, NSG 527 FINAL EXAM
Psychopathology, Theories, & Advanced Clinical Modalities
Wilkes University
100-Question Original Practice Examination - 2026/2027 Edition
1. A patient hears voices when no one is present. Which psychopathology domain is primarily affected?
A) Perception
B) Memory
C) Impulse control
D) Orientation
Correct Answer: Perception
Rationale: Hallucinations are disturbances of perception because sensory experiences occur without an external stimulus.
2. A patient believes neutral television reports contain secret messages specifically for him. This is best
described as:
A) Thought blocking
B) Delusion of reference
C) Echolalia
D) Depersonalization
Correct Answer: Delusion of reference
Rationale: A delusion of reference is a fixed false belief that neutral events or communications refer specifically to oneself.
3. A patient abruptly stops speaking in the middle of a sentence and cannot explain why. Which term best
describes this?
A) Flight of ideas
B) Circumstantiality
C) Thought blocking
D) Clang association
Correct Answer: Thought blocking
Rationale: Thought blocking is a sudden interruption in the train of thought, often experienced as the mind going blank.
4. A patient invents a new word that has meaning only to her. This finding is called:
A) Neologism
B) Perseveration
C) Confabulation
D) Echolalia
Correct Answer: Neologism
Rationale: A neologism is a newly created word or expression that has idiosyncratic meaning to the speaker.
5. A patient repeatedly returns to the same response despite changes in the question. This is:
A) Tangentiality
B) Derealization
C) Avolition
D) Perseveration
Correct Answer: Perseveration
Rationale: Perseveration is persistent repetition of a response or idea even when the conversational demand changes.
6. Which finding belongs to thought process on the mental status examination?
A) Flat affect
B) Auditory hallucinations
C) Loose associations
D) Impaired recent memory
NSG 527 Practice Final | 2026/2027 Edition | Page 1
, Correct Answer: Loose associations
Rationale: Loose associations describe the organization and connection of ideas, making them a thought-process finding.
7. Which assessment best evaluates orientation?
A) Ask about childhood memories
B) Ask the patient to identify person, place, time, and situation
C) Ask about appetite only
D) Ask about family roles
Correct Answer: Ask the patient to identify person, place, time, and situation
Rationale: Orientation is assessed by determining awareness of person, place, time, and often situation.
8. A patient shows little facial expression despite discussing an emotional event. This is best documented as:
A) Blunted or flat affect
B) Euphoria
C) Pressured speech
D) Illusion
Correct Answer: Blunted or flat affect
Rationale: Reduced outward emotional expression is described as blunted or flat affect.
9. Rapid, difficult-to-interrupt speech is most accurately documented as:
A) Poverty of speech
B) Mutism
C) Thought blocking
D) Pressured speech
Correct Answer: Pressured speech
Rationale: Pressured speech is increased in rate and quantity and is difficult to interrupt, often seen in mania.
10. A patient cannot recall three words after five minutes. Which cognitive domain is impaired?
A) Recent memory
B) Remote memory
C) Abstract reasoning
D) Insight
Correct Answer: Recent memory
Rationale: Delayed recall over minutes is a standard test of recent memory rather than remote memory.
11. Which symptom is classified as a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Grandiosity
B) Auditory hallucinations
C) Delusion of persecution
D) Avolition
Correct Answer: Avolition
Rationale: Avolition is reduced initiation of goal-directed behavior and is a core negative symptom.
12. Which feature is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Alogia
B) Anhedonia
C) Hallucinations
D) Asociality
Correct Answer: Hallucinations
Rationale: Positive symptoms add abnormal experiences such as hallucinations and delusions to normal functioning.
13. A patient with schizophrenia says, “The voices are part of my illness, but they still frighten me.” This
demonstrates:
NSG 527 Practice Final | 2026/2027 Edition | Page 2
Psychopathology, Theories, & Advanced Clinical Modalities
Wilkes University
100-Question Original Practice Examination - 2026/2027 Edition
1. A patient hears voices when no one is present. Which psychopathology domain is primarily affected?
A) Perception
B) Memory
C) Impulse control
D) Orientation
Correct Answer: Perception
Rationale: Hallucinations are disturbances of perception because sensory experiences occur without an external stimulus.
2. A patient believes neutral television reports contain secret messages specifically for him. This is best
described as:
A) Thought blocking
B) Delusion of reference
C) Echolalia
D) Depersonalization
Correct Answer: Delusion of reference
Rationale: A delusion of reference is a fixed false belief that neutral events or communications refer specifically to oneself.
3. A patient abruptly stops speaking in the middle of a sentence and cannot explain why. Which term best
describes this?
A) Flight of ideas
B) Circumstantiality
C) Thought blocking
D) Clang association
Correct Answer: Thought blocking
Rationale: Thought blocking is a sudden interruption in the train of thought, often experienced as the mind going blank.
4. A patient invents a new word that has meaning only to her. This finding is called:
A) Neologism
B) Perseveration
C) Confabulation
D) Echolalia
Correct Answer: Neologism
Rationale: A neologism is a newly created word or expression that has idiosyncratic meaning to the speaker.
5. A patient repeatedly returns to the same response despite changes in the question. This is:
A) Tangentiality
B) Derealization
C) Avolition
D) Perseveration
Correct Answer: Perseveration
Rationale: Perseveration is persistent repetition of a response or idea even when the conversational demand changes.
6. Which finding belongs to thought process on the mental status examination?
A) Flat affect
B) Auditory hallucinations
C) Loose associations
D) Impaired recent memory
NSG 527 Practice Final | 2026/2027 Edition | Page 1
, Correct Answer: Loose associations
Rationale: Loose associations describe the organization and connection of ideas, making them a thought-process finding.
7. Which assessment best evaluates orientation?
A) Ask about childhood memories
B) Ask the patient to identify person, place, time, and situation
C) Ask about appetite only
D) Ask about family roles
Correct Answer: Ask the patient to identify person, place, time, and situation
Rationale: Orientation is assessed by determining awareness of person, place, time, and often situation.
8. A patient shows little facial expression despite discussing an emotional event. This is best documented as:
A) Blunted or flat affect
B) Euphoria
C) Pressured speech
D) Illusion
Correct Answer: Blunted or flat affect
Rationale: Reduced outward emotional expression is described as blunted or flat affect.
9. Rapid, difficult-to-interrupt speech is most accurately documented as:
A) Poverty of speech
B) Mutism
C) Thought blocking
D) Pressured speech
Correct Answer: Pressured speech
Rationale: Pressured speech is increased in rate and quantity and is difficult to interrupt, often seen in mania.
10. A patient cannot recall three words after five minutes. Which cognitive domain is impaired?
A) Recent memory
B) Remote memory
C) Abstract reasoning
D) Insight
Correct Answer: Recent memory
Rationale: Delayed recall over minutes is a standard test of recent memory rather than remote memory.
11. Which symptom is classified as a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Grandiosity
B) Auditory hallucinations
C) Delusion of persecution
D) Avolition
Correct Answer: Avolition
Rationale: Avolition is reduced initiation of goal-directed behavior and is a core negative symptom.
12. Which feature is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Alogia
B) Anhedonia
C) Hallucinations
D) Asociality
Correct Answer: Hallucinations
Rationale: Positive symptoms add abnormal experiences such as hallucinations and delusions to normal functioning.
13. A patient with schizophrenia says, “The voices are part of my illness, but they still frighten me.” This
demonstrates:
NSG 527 Practice Final | 2026/2027 Edition | Page 2
