NUR 6121 Exam 1 WPU Advanced Practice Nursing II –
(2026/2027) Actual Questions, Verified Answers with
Rationales | Guarantee Pass
SECTION 1: MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE
1. A maladaptive pattern of substance use that leads to impairment or distress
at school, work, with family, and physical or social difficulties defines which of
the following?
• A. Substance intoxication
• B. Substance use disorder
• C. Substance tolerance
• D. Substance withdrawal
Answer: B. Substance use disorder
Rationale: Substance use disorder involves recurrent use that results in clinically
significant impairment or distress, including failure to fulfill major roles,
interpersonal problems, and physical or social consequences. Tolerance and
withdrawal are components but do not alone define the disorder .
2. A 28 y/o male presents stating he is withdrawing from an opioid. You would
expect to see:
• A. Bradycardia, hypothermia, and constipation
• B. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• C. Severe respiratory depression and miosis
• D. Ataxia, slurred speech, and nystagmus
Answer: B. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Rationale: Opioid withdrawal is characterized by autonomic and GI hyperactivity:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, myalgias, rhinorrhea, and
,piloerection. Respiratory depression and miosis indicate acute intoxication, not
withdrawal .
3. A 45 y/o female presents with racing thoughts, mild headaches 2-3 days a
week, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating. Your diagnosis would include:
• A. Generalized anxiety disorder
• B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• C. Bipolar I disorder, current manic episode
• D. Schizophrenia
Answer: A. Generalized anxiety disorder
Rationale: GAD presents with excessive worry, racing thoughts, sleep disturbance,
and difficulty concentrating for at least six months, often with somatic symptoms
like headaches. No evidence of obsessions, psychosis, or clear manic symptoms .
4. A 47 y/o male presents with sadness and hopelessness since his recent
divorce 2 months ago. He admits to occasional thoughts that "the world would
be better off without me," but denies an active plan. Appropriate treatment
would include all EXCEPT:
• A. Provide crisis resources and safety planning
• B. Initiate psychotherapy and/or antidepressant therapy
• C. Schedule close follow-up and ongoing risk assessment
• D. Immediate referral to the ER for evaluation of suicidal ideation
Answer: D. Immediate referral to the ER
Rationale: Passive suicidal ideation without plan or intent can often be managed
outpatient with safety planning, support, and close follow-up. Emergency
evaluation is indicated with active intent, plan, means, or inability to ensure
safety .
, 5. Labs that may be done when assessing a patient for a mental health concern
to rule out physical illness include (select 3):
• A. CBC, CMP, and drug screen
• B. CBC only
• C. CMP only
• D. Drug screen is rarely indicated
Answer: A. CBC, CMP, and drug screen
Rationale: Medical conditions and substances can mimic or exacerbate psychiatric
symptoms. CBC evaluates anemia/infection; CMP screens metabolic, renal, and
hepatic function; drug screen identifies substance use .
6. The common comorbidity associated with depression is:
• A. Anxiety
• B. Bipolar disorder
• C. Schizophrenia
• D. Personality disorder
Answer: A. Anxiety
Rationale: Anxiety is the most common comorbidity associated with depression.
Patients with depression frequently also meet criteria for an anxiety disorder, and
vice versa .
7. Evidence-based first-line treatments for bipolar disorder include:
• A. Mood stabilizers
• B. SSRIs alone
• C. Benzodiazepines
(2026/2027) Actual Questions, Verified Answers with
Rationales | Guarantee Pass
SECTION 1: MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE
1. A maladaptive pattern of substance use that leads to impairment or distress
at school, work, with family, and physical or social difficulties defines which of
the following?
• A. Substance intoxication
• B. Substance use disorder
• C. Substance tolerance
• D. Substance withdrawal
Answer: B. Substance use disorder
Rationale: Substance use disorder involves recurrent use that results in clinically
significant impairment or distress, including failure to fulfill major roles,
interpersonal problems, and physical or social consequences. Tolerance and
withdrawal are components but do not alone define the disorder .
2. A 28 y/o male presents stating he is withdrawing from an opioid. You would
expect to see:
• A. Bradycardia, hypothermia, and constipation
• B. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• C. Severe respiratory depression and miosis
• D. Ataxia, slurred speech, and nystagmus
Answer: B. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Rationale: Opioid withdrawal is characterized by autonomic and GI hyperactivity:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, myalgias, rhinorrhea, and
,piloerection. Respiratory depression and miosis indicate acute intoxication, not
withdrawal .
3. A 45 y/o female presents with racing thoughts, mild headaches 2-3 days a
week, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating. Your diagnosis would include:
• A. Generalized anxiety disorder
• B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• C. Bipolar I disorder, current manic episode
• D. Schizophrenia
Answer: A. Generalized anxiety disorder
Rationale: GAD presents with excessive worry, racing thoughts, sleep disturbance,
and difficulty concentrating for at least six months, often with somatic symptoms
like headaches. No evidence of obsessions, psychosis, or clear manic symptoms .
4. A 47 y/o male presents with sadness and hopelessness since his recent
divorce 2 months ago. He admits to occasional thoughts that "the world would
be better off without me," but denies an active plan. Appropriate treatment
would include all EXCEPT:
• A. Provide crisis resources and safety planning
• B. Initiate psychotherapy and/or antidepressant therapy
• C. Schedule close follow-up and ongoing risk assessment
• D. Immediate referral to the ER for evaluation of suicidal ideation
Answer: D. Immediate referral to the ER
Rationale: Passive suicidal ideation without plan or intent can often be managed
outpatient with safety planning, support, and close follow-up. Emergency
evaluation is indicated with active intent, plan, means, or inability to ensure
safety .
, 5. Labs that may be done when assessing a patient for a mental health concern
to rule out physical illness include (select 3):
• A. CBC, CMP, and drug screen
• B. CBC only
• C. CMP only
• D. Drug screen is rarely indicated
Answer: A. CBC, CMP, and drug screen
Rationale: Medical conditions and substances can mimic or exacerbate psychiatric
symptoms. CBC evaluates anemia/infection; CMP screens metabolic, renal, and
hepatic function; drug screen identifies substance use .
6. The common comorbidity associated with depression is:
• A. Anxiety
• B. Bipolar disorder
• C. Schizophrenia
• D. Personality disorder
Answer: A. Anxiety
Rationale: Anxiety is the most common comorbidity associated with depression.
Patients with depression frequently also meet criteria for an anxiety disorder, and
vice versa .
7. Evidence-based first-line treatments for bipolar disorder include:
• A. Mood stabilizers
• B. SSRIs alone
• C. Benzodiazepines
