Test Questions ANCC – PMHNP
questions (Latest Updated 2025/2026)
Questions and Answers {GRADE A}
A patient with borderline personality disorder experiences intense anxiety when an
adult psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner goes on vacation. The best
explanation for this reaction is that the patient:
A. has failed to develop clear ego boundaries.
B. has failed to master object constancy.
C. is employing primitive idealization.
D. is employing projective identification. - correct answer B. has failed to master
object constancy
2. A patient has been taking escitalopram (Lexapro) 10 mg daily for four weeks.
Initially, the patient reported depression and suicidal thoughts. The patient's sleep,
appetite, energy, and appearance have now begun to improve. Which statement
applies to this patient?
A. The medication should be discontinued.
B. The medication should be increased.
C. The patient's risk for suicide is not a concern.
D. The patient's suicide potential is increased. - correct answer D. The patient's
suicide potential is increased.
3. Which behavior reflects existentially oriented therapy?
A. Attempting to understand a patient's subjective world
B. Challenging a patient's irrational beliefs
C. Developing specific plans for change
, Test Questions ANCC – PMHNP
questions (Latest Updated 2025/2026)
Questions and Answers {GRADE A}
D. Establishing general group goals - correct answer A. Attempting to understand a
patient's subjective world
4. Serving as a member on a crisis team, an adult psychiatric and mental health nurse
practitioner provides crisis intervention to the survivors of a plane crash. Forty-eight
hours after the accident, the survivors describe vivid flashbacks, startle reactions, and
disrupted sleep patterns. The nurse practitioner responds by:
A. advising the survivors to consider using a hypnotic medication for a brief period.
B. educating the survivors about prodromal symptoms of posttraumatic stress
disorder.
C. encouraging the survivors to rest during the day.
D. suggesting that the survivors join a posttrauma support group. - correct answer B.
educating the survivors about prodromal symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.
5. An adult psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner uses the interpersonal
therapy model with a patient to establish a therapeutic alliance based upon empathy
and trust. The nurse practitioner recognizes the patient's readiness to terminate
therapy when the patient demonstrates:
A. an understanding that leaving a significant other may be painful, but also presents
an opportunity for growth.
B. breathing and muscle relaxation exercises that decrease muscle tension and
anxiety.
questions (Latest Updated 2025/2026)
Questions and Answers {GRADE A}
A patient with borderline personality disorder experiences intense anxiety when an
adult psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner goes on vacation. The best
explanation for this reaction is that the patient:
A. has failed to develop clear ego boundaries.
B. has failed to master object constancy.
C. is employing primitive idealization.
D. is employing projective identification. - correct answer B. has failed to master
object constancy
2. A patient has been taking escitalopram (Lexapro) 10 mg daily for four weeks.
Initially, the patient reported depression and suicidal thoughts. The patient's sleep,
appetite, energy, and appearance have now begun to improve. Which statement
applies to this patient?
A. The medication should be discontinued.
B. The medication should be increased.
C. The patient's risk for suicide is not a concern.
D. The patient's suicide potential is increased. - correct answer D. The patient's
suicide potential is increased.
3. Which behavior reflects existentially oriented therapy?
A. Attempting to understand a patient's subjective world
B. Challenging a patient's irrational beliefs
C. Developing specific plans for change
, Test Questions ANCC – PMHNP
questions (Latest Updated 2025/2026)
Questions and Answers {GRADE A}
D. Establishing general group goals - correct answer A. Attempting to understand a
patient's subjective world
4. Serving as a member on a crisis team, an adult psychiatric and mental health nurse
practitioner provides crisis intervention to the survivors of a plane crash. Forty-eight
hours after the accident, the survivors describe vivid flashbacks, startle reactions, and
disrupted sleep patterns. The nurse practitioner responds by:
A. advising the survivors to consider using a hypnotic medication for a brief period.
B. educating the survivors about prodromal symptoms of posttraumatic stress
disorder.
C. encouraging the survivors to rest during the day.
D. suggesting that the survivors join a posttrauma support group. - correct answer B.
educating the survivors about prodromal symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.
5. An adult psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner uses the interpersonal
therapy model with a patient to establish a therapeutic alliance based upon empathy
and trust. The nurse practitioner recognizes the patient's readiness to terminate
therapy when the patient demonstrates:
A. an understanding that leaving a significant other may be painful, but also presents
an opportunity for growth.
B. breathing and muscle relaxation exercises that decrease muscle tension and
anxiety.
