PMHNP certification Exam UPDATED 2026 Actual Test
Verified Answers (GRADED A+)
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) - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ D. 68 y/o single white male with depression
*5 risk factors (age, male, white, depression)
Count the risk factors
When interview teenagers (16 y/o) that arrive with their parents what should you
do? - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ interview them separately from parents.
-This helps Build therapeutic rapport with teens by telling them the info is
confidential. Parents may be upset but remember you are advocating for the child.
Which Ethnic group has the highest rate of suicide? - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Native
Americans
,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
antagonism
C. Increased Lipids
D. Metabolic Syndrome - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ D. Metabolic Syndrome (UMBRELLA
ANSWER)
Which antipsychotics have the least weight gain? - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 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
Which mood stabilizer have the least weight gain? - VERIFIED ANSWER✅
Lamictal
-But remember all mood stabilizers cause some weight gain
When presented with a question about typical vs atypical antipsychotic the answer
is usually to start of a - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ atypical
,A client presents with complains of changes in appetite, feeling fatigued, problems
with sleep-rest cycle, and changes in libido. What is the neuroanatomical area of
the brain that is responsible for the normal regulation of these functions?
A. Thalamus
B. Hypothalamus
C. Limbic System
D. Hippocampus - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Hypothalamus
A, B, & D are all part of the limbic system so you can rule that out
When a patient is hesitant to participate in treatment you should encourage? -
VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Bring a support person like a husband
Thyroid-Stimulating hormone normal level - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 0.5-5.0 Mu/L
When T4 and T3 are high and TSH is low what is the diagnosis - VERIFIED
ANSWER✅ HYPERTHYROIDISM, TSH secretion decreases: TSH LOW à key
symptoms HEAT INTOLERANCE
Key symptoms of Heat Intolerance - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Hyperthyroidism
, When T4 and T3 are Low and TSH is high what is the diagnosis - VERIFIED
ANSWER✅ (HYPOTHYROIDISM) TSH secretion increased: TSH HIGH à COLD
INTERANCE
Key symptoms of Cold Intolerance - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroid can mimic - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Mania
Hypothyroid can mimic - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Depression
A patient on depakote complains of RUQ pain and has reddish/brown urine -
VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Hepatoxicity
-Check LFTs
Signs of Depakote toxicity - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Disorientation, confusion,
lethargy
You suspect depakote toxicity what do you do? - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Check
-LFT
-Ammonia
-Depakote Level
Verified Answers (GRADED A+)
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) - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ D. 68 y/o single white male with depression
*5 risk factors (age, male, white, depression)
Count the risk factors
When interview teenagers (16 y/o) that arrive with their parents what should you
do? - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ interview them separately from parents.
-This helps Build therapeutic rapport with teens by telling them the info is
confidential. Parents may be upset but remember you are advocating for the child.
Which Ethnic group has the highest rate of suicide? - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Native
Americans
,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
antagonism
C. Increased Lipids
D. Metabolic Syndrome - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ D. Metabolic Syndrome (UMBRELLA
ANSWER)
Which antipsychotics have the least weight gain? - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 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
Which mood stabilizer have the least weight gain? - VERIFIED ANSWER✅
Lamictal
-But remember all mood stabilizers cause some weight gain
When presented with a question about typical vs atypical antipsychotic the answer
is usually to start of a - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ atypical
,A client presents with complains of changes in appetite, feeling fatigued, problems
with sleep-rest cycle, and changes in libido. What is the neuroanatomical area of
the brain that is responsible for the normal regulation of these functions?
A. Thalamus
B. Hypothalamus
C. Limbic System
D. Hippocampus - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Hypothalamus
A, B, & D are all part of the limbic system so you can rule that out
When a patient is hesitant to participate in treatment you should encourage? -
VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Bring a support person like a husband
Thyroid-Stimulating hormone normal level - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 0.5-5.0 Mu/L
When T4 and T3 are high and TSH is low what is the diagnosis - VERIFIED
ANSWER✅ HYPERTHYROIDISM, TSH secretion decreases: TSH LOW à key
symptoms HEAT INTOLERANCE
Key symptoms of Heat Intolerance - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Hyperthyroidism
, When T4 and T3 are Low and TSH is high what is the diagnosis - VERIFIED
ANSWER✅ (HYPOTHYROIDISM) TSH secretion increased: TSH HIGH à COLD
INTERANCE
Key symptoms of Cold Intolerance - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroid can mimic - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Mania
Hypothyroid can mimic - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Depression
A patient on depakote complains of RUQ pain and has reddish/brown urine -
VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Hepatoxicity
-Check LFTs
Signs of Depakote toxicity - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Disorientation, confusion,
lethargy
You suspect depakote toxicity what do you do? - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Check
-LFT
-Ammonia
-Depakote Level
