NSC 880 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam Updated 2026/2027| A Review of 122 Questions with Solutions and Clinical Rationales

Are you preparing for the NSC 880 Exam or a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification? This comprehensive, up-to-date review guide is exactly what you need to pass with confidence. Updated for the 2026/2027 exam cycle, this document contains 122 carefully selected questions with direct answers and clinical rationales – not just correct answers, but the clinical reasoning behind them. Every major theorist, psychiatric disorder, DSM-5 criteria, and treatment modality is condensed into a fast, high-yield format. NSC 880 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam Updated 2026/2027| A Review of 122 Questions with Solutions and Clinical Rationales 1. Conversion disorder: ANS symptoms that affect motor or sensory functions caused by psychological factors Like going blind, paralyzed, pseudoseizures 2. Freud dream work: ANS conscious vs. Unconscious id, ego, superego 3. Alfred Adler focused on: ANS inferiority complex importance of birth order Developed Adlerian therapy (12 basic assumptions) 4. Carl Jung known for: ANS introversion vs. Extroversion goal is individuation 5. Eric Berne known for: ANS transactional analysis 3 ego states (child, adult, parent) Goal is adult 6. Sullivan developmental stages: ANS infancy- birth to 18 mo (oral) childhood- 18 mo to 6y (delayed gratification) Juvenile- 6 to 9y (forming peer relationships) Early adolescence- 12 to 14y (opposite sex relationships) late adolescence- 14 to 21y (self-identity developed) 7. Aaron beck known for: ANS CBT Socratic dialogue Labeling cognitive distortions questioning evidence thought stopping 8. Albert Bandura known for: ANS social learning theory people learn by observing others and rely on role modeling 9. B.F. skinner known for: ANS operant conditioning Stimuli present when a behavior is rewarded or punished comes to control that behavior 10. Albert Ellis known for: ANS rational-emotive behavioral therapy neurosis is irrational thinking and behaving Client's belief system cause of emotional problems 11. What is solution focused therapy: ANS present and future oriented identify what client wants to change and what it will take to make that happen miracle question 12. Frederick Perls known for: ANS gestalt therapy humanistic/existential therapy Emphasizes holism Concerned with present rather than past awareness of self through exploring relationships commitment to dialogue, dialogue is lived Top dog, underdog, empty chair 13. Carl rogers known for: ANS person centered therapy people are good and have potential of self-growth unconditional positive regard 14. Interpersonal therapy focused on: ANS interpersonal relationships influenced by Peplau/Sullivan 15. Victor frankly known for: ANS existential approach finding meaning in life Spiritual dimension 16. Harry stack Sullivan known for: ANS interpersonal theory When a persons need for satisfaction and security is interred with by self-system, mental illness occurs behaviors geared toward relieving anxiety 17. Peplau working phases: ANS introduction- hesitancy working-transference, countertransference Termination- resistance, regression, reemergence 18. Yale's 10 curative factors: ANS instillation of hope- help each other find hope catharsis- safe place to get it all out Interpersonal learning- teaching each other altruism- coming together, helping each other universality- feeling you're not alone increased social skills Group cohesiveness existential factors corrective refocusing 19. 5 stages of group development: ANS orientation (forming) power struggle (storming) Cooperation and integration (norming) synergy (performing) Closure (adjourning) 20. Motivational interviewing OARS: ANS open questions affirming Reflecting summarizing 21. Pathway indicated in substance use: ANS limbic system 22. Caffeine intoxication symptoms: ANS anxiety agitation Irritability nausea Diuresis tremors Muscle twitching excessive sweating insomnia 23. Caffeine withdrawal symptoms: ANS headache marked fatigue Depressed mood irritability Difficulty concentrating anxiety Insomnia Flu-like symptoms 24. Caffeine withdrawal starts/peaks/ends: ANS begins in 12 to 24 hours peaks 24 to 45 Lasts a week 25. Nicotine intoxication symptoms: ANS headache tremors N/V High BP and HR tachypnea ataxia Seizures shock coma death 26. Nicotine withdrawal: ANS irritability anger Difficulty concentrating restlessness depressed mood insomnia 27. Nicotine withdrawal starts/peaks/lasts: ANS starts within hours first 2 weeks is worst Can last for months 28. Nicotine withdrawal treatment: ANS MI Nic replacement Chantix Wellbutrin 29. Cannabis intoxication symptoms: ANS intensified perception relaxation/apathy Elevated mood giggling munchies panic attacks paranoia Red eyes dry mouth Cognitive/psychomotor slowing psychosis 30. Cannabis withdrawal symptoms: ANS irritability anxiety Restlessness insomnia sweating Decreased appetite headache depressed mood cravings 31. Alcohol intoxication symptoms: ANS slurred speech coordination deficits Dizziness unsteady gait double vision Nausea mood lability vomiting blackouts Resp depression death 32. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms: ANS autonomic hyperactivity tremors