ANCC PMHNP Sample Practice Test – Questions &
Answers (APEA) | Latest Update 2026 | 100% Pass
Guarantee | Exam Prep
1. What is the primary strategy used in rational emotive therapy to help patients
with distorted thoughts?
Substituting reality-oriented interpretations for the distorted
thoughts.
Focusing on mindfulness techniques.
Providing an injunction to address assumptions.
Reinforcing behaviors that have a sense of self-efficacy.
2. If a patient with depression is not responding to pharmacologic treatments,
which nonpharmacologic approach should be considered to enhance their
treatment plan?
Increased dosage of antidepressants
Hospitalization for intensive medication management
Referral for electroconvulsive therapy
Supportive group therapy
3. A male patient informs an adult psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
that he has not slept in three days, has poor concentration, and denies
fatigue. The patient presents with rapid speech, irritability, inflated self-
esteem, and its uncooperative during assessment. What is the patient's most
likely diagnosis?
Antisocial personality disorder
Panic disorder
, Bipolar disorder
ADHD
4. Which medication is indicated for treating mania with psychotic features in
bipolar I disorder?
quetiapine (Seroquel)
alprazolam (Xanax)
citalopram (Celexa)
lamotrigine (Lamictal)
5. A male patient informs the ED nurse that he has not slept in three days, has
poor concentration, and denies fatigue. What do you suspect?
Depression (people with depression sleep a lot)
Bipolar disorder (mania)
ADHD (people with ADHD still get tired)
Caffeine overdose (irritability, dizziness, and nausea would be a part
of it)
6. In a clinical scenario, a patient with severe depression expresses a desire to
stop taking their medication due to concerns about overdose. How would
you address their concerns regarding fluoxetine (Prozac) compared to
tricyclic antidepressants?
Suggest switching to a tricyclic antidepressant for better efficacy.
Reassure the patient that all antidepressants have the same risk of
overdose.
Advise the patient to stop all medications immediately.
Explain that fluoxetine has a lower risk of serious harm in case of an
overdose, making it a safer option.
, 7. If a nurse practitioner identifies that an adolescent believes they are
worthless due to a stressor, what would be the most appropriate next step in
therapy using a cognitive-behavioral approach?
Suggest alternative positive responses without addressing the belief.
Encourage the adolescent to avoid thinking about the stressor.
Discuss the negative consequences of their behavior without
addressing the belief.
Challenge the irrational belief of worthlessness and explore its
origins.
8. Ms. Blu, age 19, has taken fluoxetine for the last 5 weeks. Which question is
most important to ask her?
Are you having any thoughts about doing something to harm
yourself?
Do you understand how this drug works in your brain to relieve
depression?
Have you noticed changes in your sexual performance or desire?
Have you had any difficulty urinating or difficulty with your bowels?
9. What is the primary safety advantage of fluoxetine (Prozac) compared to
tricyclic antidepressants?
Less potential for drug interaction
Greater efficacy than tricyclic antidepressants
Less potential for injury with intentional overdose
Less potential for suicidal thinking
10. Describe the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in relation to anxiety
and panic disorders.
Answers (APEA) | Latest Update 2026 | 100% Pass
Guarantee | Exam Prep
1. What is the primary strategy used in rational emotive therapy to help patients
with distorted thoughts?
Substituting reality-oriented interpretations for the distorted
thoughts.
Focusing on mindfulness techniques.
Providing an injunction to address assumptions.
Reinforcing behaviors that have a sense of self-efficacy.
2. If a patient with depression is not responding to pharmacologic treatments,
which nonpharmacologic approach should be considered to enhance their
treatment plan?
Increased dosage of antidepressants
Hospitalization for intensive medication management
Referral for electroconvulsive therapy
Supportive group therapy
3. A male patient informs an adult psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
that he has not slept in three days, has poor concentration, and denies
fatigue. The patient presents with rapid speech, irritability, inflated self-
esteem, and its uncooperative during assessment. What is the patient's most
likely diagnosis?
Antisocial personality disorder
Panic disorder
, Bipolar disorder
ADHD
4. Which medication is indicated for treating mania with psychotic features in
bipolar I disorder?
quetiapine (Seroquel)
alprazolam (Xanax)
citalopram (Celexa)
lamotrigine (Lamictal)
5. A male patient informs the ED nurse that he has not slept in three days, has
poor concentration, and denies fatigue. What do you suspect?
Depression (people with depression sleep a lot)
Bipolar disorder (mania)
ADHD (people with ADHD still get tired)
Caffeine overdose (irritability, dizziness, and nausea would be a part
of it)
6. In a clinical scenario, a patient with severe depression expresses a desire to
stop taking their medication due to concerns about overdose. How would
you address their concerns regarding fluoxetine (Prozac) compared to
tricyclic antidepressants?
Suggest switching to a tricyclic antidepressant for better efficacy.
Reassure the patient that all antidepressants have the same risk of
overdose.
Advise the patient to stop all medications immediately.
Explain that fluoxetine has a lower risk of serious harm in case of an
overdose, making it a safer option.
, 7. If a nurse practitioner identifies that an adolescent believes they are
worthless due to a stressor, what would be the most appropriate next step in
therapy using a cognitive-behavioral approach?
Suggest alternative positive responses without addressing the belief.
Encourage the adolescent to avoid thinking about the stressor.
Discuss the negative consequences of their behavior without
addressing the belief.
Challenge the irrational belief of worthlessness and explore its
origins.
8. Ms. Blu, age 19, has taken fluoxetine for the last 5 weeks. Which question is
most important to ask her?
Are you having any thoughts about doing something to harm
yourself?
Do you understand how this drug works in your brain to relieve
depression?
Have you noticed changes in your sexual performance or desire?
Have you had any difficulty urinating or difficulty with your bowels?
9. What is the primary safety advantage of fluoxetine (Prozac) compared to
tricyclic antidepressants?
Less potential for drug interaction
Greater efficacy than tricyclic antidepressants
Less potential for injury with intentional overdose
Less potential for suicidal thinking
10. Describe the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in relation to anxiety
and panic disorders.
