NU 671 Midterm Exam Questions
with Answers| Updated| Pass Guaranteed| Purdue
University Global
1. Which framework best describes the view that mental illness
results from interacting biological, psychological, and social factors?
A. Moral model
B. Purely biomedical model
C. Behavioral model only
D. Biopsychosocial model
Answer: D. Biopsychosocial model
Rationale: Engel's biopsychosocial model is the foundation of psychiatric
assessment and treatment planning. It prompts evaluation of
genetics/neurobiology, cognition and coping, and family, culture, and social
determinants.
2. A patient's genetic vulnerability to depression is triggered after a
job loss and divorce. This best illustrates which model?
A. Learned helplessness only
B. Diathesis-stress model
C. Operant conditioning
D. Psychoanalytic drive theory
Answer: B. Diathesis-stress model
Rationale: The diathesis-stress model holds that predisposition (diathesis)
plus environmental stressors produce illness. It explains why not everyone
with risk develops disorder.
NU 671 Midterm | Page 1
,3. What major change did DSM-5 make to diagnostic documentation
compared with DSM-IV?
A. Removed the multiaxial system
B. Eliminated all specifiers
C. Removed clinical significance criteria
D. Added Axis VI
Answer: A. Removed the multiaxial system
Rationale: DSM-5 combined former Axes I–III into one listing and notes
psychosocial/contextual factors and disability separately (for example, with
WHODAS 2.0 and Z codes). GAF was dropped.
4. Which statement about the DSM-5-TR and ICD-10-CM is accurate
for U.S. billing and reporting?
A. Only ICD-9 codes are accepted
B. DSM-5-TR codes replace ICD entirely
C. DSM-5-TR diagnoses carry ICD-10-CM codes that are used for
reporting
D. DSM codes are used only in research
Answer: C. DSM-5-TR diagnoses carry ICD-10-CM codes that are used
for reporting
Rationale: DSM diagnoses are cross-referenced to ICD-10-CM codes,
which are used for insurance claims and public health reporting in the
United States.
5. Why does DSM-5 include cross-cutting symptom measures and
severity ratings?
A. To diagnose without interviewing
B. To eliminate diagnostic categories
C. To add a dimensional approach to a categorical system
D. To replace clinical judgment
Answer: C. To add a dimensional approach to a categorical system
Rationale: Cross-cutting measures screen for symptoms across domains
(depression, anger, mania, psychosis, sleep, substance use), capturing
comorbidity and severity beyond yes/no categories.
NU 671 Midterm | Page 2
,6. Excess dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway is most
associated with which symptom group?
A. Positive symptoms of psychosis (hallucinations, delusions)
B. Cognitive decline in dementia
C. Neurovegetative symptoms of depression
D. Negative symptoms
Answer: A. Positive symptoms of psychosis (hallucinations,
delusions)
Rationale: Hyperactive mesolimbic dopamine is linked to positive
symptoms. Hypoactivity in the mesocortical pathway is linked to negative
and cognitive symptoms.
7. Blockade of D2 receptors in the tuberoinfundibular pathway leads
to:
A. Hyperprolactinemia
B. Weight gain through H1
C. Improved negative symptoms
D. Extrapyramidal symptoms
Answer: A. Hyperprolactinemia
Rationale: Dopamine normally inhibits prolactin release. Nigrostriatal
blockade causes EPS/parkinsonism; mesolimbic blockade reduces positive
symptoms.
8. Which brain structure is most involved in fear conditioning and
emotional salience, and is overactive in anxiety and PTSD?
A. Pons
B. Amygdala
C. Cerebellum
D. Occipital cortex
Answer: B. Amygdala
Rationale: The amygdala detects threat; the prefrontal cortex normally
regulates it, and the hippocampus contextualizes memories. In PTSD,
amygdala hyperreactivity with reduced prefrontal control is common.
NU 671 Midterm | Page 3
, 9. Which brain region is primarily responsible for executive
functioning, judgment, and impulse control?
A. Prefrontal cortex
B. Thalamus
C. Medulla
D. Hippocampus
Answer: A. Prefrontal cortex
Rationale: Prefrontal impairment (frontal lobe injury, frontotemporal
dementia) produces disinhibition, poor planning, and impaired judgment.
10. Chronic elevation of cortisol from HPA axis dysregulation is
associated with:
A. Hypoglycemia only
B. Improved memory
C. Increased GABA production
D. Depression and PTSD-related stress responses, and hippocampal
changes
Answer: D. Depression and PTSD-related stress responses, and
hippocampal changes
Rationale: Chronic stress dysregulates the HPA axis; findings include
altered feedback, hippocampal volume changes, and increased medical
morbidity.
11. Which neurotransmitter is the brain's primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter and target of benzodiazepines?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Glutamate
Answer: C. GABA
Rationale: Benzodiazepines potentiate GABA-A receptor activity, reducing
anxiety and seizures. Glutamate is the main excitatory transmitter (NMDA).
NU 671 Midterm | Page 4
with Answers| Updated| Pass Guaranteed| Purdue
University Global
1. Which framework best describes the view that mental illness
results from interacting biological, psychological, and social factors?
A. Moral model
B. Purely biomedical model
C. Behavioral model only
D. Biopsychosocial model
Answer: D. Biopsychosocial model
Rationale: Engel's biopsychosocial model is the foundation of psychiatric
assessment and treatment planning. It prompts evaluation of
genetics/neurobiology, cognition and coping, and family, culture, and social
determinants.
2. A patient's genetic vulnerability to depression is triggered after a
job loss and divorce. This best illustrates which model?
A. Learned helplessness only
B. Diathesis-stress model
C. Operant conditioning
D. Psychoanalytic drive theory
Answer: B. Diathesis-stress model
Rationale: The diathesis-stress model holds that predisposition (diathesis)
plus environmental stressors produce illness. It explains why not everyone
with risk develops disorder.
NU 671 Midterm | Page 1
,3. What major change did DSM-5 make to diagnostic documentation
compared with DSM-IV?
A. Removed the multiaxial system
B. Eliminated all specifiers
C. Removed clinical significance criteria
D. Added Axis VI
Answer: A. Removed the multiaxial system
Rationale: DSM-5 combined former Axes I–III into one listing and notes
psychosocial/contextual factors and disability separately (for example, with
WHODAS 2.0 and Z codes). GAF was dropped.
4. Which statement about the DSM-5-TR and ICD-10-CM is accurate
for U.S. billing and reporting?
A. Only ICD-9 codes are accepted
B. DSM-5-TR codes replace ICD entirely
C. DSM-5-TR diagnoses carry ICD-10-CM codes that are used for
reporting
D. DSM codes are used only in research
Answer: C. DSM-5-TR diagnoses carry ICD-10-CM codes that are used
for reporting
Rationale: DSM diagnoses are cross-referenced to ICD-10-CM codes,
which are used for insurance claims and public health reporting in the
United States.
5. Why does DSM-5 include cross-cutting symptom measures and
severity ratings?
A. To diagnose without interviewing
B. To eliminate diagnostic categories
C. To add a dimensional approach to a categorical system
D. To replace clinical judgment
Answer: C. To add a dimensional approach to a categorical system
Rationale: Cross-cutting measures screen for symptoms across domains
(depression, anger, mania, psychosis, sleep, substance use), capturing
comorbidity and severity beyond yes/no categories.
NU 671 Midterm | Page 2
,6. Excess dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway is most
associated with which symptom group?
A. Positive symptoms of psychosis (hallucinations, delusions)
B. Cognitive decline in dementia
C. Neurovegetative symptoms of depression
D. Negative symptoms
Answer: A. Positive symptoms of psychosis (hallucinations,
delusions)
Rationale: Hyperactive mesolimbic dopamine is linked to positive
symptoms. Hypoactivity in the mesocortical pathway is linked to negative
and cognitive symptoms.
7. Blockade of D2 receptors in the tuberoinfundibular pathway leads
to:
A. Hyperprolactinemia
B. Weight gain through H1
C. Improved negative symptoms
D. Extrapyramidal symptoms
Answer: A. Hyperprolactinemia
Rationale: Dopamine normally inhibits prolactin release. Nigrostriatal
blockade causes EPS/parkinsonism; mesolimbic blockade reduces positive
symptoms.
8. Which brain structure is most involved in fear conditioning and
emotional salience, and is overactive in anxiety and PTSD?
A. Pons
B. Amygdala
C. Cerebellum
D. Occipital cortex
Answer: B. Amygdala
Rationale: The amygdala detects threat; the prefrontal cortex normally
regulates it, and the hippocampus contextualizes memories. In PTSD,
amygdala hyperreactivity with reduced prefrontal control is common.
NU 671 Midterm | Page 3
, 9. Which brain region is primarily responsible for executive
functioning, judgment, and impulse control?
A. Prefrontal cortex
B. Thalamus
C. Medulla
D. Hippocampus
Answer: A. Prefrontal cortex
Rationale: Prefrontal impairment (frontal lobe injury, frontotemporal
dementia) produces disinhibition, poor planning, and impaired judgment.
10. Chronic elevation of cortisol from HPA axis dysregulation is
associated with:
A. Hypoglycemia only
B. Improved memory
C. Increased GABA production
D. Depression and PTSD-related stress responses, and hippocampal
changes
Answer: D. Depression and PTSD-related stress responses, and
hippocampal changes
Rationale: Chronic stress dysregulates the HPA axis; findings include
altered feedback, hippocampal volume changes, and increased medical
morbidity.
11. Which neurotransmitter is the brain's primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter and target of benzodiazepines?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Glutamate
Answer: C. GABA
Rationale: Benzodiazepines potentiate GABA-A receptor activity, reducing
anxiety and seizures. Glutamate is the main excitatory transmitter (NMDA).
NU 671 Midterm | Page 4
