PMHNP certification Exam (2025/2026) Questions And Answers
(Actual test verified Grade A+).
1. Which patient is at highest risk for SI
q q q q q q q
A. 30y/o married AA female with previous SI attempt *1 risk factor
q q q q q q q q q q
B. 35 y/o single Asian male with previous SI attempt *3 risk factors
q q q q q q q q q q q
C. 38 y/o single AA male who is a manager of a bank *2 risk factors
q q q q q q q q q q q q q q
D. 68 y/o single white male with depression *5 risk factors (age, male, white, depression)
q q q q q q q q q q q q q q
q answer>>> D. 68 y/o single white male with depression *5 risk factors (age, male, white, depression)
qq q q q q q q q q q q q q q q
Count the risk factors
q q q
2. COWS scale components
q q qq
answer>>> · Opioid W/D qq q q
Pulse, sweating, restlessness, pupil size- dilation (if pinpoint= opioid intoxication, not w/d), body aches,
q q q q q q q q q q q q q
Rhinorrhea (running nose), Lacrimation (eye tearing), GI upset (N/V/D), yawning, tremors, anxiety/irritability,
q q q q q q q q q q q q
Piloerection (gooseflesh skin), insomnia
q q q q
3. What does COWS stand for?
q q q q qq
1 q/ q78
, answer>>> Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale
q qqq q q q
4. What does CIWA stand for? q q q q qq
answer>>> Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment
q qqq q q q
5. What does CIWA assess for? q q q q qq
qqq answer>>> --used to determine likelihood of ETOH withdraw- al or DTs
qqq q q q q q q q q q
--usually occur within the first 24-72 hours after cessation
q q q q q q q q
o used to determine when to administer medications for ETOH withdrawal
q q q q q q q q q q
6. What does CIWA NOT test for? q q q q q qq
answer>>> Alcohol Use Disorder
q qqq q q
7. What are the CIWA scale components?
q q q q q qq
qqq answer>>> · N/V, tremor, paroxysmal sweats, anxiety, agitation, tactile disturbances, auditory
qq q q q q q q q q q
disturbances, visual disturbances, H/A, orientation
q q q q q
Each component is scored from 0(none)-7(severe) except orientation wh/ is (0 (AA0x4)-4 (disoriented)
q q q q q q q q q q q q
Score:
<10: Very mild Start PRN meds at score of 8
q q q q q q q q q
>10 to 15: Mild scheduled + PRN meds
q q q q q q q
>16 to 20: Moderate
q q q
>21: Severe Diazepam, Librium, Ativan
q q q q
8. When interview teenagers (16 y/o) that arrive with their parents what should you do?
q q q q q q q q q q q q q qqq
2 q/ q78
,q answer>>> interview them separately from parents.
qqq q q q q
-This helps Build therapeutic rapport with teens by telling them the info is confiden- tial. Parents may be upset bu
q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q
remember you are advocating for the child.
q q q q q q q
9. Which Ethnic group has the highest rate of suicide?
q q q q q q q q qqq
answer>>> Native Americans
q qqq q
10. Example A patient is being treated for schizophrenia with olanzapine. Which of the following
q q q q q q q q q q q q q
q is the most common side effect of olanzapine?
q q q q q q q
3 q/ q78
, A. Increased waist circumference q q
B. EPS (not as common in atypical antipsychotics d/t 5HT2A)-receptor antag- onism
q q q q q q q q q q
C. Increased Lipids q
D. Metabolic Syndrome q qq
q answer>>> D. Metabolic Syndrome (UMBRELLA ANSWER)qqq q q q q
11. Which antipsychotics have the least weight gain?
q q q q q q qq
qqqqqq answer>>> Latuda, Abilify, (also least sedating), Geodon-if patient has metabolic syndrome consider
qqq q q q q q q q q q q
q switching to one of the medications above. Or if the patient is overly sedated try switching to ABILIFY
q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q
12. Which mood stabilizer have the least weight gain?
q q q q q q q qqq
answer>>> Lamictal
q qqq
-But remember all mood stabilizers cause some weight gain
q q q q q q q q
13. When presented with a question about typical vs atypical antipsychotic the answer is usually
q q q q q q q q q q q q q
q to start of a
q q q qqq
qqqq answer>>> atypical qqq
14. A client presents with complains of changes in appetite, feeling fatigued, problems with sleep-
q q q q q q q q q q q q q
rest cycle, and changes in libido. What is the neu- roanatomical area of the brain that is responsible
q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q
q for the normal regulation of these functions?
q q q q q q
A. Thalamus
B. Hypothalamus
4 q/ q78
(Actual test verified Grade A+).
1. Which patient is at highest risk for SI
q q q q q q q
A. 30y/o married AA female with previous SI attempt *1 risk factor
q q q q q q q q q q
B. 35 y/o single Asian male with previous SI attempt *3 risk factors
q q q q q q q q q q q
C. 38 y/o single AA male who is a manager of a bank *2 risk factors
q q q q q q q q q q q q q q
D. 68 y/o single white male with depression *5 risk factors (age, male, white, depression)
q q q q q q q q q q q q q q
q answer>>> D. 68 y/o single white male with depression *5 risk factors (age, male, white, depression)
qq q q q q q q q q q q q q q q
Count the risk factors
q q q
2. COWS scale components
q q qq
answer>>> · Opioid W/D qq q q
Pulse, sweating, restlessness, pupil size- dilation (if pinpoint= opioid intoxication, not w/d), body aches,
q q q q q q q q q q q q q
Rhinorrhea (running nose), Lacrimation (eye tearing), GI upset (N/V/D), yawning, tremors, anxiety/irritability,
q q q q q q q q q q q q
Piloerection (gooseflesh skin), insomnia
q q q q
3. What does COWS stand for?
q q q q qq
1 q/ q78
, answer>>> Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale
q qqq q q q
4. What does CIWA stand for? q q q q qq
answer>>> Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment
q qqq q q q
5. What does CIWA assess for? q q q q qq
qqq answer>>> --used to determine likelihood of ETOH withdraw- al or DTs
qqq q q q q q q q q q
--usually occur within the first 24-72 hours after cessation
q q q q q q q q
o used to determine when to administer medications for ETOH withdrawal
q q q q q q q q q q
6. What does CIWA NOT test for? q q q q q qq
answer>>> Alcohol Use Disorder
q qqq q q
7. What are the CIWA scale components?
q q q q q qq
qqq answer>>> · N/V, tremor, paroxysmal sweats, anxiety, agitation, tactile disturbances, auditory
qq q q q q q q q q q
disturbances, visual disturbances, H/A, orientation
q q q q q
Each component is scored from 0(none)-7(severe) except orientation wh/ is (0 (AA0x4)-4 (disoriented)
q q q q q q q q q q q q
Score:
<10: Very mild Start PRN meds at score of 8
q q q q q q q q q
>10 to 15: Mild scheduled + PRN meds
q q q q q q q
>16 to 20: Moderate
q q q
>21: Severe Diazepam, Librium, Ativan
q q q q
8. When interview teenagers (16 y/o) that arrive with their parents what should you do?
q q q q q q q q q q q q q qqq
2 q/ q78
,q answer>>> interview them separately from parents.
qqq q q q q
-This helps Build therapeutic rapport with teens by telling them the info is confiden- tial. Parents may be upset bu
q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q
remember you are advocating for the child.
q q q q q q q
9. Which Ethnic group has the highest rate of suicide?
q q q q q q q q qqq
answer>>> Native Americans
q qqq q
10. Example A patient is being treated for schizophrenia with olanzapine. Which of the following
q q q q q q q q q q q q q
q is the most common side effect of olanzapine?
q q q q q q q
3 q/ q78
, A. Increased waist circumference q q
B. EPS (not as common in atypical antipsychotics d/t 5HT2A)-receptor antag- onism
q q q q q q q q q q
C. Increased Lipids q
D. Metabolic Syndrome q qq
q answer>>> D. Metabolic Syndrome (UMBRELLA ANSWER)qqq q q q q
11. Which antipsychotics have the least weight gain?
q q q q q q qq
qqqqqq answer>>> Latuda, Abilify, (also least sedating), Geodon-if patient has metabolic syndrome consider
qqq q q q q q q q q q q
q switching to one of the medications above. Or if the patient is overly sedated try switching to ABILIFY
q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q
12. Which mood stabilizer have the least weight gain?
q q q q q q q qqq
answer>>> Lamictal
q qqq
-But remember all mood stabilizers cause some weight gain
q q q q q q q q
13. When presented with a question about typical vs atypical antipsychotic the answer is usually
q q q q q q q q q q q q q
q to start of a
q q q qqq
qqqq answer>>> atypical qqq
14. A client presents with complains of changes in appetite, feeling fatigued, problems with sleep-
q q q q q q q q q q q q q
rest cycle, and changes in libido. What is the neu- roanatomical area of the brain that is responsible
q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q
q for the normal regulation of these functions?
q q q q q q
A. Thalamus
B. Hypothalamus
4 q/ q78