A. Depression
B. Anxiety
C. Delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech
D. Memory loss
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DSM-5-TR requires at least two core symptoms for at least 1 month,
and one must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech. These are
considered active-phase psychotic symptoms. Negative symptoms alone are
insufficient for diagnosis without at least one positive symptom.*
A patient taking valproate develops abdominal pain and vomiting. The
provider should suspect:
A. Hypothyroidism
B. Pancreatitis
C. Agranulocytosis
D. Serotonin syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Valproate carries a risk of acute pancreatitis, which may present with
severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. This condition can be life-
threatening and requires immediate discontinuation of the medication and medical
evaluation.*
1|Page
,NR 607 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
Which condition is most associated with rapid cycling bipolar disorder?
A. Lithium toxicity
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Low sodium intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypothyroidism has been associated with rapid cycling bipolar disorder
(four or more mood episodes per year). Thyroid dysfunction should be screened in
patients with frequent mood cycling, and correction may improve mood stability.*
Which medication is preferred for treating agitation in dementia?
A. Benzodiazepines first-line
B. Low-dose atypical antipsychotic (if severe and dangerous)
C. High-dose haloperidol
D. Lithium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nonpharmacologic interventions are first-line. If severe agitation poses
risk, low-dose atypical antipsychotics may be cautiously used, recognizing black
box warnings for increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related
psychosis.*
A patient reports excessive handwashing due to fear of contamination but
recognizes it is unreasonable. This suggests:
A. Delusion
B. Obsession with intact insight
C. Psychosis
D. Thought broadcasting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In OCD, obsessions are intrusive thoughts recognized as irrational
(good or fair insight). This distinguishes OCD from psychotic disorders, where
beliefs are typically fixed and not recognized as irrational.*
Which medication has the highest risk of QT prolongation among SSRIs?
A. Fluoxetine
2|Page
,NR 607 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
B. Paroxetine
C. Citalopram
D. Sertraline
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Citalopram has a dose-dependent risk of QT prolongation. Dose limits
are recommended, especially in older adults and patients with cardiac conditions.*
A patient on lithium develops polyuria and polydipsia. The likely cause is:
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Diabetes insipidus
C. SIADH
D. Hyperthyroidism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium can cause nephrogenic diabetes insipidus by impairing renal
response to ADH, leading to excessive urination and thirst.*
Which therapy is most evidence-based for adolescent depression?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. CBT
C. Hypnosis
D. ECT as first-line
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is strongly supported for adolescents
with depression and may be combined with SSRIs in moderate to severe cases.*
Which neurotransmitter is primarily inhibitory in the CNS?
A. Dopamine
B. Glutamate
C. GABA
D. Norepinephrine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory
3|Page
, NR 607 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
neurotransmitter. Benzodiazepines enhance GABA-A receptor activity to reduce
anxiety and seizures.*
Which personality disorder is characterized by pervasive distrust and
suspicion?
A. Schizoid
B. Paranoid
C. Histrionic
D. Dependent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Paranoid personality disorder involves persistent mistrust of others’
motives without psychotic features.*
Which medication can cause serotonin syndrome when combined with SSRIs?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Tramadol
C. Ibuprofen
D. Metformin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tramadol increases serotonin and can precipitate serotonin syndrome
when combined with SSRIs or other serotonergic agents.*
The most common side effect of stimulant medications is:
A. Weight gain
B. Sedation
C. Appetite suppression
D. Hyperthyroidism
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stimulants commonly decrease appetite and may lead to weight loss,
especially in children. Growth monitoring is recommended.*
4|Page
