NR547 CEA Exam | Pre-Clinical Diagnostic Comprehensive
Assessment | 2 Versions | Questions & Answers Complete
Study Guide – Chamberlain University | Latest 2026/2027 |
100% Verified
This comprehensive document contains Actual practice questions and verified answers for the NR547 CEA
(Clinical Evaluation Assessment) Pre-Clinical Diagnostic Comprehensive Assessment at Chamberlain University,
presented as two complete exam versions. The exam covers key PMHNP competencies including psychiatric
assessment, therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy modalities, differential diagnosis, and
mental health disorders across the lifespan. Each answer includes the correct option in bold with a detailed rationale.
EXAM BLUEPRINT
Version Topics Covered
Version Psychiatric Assessment, Therapeutic Communication,
1 Psychopharmacology
Version Psychotherapy, Differential Diagnosis, Mental Health Disorders
2
,VERSION 1: PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT, THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION &
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
SECTION 1: PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT & MSE (Questions 1–20)
1. The PMHNP is conducting a mental status examination (MSE) on a patient who
reports feeling "on edge" and having difficulty sleeping. The patient speaks rapidly,
jumps from topic to topic, and is easily distracted. Which MSE domain is the provider
assessing when noting the patient's speech pattern?
A) Thought content
B) Thought process
C) Affect
D) Cognition
Answer: B
Thought process evaluates how thoughts flow and are connected. Rapid speech with
jumping between topics describes a flight of ideas, which is a thought process abnormality
often seen in mania or hypomania. Thought content assesses what the patient is thinking
(themes, delusions). Affect is the observed emotional expression. Cognition includes
attention, memory, and orientation.
2. A patient presents with a flat affect, poverty of speech, and psychomotor
retardation. The patient reports feeling hopeless and worthless. The PMHNP should
further assess for:
A) Mania
B) Major depressive disorder
,C) Schizophrenia
D) Generalized anxiety disorder
Answer: B
Flat affect, poverty of speech, psychomotor retardation, hopelessness, and worthlessness
are classic features of major depressive disorder with melancholic features. Mania presents
with elevated mood, pressured speech, and increased psychomotor activity. Schizophrenia
includes psychotic symptoms and thought disorders. GAD involves excessive worry and
hyperarousal.
3. During the MSE, the PMHNP asks the patient to repeat the phrase "No ifs, ands, or
buts." This assesses which cognitive domain?
A) Attention
B) Memory
C) Language
D) Executive function
Answer: C
Repeating a phrase assesses language function, specifically the ability to produce complex
speech and the integrity of the motor aspects of language. This tests for conditions like
aphasia or dysarthria. Attention is assessed with digit span or serial sevens. Memory is
tested with recall tasks. Executive function involves problem-solving and abstraction.
4. The PMHNP is assessing a patient's insight and judgment. Which question best
assesses judgment?
, A) "What would you do if you found a stamped envelope on the street?"
B) "How would you describe your current mood?"
C) "Can you tell me the name of the current president?"
D) "What does the phrase 'people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones' mean?"
Answer: A
Judgment is assessed by asking patients what they would do in hypothetical situations,
such as finding a stamped envelope. This evaluates their ability to make appropriate
decisions and anticipate consequences. Mood is assessed through direct inquiry.
Orientation tests awareness of person, place, and time. Abstract reasoning assesses the
ability to interpret proverbs.
5. The PMHNP is evaluating a patient who reports hearing voices commenting on
their actions. The provider notes that the patient responds to the voices during the
interview. This finding should be documented as:
A) Auditory hallucinations
B) Illusions
C) Delusions
D) Loose associations
Answer: A
Auditory hallucinations are the perception of sounds or voices without external stimuli.
When voices comment on the patient's actions, this is a specific type of auditory
hallucination. Illusions are misinterpretations of real stimuli. Delusions are fixed false beliefs.
Loose associations are thought process disturbances.
Assessment | 2 Versions | Questions & Answers Complete
Study Guide – Chamberlain University | Latest 2026/2027 |
100% Verified
This comprehensive document contains Actual practice questions and verified answers for the NR547 CEA
(Clinical Evaluation Assessment) Pre-Clinical Diagnostic Comprehensive Assessment at Chamberlain University,
presented as two complete exam versions. The exam covers key PMHNP competencies including psychiatric
assessment, therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy modalities, differential diagnosis, and
mental health disorders across the lifespan. Each answer includes the correct option in bold with a detailed rationale.
EXAM BLUEPRINT
Version Topics Covered
Version Psychiatric Assessment, Therapeutic Communication,
1 Psychopharmacology
Version Psychotherapy, Differential Diagnosis, Mental Health Disorders
2
,VERSION 1: PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT, THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION &
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
SECTION 1: PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT & MSE (Questions 1–20)
1. The PMHNP is conducting a mental status examination (MSE) on a patient who
reports feeling "on edge" and having difficulty sleeping. The patient speaks rapidly,
jumps from topic to topic, and is easily distracted. Which MSE domain is the provider
assessing when noting the patient's speech pattern?
A) Thought content
B) Thought process
C) Affect
D) Cognition
Answer: B
Thought process evaluates how thoughts flow and are connected. Rapid speech with
jumping between topics describes a flight of ideas, which is a thought process abnormality
often seen in mania or hypomania. Thought content assesses what the patient is thinking
(themes, delusions). Affect is the observed emotional expression. Cognition includes
attention, memory, and orientation.
2. A patient presents with a flat affect, poverty of speech, and psychomotor
retardation. The patient reports feeling hopeless and worthless. The PMHNP should
further assess for:
A) Mania
B) Major depressive disorder
,C) Schizophrenia
D) Generalized anxiety disorder
Answer: B
Flat affect, poverty of speech, psychomotor retardation, hopelessness, and worthlessness
are classic features of major depressive disorder with melancholic features. Mania presents
with elevated mood, pressured speech, and increased psychomotor activity. Schizophrenia
includes psychotic symptoms and thought disorders. GAD involves excessive worry and
hyperarousal.
3. During the MSE, the PMHNP asks the patient to repeat the phrase "No ifs, ands, or
buts." This assesses which cognitive domain?
A) Attention
B) Memory
C) Language
D) Executive function
Answer: C
Repeating a phrase assesses language function, specifically the ability to produce complex
speech and the integrity of the motor aspects of language. This tests for conditions like
aphasia or dysarthria. Attention is assessed with digit span or serial sevens. Memory is
tested with recall tasks. Executive function involves problem-solving and abstraction.
4. The PMHNP is assessing a patient's insight and judgment. Which question best
assesses judgment?
, A) "What would you do if you found a stamped envelope on the street?"
B) "How would you describe your current mood?"
C) "Can you tell me the name of the current president?"
D) "What does the phrase 'people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones' mean?"
Answer: A
Judgment is assessed by asking patients what they would do in hypothetical situations,
such as finding a stamped envelope. This evaluates their ability to make appropriate
decisions and anticipate consequences. Mood is assessed through direct inquiry.
Orientation tests awareness of person, place, and time. Abstract reasoning assesses the
ability to interpret proverbs.
5. The PMHNP is evaluating a patient who reports hearing voices commenting on
their actions. The provider notes that the patient responds to the voices during the
interview. This finding should be documented as:
A) Auditory hallucinations
B) Illusions
C) Delusions
D) Loose associations
Answer: A
Auditory hallucinations are the perception of sounds or voices without external stimuli.
When voices comment on the patient's actions, this is a specific type of auditory
hallucination. Illusions are misinterpretations of real stimuli. Delusions are fixed false beliefs.
Loose associations are thought process disturbances.
