NURS 6630 Midterm Exam: Psychopharmacologic Approaches
to Treatment of Psychopathology
latest update Walden University
Actual Questions and Answers 100% Guarantee Pass 2026-2027 Update
Exam
Question 1
During assessment a patient states “Why are you asking me about my heart, I am here
for my head”, the PMHNP’s best response is:
A. “Heart disease and psychiatric illnesses share identical genetic risk factors.”
B. “We routinely conduct cardiovascular screening on all emergency admissions.”
C. “Psychiatric medications only affect cardiac conduction pathways.”
D. “Anxiety can cause cortisol levels to increase and when this happens frequently it
puts you at risk for comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes.”
Correct answer : D. “Anxiety can cause cortisol levels to increase and
when this happens frequently it puts you at risk for comorbidities such as
type 2 diabetes.”
Page 1
,NURS 6630 Midterm Exam — 2026-2027 Update Exam
Question 2
During gene expression, what must occur prior to a gene being expressed?
A. Transcription factor must bind to the regulatory region within the cell’s nucleus.
B. Translation of mRNA must occur in the extracellular fluid.
C. Ribosomes must enter the nuclear membrane to initiate transcription.
D. DNA polymerase must deactivate the promoter region.
Correct answer : A. Transcription factor must bind to the regulatory
region within the cell’s nucleus.
Question 3
The PMHNP is assessing a 29-year-old client who takes antipsychotics that block D2
receptors. This client has begun to develop a common side effect of this medication.
What is this side effect?
A. Hypertensive crisis
B. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
D. Tardive dyskinesia
Correct answer : D. Tardive dyskinesia
Page 2
,NURS 6630 Midterm Exam — 2026-2027 Update Exam
Question 4
After ordering flumazenil (Romazicon) the PMHNP cautions the staff to monitor for
which possible effect?
A. Hepatic toxicity
B. Severe respiratory depression
C. Prolonged sedation
D. Seizures
Correct answer : D. Seizures
Question 5
A patient is prescribed 50 mg of desvenlafaxine to take every other day for major
depressive disorder. What does the PMHNP understand about this patient?
A. The patient is experiencing mild hypomania.
B. The patient has hepatic encephalopathy.
C. The patient has severe renal impairment.
D. The patient is undergoing rapid wash-out.
Correct answer : C. The patient has severe renal impairment.
Page 3
, NURS 6630 Midterm Exam — 2026-2027 Update Exam
Question 6
A patient is prescribed sertraline to treat panic disorder. Knowing that sertraline can
initially cause anxiety or insomnia, what should the PMHNP do?
A. Discontinue sertraline immediately and switch to an MAOI.
B. Prescribe short-acting benzodiazepine for 2 weeks, then discontinue.
C. Increase sertraline dose to maximum therapeutic level immediately.
D. Instruct the patient to double the dose at bedtime.
Correct answer : B. Prescribe short-acting benzodiazepine for 2 weeks,
then discontinue.
Question 7
Though medications have the ability to target neurotransmitter release into the synapse
by the presynaptic neuron it is not always necessary. The PMHNP understands that this
is because:
A. Neurotransmitters are produced in equal amounts by postsynaptic neurons.
B. Synaptic clefts are completely sealed off from surrounding tissue.
C. Neurotransmitters can spread by diffusion.
D. Reuptake pumps operate at 100% efficiency at all times.
Correct answer : C. Neurotransmitters can spread by diffusion.
Page 4
to Treatment of Psychopathology
latest update Walden University
Actual Questions and Answers 100% Guarantee Pass 2026-2027 Update
Exam
Question 1
During assessment a patient states “Why are you asking me about my heart, I am here
for my head”, the PMHNP’s best response is:
A. “Heart disease and psychiatric illnesses share identical genetic risk factors.”
B. “We routinely conduct cardiovascular screening on all emergency admissions.”
C. “Psychiatric medications only affect cardiac conduction pathways.”
D. “Anxiety can cause cortisol levels to increase and when this happens frequently it
puts you at risk for comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes.”
Correct answer : D. “Anxiety can cause cortisol levels to increase and
when this happens frequently it puts you at risk for comorbidities such as
type 2 diabetes.”
Page 1
,NURS 6630 Midterm Exam — 2026-2027 Update Exam
Question 2
During gene expression, what must occur prior to a gene being expressed?
A. Transcription factor must bind to the regulatory region within the cell’s nucleus.
B. Translation of mRNA must occur in the extracellular fluid.
C. Ribosomes must enter the nuclear membrane to initiate transcription.
D. DNA polymerase must deactivate the promoter region.
Correct answer : A. Transcription factor must bind to the regulatory
region within the cell’s nucleus.
Question 3
The PMHNP is assessing a 29-year-old client who takes antipsychotics that block D2
receptors. This client has begun to develop a common side effect of this medication.
What is this side effect?
A. Hypertensive crisis
B. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
D. Tardive dyskinesia
Correct answer : D. Tardive dyskinesia
Page 2
,NURS 6630 Midterm Exam — 2026-2027 Update Exam
Question 4
After ordering flumazenil (Romazicon) the PMHNP cautions the staff to monitor for
which possible effect?
A. Hepatic toxicity
B. Severe respiratory depression
C. Prolonged sedation
D. Seizures
Correct answer : D. Seizures
Question 5
A patient is prescribed 50 mg of desvenlafaxine to take every other day for major
depressive disorder. What does the PMHNP understand about this patient?
A. The patient is experiencing mild hypomania.
B. The patient has hepatic encephalopathy.
C. The patient has severe renal impairment.
D. The patient is undergoing rapid wash-out.
Correct answer : C. The patient has severe renal impairment.
Page 3
, NURS 6630 Midterm Exam — 2026-2027 Update Exam
Question 6
A patient is prescribed sertraline to treat panic disorder. Knowing that sertraline can
initially cause anxiety or insomnia, what should the PMHNP do?
A. Discontinue sertraline immediately and switch to an MAOI.
B. Prescribe short-acting benzodiazepine for 2 weeks, then discontinue.
C. Increase sertraline dose to maximum therapeutic level immediately.
D. Instruct the patient to double the dose at bedtime.
Correct answer : B. Prescribe short-acting benzodiazepine for 2 weeks,
then discontinue.
Question 7
Though medications have the ability to target neurotransmitter release into the synapse
by the presynaptic neuron it is not always necessary. The PMHNP understands that this
is because:
A. Neurotransmitters are produced in equal amounts by postsynaptic neurons.
B. Synaptic clefts are completely sealed off from surrounding tissue.
C. Neurotransmitters can spread by diffusion.
D. Reuptake pumps operate at 100% efficiency at all times.
Correct answer : C. Neurotransmitters can spread by diffusion.
Page 4
