ANCC Sample Questions and Answers
| Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct &
Verified
A 28-year-old patient with schizophrenia has been stable on risperidone but develops
gynecomastia. What is the best next step?
A. Increase the dose of risperidone
✔✔B. Switch to aripiprazole
C. Add benztropine
D. Discontinue all medications
Which laboratory test should be obtained prior to initiating lithium therapy?
✔✔A. Thyroid stimulating hormone
B. Creatine phosphokinase
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Vitamin B12
A patient with major depressive disorder reports no improvement after 6 weeks on sertraline 50
mg. What is the most appropriate next step?
1
,A. Discontinue the medication and start psychotherapy
B. Add bupropion
✔✔C. Increase the dose of sertraline
D. Switch to a tricyclic antidepressant
A patient taking clozapine reports flu-like symptoms and a sore throat. What is the priority
action?
✔✔A. Order a CBC with differential
B. Reassure the patient and monitor symptoms
C. Increase fluid intake
D. Decrease the dose of clozapine
A 15-year-old presents with poor concentration, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Conduct disorder
✔✔B. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
C. Oppositional defiant disorder
D. Autism spectrum disorder
2
, Which medication requires routine monitoring of liver enzymes?
A. Lithium
B. Aripiprazole
✔✔C. Valproic acid
D. Fluoxetine
A PMHNP is evaluating a patient with suspected alcohol use disorder. Which screening tool is
most appropriate?
✔✔A. AUDIT
B. PHQ-9
C. GAD-7
D. MMSE
Which personality disorder is characterized by unstable relationships, emotional lability, and fear
of abandonment?
A. Antisocial personality disorder
✔✔B. Borderline personality disorder
3
| Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct &
Verified
A 28-year-old patient with schizophrenia has been stable on risperidone but develops
gynecomastia. What is the best next step?
A. Increase the dose of risperidone
✔✔B. Switch to aripiprazole
C. Add benztropine
D. Discontinue all medications
Which laboratory test should be obtained prior to initiating lithium therapy?
✔✔A. Thyroid stimulating hormone
B. Creatine phosphokinase
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Vitamin B12
A patient with major depressive disorder reports no improvement after 6 weeks on sertraline 50
mg. What is the most appropriate next step?
1
,A. Discontinue the medication and start psychotherapy
B. Add bupropion
✔✔C. Increase the dose of sertraline
D. Switch to a tricyclic antidepressant
A patient taking clozapine reports flu-like symptoms and a sore throat. What is the priority
action?
✔✔A. Order a CBC with differential
B. Reassure the patient and monitor symptoms
C. Increase fluid intake
D. Decrease the dose of clozapine
A 15-year-old presents with poor concentration, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Conduct disorder
✔✔B. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
C. Oppositional defiant disorder
D. Autism spectrum disorder
2
, Which medication requires routine monitoring of liver enzymes?
A. Lithium
B. Aripiprazole
✔✔C. Valproic acid
D. Fluoxetine
A PMHNP is evaluating a patient with suspected alcohol use disorder. Which screening tool is
most appropriate?
✔✔A. AUDIT
B. PHQ-9
C. GAD-7
D. MMSE
Which personality disorder is characterized by unstable relationships, emotional lability, and fear
of abandonment?
A. Antisocial personality disorder
✔✔B. Borderline personality disorder
3
