PMHNP ANCC CERTIFICATION – QUESTIONS
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1. A 28-year-old patient presents with persistent low mood, anhedonia, and
fatigue for 3 months. Which diagnosis is most consistent?
A. Bipolar I disorder
B. Major depressive disorder
C. Schizophrenia
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
Rationale: Depressed mood and loss of interest for more than two weeks with
functional impairment is consistent with MDD.
2. A patient starting sertraline should be educated that therapeutic effects
typically begin within:
A. 24 hours
B. 3–5 days
C. 2–4 weeks
D. 6–12 hours
Rationale: SSRIs require several weeks for full therapeutic effect due to
neuroadaptive changes.
3. A patient with schizophrenia is most likely to present with:
A. Hallucinations and delusions
B. Elevated mood only
C. Memory loss only
D. Hyperactivity without psychosis
Rationale: Positive psychotic symptoms are hallmark features of schizophrenia.
,4. A patient on lithium therapy should be monitored for which lab?
A. Liver enzymes
B. Serum lithium level
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Troponin
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index requiring regular serum
monitoring.
5. A patient with acute mania is most likely to present with:
A. Psychomotor retardation
B. Decreased need for sleep and pressured speech
C. Low energy and fatigue
D. Memory impairment only
Rationale: Mania is characterized by increased energy, reduced sleep, and rapid
speech.
6. A patient taking MAOIs must avoid which food?
A. Cheese
B. Rice
C. Chicken
D. Apples
Rationale: Tyramine-rich foods can cause hypertensive crisis with MAOIs.
7. A patient with panic disorder experiences sudden episodes of:
A. Chronic hallucinations
B. Intense fear with physical symptoms
C. Long-term memory loss
D. Psychosis only
Rationale: Panic attacks involve abrupt intense fear and autonomic symptoms.
8. First-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder includes:
A. Antipsychotics only
B. SSRIs
, C. Benzodiazepines long-term
D. Mood stabilizers only
Rationale: SSRIs are first-line due to safety and efficacy profile.
9. A patient with PTSD is most likely to experience:
A. Flashbacks and nightmares
B. Elevated calcium levels
C. Cognitive decline only
D. Mania episodes
Rationale: Re-experiencing trauma is central to PTSD diagnosis.
10. A patient with Alzheimer’s disease typically presents with:
A. Sudden symptom onset
B. Progressive memory decline
C. Increased attention span
D. Acute hallucinations only
Rationale: Alzheimer’s is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder.
11. A patient experiencing serotonin syndrome may present with:
A. Bradycardia and hypothermia
B. Hyperreflexia and agitation
C. Constipation only
D. Weight gain
Rationale: Excess serotonin causes neuromuscular and autonomic hyperactivity.
12. A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed valproate. The medication is
used to:
A. Treat anxiety only
B. Stabilize mood
C. Increase dopamine
D. Induce sleep only
Rationale: Valproate is a mood stabilizer used in bipolar disorder.
AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE |
EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST|
DOWNLOAD INSTANT PDF
1. A 28-year-old patient presents with persistent low mood, anhedonia, and
fatigue for 3 months. Which diagnosis is most consistent?
A. Bipolar I disorder
B. Major depressive disorder
C. Schizophrenia
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
Rationale: Depressed mood and loss of interest for more than two weeks with
functional impairment is consistent with MDD.
2. A patient starting sertraline should be educated that therapeutic effects
typically begin within:
A. 24 hours
B. 3–5 days
C. 2–4 weeks
D. 6–12 hours
Rationale: SSRIs require several weeks for full therapeutic effect due to
neuroadaptive changes.
3. A patient with schizophrenia is most likely to present with:
A. Hallucinations and delusions
B. Elevated mood only
C. Memory loss only
D. Hyperactivity without psychosis
Rationale: Positive psychotic symptoms are hallmark features of schizophrenia.
,4. A patient on lithium therapy should be monitored for which lab?
A. Liver enzymes
B. Serum lithium level
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Troponin
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index requiring regular serum
monitoring.
5. A patient with acute mania is most likely to present with:
A. Psychomotor retardation
B. Decreased need for sleep and pressured speech
C. Low energy and fatigue
D. Memory impairment only
Rationale: Mania is characterized by increased energy, reduced sleep, and rapid
speech.
6. A patient taking MAOIs must avoid which food?
A. Cheese
B. Rice
C. Chicken
D. Apples
Rationale: Tyramine-rich foods can cause hypertensive crisis with MAOIs.
7. A patient with panic disorder experiences sudden episodes of:
A. Chronic hallucinations
B. Intense fear with physical symptoms
C. Long-term memory loss
D. Psychosis only
Rationale: Panic attacks involve abrupt intense fear and autonomic symptoms.
8. First-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder includes:
A. Antipsychotics only
B. SSRIs
, C. Benzodiazepines long-term
D. Mood stabilizers only
Rationale: SSRIs are first-line due to safety and efficacy profile.
9. A patient with PTSD is most likely to experience:
A. Flashbacks and nightmares
B. Elevated calcium levels
C. Cognitive decline only
D. Mania episodes
Rationale: Re-experiencing trauma is central to PTSD diagnosis.
10. A patient with Alzheimer’s disease typically presents with:
A. Sudden symptom onset
B. Progressive memory decline
C. Increased attention span
D. Acute hallucinations only
Rationale: Alzheimer’s is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder.
11. A patient experiencing serotonin syndrome may present with:
A. Bradycardia and hypothermia
B. Hyperreflexia and agitation
C. Constipation only
D. Weight gain
Rationale: Excess serotonin causes neuromuscular and autonomic hyperactivity.
12. A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed valproate. The medication is
used to:
A. Treat anxiety only
B. Stabilize mood
C. Increase dopamine
D. Induce sleep only
Rationale: Valproate is a mood stabilizer used in bipolar disorder.
