Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner (PMHNP) Practice exam
Questions With Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient with major depressive disorder reports persistent
sadness, fatigue, and loss of interest. Which neurotransmitter is
most associated with these symptoms?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: B. Serotonin
Rationale: Serotonin dysregulation is strongly associated with
mood, sleep, and appetite disturbances in depression.
2. Which medication is first-line for generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Haloperidol
B. Fluoxetine
C. Lithium
D. Donepezil
Answer: B. Fluoxetine
, Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine are first-line pharmacologic
treatments for GAD.
3. A patient presents with hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized
speech for 2 months. Most likely diagnosis?
A. Schizophreniform disorder
B. Schizophrenia
C. Brief psychotic disorder
D. Delusional disorder
Answer: A. Schizophreniform disorder
Rationale: Symptoms lasting 1–6 months indicate
schizophreniform disorder.
4. Which symptom is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Avolition
C. Hallucinations
D. Social withdrawal
Answer: C. Hallucinations
Rationale: Positive symptoms include hallucinations and delusions.
5. First-line treatment for acute mania?
A. Sertraline
B. Lithium
C. Lorazepam alone
D. Donepezil
, Answer: B. Lithium
Rationale: Lithium is a mood stabilizer used in acute mania.
6. Which condition is characterized by alternating episodes of mania
and depression?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Bipolar I disorder
C. Panic disorder
D. PTSD
Answer: B. Bipolar I disorder
Rationale: Bipolar I involves at least one manic episode.
7. Which symptom is most characteristic of major depressive
disorder?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Elevated mood
C. Anhedonia
D. Grandiosity
Answer: C. Anhedonia
Rationale: Loss of interest or pleasure is a core symptom of
depression.
8. A patient experiencing panic attacks should first be assessed for?
A. Diabetes
B. Cardiac conditions
C. Osteoarthritis
, D. Thyroid cancer
Answer: B. Cardiac conditions
Rationale: Panic symptoms can mimic myocardial infarction.
9. Best therapy for borderline personality disorder?
A. Psychoanalysis only
B. Dialectical behavior therapy
C. Electroconvulsive therapy
D. Antipsychotics alone
Answer: B. Dialectical behavior therapy
Rationale: DBT is evidence-based for borderline personality
disorder.
10. Which medication is commonly used for ADHD?
A. Methylphenidate
B. Clozapine
C. Sertraline
D. Diazepam
Answer: A. Methylphenidate
Rationale: Stimulants like methylphenidate are first-line for ADHD.
11. A patient has intrusive thoughts and repetitive handwashing.
Diagnosis?
A. OCD
B. PTSD
C. Schizophrenia
Practitioner (PMHNP) Practice exam
Questions With Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient with major depressive disorder reports persistent
sadness, fatigue, and loss of interest. Which neurotransmitter is
most associated with these symptoms?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: B. Serotonin
Rationale: Serotonin dysregulation is strongly associated with
mood, sleep, and appetite disturbances in depression.
2. Which medication is first-line for generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Haloperidol
B. Fluoxetine
C. Lithium
D. Donepezil
Answer: B. Fluoxetine
, Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine are first-line pharmacologic
treatments for GAD.
3. A patient presents with hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized
speech for 2 months. Most likely diagnosis?
A. Schizophreniform disorder
B. Schizophrenia
C. Brief psychotic disorder
D. Delusional disorder
Answer: A. Schizophreniform disorder
Rationale: Symptoms lasting 1–6 months indicate
schizophreniform disorder.
4. Which symptom is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Avolition
C. Hallucinations
D. Social withdrawal
Answer: C. Hallucinations
Rationale: Positive symptoms include hallucinations and delusions.
5. First-line treatment for acute mania?
A. Sertraline
B. Lithium
C. Lorazepam alone
D. Donepezil
, Answer: B. Lithium
Rationale: Lithium is a mood stabilizer used in acute mania.
6. Which condition is characterized by alternating episodes of mania
and depression?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Bipolar I disorder
C. Panic disorder
D. PTSD
Answer: B. Bipolar I disorder
Rationale: Bipolar I involves at least one manic episode.
7. Which symptom is most characteristic of major depressive
disorder?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Elevated mood
C. Anhedonia
D. Grandiosity
Answer: C. Anhedonia
Rationale: Loss of interest or pleasure is a core symptom of
depression.
8. A patient experiencing panic attacks should first be assessed for?
A. Diabetes
B. Cardiac conditions
C. Osteoarthritis
, D. Thyroid cancer
Answer: B. Cardiac conditions
Rationale: Panic symptoms can mimic myocardial infarction.
9. Best therapy for borderline personality disorder?
A. Psychoanalysis only
B. Dialectical behavior therapy
C. Electroconvulsive therapy
D. Antipsychotics alone
Answer: B. Dialectical behavior therapy
Rationale: DBT is evidence-based for borderline personality
disorder.
10. Which medication is commonly used for ADHD?
A. Methylphenidate
B. Clozapine
C. Sertraline
D. Diazepam
Answer: A. Methylphenidate
Rationale: Stimulants like methylphenidate are first-line for ADHD.
11. A patient has intrusive thoughts and repetitive handwashing.
Diagnosis?
A. OCD
B. PTSD
C. Schizophrenia
