NR548 Final Exam Actual Exam Style V2 |
NR 548 Psychiatric Assessment for
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner Chamberlain
1. When conducting a mental status examination (MSE), which of the following best describes
the difference between mood and affect?
A. Mood is the patient’s internal emotional state, while affect is the external expression.
B. Mood is the clinician’s observation, while affect is the patient’s report.
C. Affect is stable over time, whereas mood fluctuates during the interview.
D. There is no clinical difference between mood and affect in an assessment.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Mood is the subjective internal emotional state as reported by the
patient themselves. Affect is the objective, outward expression of those emotions observed
by the clinician during the assessment. Evaluating the congruence between the two is vital
for determining the patient’s diagnostic status.
2. According to the DSM-5-TR, what is the minimum duration of symptoms required to
diagnose Major Depressive Disorder?
A. Two weeks
B. One week
C. One month
,D. Six months
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Major Depressive Disorder requires symptoms to be present for at
least a two-week period. These symptoms must represent a change from previous
functioning and include either depressed mood or loss of interest. Short-term fluctuations
in mood do not meet the diagnostic threshold for this specific clinical disorder.
3. Which screening tool is specifically designed to assess for the presence of a possible manic
or hypomanic episode in a patient?
A. MDQ
B. GAD-7
C. PHQ-9
D. CAGE
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a validated screening
tool used to identify symptoms of bipolar disorder. It helps clinicians differentiate between
unipolar depression and bipolar spectrum disorders by screening for lifetime history of
manic or hypomanic symptoms. While it is a useful screening aid, it is not used as a
standalone diagnostic tool.
4. In the CAGE assessment for alcohol use, what does the letter ‘G’ represent?
A. Giving up alcohol
, B. Going to meetings
C. Getting drinks early
D. Guilt about drinking
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The CAGE questionnaire is a four-item screening tool for alcohol use
disorder where ‘G’ stands for feeling guilty about drinking. The other letters stand for
Cutting down, Annoyance by criticism, and Eye-openers. A score of two or more is clinically
significant and warrants further evaluation of the patient’s substance use.
5. A patient describes a pattern of persistent, excessive worry about various life events for at
least 6 months. Which diagnosis should the PMHNP prioritize?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Social Anxiety Disorder
C. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
D. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive
anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. The worry is usually
associated with multiple events or activities rather than a single trigger. Clinicians use the
GAD-7 scale to assess the severity of these symptoms during the initial intake.
NR 548 Psychiatric Assessment for
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner Chamberlain
1. When conducting a mental status examination (MSE), which of the following best describes
the difference between mood and affect?
A. Mood is the patient’s internal emotional state, while affect is the external expression.
B. Mood is the clinician’s observation, while affect is the patient’s report.
C. Affect is stable over time, whereas mood fluctuates during the interview.
D. There is no clinical difference between mood and affect in an assessment.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Mood is the subjective internal emotional state as reported by the
patient themselves. Affect is the objective, outward expression of those emotions observed
by the clinician during the assessment. Evaluating the congruence between the two is vital
for determining the patient’s diagnostic status.
2. According to the DSM-5-TR, what is the minimum duration of symptoms required to
diagnose Major Depressive Disorder?
A. Two weeks
B. One week
C. One month
,D. Six months
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Major Depressive Disorder requires symptoms to be present for at
least a two-week period. These symptoms must represent a change from previous
functioning and include either depressed mood or loss of interest. Short-term fluctuations
in mood do not meet the diagnostic threshold for this specific clinical disorder.
3. Which screening tool is specifically designed to assess for the presence of a possible manic
or hypomanic episode in a patient?
A. MDQ
B. GAD-7
C. PHQ-9
D. CAGE
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a validated screening
tool used to identify symptoms of bipolar disorder. It helps clinicians differentiate between
unipolar depression and bipolar spectrum disorders by screening for lifetime history of
manic or hypomanic symptoms. While it is a useful screening aid, it is not used as a
standalone diagnostic tool.
4. In the CAGE assessment for alcohol use, what does the letter ‘G’ represent?
A. Giving up alcohol
, B. Going to meetings
C. Getting drinks early
D. Guilt about drinking
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The CAGE questionnaire is a four-item screening tool for alcohol use
disorder where ‘G’ stands for feeling guilty about drinking. The other letters stand for
Cutting down, Annoyance by criticism, and Eye-openers. A score of two or more is clinically
significant and warrants further evaluation of the patient’s substance use.
5. A patient describes a pattern of persistent, excessive worry about various life events for at
least 6 months. Which diagnosis should the PMHNP prioritize?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Social Anxiety Disorder
C. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
D. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive
anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. The worry is usually
associated with multiple events or activities rather than a single trigger. Clinicians use the
GAD-7 scale to assess the severity of these symptoms during the initial intake.
