BARKLEY PMHNP EXAM PREP 2026/2027
WITH ACTUAL CORRECT QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED DETAILED ANSWERS
|CURRENTLY TESTING QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS|NEWEST |JUST
RELEASED!!|BRAND NEW VERSION
What are the symptoms of Wernicke's encephalopathy?
Ataxia, confusion, and ocular abnormalities.
How is Wernicke's encephalopathy treated?
With thiamine therapy (≥300 mg for 5 days).
What are common opiates mentioned in the notes?
Heroin, codeine, morphine, methadone, and dextromethorphan.
What is the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) used for?
To assess opioid withdrawal symptoms and guide treatment.
What treatment is recommended for opioid withdrawal with a COWS score of 15?
More clonidine; if score does not decrease, add phenobarbital.
What is the peak time for heroin withdrawal symptoms?
48 hours after last use.
What are the symptoms of marijuana intoxication?
Euphoria, anxiety, impaired coordination, and increased appetite.
What is the DSM criteria for cannabis withdrawal?
Cessation of prolonged use with at least 3 withdrawal symptoms developing within a week.
1|Page
,What is the main psychoactive component of marijuana?
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
What is the treatment for cocaine dependence?
Psychotherapy, TCAs, and dopamine agonists.
What are the symptoms of cocaine intoxication?
Euphoria, increased BP, tachycardia, and dilated pupils.
What is the treatment for PCP intoxication?
Benzodiazepines or dopamine antagonists; acidify urine with ammonium chloride.
What are the symptoms of caffeine intoxication?
Anxiety, insomnia, twitching, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
What is the recommended treatment for caffeine withdrawal?
Taper caffeine consumption and use analgesics for headaches.
What is the primary neurotransmitter deficiency associated with major depression?
Norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.
What is the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in depression?
Increased cortisol levels are associated with depression.
What screening tools are used for depression?
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale.
What is the first-line treatment for major depression?
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors).
What is cyclothymic disorder?
A mood disorder with symptoms lasting for 2 years in adults and 1 year in children.
2|Page
,What are common risk factors for mood disorders?
Loss of parents before age 11, loss of spouse, and child abuse.
What is the prevalence of major depression in women compared to men?
Higher in women, particularly in low socioeconomic status and single/divorced individuals.
What is the acronym used to remember the symptoms of major depression?
SIG E. CAPS
What does 'S' in SIG E. CAPS stand for?
Sleep (change in sleep patterns)
What does 'I' in SIG E. CAPS represent?
Interest (decreased interest or pleasure)
What does 'G' in SIG E. CAPS indicate?
Guilt (increased feelings of guilt)
What does 'E' in SIG E. CAPS refer to?
Energy (decreased energy)
What does 'C' in SIG E. CAPS signify?
Concentration (decreased ability to concentrate)
What does 'A' in SIG E. CAPS mean?
Appetite (change in appetite)
What does 'P' in SIG E. CAPS stand for?
Psychomotor activity (agitation or slowing)
What does 'S' in SIG E. CAPS refer to?
Suicidal ideation
3|Page
, What is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?
A depressed mood associated with loss of interest in daily activities, requiring five or more
symptoms for at least two weeks.
What is the average age of onset for Major Depressive Disorder?
40 years old
What is the duration of untreated Major Depressive Disorder?
Up to 13 months
What is the goal of treatment for depression?
To achieve remission and alleviate depressive symptoms.
What is the first-line treatment for depression?
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
What is the recommended duration for the continuation phase of depression treatment?
4-9 months after achieving sustained remission.
What is the maintenance phase in depression treatment?
Ongoing treatment to prevent relapse, particularly for patients with a history of multiple
depressive episodes.
What is the risk of discontinuing antidepressants abruptly?
Increased risk of recurrence of depressive symptoms.
What is the hallmark of Bipolar Disorder?
Presence of depression with hypomania or mania.
What is the gold standard mood stabilizer for Bipolar Disorder?
Lithium
4|Page
WITH ACTUAL CORRECT QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED DETAILED ANSWERS
|CURRENTLY TESTING QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS|NEWEST |JUST
RELEASED!!|BRAND NEW VERSION
What are the symptoms of Wernicke's encephalopathy?
Ataxia, confusion, and ocular abnormalities.
How is Wernicke's encephalopathy treated?
With thiamine therapy (≥300 mg for 5 days).
What are common opiates mentioned in the notes?
Heroin, codeine, morphine, methadone, and dextromethorphan.
What is the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) used for?
To assess opioid withdrawal symptoms and guide treatment.
What treatment is recommended for opioid withdrawal with a COWS score of 15?
More clonidine; if score does not decrease, add phenobarbital.
What is the peak time for heroin withdrawal symptoms?
48 hours after last use.
What are the symptoms of marijuana intoxication?
Euphoria, anxiety, impaired coordination, and increased appetite.
What is the DSM criteria for cannabis withdrawal?
Cessation of prolonged use with at least 3 withdrawal symptoms developing within a week.
1|Page
,What is the main psychoactive component of marijuana?
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
What is the treatment for cocaine dependence?
Psychotherapy, TCAs, and dopamine agonists.
What are the symptoms of cocaine intoxication?
Euphoria, increased BP, tachycardia, and dilated pupils.
What is the treatment for PCP intoxication?
Benzodiazepines or dopamine antagonists; acidify urine with ammonium chloride.
What are the symptoms of caffeine intoxication?
Anxiety, insomnia, twitching, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
What is the recommended treatment for caffeine withdrawal?
Taper caffeine consumption and use analgesics for headaches.
What is the primary neurotransmitter deficiency associated with major depression?
Norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.
What is the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in depression?
Increased cortisol levels are associated with depression.
What screening tools are used for depression?
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale.
What is the first-line treatment for major depression?
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors).
What is cyclothymic disorder?
A mood disorder with symptoms lasting for 2 years in adults and 1 year in children.
2|Page
,What are common risk factors for mood disorders?
Loss of parents before age 11, loss of spouse, and child abuse.
What is the prevalence of major depression in women compared to men?
Higher in women, particularly in low socioeconomic status and single/divorced individuals.
What is the acronym used to remember the symptoms of major depression?
SIG E. CAPS
What does 'S' in SIG E. CAPS stand for?
Sleep (change in sleep patterns)
What does 'I' in SIG E. CAPS represent?
Interest (decreased interest or pleasure)
What does 'G' in SIG E. CAPS indicate?
Guilt (increased feelings of guilt)
What does 'E' in SIG E. CAPS refer to?
Energy (decreased energy)
What does 'C' in SIG E. CAPS signify?
Concentration (decreased ability to concentrate)
What does 'A' in SIG E. CAPS mean?
Appetite (change in appetite)
What does 'P' in SIG E. CAPS stand for?
Psychomotor activity (agitation or slowing)
What does 'S' in SIG E. CAPS refer to?
Suicidal ideation
3|Page
, What is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?
A depressed mood associated with loss of interest in daily activities, requiring five or more
symptoms for at least two weeks.
What is the average age of onset for Major Depressive Disorder?
40 years old
What is the duration of untreated Major Depressive Disorder?
Up to 13 months
What is the goal of treatment for depression?
To achieve remission and alleviate depressive symptoms.
What is the first-line treatment for depression?
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
What is the recommended duration for the continuation phase of depression treatment?
4-9 months after achieving sustained remission.
What is the maintenance phase in depression treatment?
Ongoing treatment to prevent relapse, particularly for patients with a history of multiple
depressive episodes.
What is the risk of discontinuing antidepressants abruptly?
Increased risk of recurrence of depressive symptoms.
What is the hallmark of Bipolar Disorder?
Presence of depression with hypomania or mania.
What is the gold standard mood stabilizer for Bipolar Disorder?
Lithium
4|Page
