NURS 6630 FINAL EXAM DONE FINISHED WITH CORRRECT ANSWERS V3 GMIN
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC APPROACHES TO TREATMENT OF
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY WALDEN UNIVERSITY
NURS 6630 FINAL EXAM DONE FINISHED WITH CORRRECT
ANSWERS V3 GMIN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC
APPROACHES TO TREATMENT OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
WALDEN UNIVERSITY
Outline of Multiple Choice Questions
1. Question 2: Medication Adherence Concern
Question: How should a PMHNP address a patient's concern about medication
adherence?
Multiple-Choice Options:
• Dismiss the concerns
• Emphasize the importance of following the prescription exactly
• Explore barriers and work collaboratively to find solutions
• Suggest stopping the medication if it's too difficult
• Correct Answer: Explore barriers and work collaboratively to find
solutions
• Rationale: The most therapeutic and effective approach is to understand
why adherence is difficult (e.g., side effects, cost, complex regimen).
Partnering with the patient to adjust the plan fosters autonomy and better
long-term adherence.
2. Question 4: Benzodiazepine Safety
Question: When prescribing a benzodiazepine, what is a key safety consideration?
Multiple-Choice Options:
• Prescribing the dose patients feel they need/want for effectiveness
• Using large ranges in dosing instructions for flexibility
• Avoiding long-term use due to risk of dependence
pg. 1
,NURS 6630 FINAL EXAM DONE FINISHED WITH CORRRECT ANSWERS V3 GMIN
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC APPROACHES TO TREATMENT OF
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY WALDEN UNIVERSITY
Encouraging the patient to take extra doses if needed
Correct Answer: Avoiding long-term use due to risk of dependence
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are generally intended for short-term use due
to the high risk of developing physical and psychological dependence,
tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. Use the lowest
effective dose for the shortest duration possible.
3. Schizophrenia Prodrome Intervention
Scenario: A young adult with a family history of schizophrenia presents with
prodromal symptoms. Question: According to NEI Psychopharm, what is a key
early intervention strategy? Multiple-Choice Options:
• Immediate initiation of antipsychotic medication.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy.
• Lifestyle modifications and psychoeducation.
• Monitoring and no immediate treatment.
• Correct Answer: Lifestyle modifications and psychoeducation.
• Rationale: For the prodromal phase (before frank psychosis), the standard
initial, low-risk intervention involves promoting healthy lifestyle changes
(e.g., sleep hygiene, exercise) and providing psychoeducation.
Pharmacotherapy is generally reserved for progression.
4. Question 6: Stimulant Use Disorder Pharmacotherapy
Scenario: A patient with a severe stimulant use disorder is seeking treatment
options. Question: What is the recommended pharmacotherapy for stimulant use
disorder according to American Society of Addiction Medicine guidelines?
Multiple-Choice Options:
• Bupropion.
• Naltrexone.
• Disulfiram.
pg. 2
,NURS 6630 FINAL EXAM DONE FINISHED WITH CORRRECT ANSWERS V3 GMIN
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC APPROACHES TO TREATMENT OF
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY WALDEN UNIVERSITY
• There are no FDA-approved medications.
• Correct Answer: There are no FDA-approved medications.
• Rationale: Currently, the FDA has not approved any specific medication for
the treatment of stimulant (cocaine or methamphetamine) use disorder.
Treatment relies primarily on behavioral therapies (e.g., CBT, contingency
management).
5. Question 7: Primary Goal of Psychiatric Interview
Question: What is the primary goal of the psychiatric interview?
Multiple-Choice Options:
• To diagnose the patient
• To gather information and build rapport
• To prescribe medication
• To discuss treatment options
• Correct Answer: To gather information and build rapport
• Rationale: While diagnosis and treatment are outcomes, the primary goal is
the foundational process of comprehensively collecting data and establishing
a therapeutic relationship. Rapport is necessary for effective treatment
planning.
6. Question 8: Depression Mimic in Elderly
Question: In elderly patients, which condition can often present as depression and
should be ruled out?
Multiple-Choice Options:
• Asthma
• Diabetes
Hypertension
Hypothyroidism
Correct Answer: Hypothyroidism
pg. 3
, NURS 6630 FINAL EXAM DONE FINISHED WITH CORRRECT ANSWERS V3 GMIN
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC APPROACHES TO TREATMENT OF
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY WALDEN UNIVERSITY
• Rationale: Symptoms of hypothyroidism (fatigue, decreased energy, slowed
thinking, weight gain) often overlap significantly with those of depression.
A PMHNP should always screen and rule out this and other common
medical causes.
7. Question 9: Patient Refusal and Autonomy
Scenario: A patient refuses to take their prescribed medication due to fear of side
effects. As a PMHNP, what should you prioritize?
Multiple-Choice Options:
• Force the patient to take the medication
• Discharge the patient from care
• Ignore the patient's concerns
• Respect the patient's autonomy and discuss alternative treatments
• Correct Answer: Respect the patient's autonomy and discuss alternative
treatments
• Rationale: Patients have the ethical and legal right to refuse treatment
(autonomy). The PMHNP must respect this decision, explore the concerns,
and partner with the patient to adjust the treatment plan to an acceptable
alternative.
8. Mild Cognitive Impairment Intervention
Scenario: A patient with mild cognitive impairment is worried about progressing
to Alzheimer's disease and asks about medications. Question: What is the
appropriate response?
Multiple-Choice Options:
• Start donepezil to prevent progression.
• Reassure the patient and suggest lifestyle modifications.
• Start memantine for cognitive protection.
• Recommend an antipsychotic to manage anxiety.
pg. 4
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC APPROACHES TO TREATMENT OF
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY WALDEN UNIVERSITY
NURS 6630 FINAL EXAM DONE FINISHED WITH CORRRECT
ANSWERS V3 GMIN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC
APPROACHES TO TREATMENT OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
WALDEN UNIVERSITY
Outline of Multiple Choice Questions
1. Question 2: Medication Adherence Concern
Question: How should a PMHNP address a patient's concern about medication
adherence?
Multiple-Choice Options:
• Dismiss the concerns
• Emphasize the importance of following the prescription exactly
• Explore barriers and work collaboratively to find solutions
• Suggest stopping the medication if it's too difficult
• Correct Answer: Explore barriers and work collaboratively to find
solutions
• Rationale: The most therapeutic and effective approach is to understand
why adherence is difficult (e.g., side effects, cost, complex regimen).
Partnering with the patient to adjust the plan fosters autonomy and better
long-term adherence.
2. Question 4: Benzodiazepine Safety
Question: When prescribing a benzodiazepine, what is a key safety consideration?
Multiple-Choice Options:
• Prescribing the dose patients feel they need/want for effectiveness
• Using large ranges in dosing instructions for flexibility
• Avoiding long-term use due to risk of dependence
pg. 1
,NURS 6630 FINAL EXAM DONE FINISHED WITH CORRRECT ANSWERS V3 GMIN
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC APPROACHES TO TREATMENT OF
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY WALDEN UNIVERSITY
Encouraging the patient to take extra doses if needed
Correct Answer: Avoiding long-term use due to risk of dependence
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are generally intended for short-term use due
to the high risk of developing physical and psychological dependence,
tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. Use the lowest
effective dose for the shortest duration possible.
3. Schizophrenia Prodrome Intervention
Scenario: A young adult with a family history of schizophrenia presents with
prodromal symptoms. Question: According to NEI Psychopharm, what is a key
early intervention strategy? Multiple-Choice Options:
• Immediate initiation of antipsychotic medication.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy.
• Lifestyle modifications and psychoeducation.
• Monitoring and no immediate treatment.
• Correct Answer: Lifestyle modifications and psychoeducation.
• Rationale: For the prodromal phase (before frank psychosis), the standard
initial, low-risk intervention involves promoting healthy lifestyle changes
(e.g., sleep hygiene, exercise) and providing psychoeducation.
Pharmacotherapy is generally reserved for progression.
4. Question 6: Stimulant Use Disorder Pharmacotherapy
Scenario: A patient with a severe stimulant use disorder is seeking treatment
options. Question: What is the recommended pharmacotherapy for stimulant use
disorder according to American Society of Addiction Medicine guidelines?
Multiple-Choice Options:
• Bupropion.
• Naltrexone.
• Disulfiram.
pg. 2
,NURS 6630 FINAL EXAM DONE FINISHED WITH CORRRECT ANSWERS V3 GMIN
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC APPROACHES TO TREATMENT OF
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY WALDEN UNIVERSITY
• There are no FDA-approved medications.
• Correct Answer: There are no FDA-approved medications.
• Rationale: Currently, the FDA has not approved any specific medication for
the treatment of stimulant (cocaine or methamphetamine) use disorder.
Treatment relies primarily on behavioral therapies (e.g., CBT, contingency
management).
5. Question 7: Primary Goal of Psychiatric Interview
Question: What is the primary goal of the psychiatric interview?
Multiple-Choice Options:
• To diagnose the patient
• To gather information and build rapport
• To prescribe medication
• To discuss treatment options
• Correct Answer: To gather information and build rapport
• Rationale: While diagnosis and treatment are outcomes, the primary goal is
the foundational process of comprehensively collecting data and establishing
a therapeutic relationship. Rapport is necessary for effective treatment
planning.
6. Question 8: Depression Mimic in Elderly
Question: In elderly patients, which condition can often present as depression and
should be ruled out?
Multiple-Choice Options:
• Asthma
• Diabetes
Hypertension
Hypothyroidism
Correct Answer: Hypothyroidism
pg. 3
, NURS 6630 FINAL EXAM DONE FINISHED WITH CORRRECT ANSWERS V3 GMIN
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC APPROACHES TO TREATMENT OF
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY WALDEN UNIVERSITY
• Rationale: Symptoms of hypothyroidism (fatigue, decreased energy, slowed
thinking, weight gain) often overlap significantly with those of depression.
A PMHNP should always screen and rule out this and other common
medical causes.
7. Question 9: Patient Refusal and Autonomy
Scenario: A patient refuses to take their prescribed medication due to fear of side
effects. As a PMHNP, what should you prioritize?
Multiple-Choice Options:
• Force the patient to take the medication
• Discharge the patient from care
• Ignore the patient's concerns
• Respect the patient's autonomy and discuss alternative treatments
• Correct Answer: Respect the patient's autonomy and discuss alternative
treatments
• Rationale: Patients have the ethical and legal right to refuse treatment
(autonomy). The PMHNP must respect this decision, explore the concerns,
and partner with the patient to adjust the treatment plan to an acceptable
alternative.
8. Mild Cognitive Impairment Intervention
Scenario: A patient with mild cognitive impairment is worried about progressing
to Alzheimer's disease and asks about medications. Question: What is the
appropriate response?
Multiple-Choice Options:
• Start donepezil to prevent progression.
• Reassure the patient and suggest lifestyle modifications.
• Start memantine for cognitive protection.
• Recommend an antipsychotic to manage anxiety.
pg. 4
