ANCC PMHNP Questions and Answers
(Verified by Expert)
1. A patient presents with symptoms of depression. The nurse uses the mnemonic
SIGECAPS to assess the patient. Which of the following symptoms does the "S" in
this mnemonic represent?
A. Sadness
B. Sleep disturbances
C. Social isolation
D. Self-harm thoughts
Answer: B
2. A patient taking an antipsychotic medication is found to have an increased
prolactin level. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
A. Increase the dose of the medication
B. Stop the medication causing the increase
C. Add a second antipsychotic
D. Administer a sedative
Answer: B
3. A 3-year-old child is observed masturbating and playing with themselves.
According to Piaget’s stages of development, how should the nurse interpret this
behavior?
A. A sign of early childhood trauma
B. A normal developmental finding
C. A manifestation of conduct disorder
D. A need for immediate psychiatric referral
Answer: B
4. A 5-year-old child reports to the nurse that his brother sodomized him. Which of
the following is the priority action for the nurse?
A. Interview the brother to confirm the story
B. Tell the mother not to leave the child alone with the brother and call CPS
C. Administer a sedative to the child to reduce anxiety
D. Wait for a second report before taking action
Answer: B
5. A 13-year-old patient expresses a desire to start smoking. Which of the following
is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
A. Tell the patient about the long-term risks of cancer
B. Ask the patient about their plan to stop smoking
C. Notify the school counselor immediately
D. Reprimand the patient for the choice
Answer: B
6. A 14-year-old girl presents with persistent clenching of her teeth. The nurse
should identify that this action involves which cranial nerve?
,A. Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor)
B. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
C. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
D. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
Answer: B
7. A 16-year-old patient is reported to be "falling in with the wrong crowd" and
engaging in delinquent behaviors. Which of the following diagnoses should the nurse
consider?
A. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
B. Conduct Disorder
C. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
D. Separation Anxiety Disorder
Answer: B
8. A 16-year-old patient refuses to participate in a recommended treatment plan.
What is the most appropriate action for the nurse?
A. Force the patient to comply with the treatment
B. Refer the patient to a psychiatric specialist for "acting out" behaviors
C. Discharge the patient from care immediately
D. Ask the parents to sign a waiver of liability
Answer: B
9. A 16-year-old patient arrives with their mother for their first therapy session. Which
of the following is the correct approach regarding confidentiality?
A. The mother must be present during the entire session
B. The session is confidential; the mother should wait in the lobby
C. The nurse must report everything the patient says to the mother
D. The patient and mother should be interviewed together only
Answer: B
10. A man states that his wife was "so good" and expresses a wish to be exactly like
her. The nurse identifies this defense mechanism as which of the following?
A. Sublimation
B. Intellectualization
C. Projection
D. Reaction Formation
Answer: B
11. A patient reports to the nurse that she has been raped. Which of the following is
the priority nursing action?
A. Document the physical injuries
B. Ensure the patient's safety
C. Call the police immediately
D. Collect a forensic kit
Answer: B
12. ACE inhibitors are commonly used as the drug of choice for which of the
following conditions? (Select all that apply)
A. Heart Failure
,B. Hypertension
C. Hypotension
D. Asthma
Answer: A, B
13. A patient is diagnosed with Acute Stress Disorder (ASD). The nurse should
expect symptoms to last for which of the following durations?
A. Less than 1 week
B. 2 to 4 weeks
C. 6 months to 1 year
D. Permanently
Answer: B
14. In the nursing process, which step follows the Nursing Diagnosis?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Answer: B
15. Which of the following medications is commonly used for the treatment of adult
panic disorder?
A. Haldol
B. Buspar
C. Lithium
D. Cogentin
Answer: B
16. An aggressive patient requires immediate pharmacological intervention. Which of
the following is the most appropriate medication to administer?
A. Oral Diazepam
B. IM Geodon
C. IV Saline
D. Sublingual Nitroglycerin
Answer: B
17. A patient reports an intense fear of open spaces and being in crowds. The nurse
should document this as which of the following?
A. Social phobia
B. Agoraphobia
C. Claustrophobia
D. Acrophobia
Answer: B
18. Which of the following is a long-term maintenance treatment for Agoraphobia?
A. Short-acting Benzodiazepines
B. SSRIs (e.g., Prozac, Zoloft)
C. Beta-blockers
D. Antihistamines
Answer: B
, 19. Alprostadil (PGE1) is primarily used in the initial management of which
condition?
A. Hypertension
B. Ductal-dependent Congenital Heart Disease
C. Type 2 Diabetes
D. Bacterial Meningitis
Answer: B
20. Which structure of the limbic system is primarily involved in fear, anxiety, and
aggression?
A. Hippocampus
B. Amygdala
C. Thalamus
D. Hypothalamus
Answer: B
21. A patient is diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse prioritize?
A. Strict isolation
B. Set up family therapy
C. High-intensity exercise program
D. Unrestricted diet
Answer: B
22. Which of the following is a criterion for hospital admission in a patient with
Anorexia Nervosa?
A. Weight loss of 5% over 6 months
B. Heart rate less than 40 beats per minute
C. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
D. Systolic blood pressure of 110 mm Hg
Answer: B
23. A patient with Anorexia Nervosa is expected to have a Body Mass Index (BMI)
of:
A. Greater than 25
B. Less than 18.5
C. Between 20 and 24
D. Exactly 30
Answer: B
24. An inferential statistical test used for comparing the means of three or more
groups is known as:
A. T-test
B. ANOVA (Analysis of Variance)
C. Pearson’s r
D. Chi-square
Answer: B
25. How long does it typically take for an antidepressant to reach its full therapeutic
effect?
(Verified by Expert)
1. A patient presents with symptoms of depression. The nurse uses the mnemonic
SIGECAPS to assess the patient. Which of the following symptoms does the "S" in
this mnemonic represent?
A. Sadness
B. Sleep disturbances
C. Social isolation
D. Self-harm thoughts
Answer: B
2. A patient taking an antipsychotic medication is found to have an increased
prolactin level. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
A. Increase the dose of the medication
B. Stop the medication causing the increase
C. Add a second antipsychotic
D. Administer a sedative
Answer: B
3. A 3-year-old child is observed masturbating and playing with themselves.
According to Piaget’s stages of development, how should the nurse interpret this
behavior?
A. A sign of early childhood trauma
B. A normal developmental finding
C. A manifestation of conduct disorder
D. A need for immediate psychiatric referral
Answer: B
4. A 5-year-old child reports to the nurse that his brother sodomized him. Which of
the following is the priority action for the nurse?
A. Interview the brother to confirm the story
B. Tell the mother not to leave the child alone with the brother and call CPS
C. Administer a sedative to the child to reduce anxiety
D. Wait for a second report before taking action
Answer: B
5. A 13-year-old patient expresses a desire to start smoking. Which of the following
is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
A. Tell the patient about the long-term risks of cancer
B. Ask the patient about their plan to stop smoking
C. Notify the school counselor immediately
D. Reprimand the patient for the choice
Answer: B
6. A 14-year-old girl presents with persistent clenching of her teeth. The nurse
should identify that this action involves which cranial nerve?
,A. Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor)
B. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
C. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
D. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
Answer: B
7. A 16-year-old patient is reported to be "falling in with the wrong crowd" and
engaging in delinquent behaviors. Which of the following diagnoses should the nurse
consider?
A. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
B. Conduct Disorder
C. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
D. Separation Anxiety Disorder
Answer: B
8. A 16-year-old patient refuses to participate in a recommended treatment plan.
What is the most appropriate action for the nurse?
A. Force the patient to comply with the treatment
B. Refer the patient to a psychiatric specialist for "acting out" behaviors
C. Discharge the patient from care immediately
D. Ask the parents to sign a waiver of liability
Answer: B
9. A 16-year-old patient arrives with their mother for their first therapy session. Which
of the following is the correct approach regarding confidentiality?
A. The mother must be present during the entire session
B. The session is confidential; the mother should wait in the lobby
C. The nurse must report everything the patient says to the mother
D. The patient and mother should be interviewed together only
Answer: B
10. A man states that his wife was "so good" and expresses a wish to be exactly like
her. The nurse identifies this defense mechanism as which of the following?
A. Sublimation
B. Intellectualization
C. Projection
D. Reaction Formation
Answer: B
11. A patient reports to the nurse that she has been raped. Which of the following is
the priority nursing action?
A. Document the physical injuries
B. Ensure the patient's safety
C. Call the police immediately
D. Collect a forensic kit
Answer: B
12. ACE inhibitors are commonly used as the drug of choice for which of the
following conditions? (Select all that apply)
A. Heart Failure
,B. Hypertension
C. Hypotension
D. Asthma
Answer: A, B
13. A patient is diagnosed with Acute Stress Disorder (ASD). The nurse should
expect symptoms to last for which of the following durations?
A. Less than 1 week
B. 2 to 4 weeks
C. 6 months to 1 year
D. Permanently
Answer: B
14. In the nursing process, which step follows the Nursing Diagnosis?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Answer: B
15. Which of the following medications is commonly used for the treatment of adult
panic disorder?
A. Haldol
B. Buspar
C. Lithium
D. Cogentin
Answer: B
16. An aggressive patient requires immediate pharmacological intervention. Which of
the following is the most appropriate medication to administer?
A. Oral Diazepam
B. IM Geodon
C. IV Saline
D. Sublingual Nitroglycerin
Answer: B
17. A patient reports an intense fear of open spaces and being in crowds. The nurse
should document this as which of the following?
A. Social phobia
B. Agoraphobia
C. Claustrophobia
D. Acrophobia
Answer: B
18. Which of the following is a long-term maintenance treatment for Agoraphobia?
A. Short-acting Benzodiazepines
B. SSRIs (e.g., Prozac, Zoloft)
C. Beta-blockers
D. Antihistamines
Answer: B
, 19. Alprostadil (PGE1) is primarily used in the initial management of which
condition?
A. Hypertension
B. Ductal-dependent Congenital Heart Disease
C. Type 2 Diabetes
D. Bacterial Meningitis
Answer: B
20. Which structure of the limbic system is primarily involved in fear, anxiety, and
aggression?
A. Hippocampus
B. Amygdala
C. Thalamus
D. Hypothalamus
Answer: B
21. A patient is diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse prioritize?
A. Strict isolation
B. Set up family therapy
C. High-intensity exercise program
D. Unrestricted diet
Answer: B
22. Which of the following is a criterion for hospital admission in a patient with
Anorexia Nervosa?
A. Weight loss of 5% over 6 months
B. Heart rate less than 40 beats per minute
C. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
D. Systolic blood pressure of 110 mm Hg
Answer: B
23. A patient with Anorexia Nervosa is expected to have a Body Mass Index (BMI)
of:
A. Greater than 25
B. Less than 18.5
C. Between 20 and 24
D. Exactly 30
Answer: B
24. An inferential statistical test used for comparing the means of three or more
groups is known as:
A. T-test
B. ANOVA (Analysis of Variance)
C. Pearson’s r
D. Chi-square
Answer: B
25. How long does it typically take for an antidepressant to reach its full therapeutic
effect?
