1
NRNP 6635 Midterm Exam 2025 Actual –
Psychopathology and Diagnostic
Reasoning | Walden | Verified Graded A
Questions
1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the pathophysiology of
schizophrenia?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Glutamate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The dopamine hypothesis posits that excessive dopaminergic activity in the
mesolimbic pathway contributes to positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as
hallucinations and delusions (Walden NRNP 6635 focus: Schizophrenia
pathophysiology).
2. What is the hallmark symptom of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A. Panic attacks
B. Excessive worry
C. Flashbacks
D. Compulsions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GAD is characterized by persistent, excessive worry about multiple aspects of
life for at least six months, per DSM-5 criteria (Walden NRNP 6635 focus: Anxiety
disorders).
3. Which diagnostic criterion is essential for major depressive disorder (MDD)?
A. Manic episodes
B. Depressed mood or anhedonia
C. Psychotic features
D. Hypersomnia only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DSM-5 requires depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure (anhedonia) for
at least two weeks, along with other symptoms, for an MDD diagnosis (Walden NRNP
6635 focus: Mood disorders).
4. What is the first-line pharmacological treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD)?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. SSRIs
C. Antipsychotics
D. Mood stabilizers
, 2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs, such as sertraline, are first-line due to their efficacy in reducing OCD
symptoms by modulating serotonin levels (Walden NRNP 6635 focus: OCD treatment).
5. Which assessment tool is commonly used to evaluate suicide risk?
A. PHQ-9
B. GAD-7
C. C-SSRS
D. MMSE
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is designed to assess
suicidal ideation and behavior comprehensively (Walden NRNP 6635 focus: Suicide risk
assessment).
6. What is a key feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD)?
A. Stable interpersonal relationships
B. Fear of abandonment
C. Grandiosity
D. Social withdrawal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: BPD is characterized by intense fear of abandonment, unstable relationships,
and emotional dysregulation per DSM-5 (Walden NRNP 6635 focus: Personality
disorders).
7. Which medication is associated with a black box warning for increased suicidality in
young adults?
A. Lithium
B. Fluoxetine
C. Risperidone
D. Valproate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine carry a black box warning for increased suicidality in
patients under 25 during initial treatment (Walden NRNP 6635 focus: Antidepressant
warnings).
8. What is the primary diagnostic criterion for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A. Exposure to a traumatic event
B. Delusions
C. Manic episodes
D. Compulsions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: DSM-5 requires exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or
sexual violence, followed by symptoms like intrusion and avoidance (Walden NRNP
6635 focus: Trauma disorders).
9. Which brain region is implicated in the emotional dysregulation of bipolar
disorder?
A. Prefrontal cortex
B. Cerebellum
C. Occipital lobe
D. Medulla oblongata
NRNP 6635 Midterm Exam 2025 Actual –
Psychopathology and Diagnostic
Reasoning | Walden | Verified Graded A
Questions
1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the pathophysiology of
schizophrenia?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Glutamate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The dopamine hypothesis posits that excessive dopaminergic activity in the
mesolimbic pathway contributes to positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as
hallucinations and delusions (Walden NRNP 6635 focus: Schizophrenia
pathophysiology).
2. What is the hallmark symptom of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A. Panic attacks
B. Excessive worry
C. Flashbacks
D. Compulsions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GAD is characterized by persistent, excessive worry about multiple aspects of
life for at least six months, per DSM-5 criteria (Walden NRNP 6635 focus: Anxiety
disorders).
3. Which diagnostic criterion is essential for major depressive disorder (MDD)?
A. Manic episodes
B. Depressed mood or anhedonia
C. Psychotic features
D. Hypersomnia only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DSM-5 requires depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure (anhedonia) for
at least two weeks, along with other symptoms, for an MDD diagnosis (Walden NRNP
6635 focus: Mood disorders).
4. What is the first-line pharmacological treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD)?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. SSRIs
C. Antipsychotics
D. Mood stabilizers
, 2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs, such as sertraline, are first-line due to their efficacy in reducing OCD
symptoms by modulating serotonin levels (Walden NRNP 6635 focus: OCD treatment).
5. Which assessment tool is commonly used to evaluate suicide risk?
A. PHQ-9
B. GAD-7
C. C-SSRS
D. MMSE
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is designed to assess
suicidal ideation and behavior comprehensively (Walden NRNP 6635 focus: Suicide risk
assessment).
6. What is a key feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD)?
A. Stable interpersonal relationships
B. Fear of abandonment
C. Grandiosity
D. Social withdrawal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: BPD is characterized by intense fear of abandonment, unstable relationships,
and emotional dysregulation per DSM-5 (Walden NRNP 6635 focus: Personality
disorders).
7. Which medication is associated with a black box warning for increased suicidality in
young adults?
A. Lithium
B. Fluoxetine
C. Risperidone
D. Valproate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine carry a black box warning for increased suicidality in
patients under 25 during initial treatment (Walden NRNP 6635 focus: Antidepressant
warnings).
8. What is the primary diagnostic criterion for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A. Exposure to a traumatic event
B. Delusions
C. Manic episodes
D. Compulsions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: DSM-5 requires exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or
sexual violence, followed by symptoms like intrusion and avoidance (Walden NRNP
6635 focus: Trauma disorders).
9. Which brain region is implicated in the emotional dysregulation of bipolar
disorder?
A. Prefrontal cortex
B. Cerebellum
C. Occipital lobe
D. Medulla oblongata
