PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT FOR THE
PMHNP EXAM REVIEW GUIDE 2026
COMPLETE PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
●● History of presenting problems. Answer: C- Characteristics of
Symptoms
O-Onset
L-Lingering (how long has the symptoms been going on?; days, weeks,
months)
D-Duration(How long do symptoms last)
S-Stressors
P-Precipitating factors/triggers
A-Alleviating factors
●● Social History. Answer: Roles, Relationships, Education,
Occupation/financial status, Living arrangement, Psychological trauma,
Legal issues
●● Developmental History. Answer: Born full term, Met developmental
milestones, Learning disabilities/special education, difficulties with
teachers/authority figure.
, ●● Autosmal Dominant. Answer: Abnormal gene from one parent
produces disease.
-Will be present in more than one generation
-50% will pass trait
●● example of autosomal dominant. Answer: Huntington's disease,
Neurofibromatosis type 1
●● autosomal recessive. Answer: two copies of an abnormal gene must
be present in order for the disease or trait to develop. (parents could be
carriers and not be affected by the disease)
●● Example of Austosomal Recessive. Answer: Cystic Fibrosis, sicke
cell, tay-sach disease
●● GENETICS-Gottesman, Laursen, Berelsen, Mortensen 2010 study.
Answer: Rates of schizophrenia highest among offspring of two parents
with schizophrenia, bipolar
●● Normal sleep cycle. Answer: 1. Stage 1 Non REM: individuals are
somewhat aware of surroundings but relaxed. Usually lasts a few
minutes and occupies 4-5% of total sleep.
2. Stage 2 Non REM: Individuals become unaware of surroundings but
can be easily awakened. It occupies 50% of total sleep
PMHNP EXAM REVIEW GUIDE 2026
COMPLETE PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
●● History of presenting problems. Answer: C- Characteristics of
Symptoms
O-Onset
L-Lingering (how long has the symptoms been going on?; days, weeks,
months)
D-Duration(How long do symptoms last)
S-Stressors
P-Precipitating factors/triggers
A-Alleviating factors
●● Social History. Answer: Roles, Relationships, Education,
Occupation/financial status, Living arrangement, Psychological trauma,
Legal issues
●● Developmental History. Answer: Born full term, Met developmental
milestones, Learning disabilities/special education, difficulties with
teachers/authority figure.
, ●● Autosmal Dominant. Answer: Abnormal gene from one parent
produces disease.
-Will be present in more than one generation
-50% will pass trait
●● example of autosomal dominant. Answer: Huntington's disease,
Neurofibromatosis type 1
●● autosomal recessive. Answer: two copies of an abnormal gene must
be present in order for the disease or trait to develop. (parents could be
carriers and not be affected by the disease)
●● Example of Austosomal Recessive. Answer: Cystic Fibrosis, sicke
cell, tay-sach disease
●● GENETICS-Gottesman, Laursen, Berelsen, Mortensen 2010 study.
Answer: Rates of schizophrenia highest among offspring of two parents
with schizophrenia, bipolar
●● Normal sleep cycle. Answer: 1. Stage 1 Non REM: individuals are
somewhat aware of surroundings but relaxed. Usually lasts a few
minutes and occupies 4-5% of total sleep.
2. Stage 2 Non REM: Individuals become unaware of surroundings but
can be easily awakened. It occupies 50% of total sleep
