University 300 Exam-Style Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| 1 | Psychiatric Assessment & Diagnostic Formulation | 1–30 |
| 2 | Mood Disorders (Depressive & Bipolar Disorders) | 31–60 |
| 3 | Anxiety Disorders, OCD, & Trauma-Related Disorders | 61–85 |
| 4 | Psychotic Disorders & Schizophrenia | 86–110 |
| 5 | Personality Disorders | 111–135 |
| 6 | Substance Use Disorders & Addiction Medicine | 136–160 |
| 7 | Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | 161–185 |
| 8 | Geriatric Psychiatry & Neurocognitive Disorders | 186–210 |
| 9 | Psychopharmacology & Pharmacokinetics | 211–245 |
| 10 | Crisis Intervention, Suicide Risk, & Violence | 246–265 |
| 11 | Ethics, Legal Issues, & Professional Practice | 266–285 |
| 12 | Psychotherapy & Therapeutic Modalities | 286–300 |
---
EXAM OVERVIEW
Course: NURS 6675 – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II
Institution: Walden University
,Exam: Week 11 Final Examination
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Format: 300 Multiple-Choice Questions
Question Types: Clinical application, diagnostic reasoning, pharmacotherapy selection,
ethical/legal decision-making, DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria, lifespan considerations, evidence-
based treatment planning, and Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)-style case-based questions
Topics Covered: All core domains of PMHNP practice including psychiatric assessment, mood
disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders, substance use disorders,
child/adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, psychopharmacology, crisis intervention,
suicide risk assessment, ethics, legal issues, and psychotherapy modalities
---
SECTION 1: PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTIC FORMULATION (Questions 1–30)
---
Question 1
Which of the following is the MOST appropriate initial step in conducting a comprehensive
psychiatric assessment?
A) Ordering laboratory tests to rule out organic causes
B) Establishing rapport and obtaining a thorough psychiatric history
C) Administering standardized screening instruments
D) Consulting with collateral informants
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Establishing rapport and obtaining a thorough psychiatric history is the foundational
first step in psychiatric assessment. This builds trust and gathers essential information before
,further diagnostic workup. Laboratory tests, screening instruments, and collateral information
are important but follow the initial interview.
---
Question 2
A PMHNP is evaluating a 45-year-old patient presenting with new-onset depressive symptoms.
Which of the following should be included in the initial medical workup?
A) Complete blood count and thyroid function tests
B) Electroencephalogram and brain MRI
C) Genetic testing and neurotransmitter assays
D) Cardiac stress test and pulmonary function tests
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A thorough medical workup for new-onset depressive symptoms should include
complete blood count and thyroid function tests to rule out anemia, hypothyroidism, and other
medical conditions that can cause depressive symptoms. More extensive neurological testing is
only indicated when there are focal neurological findings.
---
Question 3
A PMHNP is conducting a mental status examination (MSE). Which component of the MSE
assesses the patient's ability to concentrate and sustain attention?
A) Appearance and behavior
B) Mood and affect
C) Cognition: attention and concentration
D) Insight and judgment
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cognition is a component of the MSE that includes assessment of attention and
concentration, memory, and abstract thinking. Attention and concentration are typically
assessed through tasks such as serial subtraction or spelling words backward. Insight and
judgment are separate components of the MSE.
---
Question 4
A patient reports experiencing auditory hallucinations. The PMHNP assesses the content and
characteristics of the hallucinations. Which of the following findings is MOST concerning for a
psychotic disorder?
A) Hearing one's own name called when alone
B) Hearing a voice commenting on one's actions
C) Hearing a voice that tells the patient to harm themselves
D) Hearing music when falling asleep
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Command hallucinations that instruct the patient to harm themselves or others are
the most concerning and require immediate intervention. While auditory hallucinations can
occur in various conditions, command hallucinations with dangerous content represent a
psychiatric emergency.
---
Question 5
A PMHNP is assessing a patient's insight. Which question BEST evaluates the patient's level of
insight?