NR 547 CEA Exam 2026/2027
NR 547 CEA EXAM
2026/2027
Chamberlain University
Pre-Clinical Diagnostic Examination
75 Questions | Verified Answers | Graded A+
Core Domains:
Psychiatric-Mental Health Assessment | DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Criteria
Mental Status Examination (MSE) | Mood Disorders | Anxiety Disorders
Trauma-Related Disorders | Psychotic Disorders | Personality Disorders
Substance Use Disorders | Eating Disorders | Neurocognitive Disorders
Suicide Risk Assessment | Safety Planning | Therapeutic Communication
Psychopharmacology | Clinical Decision-Making
PMHNP Focus | Exam-Aligned Format
Introduction
This NR 547 CEA Exam document for the 2026/2027 academic cycle reflects the official Chamberlain
University Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) curriculum requirements. The Pre-
Clinical Diagnostic Examination evaluates foundational knowledge of psychiatric assessment, DSM-5-TR
diagnostic criteria, psychopharmacology, and clinical decision-making essential for PMHNP students
prior to entering clinical rotations. Questions are designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and
clinical application in psychiatric-mental health nursing practice.
Answer Format: All correct answers are presented in bold and green, questions appear in bold, and
all rationales are written in italic font.
Page 1
, NR 547 CEA Exam 2026/2027
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT
1. Which component of the psychiatric interview is considered the most important
predictor of treatment outcomes?
A) The patient's chief complaint
B) The therapeutic alliance established during the interview
C) The family psychiatric history
D) The physical examination findings
Rationale: Research consistently demonstrates that the therapeutic alliance—the collaborative,
trusting relationship between clinician and patient—is one of the strongest predictors of positive
treatment outcomes across all psychiatric interventions. This alliance facilitates accurate
assessment, treatment adherence, and patient engagement in the therapeutic process.
2. When conducting a psychiatric assessment, which question best assesses a patient's
insight?
A) 'Can you tell me what medications you are taking?'
B) 'What do you think is causing your symptoms?'
C) 'Do you hear voices that others cannot hear?'
D) 'How many hours of sleep do you get each night?'
Rationale: Asking patients about their understanding of their symptoms assesses insight—their
ability to recognize and attribute their symptoms to their illness. Poor insight is common in
psychotic disorders, mania, and some personality disorders, and has significant implications for
treatment adherence and prognosis.
3. During a psychiatric assessment, a patient describes feeling 'nervous all the time' and
reports difficulty sleeping, irritability, and muscle tension for the past eight months.
Which follow-up question is most appropriate to differentiate between Generalized
Anxiety Disorder and other anxiety disorders?
A) 'Do you experience panic attacks?'
B) 'What specific situations trigger your anxiety?'
C) 'Do you worry about many different things rather than one specific concern?'
D) 'Have you experienced a traumatic event recently?'
Rationale: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive, difficult-to-control worry
about multiple domains of life (work, health, family, finances) occurring more days than not for at
Page 2
, NR 547 CEA Exam 2026/2027
least six months. Distinguishing GAD from specific phobias, panic disorder, or PTSD requires
understanding the scope and triggers of the anxiety.
4. A PMHNP is assessing a patient who presents with pressured speech, flight of ideas, and
decreased need for sleep. Which additional finding would most strongly suggest a manic
episode rather than a hypomanic episode?
A) Irritability
B) Marked impairment in social or occupational functioning
C) Grandiose thinking
D) Increased goal-directed activity
Rationale: The key distinction between mania and hypomania is the severity of impairment. A
manic episode involves marked impairment in social or occupational functioning, may require
hospitalization, or may include psychotic features. Hypomania involves similar symptoms but
without significant impairment and does not include psychotic features.
5. When obtaining a substance use history, which screening tool is most appropriate for
initially assessing alcohol use disorder in a primary care setting?
A) CAGE questionnaire
B) Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST)
C) AUDIT-C
D) Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
Rationale: The AUDIT-C is a brief 3-item screening tool derived from the full AUDIT that effectively
identifies hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders in primary care settings. It is more sensitive
than the CAGE for detecting early problem drinking and is validated across diverse populations.
6. Which component of the Mental Status Examination specifically assesses the patient's
ability to understand the consequences of their actions?
A) Insight
B) Judgment
C) Cognition
D) Thought content
Rationale: Judgment refers to the patient's ability to make sound decisions and understand the
consequences of their actions. It is typically assessed by asking about hypothetical situations or
Page 3
NR 547 CEA EXAM
2026/2027
Chamberlain University
Pre-Clinical Diagnostic Examination
75 Questions | Verified Answers | Graded A+
Core Domains:
Psychiatric-Mental Health Assessment | DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Criteria
Mental Status Examination (MSE) | Mood Disorders | Anxiety Disorders
Trauma-Related Disorders | Psychotic Disorders | Personality Disorders
Substance Use Disorders | Eating Disorders | Neurocognitive Disorders
Suicide Risk Assessment | Safety Planning | Therapeutic Communication
Psychopharmacology | Clinical Decision-Making
PMHNP Focus | Exam-Aligned Format
Introduction
This NR 547 CEA Exam document for the 2026/2027 academic cycle reflects the official Chamberlain
University Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) curriculum requirements. The Pre-
Clinical Diagnostic Examination evaluates foundational knowledge of psychiatric assessment, DSM-5-TR
diagnostic criteria, psychopharmacology, and clinical decision-making essential for PMHNP students
prior to entering clinical rotations. Questions are designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and
clinical application in psychiatric-mental health nursing practice.
Answer Format: All correct answers are presented in bold and green, questions appear in bold, and
all rationales are written in italic font.
Page 1
, NR 547 CEA Exam 2026/2027
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT
1. Which component of the psychiatric interview is considered the most important
predictor of treatment outcomes?
A) The patient's chief complaint
B) The therapeutic alliance established during the interview
C) The family psychiatric history
D) The physical examination findings
Rationale: Research consistently demonstrates that the therapeutic alliance—the collaborative,
trusting relationship between clinician and patient—is one of the strongest predictors of positive
treatment outcomes across all psychiatric interventions. This alliance facilitates accurate
assessment, treatment adherence, and patient engagement in the therapeutic process.
2. When conducting a psychiatric assessment, which question best assesses a patient's
insight?
A) 'Can you tell me what medications you are taking?'
B) 'What do you think is causing your symptoms?'
C) 'Do you hear voices that others cannot hear?'
D) 'How many hours of sleep do you get each night?'
Rationale: Asking patients about their understanding of their symptoms assesses insight—their
ability to recognize and attribute their symptoms to their illness. Poor insight is common in
psychotic disorders, mania, and some personality disorders, and has significant implications for
treatment adherence and prognosis.
3. During a psychiatric assessment, a patient describes feeling 'nervous all the time' and
reports difficulty sleeping, irritability, and muscle tension for the past eight months.
Which follow-up question is most appropriate to differentiate between Generalized
Anxiety Disorder and other anxiety disorders?
A) 'Do you experience panic attacks?'
B) 'What specific situations trigger your anxiety?'
C) 'Do you worry about many different things rather than one specific concern?'
D) 'Have you experienced a traumatic event recently?'
Rationale: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive, difficult-to-control worry
about multiple domains of life (work, health, family, finances) occurring more days than not for at
Page 2
, NR 547 CEA Exam 2026/2027
least six months. Distinguishing GAD from specific phobias, panic disorder, or PTSD requires
understanding the scope and triggers of the anxiety.
4. A PMHNP is assessing a patient who presents with pressured speech, flight of ideas, and
decreased need for sleep. Which additional finding would most strongly suggest a manic
episode rather than a hypomanic episode?
A) Irritability
B) Marked impairment in social or occupational functioning
C) Grandiose thinking
D) Increased goal-directed activity
Rationale: The key distinction between mania and hypomania is the severity of impairment. A
manic episode involves marked impairment in social or occupational functioning, may require
hospitalization, or may include psychotic features. Hypomania involves similar symptoms but
without significant impairment and does not include psychotic features.
5. When obtaining a substance use history, which screening tool is most appropriate for
initially assessing alcohol use disorder in a primary care setting?
A) CAGE questionnaire
B) Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST)
C) AUDIT-C
D) Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
Rationale: The AUDIT-C is a brief 3-item screening tool derived from the full AUDIT that effectively
identifies hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders in primary care settings. It is more sensitive
than the CAGE for detecting early problem drinking and is validated across diverse populations.
6. Which component of the Mental Status Examination specifically assesses the patient's
ability to understand the consequences of their actions?
A) Insight
B) Judgment
C) Cognition
D) Thought content
Rationale: Judgment refers to the patient's ability to make sound decisions and understand the
consequences of their actions. It is typically assessed by asking about hypothetical situations or
Page 3
