TEST BANK FOR PMHNP BOARDS EXAM | QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS | UPDATED 2026
A 25-year-old patient presents with depressed mood, anhedonia, and insomnia for 3
weeks. The best initial pharmacologic treatment is:
A. Sertraline
B. Lithium
C. Haloperidol
D. Buspirone
Answer: A
2. Which medication is considered first-line for generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Lorazepam
B. Paroxetine
C. Imipramine
D. Risperidone
Answer: B
3. A patient on fluoxetine develops serotonin syndrome. Which symptom is NOT typical?
A. Agitation
B. Hyperreflexia
C. Bradycardia
D. Diaphoresis
Answer: C
4. The primary indication for lithium therapy is:
A. Schizophrenia
B. Bipolar disorder
C. Major depressive disorder
,D. Panic
disorder
Answer: B
5. A patient on lithium presents with tremor, nausea, and polyuria. The next step is:
A. Increase the dose
B. Check serum lithium level
C. Start a diuretic
D. Switch to valproate
Answer: B
6. Which antipsychotic has the lowest risk of metabolic syndrome?
A. Olanzapine
B. Clozapine
C. Ziprasidone
D. Quetiapine
Answer: C
7. Clozapine therapy requires monitoring of:
A. Liver enzymes
B. White blood cell count
C. Serum sodium
D. Blood glucose only
Answer: B
8. Which SSRI is preferred in pregnancy?
A. Paroxetine
B. Fluoxetine
C. Sertraline
D. Citalopram
Answer: C
9. The primary side effect of bupropion is:
A. Sedation
B. Weight gain
C. Seizure risk
, D. Sexual
dysfunction
Answer: C
10. An elderly patient presents with delirium. Which medication should be avoided?
A. Haloperidol
B. Risperidone
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Quetiapine
Answer: C
11. Which therapy is considered first-line for mild to moderate depression in children and
adolescents?
A. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
B. Electroconvulsive therapy
C. MAOI
D. Tricyclic antidepressants
Answer: A
12. The main adverse effect of SSRIs on sexual function includes:
A. Anorgasmia
B. Priapism
C. Reduced libido
D. Both A and C
Answer: D
13. A patient on valproate requires monitoring of:
A. Renal function
B. Liver function and platelets
C. Thyroid function
D. White blood cell count
Answer: B
14. First-line treatment for acute mania includes:
A. Lithium or valproate
B. SSRI
C. MAOI
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS | UPDATED 2026
A 25-year-old patient presents with depressed mood, anhedonia, and insomnia for 3
weeks. The best initial pharmacologic treatment is:
A. Sertraline
B. Lithium
C. Haloperidol
D. Buspirone
Answer: A
2. Which medication is considered first-line for generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Lorazepam
B. Paroxetine
C. Imipramine
D. Risperidone
Answer: B
3. A patient on fluoxetine develops serotonin syndrome. Which symptom is NOT typical?
A. Agitation
B. Hyperreflexia
C. Bradycardia
D. Diaphoresis
Answer: C
4. The primary indication for lithium therapy is:
A. Schizophrenia
B. Bipolar disorder
C. Major depressive disorder
,D. Panic
disorder
Answer: B
5. A patient on lithium presents with tremor, nausea, and polyuria. The next step is:
A. Increase the dose
B. Check serum lithium level
C. Start a diuretic
D. Switch to valproate
Answer: B
6. Which antipsychotic has the lowest risk of metabolic syndrome?
A. Olanzapine
B. Clozapine
C. Ziprasidone
D. Quetiapine
Answer: C
7. Clozapine therapy requires monitoring of:
A. Liver enzymes
B. White blood cell count
C. Serum sodium
D. Blood glucose only
Answer: B
8. Which SSRI is preferred in pregnancy?
A. Paroxetine
B. Fluoxetine
C. Sertraline
D. Citalopram
Answer: C
9. The primary side effect of bupropion is:
A. Sedation
B. Weight gain
C. Seizure risk
, D. Sexual
dysfunction
Answer: C
10. An elderly patient presents with delirium. Which medication should be avoided?
A. Haloperidol
B. Risperidone
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Quetiapine
Answer: C
11. Which therapy is considered first-line for mild to moderate depression in children and
adolescents?
A. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
B. Electroconvulsive therapy
C. MAOI
D. Tricyclic antidepressants
Answer: A
12. The main adverse effect of SSRIs on sexual function includes:
A. Anorgasmia
B. Priapism
C. Reduced libido
D. Both A and C
Answer: D
13. A patient on valproate requires monitoring of:
A. Renal function
B. Liver function and platelets
C. Thyroid function
D. White blood cell count
Answer: B
14. First-line treatment for acute mania includes:
A. Lithium or valproate
B. SSRI
C. MAOI
