CMN 552 – Module 1: Mood Disorders Examination
,TABLE OF CONTENTS
CMN 552 – Module 1: Mood Disorders Examination
Comprehensive PMHNP Board Review & Clinical Application Exam
SECTION I: Foundations of Mood Disorders
SECTION II: Depressive Disorders
SECTION III: Bipolar and Related Disorders
SECTION IV: Mania and Hypomania
SECTION V: Suicide Risk Assessment and Crisis Management
SECTION VI: Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation
SECTION VII: Psychopharmacology of Mood Disorders
SECTION VIII: Psychotherapeutic Interventions
SECTION IX: Treatment-Resistant Mood Disorders
SECTION X: Special Populations
SECTION XI: Advanced Practice Nursing Management
SECTION XII: Clinical Application and Board Review
Total Questions: 240
Exam Type: PMHNP Mood Disorders Examination
Focus Areas:
• Mood Disorder Foundations
• Depressive Disorders
• Bipolar Spectrum Disorders
• Suicide Prevention & Crisis Management
• Psychiatric Assessment & Diagnosis
• Psychopharmacology
• Evidence-Based Psychotherapies
• Treatment-Resistant Depression
, • Special Populations
• Advanced Practice Management
• Clinical Decision-Making
• PMHNP Board Review & Application
• Total Questions: 240
• Exam Type: PMHNP Certification Preparation
• Format: Board-Style Multiple Choice Questions with Rationales
• Focus: Mood Disorders Across the Lifespan
• Level: Graduate / Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing
Section I: Foundations of Mood Disorders
Topics Covered: Introduction to Mood Disorders • Epidemiology and Disease Burden • Diagnostic Framework
and DSM-5-TR Concepts • Neurobiological Foundations of Mood Disorders
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). Which finding is most
characteristic of this condition?
A. Elevated mood lasting 1 week
B. Persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities
C. Recurrent panic attacks
D. Compulsive handwashing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Major depressive disorder is characterized by persistent depressed mood and diminished interest or
pleasure in activities for at least 2 weeks.
Why Not the Others?
• A: Suggestive of mania.
• C: Associated with panic disorder.
• D: Associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Key Words: Depression, Anhedonia
Clinical Pearl: Anhedonia is one of the hallmark symptoms of major depressive disorder.
Question 2
Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with depressive disorders?
, A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine
C. Histamine
D. GABA only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mood disorders are strongly linked to dysregulation of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine
pathways.
Why Not the Others?
• A: Not primarily implicated.
• C: Mainly associated with allergic responses and wakefulness.
• D: GABA contributes but is not the primary neurotransmitter involved.
Key Words: Neurotransmitters, Depression
Clinical Pearl: Most antidepressants target serotonin and norepinephrine pathways.
Question 3
Which population has the highest lifetime prevalence of major depressive disorder?
A. Adult women
B. Adolescent boys
C. Preschool children
D. Older adult men
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Women experience major depressive disorder approximately twice as often as men.
Why Not the Others?
• B, C, D: Lower prevalence rates.
Key Words: Epidemiology, Depression
Clinical Pearl: Hormonal, social, and psychological factors contribute to increased risk among women.
Question 4
According to DSM-5-TR criteria, symptoms of major depressive disorder must be present for at least:
A. 48 hours
B. 1 week
C. 2 weeks
D. 1 month
Correct Answer: C
,TABLE OF CONTENTS
CMN 552 – Module 1: Mood Disorders Examination
Comprehensive PMHNP Board Review & Clinical Application Exam
SECTION I: Foundations of Mood Disorders
SECTION II: Depressive Disorders
SECTION III: Bipolar and Related Disorders
SECTION IV: Mania and Hypomania
SECTION V: Suicide Risk Assessment and Crisis Management
SECTION VI: Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation
SECTION VII: Psychopharmacology of Mood Disorders
SECTION VIII: Psychotherapeutic Interventions
SECTION IX: Treatment-Resistant Mood Disorders
SECTION X: Special Populations
SECTION XI: Advanced Practice Nursing Management
SECTION XII: Clinical Application and Board Review
Total Questions: 240
Exam Type: PMHNP Mood Disorders Examination
Focus Areas:
• Mood Disorder Foundations
• Depressive Disorders
• Bipolar Spectrum Disorders
• Suicide Prevention & Crisis Management
• Psychiatric Assessment & Diagnosis
• Psychopharmacology
• Evidence-Based Psychotherapies
• Treatment-Resistant Depression
, • Special Populations
• Advanced Practice Management
• Clinical Decision-Making
• PMHNP Board Review & Application
• Total Questions: 240
• Exam Type: PMHNP Certification Preparation
• Format: Board-Style Multiple Choice Questions with Rationales
• Focus: Mood Disorders Across the Lifespan
• Level: Graduate / Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing
Section I: Foundations of Mood Disorders
Topics Covered: Introduction to Mood Disorders • Epidemiology and Disease Burden • Diagnostic Framework
and DSM-5-TR Concepts • Neurobiological Foundations of Mood Disorders
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). Which finding is most
characteristic of this condition?
A. Elevated mood lasting 1 week
B. Persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities
C. Recurrent panic attacks
D. Compulsive handwashing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Major depressive disorder is characterized by persistent depressed mood and diminished interest or
pleasure in activities for at least 2 weeks.
Why Not the Others?
• A: Suggestive of mania.
• C: Associated with panic disorder.
• D: Associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Key Words: Depression, Anhedonia
Clinical Pearl: Anhedonia is one of the hallmark symptoms of major depressive disorder.
Question 2
Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with depressive disorders?
, A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine
C. Histamine
D. GABA only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mood disorders are strongly linked to dysregulation of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine
pathways.
Why Not the Others?
• A: Not primarily implicated.
• C: Mainly associated with allergic responses and wakefulness.
• D: GABA contributes but is not the primary neurotransmitter involved.
Key Words: Neurotransmitters, Depression
Clinical Pearl: Most antidepressants target serotonin and norepinephrine pathways.
Question 3
Which population has the highest lifetime prevalence of major depressive disorder?
A. Adult women
B. Adolescent boys
C. Preschool children
D. Older adult men
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Women experience major depressive disorder approximately twice as often as men.
Why Not the Others?
• B, C, D: Lower prevalence rates.
Key Words: Epidemiology, Depression
Clinical Pearl: Hormonal, social, and psychological factors contribute to increased risk among women.
Question 4
According to DSM-5-TR criteria, symptoms of major depressive disorder must be present for at least:
A. 48 hours
B. 1 week
C. 2 weeks
D. 1 month
Correct Answer: C
