NR 547 PMHNP ACTUAL EXAM 150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES 2026 LATEST VERSION COVERING THE
RECENT MOST TESTED QUESTIONS RELIABLE FOR A+ GRADE
1. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with mood regulation?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine
C. Serotonin
D. GABA
Rationale: Serotonin is crucial for mood, sleep, and appetite regulation; deficits are linked to
depression.
2. First-line treatment for major depressive disorder?
A. Lithium
B. SSRIs
C. Haloperidol
D. Benzodiazepines
Rationale: SSRIs are first-line due to efficacy and safety for MDD.
3. Which symptom is characteristic of bipolar mania?
A. Depressed mood
B. Grandiosity
C. Social withdrawal
D. Psychomotor retardation
Rationale: Mania often presents with elevated mood, grandiosity, and increased energy.
4. Which medication requires monitoring of thyroid and renal function?
A. Valproate
B. Lithium
C. Lamotrigine
D. Carbamazepine
Rationale: Lithium can affect thyroid and renal function, so labs must be monitored.
,5. Which assessment is critical before starting an SSRI?
A. Blood pressure
B. Liver function
C. Suicide risk
D. Glucose
Rationale: SSRIs may increase risk of suicidal ideation, especially early in therapy.
6. Most common side effect of SSRIs?
A. Weight loss
B. Sexual dysfunction
C. Hypotension
D. Hyperactivity
Rationale: SSRIs frequently cause sexual side effects such as decreased libido.
7. Which class of drugs is preferred for acute anxiety?
A. SSRIs
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Mood stabilizers
D. Antipsychotics
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are fast-acting for acute anxiety, though not first-line long-term.
8. Which is a typical antipsychotic?
A. Risperidone
B. Haloperidol
C. Clozapine
D. Olanzapine
Rationale: Haloperidol is a first-generation (typical) antipsychotic.
9. What is the main risk of clozapine therapy?
A. Hepatotoxicity
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Renal failure
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, requiring frequent WBC monitoring.
,10. Which therapy is evidence-based for PTSD?
A. Electroconvulsive therapy
B. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
C. Hypnotherapy
D. Psychoanalysis
Rationale: CBT, particularly trauma-focused CBT, is first-line for PTSD.
11. Which is a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Depressed mood
B. Delusions
C. Panic attacks
D. Compulsions
Rationale: Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized
speech.
12. Which lab test is required with valproate therapy?
A. CBC and LFTs
B. Lipid panel
C. Creatinine
D. Thyroid panel
Rationale: Valproate can cause hepatotoxicity and thrombocytopenia, so monitoring is necessary.
13. Which therapy is first-line for obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A. SSRIs
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Lithium
D. Typical antipsychotics
Rationale: SSRIs reduce obsessive-compulsive behaviors effectively.
14. A patient presents with tremor, diarrhea, and weight loss. Which lab should be ordered?
A. Lithium levels
B. TSH
, C. CBC
D. Liver function
Rationale: Symptoms suggest hyperthyroidism, and TSH helps confirm diagnosis.
15. Which is a common side effect of antipsychotics?
A. Weight gain
B. Hair loss
C. Hearing loss
D. Hypertension
Rationale: Second-generation antipsychotics often cause weight gain and metabolic syndrome.
16. Best medication for alcohol withdrawal?
A. SSRIs
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Lithium
D. Antipsychotics
Rationale: Benzodiazepines prevent seizures and manage withdrawal symptoms.
17. Which is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Hallucinations
C. Social withdrawal
D. Anhedonia
Rationale: Positive symptoms reflect excess or distortion of normal function.
18. Which is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Delusions
B. Hallucinations
C. Avolition
D. Disorganized speech
Rationale: Negative symptoms include affective flattening, avolition, and social withdrawal.
19. Which class of medication is first-line for bipolar depression?
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES 2026 LATEST VERSION COVERING THE
RECENT MOST TESTED QUESTIONS RELIABLE FOR A+ GRADE
1. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with mood regulation?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine
C. Serotonin
D. GABA
Rationale: Serotonin is crucial for mood, sleep, and appetite regulation; deficits are linked to
depression.
2. First-line treatment for major depressive disorder?
A. Lithium
B. SSRIs
C. Haloperidol
D. Benzodiazepines
Rationale: SSRIs are first-line due to efficacy and safety for MDD.
3. Which symptom is characteristic of bipolar mania?
A. Depressed mood
B. Grandiosity
C. Social withdrawal
D. Psychomotor retardation
Rationale: Mania often presents with elevated mood, grandiosity, and increased energy.
4. Which medication requires monitoring of thyroid and renal function?
A. Valproate
B. Lithium
C. Lamotrigine
D. Carbamazepine
Rationale: Lithium can affect thyroid and renal function, so labs must be monitored.
,5. Which assessment is critical before starting an SSRI?
A. Blood pressure
B. Liver function
C. Suicide risk
D. Glucose
Rationale: SSRIs may increase risk of suicidal ideation, especially early in therapy.
6. Most common side effect of SSRIs?
A. Weight loss
B. Sexual dysfunction
C. Hypotension
D. Hyperactivity
Rationale: SSRIs frequently cause sexual side effects such as decreased libido.
7. Which class of drugs is preferred for acute anxiety?
A. SSRIs
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Mood stabilizers
D. Antipsychotics
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are fast-acting for acute anxiety, though not first-line long-term.
8. Which is a typical antipsychotic?
A. Risperidone
B. Haloperidol
C. Clozapine
D. Olanzapine
Rationale: Haloperidol is a first-generation (typical) antipsychotic.
9. What is the main risk of clozapine therapy?
A. Hepatotoxicity
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Renal failure
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, requiring frequent WBC monitoring.
,10. Which therapy is evidence-based for PTSD?
A. Electroconvulsive therapy
B. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
C. Hypnotherapy
D. Psychoanalysis
Rationale: CBT, particularly trauma-focused CBT, is first-line for PTSD.
11. Which is a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Depressed mood
B. Delusions
C. Panic attacks
D. Compulsions
Rationale: Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized
speech.
12. Which lab test is required with valproate therapy?
A. CBC and LFTs
B. Lipid panel
C. Creatinine
D. Thyroid panel
Rationale: Valproate can cause hepatotoxicity and thrombocytopenia, so monitoring is necessary.
13. Which therapy is first-line for obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A. SSRIs
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Lithium
D. Typical antipsychotics
Rationale: SSRIs reduce obsessive-compulsive behaviors effectively.
14. A patient presents with tremor, diarrhea, and weight loss. Which lab should be ordered?
A. Lithium levels
B. TSH
, C. CBC
D. Liver function
Rationale: Symptoms suggest hyperthyroidism, and TSH helps confirm diagnosis.
15. Which is a common side effect of antipsychotics?
A. Weight gain
B. Hair loss
C. Hearing loss
D. Hypertension
Rationale: Second-generation antipsychotics often cause weight gain and metabolic syndrome.
16. Best medication for alcohol withdrawal?
A. SSRIs
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Lithium
D. Antipsychotics
Rationale: Benzodiazepines prevent seizures and manage withdrawal symptoms.
17. Which is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Hallucinations
C. Social withdrawal
D. Anhedonia
Rationale: Positive symptoms reflect excess or distortion of normal function.
18. Which is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Delusions
B. Hallucinations
C. Avolition
D. Disorganized speech
Rationale: Negative symptoms include affective flattening, avolition, and social withdrawal.
19. Which class of medication is first-line for bipolar depression?
