Minnesota Psychiatric Mental Health
Nurse Practitioner Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A 28-year-old patient presents with persistent low mood, loss of
interest, and fatigue for 3 weeks. Which diagnosis is most appropriate
at this time?
A. Bipolar I disorder
B. Major depressive disorder
C. Cyclothymic disorder
D. Adjustment disorder
Answer: B
The symptoms meet DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder,
requiring at least two weeks of depressed mood and associated
neurovegetative symptoms without manic or hypomanic episodes.
2. A patient with schizophrenia is started on haloperidol. Which side
effect requires immediate intervention?
A. Dry mouth
, B. Mild sedation
C. Acute dystonia
D. Weight gain
Answer: C
Acute dystonia is a potentially life-threatening extrapyramidal
symptom that requires urgent treatment with anticholinergic
medication.
3. Which medication is first-line for generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Diazepam
B. Fluoxetine
C. Haloperidol
D. Lithium
Answer: B
SSRIs such as fluoxetine are first-line pharmacologic treatment for
generalized anxiety disorder due to efficacy and safety profile.
4. A patient reports hearing voices commanding self-harm. What is the
priority intervention?
A. Begin psychotherapy
B. Assess suicide risk immediately
C. Schedule follow-up in 1 week
D. Increase social activities
Answer: B
, Command hallucinations with self-harm content require immediate
suicide risk assessment and safety planning.
5. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with depression?
A. Dopamine
B. Acetylcholine
C. Serotonin
D. GABA
Answer: C
Serotonin dysregulation is strongly implicated in the pathophysiology
of depression.
6. A patient on lithium requires monitoring of which lab?
A. Liver enzymes
B. Thyroid function
C. Troponin
D. Amylase
Answer: B
Lithium commonly causes hypothyroidism, requiring regular thyroid
function monitoring.
7. Which condition is characterized by alternating episodes of mania and
depression?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Bipolar I disorder
C. Dysthymia
, D. PTSD
Answer: B
Bipolar I disorder involves at least one manic episode often
alternating with depressive episodes.
8. A patient has panic attacks. Which medication provides rapid relief?
A. Sertraline
B. Alprazolam
C. Fluoxetine
D. Bupropion
Answer: B
Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam provide rapid anxiolytic effects
in acute panic attacks.
9. Which symptom is most characteristic of major depression?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Grandiosity
C. Anhedonia
D. Pressured speech
Answer: C
Anhedonia, or loss of pleasure, is a core symptom of major
depressive disorder.
10. Which disorder is most associated with flashbacks and
hypervigilance?
A. OCD
Nurse Practitioner Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A 28-year-old patient presents with persistent low mood, loss of
interest, and fatigue for 3 weeks. Which diagnosis is most appropriate
at this time?
A. Bipolar I disorder
B. Major depressive disorder
C. Cyclothymic disorder
D. Adjustment disorder
Answer: B
The symptoms meet DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder,
requiring at least two weeks of depressed mood and associated
neurovegetative symptoms without manic or hypomanic episodes.
2. A patient with schizophrenia is started on haloperidol. Which side
effect requires immediate intervention?
A. Dry mouth
, B. Mild sedation
C. Acute dystonia
D. Weight gain
Answer: C
Acute dystonia is a potentially life-threatening extrapyramidal
symptom that requires urgent treatment with anticholinergic
medication.
3. Which medication is first-line for generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Diazepam
B. Fluoxetine
C. Haloperidol
D. Lithium
Answer: B
SSRIs such as fluoxetine are first-line pharmacologic treatment for
generalized anxiety disorder due to efficacy and safety profile.
4. A patient reports hearing voices commanding self-harm. What is the
priority intervention?
A. Begin psychotherapy
B. Assess suicide risk immediately
C. Schedule follow-up in 1 week
D. Increase social activities
Answer: B
, Command hallucinations with self-harm content require immediate
suicide risk assessment and safety planning.
5. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with depression?
A. Dopamine
B. Acetylcholine
C. Serotonin
D. GABA
Answer: C
Serotonin dysregulation is strongly implicated in the pathophysiology
of depression.
6. A patient on lithium requires monitoring of which lab?
A. Liver enzymes
B. Thyroid function
C. Troponin
D. Amylase
Answer: B
Lithium commonly causes hypothyroidism, requiring regular thyroid
function monitoring.
7. Which condition is characterized by alternating episodes of mania and
depression?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Bipolar I disorder
C. Dysthymia
, D. PTSD
Answer: B
Bipolar I disorder involves at least one manic episode often
alternating with depressive episodes.
8. A patient has panic attacks. Which medication provides rapid relief?
A. Sertraline
B. Alprazolam
C. Fluoxetine
D. Bupropion
Answer: B
Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam provide rapid anxiolytic effects
in acute panic attacks.
9. Which symptom is most characteristic of major depression?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Grandiosity
C. Anhedonia
D. Pressured speech
Answer: C
Anhedonia, or loss of pleasure, is a core symptom of major
depressive disorder.
10. Which disorder is most associated with flashbacks and
hypervigilance?
A. OCD
