NRNP 6675: PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL
HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2027.
1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the reward system and is often
dysregulated in substance use disorders?
A. Serotonin
B. Glutamate
C. GABA
D. Dopamine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Dopamine is the key neurotransmitter in the brain’s reward
circuit, particularly within the mesolimbic pathway, and plays a central role in addiction.
2. A 24-year-old patient presents with symptoms of depression. Which lab test is essential to
rule out a physiological cause for the mood changes?
A. Hemoglobin A1c
B. Lipid Profile
C. Serum Potassium
,D. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypothyroidism is a common medical cause of depressive
symptoms; therefore, checking TSH levels is a standard part of the initial psychiatric
evaluation.
3. According to DSM-5 criteria, what is the minimum duration of symptoms required for a
diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder?
A. 1 week
B. 6 months
C. 1 month
D. 2 weeks
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder must be present during
the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning.
4. Which of the following is considered a ‘negative symptom’ of Schizophrenia?
A. Auditory hallucinations
B. Delusions of grandeur
C. Disorganized speech
D. Alogia
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Negative symptoms refer to a loss or reduction in normal
functioning, such as alogia (poverty of speech), flattened affect, and avolition.
5. What is the therapeutic range for serum lithium levels in the maintenance treatment of
Bipolar Disorder?
A. 0.2 - 0.5 mEq/L
B. 0.6 - 1.2 mEq/L
C. 1.5 - 2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.5 - 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The standard therapeutic range for maintenance lithium therapy
is generally 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L to balance efficacy and toxicity risks.
6. A patient taking Clozapine must have regular blood draws to monitor for which life-
threatening side effect?
A. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
B. Hepatotoxicity
C. Agranulocytosis
D. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Answer: C
HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2027.
1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the reward system and is often
dysregulated in substance use disorders?
A. Serotonin
B. Glutamate
C. GABA
D. Dopamine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Dopamine is the key neurotransmitter in the brain’s reward
circuit, particularly within the mesolimbic pathway, and plays a central role in addiction.
2. A 24-year-old patient presents with symptoms of depression. Which lab test is essential to
rule out a physiological cause for the mood changes?
A. Hemoglobin A1c
B. Lipid Profile
C. Serum Potassium
,D. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypothyroidism is a common medical cause of depressive
symptoms; therefore, checking TSH levels is a standard part of the initial psychiatric
evaluation.
3. According to DSM-5 criteria, what is the minimum duration of symptoms required for a
diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder?
A. 1 week
B. 6 months
C. 1 month
D. 2 weeks
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder must be present during
the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning.
4. Which of the following is considered a ‘negative symptom’ of Schizophrenia?
A. Auditory hallucinations
B. Delusions of grandeur
C. Disorganized speech
D. Alogia
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Negative symptoms refer to a loss or reduction in normal
functioning, such as alogia (poverty of speech), flattened affect, and avolition.
5. What is the therapeutic range for serum lithium levels in the maintenance treatment of
Bipolar Disorder?
A. 0.2 - 0.5 mEq/L
B. 0.6 - 1.2 mEq/L
C. 1.5 - 2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.5 - 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The standard therapeutic range for maintenance lithium therapy
is generally 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L to balance efficacy and toxicity risks.
6. A patient taking Clozapine must have regular blood draws to monitor for which life-
threatening side effect?
A. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
B. Hepatotoxicity
C. Agranulocytosis
D. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Answer: C
