COMPLETE NRNP 6635
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM
PRACTICE EXPERT-VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS AND UPDATED
QUESTIONS FOR WALDEN
UNIVERSITY 2025 Prepared for Walden University
Students October 2025
,Contents
1 Core Psychopathology Questions and Answers 2
2 Expanded Psychopathology Questions and Answers 11
3 Additional Psychopathology Questions for Comprehensive Review 19
4 Study and Preparation Guidelines 24
1
, 1 Core Psychopathology Questions and Answers
Q1: Which serum assessment is critical when prescribing medications for psy-
chiatric disorders in patients with psychosomatic symptoms, and why is
it important?
A: Potassium. Monitoring potassium levels is essential as imbalances can affect
cardiac function and interact with psychiatric medications, potentially exacerbating
symptoms.
Q2: Who developed the theory of the eight stages of psychosocial develop-
ment, and what is a key feature of this theory?
A: Erik Erikson. His theory emphasizes the impact of social experiences across
the lifespan, with each stage defined by a specific conflict that shapes personality
development.
Q3: What are two primary causes of dissociative amnesia, and how do they
contribute to its onset?
A: Sexual abuse and Partner Betrayal. These traumatic experiences can overwhelm
coping mechanisms, leading to memory dissociation as a protective response.
Q4: Which patient evaluation scale is recommended for use before and during
the administration of antipsychotic medications, and what does it assess?
A: AIMS (Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale). It assesses involuntary move-
ments to monitor for side effects like tardive dyskinesia in patients on antipsychotics.
Q5: Which two disorders are most commonly comorbid with Pica, and how
do they influence its presentation?
A: Autism and Intellectual disability. These conditions often involve sensory-seeking
behaviors or impaired judgment, increasing the likelihood of ingesting non-food
items.
Q6: What is the prognosis range for untreated PTSD patients, and what
factors influence these outcomes?
A: 20% recover, 10% mild symptoms, 40% moderate symptoms, 30% no change or
worse. Factors like trauma severity and lack of social support impact recovery rates.
Q7: Which memory category is retained in transient global amnesia but ab-
sent in dissociative amnesia, and why is this distinction significant?
A: Sequential events. This retention in transient global amnesia indicates a neu-
rological basis, whereas dissociative amnesias psychological origin disrupts event
recall.
Q8: Which of the following is NOT an endocrine change associated with
anorexia nervosa, and why is it unrelated?
A: Eating with friends but not family. This is a behavioral pattern, not an endocrine
change, unlike hormonal imbalances seen in anorexia.
Q9: What are the two most critical elements of the psychiatric interview for
diagnosing mental illness, and why are they essential?
A: Psychiatric History and Mental Status Examination. These provide a compre-
hensive view of the patients past and current mental state, crucial for accurate
diagnosis.
2
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM
PRACTICE EXPERT-VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS AND UPDATED
QUESTIONS FOR WALDEN
UNIVERSITY 2025 Prepared for Walden University
Students October 2025
,Contents
1 Core Psychopathology Questions and Answers 2
2 Expanded Psychopathology Questions and Answers 11
3 Additional Psychopathology Questions for Comprehensive Review 19
4 Study and Preparation Guidelines 24
1
, 1 Core Psychopathology Questions and Answers
Q1: Which serum assessment is critical when prescribing medications for psy-
chiatric disorders in patients with psychosomatic symptoms, and why is
it important?
A: Potassium. Monitoring potassium levels is essential as imbalances can affect
cardiac function and interact with psychiatric medications, potentially exacerbating
symptoms.
Q2: Who developed the theory of the eight stages of psychosocial develop-
ment, and what is a key feature of this theory?
A: Erik Erikson. His theory emphasizes the impact of social experiences across
the lifespan, with each stage defined by a specific conflict that shapes personality
development.
Q3: What are two primary causes of dissociative amnesia, and how do they
contribute to its onset?
A: Sexual abuse and Partner Betrayal. These traumatic experiences can overwhelm
coping mechanisms, leading to memory dissociation as a protective response.
Q4: Which patient evaluation scale is recommended for use before and during
the administration of antipsychotic medications, and what does it assess?
A: AIMS (Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale). It assesses involuntary move-
ments to monitor for side effects like tardive dyskinesia in patients on antipsychotics.
Q5: Which two disorders are most commonly comorbid with Pica, and how
do they influence its presentation?
A: Autism and Intellectual disability. These conditions often involve sensory-seeking
behaviors or impaired judgment, increasing the likelihood of ingesting non-food
items.
Q6: What is the prognosis range for untreated PTSD patients, and what
factors influence these outcomes?
A: 20% recover, 10% mild symptoms, 40% moderate symptoms, 30% no change or
worse. Factors like trauma severity and lack of social support impact recovery rates.
Q7: Which memory category is retained in transient global amnesia but ab-
sent in dissociative amnesia, and why is this distinction significant?
A: Sequential events. This retention in transient global amnesia indicates a neu-
rological basis, whereas dissociative amnesias psychological origin disrupts event
recall.
Q8: Which of the following is NOT an endocrine change associated with
anorexia nervosa, and why is it unrelated?
A: Eating with friends but not family. This is a behavioral pattern, not an endocrine
change, unlike hormonal imbalances seen in anorexia.
Q9: What are the two most critical elements of the psychiatric interview for
diagnosing mental illness, and why are they essential?
A: Psychiatric History and Mental Status Examination. These provide a compre-
hensive view of the patients past and current mental state, crucial for accurate
diagnosis.
2
