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NR547 Final EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
NR547 Final Exam-style questions with answers and rationales. This practice exam is designed
to reflect the content and format of the Chamberlain University NR547 "Differential Diagnosis in
Psychiatric-Mental Health Across the Lifespan Practicum" final exam. It includes 45 multiple-
choice questions covering pharmacotherapy, differential diagnosis, screening tools, and
treatment planning.
NR547 Final Exam Practice Questions (1–45)
Q1. A PMHNP is conducting an initial psychiatric evaluation. Which of the following best
describes the primary purpose of the "differential diagnosis" process?
A) To confirm the patient's self-reported diagnosis
B) To develop a working list of potential disorders that could explain the patient's symptoms
C) To rule out all medical causes of psychiatric symptoms before considering any mental health
diagnosis
D) To assign a single diagnosis that will guide all future treatment decisions
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Answer: B
Rationale: Differential diagnosis involves developing a working hypothesis or list of potential
disorders that could account for the presenting symptoms. This list is prioritized, and each
potential diagnosis is systematically ruled in or out based on diagnostic criteria, history, and
assessment findings .
Q2. According to the DSM-5-TR, which of the following must be ruled out before assigning most
psychiatric diagnoses?
A) Substance use and other medical conditions
B) Childhood trauma history
C) Family history of mental illness
D) Recent stressful life events
Answer: A
*Rationale: The DSM-5-TR requires clinicians to rule out substance/medication-induced
conditions and other medical conditions as the primary cause of symptoms before assigning a
primary psychiatric diagnosis .*
Q3. A 28-year-old woman presents with a 3-week history of depressed mood, anhedonia,
hypersomnia, increased appetite, low energy, and excessive guilt. Symptoms began 2 weeks
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after her husband left for a 6-month deployment. She has no prior psychiatric history. Which
diagnosis best fits her presentation?
A) Major Depressive Disorder, single episode, moderate
B) Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood
C) Persistent Depressive Disorder (dysthymia)
D) Normal bereavement reaction
Answer: B
*Rationale: Adjustment disorder requires an identifiable stressor (deployment) with onset
within 3 months, causing marked distress/impairment, but does not meet full criteria for
MDD .*
Q4. The normal therapeutic range for lithium in maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder is:
A) 0.1–0.4 mEq/L
B) 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
C) 1.5–2.0 mEq/L
D) 2.5–3.0 mEq/L
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Answer: B
*Rationale: The standard therapeutic range for lithium maintenance is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L. Levels
below 0.6 may be subtherapeutic, while levels above 1.5 increase toxicity risk .*
Q5. The PMHNP is evaluating a patient with a chief complaint of "anxiety." Which of the
following questions is most important to ask FIRST?
A) "Have you ever been hospitalized for mental health issues?"
B) "How long have you been feeling this way, and what medical conditions do you have?"
C) "Do you have a good support system?"
D) "What is your family history of mental illness?"
Answer: B
Rationale: Medical conditions (e.g., thyroid disorders, cardiac arrhythmias) can cause anxiety
symptoms. Ruling out medical causes is the first priority before assigning a primary psychiatric
diagnosis .
Q6. A patient with known bipolar disorder reports starting a new antidepressant 2 weeks ago
and now feels "amazing," sleeps 4 hours per night, and has started three new business
ventures. The PMHNP recognizes this as:
A) Expected therapeutic response
NR547 Final EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
NR547 Final Exam-style questions with answers and rationales. This practice exam is designed
to reflect the content and format of the Chamberlain University NR547 "Differential Diagnosis in
Psychiatric-Mental Health Across the Lifespan Practicum" final exam. It includes 45 multiple-
choice questions covering pharmacotherapy, differential diagnosis, screening tools, and
treatment planning.
NR547 Final Exam Practice Questions (1–45)
Q1. A PMHNP is conducting an initial psychiatric evaluation. Which of the following best
describes the primary purpose of the "differential diagnosis" process?
A) To confirm the patient's self-reported diagnosis
B) To develop a working list of potential disorders that could explain the patient's symptoms
C) To rule out all medical causes of psychiatric symptoms before considering any mental health
diagnosis
D) To assign a single diagnosis that will guide all future treatment decisions
, Page 2 of 159
Answer: B
Rationale: Differential diagnosis involves developing a working hypothesis or list of potential
disorders that could account for the presenting symptoms. This list is prioritized, and each
potential diagnosis is systematically ruled in or out based on diagnostic criteria, history, and
assessment findings .
Q2. According to the DSM-5-TR, which of the following must be ruled out before assigning most
psychiatric diagnoses?
A) Substance use and other medical conditions
B) Childhood trauma history
C) Family history of mental illness
D) Recent stressful life events
Answer: A
*Rationale: The DSM-5-TR requires clinicians to rule out substance/medication-induced
conditions and other medical conditions as the primary cause of symptoms before assigning a
primary psychiatric diagnosis .*
Q3. A 28-year-old woman presents with a 3-week history of depressed mood, anhedonia,
hypersomnia, increased appetite, low energy, and excessive guilt. Symptoms began 2 weeks
, Page 3 of 159
after her husband left for a 6-month deployment. She has no prior psychiatric history. Which
diagnosis best fits her presentation?
A) Major Depressive Disorder, single episode, moderate
B) Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood
C) Persistent Depressive Disorder (dysthymia)
D) Normal bereavement reaction
Answer: B
*Rationale: Adjustment disorder requires an identifiable stressor (deployment) with onset
within 3 months, causing marked distress/impairment, but does not meet full criteria for
MDD .*
Q4. The normal therapeutic range for lithium in maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder is:
A) 0.1–0.4 mEq/L
B) 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
C) 1.5–2.0 mEq/L
D) 2.5–3.0 mEq/L
, Page 4 of 159
Answer: B
*Rationale: The standard therapeutic range for lithium maintenance is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L. Levels
below 0.6 may be subtherapeutic, while levels above 1.5 increase toxicity risk .*
Q5. The PMHNP is evaluating a patient with a chief complaint of "anxiety." Which of the
following questions is most important to ask FIRST?
A) "Have you ever been hospitalized for mental health issues?"
B) "How long have you been feeling this way, and what medical conditions do you have?"
C) "Do you have a good support system?"
D) "What is your family history of mental illness?"
Answer: B
Rationale: Medical conditions (e.g., thyroid disorders, cardiac arrhythmias) can cause anxiety
symptoms. Ruling out medical causes is the first priority before assigning a primary psychiatric
diagnosis .
Q6. A patient with known bipolar disorder reports starting a new antidepressant 2 weeks ago
and now feels "amazing," sleeps 4 hours per night, and has started three new business
ventures. The PMHNP recognizes this as:
A) Expected therapeutic response
