NU 578 UNIT 4 EXAM: PERSONALITY,
NEUROCOGNITIVE, AND SUBSTANCE
USE DISORDERS QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS 100% GUARANTEE PASS |
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
1. A 24-year-old female presents with a history of unstable relationships, chronic feelings of
emptiness, and recurrent non-suicidal self-injury. When her therapist is five minutes late, she
tells the receptionist that the therapist is ‘the most incompetent person alive’ despite
praising her as a ‘saint’ the previous week. Which defense mechanism is most prominent?
A. Reaction Formation
B. Splitting
C. Projective Identification
D. Sublimation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Splitting is a hallmark defense mechanism in Borderline
Personality Disorder where individuals are unable to integrate positive and negative
aspects of self or others, resulting in ‘all-good’ or ‘all-bad’ perceptions.
,2. Which of the following is a primary diagnostic requirement for Antisocial Personality
Disorder (ASPD) according to the DSM-5-TR?
A. The individual must be at least 21 years of age.
B. Evidence of Conduct Disorder with onset before age 15.
C. Presence of psychotic symptoms during the impulsive episodes.
D. A history of at least one manic episode.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: To diagnose ASPD, there must be evidence of Conduct Disorder
before age 15, and the individual must be at least 18 years old.
3. An 82-year-old male is brought to the ED with acute onset of confusion, visual
hallucinations, and a fluctuating level of consciousness. His family states he was fine two days
ago. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Vascular Dementia
C. Major Depressive Disorder
D. Delirium
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, fluctuating course,
and disturbances in consciousness/attention, often triggered by underlying medical issues.
, 4. Which neurotransmitter pathway is primarily implicated in the ‘reward system’ of
substance use disorders, specifically within the nucleus accumbens?
A. Dopaminergic pathway
B. GABAergic pathway
C. Serotonergic pathway
D. Acetylcholine pathway
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The mesolimbic dopamine pathway, extending from the VTA to
the nucleus accumbens, is the primary circuit for reward and reinforcement.
5. During the treatment of a patient with Anorexia Nervosa, the PMHNP monitors for
refeeding syndrome. Which electrolyte abnormality is the hallmark sign of this potentially
fatal condition?
A. Hypophosphatemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: A
NEUROCOGNITIVE, AND SUBSTANCE
USE DISORDERS QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS 100% GUARANTEE PASS |
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
1. A 24-year-old female presents with a history of unstable relationships, chronic feelings of
emptiness, and recurrent non-suicidal self-injury. When her therapist is five minutes late, she
tells the receptionist that the therapist is ‘the most incompetent person alive’ despite
praising her as a ‘saint’ the previous week. Which defense mechanism is most prominent?
A. Reaction Formation
B. Splitting
C. Projective Identification
D. Sublimation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Splitting is a hallmark defense mechanism in Borderline
Personality Disorder where individuals are unable to integrate positive and negative
aspects of self or others, resulting in ‘all-good’ or ‘all-bad’ perceptions.
,2. Which of the following is a primary diagnostic requirement for Antisocial Personality
Disorder (ASPD) according to the DSM-5-TR?
A. The individual must be at least 21 years of age.
B. Evidence of Conduct Disorder with onset before age 15.
C. Presence of psychotic symptoms during the impulsive episodes.
D. A history of at least one manic episode.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: To diagnose ASPD, there must be evidence of Conduct Disorder
before age 15, and the individual must be at least 18 years old.
3. An 82-year-old male is brought to the ED with acute onset of confusion, visual
hallucinations, and a fluctuating level of consciousness. His family states he was fine two days
ago. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Vascular Dementia
C. Major Depressive Disorder
D. Delirium
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, fluctuating course,
and disturbances in consciousness/attention, often triggered by underlying medical issues.
, 4. Which neurotransmitter pathway is primarily implicated in the ‘reward system’ of
substance use disorders, specifically within the nucleus accumbens?
A. Dopaminergic pathway
B. GABAergic pathway
C. Serotonergic pathway
D. Acetylcholine pathway
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The mesolimbic dopamine pathway, extending from the VTA to
the nucleus accumbens, is the primary circuit for reward and reinforcement.
5. During the treatment of a patient with Anorexia Nervosa, the PMHNP monitors for
refeeding syndrome. Which electrolyte abnormality is the hallmark sign of this potentially
fatal condition?
A. Hypophosphatemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: A
