APEA PMHNP EXAM AND PRACTICE
EXAM NEWEST | APEA PSYCHIATRIC-
MENTAL HEALTH NURSE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ GURANTEED PASS
1. A 24-year-old male believes the local news anchor is sending him
coded messages through the television. These symptoms have
persisted for 7 months, and he has no history of mood episodes. What
is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Schizoaffective Disorder
B) Schizophreniform Disorder
C) Schizophrenia
D) Delusional Disorder
Answer: C) Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia requires symptoms to persist for at least 6 months. Since his
delusions have lasted 7 months without prominent mood symptoms, he fits
this diagnosis. Schizophreniform is reserved for symptoms lasting 1–6
months.
2. Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the "mesolimbic
pathway," often referred to as the brain's reward center?
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) GABA
D) Acetylcholine
Answer: A) Dopamine
The mesolimbic pathway projects from the VTA to the nucleus accumbens.
,Excessive dopamine here is linked to positive symptoms of schizophrenia and
addiction.
3. A patient presents with "Waxy Flexibility," remaining in a fixed
position for hours unless moved. This is a hallmark of:
A) Akathisia
B) Catatonia
C) Tardive Dyskinesia
D) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Answer: B) Catatonia
Catatonia is a specifier for various mental disorders characterized by motor
immobility, mutism, or purposeless overactivity.
4. According to the DSM-5-TR, what is the minimum duration of
symptoms required for a diagnosis of Cyclothymic Disorder in an
adult?
A) 6 months
B) 1 year
C) 2 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C) 2 years
For adults, cyclothymia requires numerous periods of hypomanic and
depressive symptoms for at least 2 years. For children, the requirement is 1
year.
5. Which part of the brain is responsible for "executive functions" such
as planning, impulse control, and working memory?
A) Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)
B) Amygdala
C) Hippocampus
D) Thalamus
,Answer: A) Prefrontal Cortex
The PFC acts as the "CEO" of the brain. Dysfunction in the PFC is a core
component of ADHD, Schizophrenia, and executive dysfunction in dementia.
6. A patient reports a persistent fear of being in open spaces or using
public transportation where escape might be difficult. This is:
A) Social Anxiety Disorder
B) Agoraphobia
C) Specific Phobia
D) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Answer: B) Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia involves intense fear of two or more specific situations (public
transport, open spaces, enclosed spaces, lines/crowds, or being outside alone).
7. In a Mental Status Exam (MSE), "Echolalia" refers to:
A) The patient repeating their own words
B) The patient repeating the words or phrases of another person
C) The patient making up new, meaningless words
D) The patient's speech being disorganized and nonsensical
Answer: B) The patient repeating the words or phrases of another
person
Echolalia is the repetition of another person's words or phrases, often seen in
autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia.
8. Which part of the brain acts as the "relay station" for all sensory
information except olfaction?
A) Hypothalamus
B) Thalamus
C) Basal Ganglia
D) Cerebellum
Answer: B) Thalamus
The thalamus processes and transmits sensory information to the appropriate
areas of the cerebral cortex. Olfaction (smell) bypasses the thalamus.
, 9. A patient with Chronic Alcohol Use Disorder presents with ataxia,
ophthalmoplegia (eye paralysis), and confusion. This "Wernicke's
Encephalopathy" is caused by deficiency in:
A) Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
B) Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)
C) Folate
D) Magnesium
Answer: A) Thiamine
Wernicke's is an acute, life-threatening condition. If untreated with high-dose
thiamine, it can lead to the irreversible memory loss of Korsakoff's Syndrome.
10. According to the DSM-5-TR, a diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder
requires symptoms to persist for at least:
A) 1 month
B) 3 months
C) 6 months
D) 12 months
Answer: C) 6 months
The 6-month threshold is required for Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized
Anxiety Disorder, and Specific Phobias to ensure symptoms are not just a
transient reaction.
11. A "Positive Romberg Test" (loss of balance when eyes are closed)
indicates dysfunction in which area?
A) Frontal Lobe
B) Cerebellum or Posterior Columns
C) Parietal Lobe
D) Temporal Lobe
Answer: B) Cerebellum or Posterior Columns
The Romberg test assesses proprioception and cerebellar function.
12. Which cranial nerve is assessed when asking a patient to stick out
their tongue?
EXAM NEWEST | APEA PSYCHIATRIC-
MENTAL HEALTH NURSE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ GURANTEED PASS
1. A 24-year-old male believes the local news anchor is sending him
coded messages through the television. These symptoms have
persisted for 7 months, and he has no history of mood episodes. What
is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Schizoaffective Disorder
B) Schizophreniform Disorder
C) Schizophrenia
D) Delusional Disorder
Answer: C) Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia requires symptoms to persist for at least 6 months. Since his
delusions have lasted 7 months without prominent mood symptoms, he fits
this diagnosis. Schizophreniform is reserved for symptoms lasting 1–6
months.
2. Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the "mesolimbic
pathway," often referred to as the brain's reward center?
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) GABA
D) Acetylcholine
Answer: A) Dopamine
The mesolimbic pathway projects from the VTA to the nucleus accumbens.
,Excessive dopamine here is linked to positive symptoms of schizophrenia and
addiction.
3. A patient presents with "Waxy Flexibility," remaining in a fixed
position for hours unless moved. This is a hallmark of:
A) Akathisia
B) Catatonia
C) Tardive Dyskinesia
D) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Answer: B) Catatonia
Catatonia is a specifier for various mental disorders characterized by motor
immobility, mutism, or purposeless overactivity.
4. According to the DSM-5-TR, what is the minimum duration of
symptoms required for a diagnosis of Cyclothymic Disorder in an
adult?
A) 6 months
B) 1 year
C) 2 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C) 2 years
For adults, cyclothymia requires numerous periods of hypomanic and
depressive symptoms for at least 2 years. For children, the requirement is 1
year.
5. Which part of the brain is responsible for "executive functions" such
as planning, impulse control, and working memory?
A) Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)
B) Amygdala
C) Hippocampus
D) Thalamus
,Answer: A) Prefrontal Cortex
The PFC acts as the "CEO" of the brain. Dysfunction in the PFC is a core
component of ADHD, Schizophrenia, and executive dysfunction in dementia.
6. A patient reports a persistent fear of being in open spaces or using
public transportation where escape might be difficult. This is:
A) Social Anxiety Disorder
B) Agoraphobia
C) Specific Phobia
D) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Answer: B) Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia involves intense fear of two or more specific situations (public
transport, open spaces, enclosed spaces, lines/crowds, or being outside alone).
7. In a Mental Status Exam (MSE), "Echolalia" refers to:
A) The patient repeating their own words
B) The patient repeating the words or phrases of another person
C) The patient making up new, meaningless words
D) The patient's speech being disorganized and nonsensical
Answer: B) The patient repeating the words or phrases of another
person
Echolalia is the repetition of another person's words or phrases, often seen in
autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia.
8. Which part of the brain acts as the "relay station" for all sensory
information except olfaction?
A) Hypothalamus
B) Thalamus
C) Basal Ganglia
D) Cerebellum
Answer: B) Thalamus
The thalamus processes and transmits sensory information to the appropriate
areas of the cerebral cortex. Olfaction (smell) bypasses the thalamus.
, 9. A patient with Chronic Alcohol Use Disorder presents with ataxia,
ophthalmoplegia (eye paralysis), and confusion. This "Wernicke's
Encephalopathy" is caused by deficiency in:
A) Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
B) Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)
C) Folate
D) Magnesium
Answer: A) Thiamine
Wernicke's is an acute, life-threatening condition. If untreated with high-dose
thiamine, it can lead to the irreversible memory loss of Korsakoff's Syndrome.
10. According to the DSM-5-TR, a diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder
requires symptoms to persist for at least:
A) 1 month
B) 3 months
C) 6 months
D) 12 months
Answer: C) 6 months
The 6-month threshold is required for Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized
Anxiety Disorder, and Specific Phobias to ensure symptoms are not just a
transient reaction.
11. A "Positive Romberg Test" (loss of balance when eyes are closed)
indicates dysfunction in which area?
A) Frontal Lobe
B) Cerebellum or Posterior Columns
C) Parietal Lobe
D) Temporal Lobe
Answer: B) Cerebellum or Posterior Columns
The Romberg test assesses proprioception and cerebellar function.
12. Which cranial nerve is assessed when asking a patient to stick out
their tongue?
