NRNP 6635 | Week 6
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
Week 6 Midterm
Exam
NRNP 6635 | Complete Q&As + Rationales
100 100% 2026/2027
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
Psychiatric Assessment & Diagnostic Criteria Anxiety & Trauma-Related Disorders
Psychopharmacology & Medication Management Ethical & Legal Issues in Psychiatry
Mood Disorders & Treatment Approaches
COVER PAGE - 1
NRNP 6635 Week 6 Midterm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1 of 56
,NRNP 6635 Week 6 Midterm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 56
, SECTION 1 | Psychiatric Assessment & Diagnostic Criteria | Q1-Q25 | NRNP 6635 Week 6 Midterm Exam 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 100
A 34-year-old woman presents to the psychiatric clinic reporting persistent sadness, anhedonia,
and insomnia for the past six weeks. The PMHNP begins the assessment by gathering a
comprehensive history. The most important initial step in psychiatric assessment is which of the
following?
A. Ordering laboratory tests to rule out medical causes
B. Obtaining collateral information from family members
C. Establishing rapport and a therapeutic alliance with the patient
D. Administering a standardized rating scale to quantify symptom severity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Establishing rapport and a therapeutic alliance is the most important initial step because it forms the foundation
for all subsequent assessment and treatment. Without trust, patients may withhold critical information. Rating
scales and labs are important but come after rapport is established.
Q2 Question 2 of 100
A 45-year-old man with a history of bipolar disorder presents with grandiose delusions, pressured
speech, and decreased need for sleep. The PMHNP applies the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria. The
key feature that distinguishes a manic episode from a hypomanic episode is which of the following?
A. Requirement of hospitalization for symptom management
B. Presence of psychotic features or marked functional impairment
C. Duration of symptoms lasting at least one week
D. Presence of elevated mood rather than irritable mood
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
A manic episode is distinguished from hypomania by the presence of psychotic features, marked functional
impairment, or the need for hospitalization. Both require a duration of at least one week (or any duration if
hospitalization is needed), and both can involve elevated or irritable mood.
NRNP 6635 Week 6 Midterm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 56
, Q3 Question 3 of 100
A 28-year-old patient reports hearing voices that comment on his behavior and tell him he is
worthless. The PMHNP documents this finding. Auditory hallucinations in which context are most
characteristic of schizophrenia rather than other psychiatric conditions?
A. A single voice calling the patient's name occasionally
B. Voices that occur only at bedtime when falling asleep
C. Voices that the patient recognizes as their own internal thoughts
D. Two or more voices conversing with each other or a voice providing ongoing commentary on the
patient's behavior
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Two or more voices conversing with each other (dialogic hallucinations) or a voice providing running commentary
on the patient's behavior are Schneiderian first-rank symptoms highly characteristic of schizophrenia. Single
voices, hypnagogic hallucinations, and recognized internal thoughts are less specific to schizophrenia.
Q4 Question 4 of 100
A 52-year-old woman is referred for psychiatric evaluation after her primary care provider noted
cognitive difficulties. The PMHNP performs a mental status examination. Assessment of insight and
judgment is best evaluated by which method?
A. Administering the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
B. Asking the patient to explain their understanding of their illness and how they would handle
specific situations
C. Observing the patient's behavior during the interview only
D. Reviewing the patient's past treatment adherence records
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Insight and judgment are best evaluated by directly asking the patient to explain their understanding of their
illness and how they would handle hypothetical or real situations. MoCA assesses cognition, not insight.
Behavioral observation and records provide supplementary information but do not directly assess these
constructs.
NRNP 6635 Week 6 Midterm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 56
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
Week 6 Midterm
Exam
NRNP 6635 | Complete Q&As + Rationales
100 100% 2026/2027
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
Psychiatric Assessment & Diagnostic Criteria Anxiety & Trauma-Related Disorders
Psychopharmacology & Medication Management Ethical & Legal Issues in Psychiatry
Mood Disorders & Treatment Approaches
COVER PAGE - 1
NRNP 6635 Week 6 Midterm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1 of 56
,NRNP 6635 Week 6 Midterm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 56
, SECTION 1 | Psychiatric Assessment & Diagnostic Criteria | Q1-Q25 | NRNP 6635 Week 6 Midterm Exam 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 100
A 34-year-old woman presents to the psychiatric clinic reporting persistent sadness, anhedonia,
and insomnia for the past six weeks. The PMHNP begins the assessment by gathering a
comprehensive history. The most important initial step in psychiatric assessment is which of the
following?
A. Ordering laboratory tests to rule out medical causes
B. Obtaining collateral information from family members
C. Establishing rapport and a therapeutic alliance with the patient
D. Administering a standardized rating scale to quantify symptom severity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Establishing rapport and a therapeutic alliance is the most important initial step because it forms the foundation
for all subsequent assessment and treatment. Without trust, patients may withhold critical information. Rating
scales and labs are important but come after rapport is established.
Q2 Question 2 of 100
A 45-year-old man with a history of bipolar disorder presents with grandiose delusions, pressured
speech, and decreased need for sleep. The PMHNP applies the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria. The
key feature that distinguishes a manic episode from a hypomanic episode is which of the following?
A. Requirement of hospitalization for symptom management
B. Presence of psychotic features or marked functional impairment
C. Duration of symptoms lasting at least one week
D. Presence of elevated mood rather than irritable mood
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
A manic episode is distinguished from hypomania by the presence of psychotic features, marked functional
impairment, or the need for hospitalization. Both require a duration of at least one week (or any duration if
hospitalization is needed), and both can involve elevated or irritable mood.
NRNP 6635 Week 6 Midterm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 56
, Q3 Question 3 of 100
A 28-year-old patient reports hearing voices that comment on his behavior and tell him he is
worthless. The PMHNP documents this finding. Auditory hallucinations in which context are most
characteristic of schizophrenia rather than other psychiatric conditions?
A. A single voice calling the patient's name occasionally
B. Voices that occur only at bedtime when falling asleep
C. Voices that the patient recognizes as their own internal thoughts
D. Two or more voices conversing with each other or a voice providing ongoing commentary on the
patient's behavior
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Two or more voices conversing with each other (dialogic hallucinations) or a voice providing running commentary
on the patient's behavior are Schneiderian first-rank symptoms highly characteristic of schizophrenia. Single
voices, hypnagogic hallucinations, and recognized internal thoughts are less specific to schizophrenia.
Q4 Question 4 of 100
A 52-year-old woman is referred for psychiatric evaluation after her primary care provider noted
cognitive difficulties. The PMHNP performs a mental status examination. Assessment of insight and
judgment is best evaluated by which method?
A. Administering the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
B. Asking the patient to explain their understanding of their illness and how they would handle
specific situations
C. Observing the patient's behavior during the interview only
D. Reviewing the patient's past treatment adherence records
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Insight and judgment are best evaluated by directly asking the patient to explain their understanding of their
illness and how they would handle hypothetical or real situations. MoCA assesses cognition, not insight.
Behavioral observation and records provide supplementary information but do not directly assess these
constructs.
NRNP 6635 Week 6 Midterm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 56
