Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis 2

Question 1

Which criterion differentiates schizophrenia from schizoaffective disorder?

Accepted Answer

In schizoaffective disorder, mood episodes are present for the majority of the illness duration

Answer

Presence of hallucinations

Answer

Schizophrenia always includes negative symptoms

Answer

Schizoaffective disorder has a shorter duration requirement

Question 2

A PMHNP is assessing negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Which symptom cluster is classified as 'negative'?

Accepted Answer

Alogia, anhedonia, avolition, and flat affect

Answer

Hallucinations and delusions

Answer

Disorganized speech and behavior

Answer

Thought insertion and broadcasting

Question 3

According to DSM-5, a major depressive episode requires at least how many symptoms persisting for a minimum of how many weeks?

Accepted Answer

5 symptoms for 2 weeks

Answer

3 symptoms for 1 week

Answer

7 symptoms for 1 month

Answer

4 symptoms for 3 weeks

Question 4

A PMHNP documents 'loosening of associations' in a patient. This thought process abnormality means:

Accepted Answer

The patient's thinking shifts between topics with tenuous connections

Answer

The patient shifts topic in response to sound rather than meaning

Answer

The patient abruptly stops mid-sentence

Answer

The patient repeats words or phrases involuntarily

Question 5

Which structured clinical assessment instrument is considered the gold standard for diagnosing DSM-5 disorders in research settings?

Accepted Answer

Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID)

Answer

PHQ-9

Answer

Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)

Answer

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

Question 6

A PMHNP suspects factitious disorder in a patient who fabricates symptoms. How does factitious disorder differ from malingering?

Accepted Answer

Malingering has external incentives; factitious disorder is driven by psychological need to assume the sick role

Answer

Factitious disorder has external incentives; malingering does not

Answer

They are the same disorder with different names

Answer

Factitious disorder involves unconscious symptom production