ANCC PMHNP Boards Questions & Answers 2026 | Scientific
Foundation & Advanced Practice Skills | Graded A+
1. You are administering a medication for Steven-Johnson syndrome. The signs
and symptoms that might indicate this syndrome include
Joint pain
Swelling of the extremities
Elevated blood pressure
Lesions on the skin or mucous membrane
2. Why is it important to check a complete blood count (CBC) before initiating
treatment with carbamazepine?
To monitor for potential hematological side effects, such as
leukopenia.
To assess liver function prior to medication initiation.
To determine the patient's baseline electrolyte levels.
To evaluate kidney function before starting treatment.
3. The psychiatric technician has several clients that are receiving Tegretol
(carbamazepine). He knows to closely monitor the blood laboratory values
since this medication can cause:
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and extrapyramidal symptoms.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and agranulocytosis.
Aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis.
Agranulocytosis and extrapyramidal symptoms.
4. What is the typical therapeutic range for lithium levels in the blood?
, 1.0 to 1.5 mEq/L
1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
0.4 to 0.8 mEq/L
0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
5. Which brain structure is primarily associated with the regulation of emotions,
particularly fear and anxiety?
Frontal lobe
Amygdala
Hippocampus
Cerebellum
6. Discuss the significance of lithium in the treatment of mood disorders,
particularly regarding its anti-suicidal properties.
Lithium is effective for depression but not for mood stabilization.
Lithium is significant in treating mood disorders as it has been
shown to reduce the risk of suicide in patients with bipolar disorder.
Lithium is only used in acute manic episodes and does not have long-
term benefits.
Lithium is primarily used for anxiety disorders and has no effect on
suicide risk.
7. If a pregnant client has taken a benzodiazepine during pregnancy, what
would be the biggest concern?
The baby will have birth defects.
There is no cause for concern.
, The infant may experience withdrawal symptoms during the
postnatal period.
The mother will have withdrawal symptoms during labor.
8. A 50-yr-old male is being considered for a course of clozapine (clozaril). The
PA must review and monitor which laboratory regularly to guard against this
uncommon but concerning side effect of the medication?
Platelet count
Thyroid stimulation hormone
White blood cell count
Aspartate aminotransferase
9. If a patient on lithium presents with symptoms of tremors and increased thirst,
what should be the next step in management?
Switch the patient to a different mood stabilizer.
Advise the patient to stop taking lithium without further evaluation.
Increase the lithium dosage immediately.
Evaluate lithium levels and assess for potential toxicity.
10. Which AED medication can cause a rash in populations of Asian descent?
Tegretol (carbamezapine)
Dilantin (Phenytoin)
Zarontin (ethosuximide)
Lamotrigine
11. A client is on clozapine. What lab should be monitored weekly?
, Chemistry panel
AST/ALT
BUN/Creatine
CBC
12. The PMHNP is performing an initial assessment on an individual of Asian
decent. You are assessing the individual for a mood disorder as she
verbalized some hypomania as well as depressive symptoms. Which
medication should NOT be considered due to increased risk of side effects?
tegretol (carbamazepine)
lithium
lamictal
depakote
13. Discuss how physiological changes in older adults can affect their response
to psychotropic medications.
Older adults are less likely to experience side effects from
medications.
Physiological changes such as decreased renal and hepatic
function can lead to altered drug metabolism and increased
sensitivity.
Older adults have a higher metabolic rate, which decreases sensitivity
to medications.
Older adults typically have a lower body mass index, affecting drug
distribution.
Foundation & Advanced Practice Skills | Graded A+
1. You are administering a medication for Steven-Johnson syndrome. The signs
and symptoms that might indicate this syndrome include
Joint pain
Swelling of the extremities
Elevated blood pressure
Lesions on the skin or mucous membrane
2. Why is it important to check a complete blood count (CBC) before initiating
treatment with carbamazepine?
To monitor for potential hematological side effects, such as
leukopenia.
To assess liver function prior to medication initiation.
To determine the patient's baseline electrolyte levels.
To evaluate kidney function before starting treatment.
3. The psychiatric technician has several clients that are receiving Tegretol
(carbamazepine). He knows to closely monitor the blood laboratory values
since this medication can cause:
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and extrapyramidal symptoms.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and agranulocytosis.
Aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis.
Agranulocytosis and extrapyramidal symptoms.
4. What is the typical therapeutic range for lithium levels in the blood?
, 1.0 to 1.5 mEq/L
1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
0.4 to 0.8 mEq/L
0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
5. Which brain structure is primarily associated with the regulation of emotions,
particularly fear and anxiety?
Frontal lobe
Amygdala
Hippocampus
Cerebellum
6. Discuss the significance of lithium in the treatment of mood disorders,
particularly regarding its anti-suicidal properties.
Lithium is effective for depression but not for mood stabilization.
Lithium is significant in treating mood disorders as it has been
shown to reduce the risk of suicide in patients with bipolar disorder.
Lithium is only used in acute manic episodes and does not have long-
term benefits.
Lithium is primarily used for anxiety disorders and has no effect on
suicide risk.
7. If a pregnant client has taken a benzodiazepine during pregnancy, what
would be the biggest concern?
The baby will have birth defects.
There is no cause for concern.
, The infant may experience withdrawal symptoms during the
postnatal period.
The mother will have withdrawal symptoms during labor.
8. A 50-yr-old male is being considered for a course of clozapine (clozaril). The
PA must review and monitor which laboratory regularly to guard against this
uncommon but concerning side effect of the medication?
Platelet count
Thyroid stimulation hormone
White blood cell count
Aspartate aminotransferase
9. If a patient on lithium presents with symptoms of tremors and increased thirst,
what should be the next step in management?
Switch the patient to a different mood stabilizer.
Advise the patient to stop taking lithium without further evaluation.
Increase the lithium dosage immediately.
Evaluate lithium levels and assess for potential toxicity.
10. Which AED medication can cause a rash in populations of Asian descent?
Tegretol (carbamezapine)
Dilantin (Phenytoin)
Zarontin (ethosuximide)
Lamotrigine
11. A client is on clozapine. What lab should be monitored weekly?
, Chemistry panel
AST/ALT
BUN/Creatine
CBC
12. The PMHNP is performing an initial assessment on an individual of Asian
decent. You are assessing the individual for a mood disorder as she
verbalized some hypomania as well as depressive symptoms. Which
medication should NOT be considered due to increased risk of side effects?
tegretol (carbamazepine)
lithium
lamictal
depakote
13. Discuss how physiological changes in older adults can affect their response
to psychotropic medications.
Older adults are less likely to experience side effects from
medications.
Physiological changes such as decreased renal and hepatic
function can lead to altered drug metabolism and increased
sensitivity.
Older adults have a higher metabolic rate, which decreases sensitivity
to medications.
Older adults typically have a lower body mass index, affecting drug
distribution.
