MRETDIM 5366 PNRN
W
Walden University
College of Nursing · PMHNP Program
PMHNP
E D U C AT I O N F O R G O O D · P O S I T I V E S O C I A L C H A N G E
EST. 1970
NRNP 6635 — Midterm Examination
P SYC H I AT R I C M E N TA L H E A LT H N U R S E P R A C T I T I O N E R · P SYC H O PAT H O LO G Y A C R O SS T H E L I F E S PA N
INSTITUTION Walden University COURSE CODE NRNP 6635
PROGRAM MSN · Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse ACADEMIC YEAR
Practitioner (PMHNP)
EXAM TITLE NRNP 6635 — Midterm Comprehensive TOTAL QUESTIONS 50 Questions
Examination
COURSE TITLE PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan II: FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Psychopathology & Advanced Diagnostics Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Questions cover psychopathology, DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, neurobiology, psychiatric rating scales, psychopharmacology, and
developmental theories.
▸ Select the single best answer for each question based on NRNP 6635 PMHNP curriculum.
▸ Correct answers and detailed clinical rationales appear below each question for comprehensive exam preparation.
▸ All content reflects the 2026 update with verified answers graded A+.
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY · NEUROBIOLOGY · RATING SCALES · Questions
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY · DEVELOPMENTAL THEORIES 1 – 50
1. Select the serum assessment used when prescribing drugs to treat psychiatric disorders in psychosomatic patients.
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
CORRECT ANSWER B. Potassium
RATIONALE Serum potassium must be assessed before prescribing psychiatric medications—particularly in psychosomatic
patients—because many psychotropic drugs affect cardiac conduction (QTc prolongation risk) and electrolyte
imbalances can precipitate or worsen psychiatric symptoms. Hypokalemia increases risk of arrhythmias with
antipsychotics and some antidepressants. Baseline and periodic monitoring is essential.
,2. Select the theorist who developed the eight stages of the psychosocial life cycle.
A. Sigmund Freud
B. Jean Piaget
C. Erik Erikson
D. John Bowlby
CORRECT ANSWER C. Erik Erikson
RATIONALE Erik Erikson developed the eight-stage psychosocial development theory spanning the entire lifespan: Trust vs.
Mistrust (infancy), Autonomy vs. Shame (toddler), Initiative vs. Guilt (preschool), Industry vs. Inferiority (school
age), Identity vs. Role Confusion (adolescence), Intimacy vs. Isolation (young adult), Generativity vs. Stagnation
(middle adult), and Integrity vs. Despair (older adult). Freud focused on psychosexual stages. Piaget on cognitive
development.
3. Select two causes of dissociative amnesia.
A. Head trauma and substance intoxication
B. Sexual abuse and partner betrayal
C. Genetic mutation and viral infection
D. Nutritional deficiency and environmental toxin
CORRECT ANSWER B. Sexual abuse and partner betrayal
RATIONALE Dissociative amnesia is typically triggered by severe psychological trauma—sexual abuse (particularly childhood)
and profound interpersonal betrayal are well-established etiological factors. The amnesia serves as a
psychological defense mechanism, blocking out traumatic memories. Head trauma and substance intoxication
cause organic (not dissociative) amnesia. Genetic and nutritional causes are not primary etiologies.
4. Select the patient evaluation scale used before and during prescribing antipsychotic drugs.
A. HAM-D
B. CAGE
C. AIMS
D. BPRS
CORRECT ANSWER C. AIMS
RATIONALE The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) is used to screen for and monitor tardive dyskinesia—a
potentially irreversible movement disorder caused by antipsychotic medications. AIMS should be administered
before initiating antipsychotics (baseline) and at regular intervals during treatment. HAM-D assesses depression
severity. CAGE screens for alcohol problems. BPRS assesses general psychiatric symptoms.
, 5. Select the two comorbid disorders with which Pica occurs most commonly.
A. Depression and anxiety
B. Autism and intellectual disability
C. OCD and PTSD
D. ADHD and conduct disorder
CORRECT ANSWER B. Autism and intellectual disability
RATIONALE Pica (persistent eating of non-nutritive, non-food substances) most commonly co-occurs with autism spectrum
disorder and intellectual disability. The prevalence increases with the severity of intellectual impairment. In these
populations, pica may represent sensory-seeking behavior, developmental regression, or limited understanding
of what constitutes food. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are not primary comorbid conditions.
6. Select the prognosis range of untreated PTSD patients.
A. 50% recover, 30% mild, 15% moderate, 5% worse
B. 20% recover, 10% mild symptoms, 40% moderate symptoms, 30% no change or worse
C. 80% recover fully within 1 year
D. All patients develop chronic, unremitting symptoms
CORRECT ANSWER B. 20% recover, 10% mild symptoms, 40% moderate symptoms, 30% no change or worse
RATIONALE Untreated PTSD has a variable but often chronic course: approximately 20% achieve full recovery, 10% experience
only mild residual symptoms, 40% continue with moderate symptoms causing functional impairment, and 30%
show no improvement or worsen. Early intervention improves prognosis significantly. PTSD does not universally
become chronic, but spontaneous full recovery is the minority outcome.
7. Select the memory category retained in transient global amnesia that is absent in dissociative amnesia.
A. Procedural memory
B. Semantic memory
C. Sequential events
D. Emotional memory
CORRECT ANSWER C. Sequential events
RATIONALE In transient global amnesia (an organic, usually vascular condition), the ability to recall sequential events and
form new memories is impaired but personal identity remains intact. In dissociative amnesia, personal identity
and autobiographical memory are disrupted, but the ability to process sequential events in the present is
preserved. This distinction helps differentiate organic from psychogenic amnesia.
W
Walden University
College of Nursing · PMHNP Program
PMHNP
E D U C AT I O N F O R G O O D · P O S I T I V E S O C I A L C H A N G E
EST. 1970
NRNP 6635 — Midterm Examination
P SYC H I AT R I C M E N TA L H E A LT H N U R S E P R A C T I T I O N E R · P SYC H O PAT H O LO G Y A C R O SS T H E L I F E S PA N
INSTITUTION Walden University COURSE CODE NRNP 6635
PROGRAM MSN · Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse ACADEMIC YEAR
Practitioner (PMHNP)
EXAM TITLE NRNP 6635 — Midterm Comprehensive TOTAL QUESTIONS 50 Questions
Examination
COURSE TITLE PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan II: FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Psychopathology & Advanced Diagnostics Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Questions cover psychopathology, DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, neurobiology, psychiatric rating scales, psychopharmacology, and
developmental theories.
▸ Select the single best answer for each question based on NRNP 6635 PMHNP curriculum.
▸ Correct answers and detailed clinical rationales appear below each question for comprehensive exam preparation.
▸ All content reflects the 2026 update with verified answers graded A+.
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY · NEUROBIOLOGY · RATING SCALES · Questions
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY · DEVELOPMENTAL THEORIES 1 – 50
1. Select the serum assessment used when prescribing drugs to treat psychiatric disorders in psychosomatic patients.
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
CORRECT ANSWER B. Potassium
RATIONALE Serum potassium must be assessed before prescribing psychiatric medications—particularly in psychosomatic
patients—because many psychotropic drugs affect cardiac conduction (QTc prolongation risk) and electrolyte
imbalances can precipitate or worsen psychiatric symptoms. Hypokalemia increases risk of arrhythmias with
antipsychotics and some antidepressants. Baseline and periodic monitoring is essential.
,2. Select the theorist who developed the eight stages of the psychosocial life cycle.
A. Sigmund Freud
B. Jean Piaget
C. Erik Erikson
D. John Bowlby
CORRECT ANSWER C. Erik Erikson
RATIONALE Erik Erikson developed the eight-stage psychosocial development theory spanning the entire lifespan: Trust vs.
Mistrust (infancy), Autonomy vs. Shame (toddler), Initiative vs. Guilt (preschool), Industry vs. Inferiority (school
age), Identity vs. Role Confusion (adolescence), Intimacy vs. Isolation (young adult), Generativity vs. Stagnation
(middle adult), and Integrity vs. Despair (older adult). Freud focused on psychosexual stages. Piaget on cognitive
development.
3. Select two causes of dissociative amnesia.
A. Head trauma and substance intoxication
B. Sexual abuse and partner betrayal
C. Genetic mutation and viral infection
D. Nutritional deficiency and environmental toxin
CORRECT ANSWER B. Sexual abuse and partner betrayal
RATIONALE Dissociative amnesia is typically triggered by severe psychological trauma—sexual abuse (particularly childhood)
and profound interpersonal betrayal are well-established etiological factors. The amnesia serves as a
psychological defense mechanism, blocking out traumatic memories. Head trauma and substance intoxication
cause organic (not dissociative) amnesia. Genetic and nutritional causes are not primary etiologies.
4. Select the patient evaluation scale used before and during prescribing antipsychotic drugs.
A. HAM-D
B. CAGE
C. AIMS
D. BPRS
CORRECT ANSWER C. AIMS
RATIONALE The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) is used to screen for and monitor tardive dyskinesia—a
potentially irreversible movement disorder caused by antipsychotic medications. AIMS should be administered
before initiating antipsychotics (baseline) and at regular intervals during treatment. HAM-D assesses depression
severity. CAGE screens for alcohol problems. BPRS assesses general psychiatric symptoms.
, 5. Select the two comorbid disorders with which Pica occurs most commonly.
A. Depression and anxiety
B. Autism and intellectual disability
C. OCD and PTSD
D. ADHD and conduct disorder
CORRECT ANSWER B. Autism and intellectual disability
RATIONALE Pica (persistent eating of non-nutritive, non-food substances) most commonly co-occurs with autism spectrum
disorder and intellectual disability. The prevalence increases with the severity of intellectual impairment. In these
populations, pica may represent sensory-seeking behavior, developmental regression, or limited understanding
of what constitutes food. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are not primary comorbid conditions.
6. Select the prognosis range of untreated PTSD patients.
A. 50% recover, 30% mild, 15% moderate, 5% worse
B. 20% recover, 10% mild symptoms, 40% moderate symptoms, 30% no change or worse
C. 80% recover fully within 1 year
D. All patients develop chronic, unremitting symptoms
CORRECT ANSWER B. 20% recover, 10% mild symptoms, 40% moderate symptoms, 30% no change or worse
RATIONALE Untreated PTSD has a variable but often chronic course: approximately 20% achieve full recovery, 10% experience
only mild residual symptoms, 40% continue with moderate symptoms causing functional impairment, and 30%
show no improvement or worsen. Early intervention improves prognosis significantly. PTSD does not universally
become chronic, but spontaneous full recovery is the minority outcome.
7. Select the memory category retained in transient global amnesia that is absent in dissociative amnesia.
A. Procedural memory
B. Semantic memory
C. Sequential events
D. Emotional memory
CORRECT ANSWER C. Sequential events
RATIONALE In transient global amnesia (an organic, usually vascular condition), the ability to recall sequential events and
form new memories is impaired but personal identity remains intact. In dissociative amnesia, personal identity
and autobiographical memory are disrupted, but the ability to process sequential events in the present is
preserved. This distinction helps differentiate organic from psychogenic amnesia.
