PMHNP Mock Board Review (Fitzgerald):
Test Questions and Correct Answers –
Updated 2025/2026 Edition
Question 1
The goal of primary prevention is the __________ of disease. Examples of
primary prevention include:
• A) Early detection; blood pressure screening and colonoscopy
• B) Prevention; immunization and counseling about safety
• C) Minimizing negative outcomes; adjusting therapy to avoid end-
organ damage
• D) Treatment; medication management and psychotherapy
Answer: B — Prevention; immunization and counseling about safety
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs.
Immunizations and safety counseling are classic examples.
,Question 2
The goal of secondary prevention is __________ of disease. Examples
include:
• A) Prevention; immunization and safety counseling
• B) Minimizing negative outcomes; adjusting therapy to avoid end-
organ damage
• C) Early detection; blood pressure screening and colonoscopy
• D) Treatment; medication management and therapy
Answer: C — Early detection; blood pressure screening and
colonoscopy
Rationale: Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and
intervention. Blood pressure screening and colonoscopy are key
examples.
Question 3
The goal of tertiary prevention is:
• A) Preventing disease before it occurs
• B) Early detection of disease
• C) Minimizing negative outcomes from disease
• D) Eliminating all risk factors
Answer: C — Minimizing negative outcomes from disease
Rationale: Tertiary prevention aims to minimize negative outcomes and
complications from established disease, such as adjusting therapy to
avoid end-organ damage.
,Question 4
At what age should men begin screening for colorectal cancer, and at
what age should women begin screening for cervical/breast cancer?
• A) 40 y/o for men; 18 y/o for women
• B) 50 y/o for men; 21 y/o for women
• C) 55 y/o for men; 25 y/o for women
• D) 45 y/o for men; 30 y/o for women
Answer: B — 50 y/o for men; 21 y/o for women
Rationale: Current guidelines recommend colorectal cancer screening
starting at age 50 for men and cervical cancer screening starting at age
21 for women.
Question 5
A PMHNP is providing education to a community group about mental
health wellness. This intervention is an example of:
• A) Primary prevention
• B) Secondary prevention
• C) Tertiary prevention
• D) Quaternary prevention
Answer: A — Primary prevention
Rationale: Community education about mental health wellness aims to
prevent mental health problems before they occur, which is the
definition of primary prevention.
, Question 6
A PMHNP screens all new patients for depression using the PHQ-9. This
is an example of:
• A) Primary prevention
• B) Secondary prevention
• C) Tertiary prevention
• D) Health promotion
Answer: B — Secondary prevention
Rationale: Screening for depression is a secondary prevention strategy
aimed at early detection and early intervention.
Question 7
A PMHNP works with a patient who has schizophrenia to adjust
antipsychotic medication to prevent relapse and minimize functional
decline. This is an example of:
• A) Primary prevention
• B) Secondary prevention
• C) Tertiary prevention
• D) Health promotion
Answer: C — Tertiary prevention
Rationale: Tertiary prevention focuses on minimizing negative outcomes
and preventing complications in patients with established illness.
Test Questions and Correct Answers –
Updated 2025/2026 Edition
Question 1
The goal of primary prevention is the __________ of disease. Examples of
primary prevention include:
• A) Early detection; blood pressure screening and colonoscopy
• B) Prevention; immunization and counseling about safety
• C) Minimizing negative outcomes; adjusting therapy to avoid end-
organ damage
• D) Treatment; medication management and psychotherapy
Answer: B — Prevention; immunization and counseling about safety
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs.
Immunizations and safety counseling are classic examples.
,Question 2
The goal of secondary prevention is __________ of disease. Examples
include:
• A) Prevention; immunization and safety counseling
• B) Minimizing negative outcomes; adjusting therapy to avoid end-
organ damage
• C) Early detection; blood pressure screening and colonoscopy
• D) Treatment; medication management and therapy
Answer: C — Early detection; blood pressure screening and
colonoscopy
Rationale: Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and
intervention. Blood pressure screening and colonoscopy are key
examples.
Question 3
The goal of tertiary prevention is:
• A) Preventing disease before it occurs
• B) Early detection of disease
• C) Minimizing negative outcomes from disease
• D) Eliminating all risk factors
Answer: C — Minimizing negative outcomes from disease
Rationale: Tertiary prevention aims to minimize negative outcomes and
complications from established disease, such as adjusting therapy to
avoid end-organ damage.
,Question 4
At what age should men begin screening for colorectal cancer, and at
what age should women begin screening for cervical/breast cancer?
• A) 40 y/o for men; 18 y/o for women
• B) 50 y/o for men; 21 y/o for women
• C) 55 y/o for men; 25 y/o for women
• D) 45 y/o for men; 30 y/o for women
Answer: B — 50 y/o for men; 21 y/o for women
Rationale: Current guidelines recommend colorectal cancer screening
starting at age 50 for men and cervical cancer screening starting at age
21 for women.
Question 5
A PMHNP is providing education to a community group about mental
health wellness. This intervention is an example of:
• A) Primary prevention
• B) Secondary prevention
• C) Tertiary prevention
• D) Quaternary prevention
Answer: A — Primary prevention
Rationale: Community education about mental health wellness aims to
prevent mental health problems before they occur, which is the
definition of primary prevention.
, Question 6
A PMHNP screens all new patients for depression using the PHQ-9. This
is an example of:
• A) Primary prevention
• B) Secondary prevention
• C) Tertiary prevention
• D) Health promotion
Answer: B — Secondary prevention
Rationale: Screening for depression is a secondary prevention strategy
aimed at early detection and early intervention.
Question 7
A PMHNP works with a patient who has schizophrenia to adjust
antipsychotic medication to prevent relapse and minimize functional
decline. This is an example of:
• A) Primary prevention
• B) Secondary prevention
• C) Tertiary prevention
• D) Health promotion
Answer: C — Tertiary prevention
Rationale: Tertiary prevention focuses on minimizing negative outcomes
and preventing complications in patients with established illness.
