ANCC PMHNP Practice Questions With Correct Answers |
Latest Update 2026 | Graded A+
1. A patient with borderline personality disorder is experiencing increased
suicidal thoughts. As a PMHNP, which therapeutic approach would you
prioritize and why?
Interpersonal therapy, since it improves relationships and social
functioning.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, because it focuses on changing
negative thought patterns.
Eye movement desensitization reprocessing, as it is effective for
trauma-related symptoms.
Dialectical behavioral therapy, as it is specifically designed to
address emotional regulation and reduce suicidality.
2. Why is it important for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners to
advocate for mental health content in nonpsychiatric graduate specialties?
It allows nurse practitioners to focus solely on psychiatric care.
It reduces the need for medication management in psychiatric
settings.
It helps ensure that all healthcare providers are equipped to
recognize and address mental health issues.
It increases the number of patients seeking psychiatric help.
3. If a 10-year-old patient on lisdexamfetamine develops a tic disorder, what
would be the most appropriate next step in management?
Increase the dose of lisdexamfetamine and monitor for improvement.
Continue lisdexamfetamine and refer to a psychiatrist.
, Switch to another stimulant medication without further assessment.
Discontinue lisdexamfetamine and consider prescribing guanfacine
extended release.
4. Describe the role of dialectical behavioral therapy in managing borderline
personality disorder and its impact on suicidality.
Dialectical behavioral therapy helps patients with borderline
personality disorder by teaching coping skills and emotional
regulation, which can reduce suicidality.
Dialectical behavioral therapy focuses solely on medication
management for borderline personality disorder.
Dialectical behavioral therapy is primarily used for treating anxiety
disorders.
Dialectical behavioral therapy does not address suicidality in
borderline personality disorder.
5. If a PMHNP is tasked with developing a treatment plan based on the latest
evidence, which database should they prioritize for sourcing their
information?
Medscape database
Cochrane database
WebMD database
PubMed database
6. To improve treatment and patient outcomes, the psychiatric-mental health
nurse practitioner utilizes evidence-based practices. An acceptable resource
for evidence-based meta analysis is the:
PubMed database
, Cochrane database
WebMD database
Medscape database.
7. Laboratory findings for a patient with an AUD indicate increased liver function
values and:
Increased urine and serum creatinine levels
Elevated K and Cl levels
Decreased MCV and normal triglyceride levels
Increased MCV and elevated triglyceride levels
8. Interpret the significance of documenting a patient's report of feeling bugs
crawling under the skin in the context of mental health assessment.
It indicates a perceptual disturbance that may suggest substance
use or a psychiatric condition.
It suggests the patient is experiencing a normal sensory phenomenon.
It implies the patient is likely suffering from a developmental disorder.
It indicates a common side effect of medication.
9. Why is it essential for a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner to
establish safety before addressing a patient's traumatic experience?
Establishing safety is crucial to ensure the patient feels secure
enough to engage in further therapeutic processes.
Safety measures can be implemented after therapy begins.
Safety is less important than immediately addressing the trauma.
Patients can process trauma without a safe environment.
Latest Update 2026 | Graded A+
1. A patient with borderline personality disorder is experiencing increased
suicidal thoughts. As a PMHNP, which therapeutic approach would you
prioritize and why?
Interpersonal therapy, since it improves relationships and social
functioning.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, because it focuses on changing
negative thought patterns.
Eye movement desensitization reprocessing, as it is effective for
trauma-related symptoms.
Dialectical behavioral therapy, as it is specifically designed to
address emotional regulation and reduce suicidality.
2. Why is it important for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners to
advocate for mental health content in nonpsychiatric graduate specialties?
It allows nurse practitioners to focus solely on psychiatric care.
It reduces the need for medication management in psychiatric
settings.
It helps ensure that all healthcare providers are equipped to
recognize and address mental health issues.
It increases the number of patients seeking psychiatric help.
3. If a 10-year-old patient on lisdexamfetamine develops a tic disorder, what
would be the most appropriate next step in management?
Increase the dose of lisdexamfetamine and monitor for improvement.
Continue lisdexamfetamine and refer to a psychiatrist.
, Switch to another stimulant medication without further assessment.
Discontinue lisdexamfetamine and consider prescribing guanfacine
extended release.
4. Describe the role of dialectical behavioral therapy in managing borderline
personality disorder and its impact on suicidality.
Dialectical behavioral therapy helps patients with borderline
personality disorder by teaching coping skills and emotional
regulation, which can reduce suicidality.
Dialectical behavioral therapy focuses solely on medication
management for borderline personality disorder.
Dialectical behavioral therapy is primarily used for treating anxiety
disorders.
Dialectical behavioral therapy does not address suicidality in
borderline personality disorder.
5. If a PMHNP is tasked with developing a treatment plan based on the latest
evidence, which database should they prioritize for sourcing their
information?
Medscape database
Cochrane database
WebMD database
PubMed database
6. To improve treatment and patient outcomes, the psychiatric-mental health
nurse practitioner utilizes evidence-based practices. An acceptable resource
for evidence-based meta analysis is the:
PubMed database
, Cochrane database
WebMD database
Medscape database.
7. Laboratory findings for a patient with an AUD indicate increased liver function
values and:
Increased urine and serum creatinine levels
Elevated K and Cl levels
Decreased MCV and normal triglyceride levels
Increased MCV and elevated triglyceride levels
8. Interpret the significance of documenting a patient's report of feeling bugs
crawling under the skin in the context of mental health assessment.
It indicates a perceptual disturbance that may suggest substance
use or a psychiatric condition.
It suggests the patient is experiencing a normal sensory phenomenon.
It implies the patient is likely suffering from a developmental disorder.
It indicates a common side effect of medication.
9. Why is it essential for a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner to
establish safety before addressing a patient's traumatic experience?
Establishing safety is crucial to ensure the patient feels secure
enough to engage in further therapeutic processes.
Safety measures can be implemented after therapy begins.
Safety is less important than immediately addressing the trauma.
Patients can process trauma without a safe environment.
