ANCC PMHNP Purple Book 150 Multiple Choice Questions
with Answers 2026| Latest Update | Graded A+
1. Which of the following is a function of the psychiatric interview?
Evaluate a treatment plan
Identify the mental health needs of the client
Understand the client's psychosocial needs and communicate them to
the treatment team
Review previous medical records
2. Describe how suppression as a defense mechanism differs from denial in
mental health contexts.
Suppression and denial are the same defense mechanism.
Suppression is a form of rational thinking, while denial is emotional.
Suppression is always harmful, whereas denial can be beneficial.
Suppression involves consciously pushing away thoughts or
feelings, while denial is an unconscious refusal to accept reality.
3. If a PMHNP fails to follow established treatment protocols, resulting in a
patient's deterioration, which element of malpractice is primarily being
violated?
Injury
Injury must be related to breach of the standard of care
Duty of care
Breach of standard of care
,4. Mr. J has been admitted to an inpatient unit where you are the PMHNP. You
are going to do his initial interview/assessment. He tells you, 'these people
make me nervous, can we talk in my room?' His room is at the end of the hall
farthest from the nurse unit. What is the appropriate course of action to take
at this time?
It's okay to meet in this room. It's least noisy and most comfortable for
him. This could enhance data collection for you.
In the treatment room with the door closed, but let staff know where
you are.
Suggest a quiet place on the unit, public enough to ask for help if
either of you or the patient's safety is in question
In the dayroom with other people around so you can observe his
interactions.
5. Describe the significance of resistance to termination in the context of
therapeutic relationships.
Resistance to termination indicates the client's emotional
attachment and fear of change.
Resistance to termination is always a sign of underlying pathology.
Resistance to termination is irrelevant to the therapeutic process.
Resistance to termination shows a lack of progress in therapy.
6. Describe how neurotransmitters facilitate communication within the central
nervous system.
Neurotransmitters serve as structural components of neurons.
Neurotransmitters are responsible for the production of hormones in
the body.
, Neurotransmitters act as chemical messengers that transmit signals
between neurons, enabling communication within the central
nervous system.
Neurotransmitters break down waste products in the brain.
7. What term did Freud coin to refer to the idea that everything we do has
meaning and purpose?
primacy of the unconscious
ego defense activation
psychic determinism
primary process dominance
8. If a psychiatric patient refuses medication but is deemed to lack decision-
making capacity, what should the nurse consider in their approach?
Administer the medication without consent to ensure compliance.
Consult with the patient's family to override the patient's decision.
Assess the patient's capacity and consider legal and ethical
guidelines for treatment.
Ignore the refusal and document it in the patient's chart.
9. Suppression is what type of defense mechanism:
mature
neurotic
primitive
immature
, 10. Describe how the concepts of equity and efficiency interact in healthcare
economics.
Equity refers to fairness in resource distribution, while efficiency
focuses on maximizing resource use.
Equity is about reducing costs, while efficiency is about increasing
access.
Equity and efficiency are unrelated concepts in healthcare
economics.
Equity ensures all patients receive the same treatment, while
efficiency minimizes costs.
11. What is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain?
Dopamine
Glutamate
Calcium (Ca2+)
GABA
12. Which of the following is a major source of serotonin (5-HT)?
Locus ceruleus
Dorsal column nuclei
Basal nucleus
Raphe nuclei
13. Describe why parenting skills classes for pregnant adolescents are
considered a primary prevention strategy.
They are mandated interventions for families in legal trouble.
with Answers 2026| Latest Update | Graded A+
1. Which of the following is a function of the psychiatric interview?
Evaluate a treatment plan
Identify the mental health needs of the client
Understand the client's psychosocial needs and communicate them to
the treatment team
Review previous medical records
2. Describe how suppression as a defense mechanism differs from denial in
mental health contexts.
Suppression and denial are the same defense mechanism.
Suppression is a form of rational thinking, while denial is emotional.
Suppression is always harmful, whereas denial can be beneficial.
Suppression involves consciously pushing away thoughts or
feelings, while denial is an unconscious refusal to accept reality.
3. If a PMHNP fails to follow established treatment protocols, resulting in a
patient's deterioration, which element of malpractice is primarily being
violated?
Injury
Injury must be related to breach of the standard of care
Duty of care
Breach of standard of care
,4. Mr. J has been admitted to an inpatient unit where you are the PMHNP. You
are going to do his initial interview/assessment. He tells you, 'these people
make me nervous, can we talk in my room?' His room is at the end of the hall
farthest from the nurse unit. What is the appropriate course of action to take
at this time?
It's okay to meet in this room. It's least noisy and most comfortable for
him. This could enhance data collection for you.
In the treatment room with the door closed, but let staff know where
you are.
Suggest a quiet place on the unit, public enough to ask for help if
either of you or the patient's safety is in question
In the dayroom with other people around so you can observe his
interactions.
5. Describe the significance of resistance to termination in the context of
therapeutic relationships.
Resistance to termination indicates the client's emotional
attachment and fear of change.
Resistance to termination is always a sign of underlying pathology.
Resistance to termination is irrelevant to the therapeutic process.
Resistance to termination shows a lack of progress in therapy.
6. Describe how neurotransmitters facilitate communication within the central
nervous system.
Neurotransmitters serve as structural components of neurons.
Neurotransmitters are responsible for the production of hormones in
the body.
, Neurotransmitters act as chemical messengers that transmit signals
between neurons, enabling communication within the central
nervous system.
Neurotransmitters break down waste products in the brain.
7. What term did Freud coin to refer to the idea that everything we do has
meaning and purpose?
primacy of the unconscious
ego defense activation
psychic determinism
primary process dominance
8. If a psychiatric patient refuses medication but is deemed to lack decision-
making capacity, what should the nurse consider in their approach?
Administer the medication without consent to ensure compliance.
Consult with the patient's family to override the patient's decision.
Assess the patient's capacity and consider legal and ethical
guidelines for treatment.
Ignore the refusal and document it in the patient's chart.
9. Suppression is what type of defense mechanism:
mature
neurotic
primitive
immature
, 10. Describe how the concepts of equity and efficiency interact in healthcare
economics.
Equity refers to fairness in resource distribution, while efficiency
focuses on maximizing resource use.
Equity is about reducing costs, while efficiency is about increasing
access.
Equity and efficiency are unrelated concepts in healthcare
economics.
Equity ensures all patients receive the same treatment, while
efficiency minimizes costs.
11. What is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain?
Dopamine
Glutamate
Calcium (Ca2+)
GABA
12. Which of the following is a major source of serotonin (5-HT)?
Locus ceruleus
Dorsal column nuclei
Basal nucleus
Raphe nuclei
13. Describe why parenting skills classes for pregnant adolescents are
considered a primary prevention strategy.
They are mandated interventions for families in legal trouble.
