1
PMHNP CERTIFICATION
EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. Which patient is at highest risk for SI
A. 30y/o married AA female with previous SI attempt *1 risk factor
B. 35 y/o single Asian male with previous SI attempt *3 risk factors
C. 38 y/o single AA male who is a manager of a bank *2 risk factors
D.68 y/o single white male with depression *5 risk factors (age, male, white,
depression): D. 68 y/o single white male with depression *5 risk factors (age, male, white,
depression)
Count the risk factors
2. When interview teenagers (16 y/o) that arrive with their parents what should
you do?: interview them separately from parents.
-This helps Build therapeutic rapport with teens by telling them the info is confiden- tial.
Parents may be upset but remember you are advocating for the child.
3. Which Ethnic group has the highest rate of suicide?: Native Americans
,4. Example A patient is being treated for schizophrenia with olanzapine. Which of
the following is the most common side effect of olanzapine?
A. Increased waist circumference
B. EPS (not as common in atypical antipsychotics d/t 5HT2A)-receptor an-
tagonism C. Increased Lipids
D.Metabolic Syndrome: D. Metabolic Syndrome (UMBRELLA ANSWER)
5. Which antipsychotics have the least weight gain?: Latuda, Abilify, (also least
sedating), Geodon-if patient has metabolic syndrome consider switching to one of
the medications above. Or if the patient is overly sedated try switching to ABILIFY
6. Which mood stabilizer have the least weight gain?: Lamictal
-But remember all mood stabilizers cause some weight gain
7. When presented with a question about typical vs atypical antipsychotic the
answer is usually to start of a: atypical
, 2
8. A client presents with complains of changes in appetite, feeling fatigued,
problems with sleep-rest cycle, and changes in libido. What is the neu-
roanatomical area of the brain that is responsible for the normal regulation of
these functions?
A.Thalamus
B.Hypothalamus
C. Limbic System
D.Hippocampus: Hypothalamus
A, B, & D are all part of the limbic system so you can rule that out
, 3
9. When a patient is hesitant to participate in treatment you
should encour- ag
10. Thyroid-Stimulating hormone normal level: 0.5-5.0 Mu/L
11. When T4 and T3 are high and TSH is low what is the diagnosis: HY-
PERTHYROIDISM, TSH secretion decreases: TSH LOW à key symptoms HEAT
INTOLERANCE
12. Key symptoms of Heat Intolerance: Hyperthyroidism
13. When T4 and T3 are Low and TSH is high what is the diagnosis:
(HY- POTHYROIDISM) TSH secretion increased: TSH HIGH à COLD INTERANCE
14. Key symptoms of Cold Intolerance: Hypothyroidism
15. Hyperthyroid can mimic: Mania
16. Hypothyroid can mimic: Depression
17. A patient on depakote complains of RUQ pain and has reddish/brown urine:
Hepatoxicity
-Check LFTs
18. Signs of Depakote toxicity: Disorientation, confusion, lethargy
19. You suspect depakote toxicity what do you do?: Check
-LFT
-Ammonia
-Depakote Level
20. What herbal supplement can cause hepatoxicity?: Kava Kava
21. When taking Kava Kava in combinations with other medications you should
caution about: Risk of Hepatoxicity and Sedation
22. TCAs carry a risk of: Hepatotoxicity
23. Signs of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: -fever, mouth pain, swelling, burning
eyes, blisters, skin pain
24. two psychotropics known to cause steven johnson syndrome:
lamictal and tegretol
PMHNP CERTIFICATION
EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. Which patient is at highest risk for SI
A. 30y/o married AA female with previous SI attempt *1 risk factor
B. 35 y/o single Asian male with previous SI attempt *3 risk factors
C. 38 y/o single AA male who is a manager of a bank *2 risk factors
D.68 y/o single white male with depression *5 risk factors (age, male, white,
depression): D. 68 y/o single white male with depression *5 risk factors (age, male, white,
depression)
Count the risk factors
2. When interview teenagers (16 y/o) that arrive with their parents what should
you do?: interview them separately from parents.
-This helps Build therapeutic rapport with teens by telling them the info is confiden- tial.
Parents may be upset but remember you are advocating for the child.
3. Which Ethnic group has the highest rate of suicide?: Native Americans
,4. Example A patient is being treated for schizophrenia with olanzapine. Which of
the following is the most common side effect of olanzapine?
A. Increased waist circumference
B. EPS (not as common in atypical antipsychotics d/t 5HT2A)-receptor an-
tagonism C. Increased Lipids
D.Metabolic Syndrome: D. Metabolic Syndrome (UMBRELLA ANSWER)
5. Which antipsychotics have the least weight gain?: Latuda, Abilify, (also least
sedating), Geodon-if patient has metabolic syndrome consider switching to one of
the medications above. Or if the patient is overly sedated try switching to ABILIFY
6. Which mood stabilizer have the least weight gain?: Lamictal
-But remember all mood stabilizers cause some weight gain
7. When presented with a question about typical vs atypical antipsychotic the
answer is usually to start of a: atypical
, 2
8. A client presents with complains of changes in appetite, feeling fatigued,
problems with sleep-rest cycle, and changes in libido. What is the neu-
roanatomical area of the brain that is responsible for the normal regulation of
these functions?
A.Thalamus
B.Hypothalamus
C. Limbic System
D.Hippocampus: Hypothalamus
A, B, & D are all part of the limbic system so you can rule that out
, 3
9. When a patient is hesitant to participate in treatment you
should encour- ag
10. Thyroid-Stimulating hormone normal level: 0.5-5.0 Mu/L
11. When T4 and T3 are high and TSH is low what is the diagnosis: HY-
PERTHYROIDISM, TSH secretion decreases: TSH LOW à key symptoms HEAT
INTOLERANCE
12. Key symptoms of Heat Intolerance: Hyperthyroidism
13. When T4 and T3 are Low and TSH is high what is the diagnosis:
(HY- POTHYROIDISM) TSH secretion increased: TSH HIGH à COLD INTERANCE
14. Key symptoms of Cold Intolerance: Hypothyroidism
15. Hyperthyroid can mimic: Mania
16. Hypothyroid can mimic: Depression
17. A patient on depakote complains of RUQ pain and has reddish/brown urine:
Hepatoxicity
-Check LFTs
18. Signs of Depakote toxicity: Disorientation, confusion, lethargy
19. You suspect depakote toxicity what do you do?: Check
-LFT
-Ammonia
-Depakote Level
20. What herbal supplement can cause hepatoxicity?: Kava Kava
21. When taking Kava Kava in combinations with other medications you should
caution about: Risk of Hepatoxicity and Sedation
22. TCAs carry a risk of: Hepatotoxicity
23. Signs of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: -fever, mouth pain, swelling, burning
eyes, blisters, skin pain
24. two psychotropics known to cause steven johnson syndrome:
lamictal and tegretol
