Georgette's PMHNP Module 3: Diagnosis and Treatment –
Practice Questions with Answers, Rationales, and DSM-5 Criteria
for ADHD, Mood Disorders, Anxiety, PTSD, Personality Disorders,
and Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Exam Information
Course: Georgette's PMHNP Review – Module 3: Diagnosis and Treatment
Target Audience: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification
candidates
Core Domains Covered: Psychopharmacology, neurobiology, mental health disorders,
clinical interventions, and diagnostic reasoning
Question Format: Multiple-choice, with answers and detailed rationales
Reference: DSM-5-TR criteria, evidence-based practice guidelines
Key Topics in This Module
Category Specific Focus Areas
Neurobiology & Tolerance, potency, kindling, addiction, neurotransmitters
Psychopharmacology (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin), mechanism of action of
psychiatric medications
ADHD Neurobiology, stimulants, alpha agonists, atomoxetine, non-
pharmacological treatments, monitoring tools, age-specific
approvals
, Personality Disorders Antisocial, narcissistic, schizoid, schizotypal personality
disorders – DSM-5 criteria and non-pharmacological treatments
Mood Disorders Major depressive disorder (pediatric), persistent depressive
disorder (dysthymia), pediatric bipolar disorder – first-line
treatments and safety concerns
Anxiety & Trauma Panic disorder, GAD, separation anxiety disorder, PTSD – first-
Disorders line treatments (SSRIs, CBT, TF-CBT)
Disruptive Behavior ODD, conduct disorder – characteristics, distinction, first-line
Disorders treatments
Neurodevelopmental Autism spectrum disorder, Tourette's disorder – characteristics,
Disorders comorbidities, treatments
Ethical & Legal Principles Autonomy, informed consent, evidence-based practice,
telehealth standards
Therapeutic Modalities CBT, cognitive processing therapy, motivational interviewing,
Peplau's Interpersonal Theory
SECTION 1: NEUROBIOLOGY & PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (Questions 1-15)
1. What is tolerance?
A) Compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences
B) The amount of drug required to produce an effect of given intensity
C) Decreased response/effects of the same dose of a drug over time
D) Progressive neuronal sensitization lowering seizure thresholds
Answer: C. Tolerance occurs when the body adapts to a drug, requiring higher doses for
the same effect. It is a pharmacologic phenomenon and differs from addiction.
, 2. A 45-year-old man prescribed oxycodone 10mg q12h for chronic back pain reports
that he used to feel relief with one pill, but now requires three pills to achieve the
same level of relief. This is an example of which process?
A) Kindling
B) Addiction
C) Tolerance
D) Potency
Answer: C. Needing increased doses for the same effect demonstrates pharmacologic
tolerance.
3. The tendency of some regions of the brain to react to repeated low-level bio-
electrical stimulation by progressively boosting synaptic discharges, thereby
lowering seizure thresholds, is called:
A) Tolerance
B) Addiction
C) Kindling
D) Potency
Answer: C. Kindling describes progressive neuronal sensitization, often contributing to
seizures or withdrawal complications.
4. Compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences is defined as:
A) Tolerance
B) Addiction
C) Kindling
D) Potency
, Answer: B. Addiction involves persistent use of a substance despite negative
consequences, distinct from tolerance.
5. The amount of drug required to produce an effect of given intensity is called:
A) Tolerance
B) Addiction
C) Kindling
D) Potency
Answer: D. Potency reflects how much drug is needed to achieve a specific therapeutic
effect.
6. Which of the following is an example of a high potency drug?
A) Chlorpromazine
B) Haldol (haloperidol)
C) Fluoxetine
D) Buspirone
Answer: B. Haldol (haloperidol) requires lower doses for effectiveness, indicating high
potency.
7. Which of the following is an example of a low potency drug?
A) Haldol (haloperidol)
B) Risperdal
C) Chlorpromazine
D) Aripiprazole
Practice Questions with Answers, Rationales, and DSM-5 Criteria
for ADHD, Mood Disorders, Anxiety, PTSD, Personality Disorders,
and Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Exam Information
Course: Georgette's PMHNP Review – Module 3: Diagnosis and Treatment
Target Audience: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification
candidates
Core Domains Covered: Psychopharmacology, neurobiology, mental health disorders,
clinical interventions, and diagnostic reasoning
Question Format: Multiple-choice, with answers and detailed rationales
Reference: DSM-5-TR criteria, evidence-based practice guidelines
Key Topics in This Module
Category Specific Focus Areas
Neurobiology & Tolerance, potency, kindling, addiction, neurotransmitters
Psychopharmacology (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin), mechanism of action of
psychiatric medications
ADHD Neurobiology, stimulants, alpha agonists, atomoxetine, non-
pharmacological treatments, monitoring tools, age-specific
approvals
, Personality Disorders Antisocial, narcissistic, schizoid, schizotypal personality
disorders – DSM-5 criteria and non-pharmacological treatments
Mood Disorders Major depressive disorder (pediatric), persistent depressive
disorder (dysthymia), pediatric bipolar disorder – first-line
treatments and safety concerns
Anxiety & Trauma Panic disorder, GAD, separation anxiety disorder, PTSD – first-
Disorders line treatments (SSRIs, CBT, TF-CBT)
Disruptive Behavior ODD, conduct disorder – characteristics, distinction, first-line
Disorders treatments
Neurodevelopmental Autism spectrum disorder, Tourette's disorder – characteristics,
Disorders comorbidities, treatments
Ethical & Legal Principles Autonomy, informed consent, evidence-based practice,
telehealth standards
Therapeutic Modalities CBT, cognitive processing therapy, motivational interviewing,
Peplau's Interpersonal Theory
SECTION 1: NEUROBIOLOGY & PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (Questions 1-15)
1. What is tolerance?
A) Compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences
B) The amount of drug required to produce an effect of given intensity
C) Decreased response/effects of the same dose of a drug over time
D) Progressive neuronal sensitization lowering seizure thresholds
Answer: C. Tolerance occurs when the body adapts to a drug, requiring higher doses for
the same effect. It is a pharmacologic phenomenon and differs from addiction.
, 2. A 45-year-old man prescribed oxycodone 10mg q12h for chronic back pain reports
that he used to feel relief with one pill, but now requires three pills to achieve the
same level of relief. This is an example of which process?
A) Kindling
B) Addiction
C) Tolerance
D) Potency
Answer: C. Needing increased doses for the same effect demonstrates pharmacologic
tolerance.
3. The tendency of some regions of the brain to react to repeated low-level bio-
electrical stimulation by progressively boosting synaptic discharges, thereby
lowering seizure thresholds, is called:
A) Tolerance
B) Addiction
C) Kindling
D) Potency
Answer: C. Kindling describes progressive neuronal sensitization, often contributing to
seizures or withdrawal complications.
4. Compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences is defined as:
A) Tolerance
B) Addiction
C) Kindling
D) Potency
, Answer: B. Addiction involves persistent use of a substance despite negative
consequences, distinct from tolerance.
5. The amount of drug required to produce an effect of given intensity is called:
A) Tolerance
B) Addiction
C) Kindling
D) Potency
Answer: D. Potency reflects how much drug is needed to achieve a specific therapeutic
effect.
6. Which of the following is an example of a high potency drug?
A) Chlorpromazine
B) Haldol (haloperidol)
C) Fluoxetine
D) Buspirone
Answer: B. Haldol (haloperidol) requires lower doses for effectiveness, indicating high
potency.
7. Which of the following is an example of a low potency drug?
A) Haldol (haloperidol)
B) Risperdal
C) Chlorpromazine
D) Aripiprazole
