500 Flashcards Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Exam
Define neuroplasticity and explain its relevance in Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganize neural
psychiatric disorders. pathways in response to learning, injury, stress, or environmental
changes. In psychiatric disorders such as depression and PTSD,
maladaptive neuroplasticity may contribute to persistent symptoms.
Antidepressants and psychotherapy may promote adaptive
neuroplastic changes.
A patient taking haloperidol develops muscle The patient is likely experiencing Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
rigidity, fever, autonomic instability, and elevated (NMS), a life-threatening adverse reaction to antipsychotics
CK levels. What is the likely diagnosis? characterized by hyperthermia, severe rigidity, altered mental status,
and autonomic dysfunction. Immediate discontinuation of
antipsychotics is required.
What neurotransmitter deficiency is most Dopamine deficiency in the nigrostriatal pathway is primarily
associated with Parkinsonian extrapyramidal associated with Parkinsonian extrapyramidal symptoms such as tremor,
symptoms? rigidity, and bradykinesia.
1
,500 Flashcards Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Exam
The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
is ________.
A PMHNP notes a patient on lithium has tremors, Lithium toxicity should be suspected. Toxicity may occur even within
diarrhea, confusion, and ataxia. What should be therapeutic ranges if dehydration or renal impairment is present.
suspected first?
What is the function of the amygdala in psychiatric The amygdala regulates emotional processing, fear responses, and
neuroscience? threat perception. Hyperactivity is often associated with anxiety
disorders and PTSD.
Serotonin syndrome and NMS are identical False. Serotonin syndrome results from excess serotonergic activity
conditions. Explain. and presents with hyperreflexia and clonus, while NMS results from
dopamine blockade and presents with lead-pipe rigidity and
bradyreflexia.
Which cytochrome P450 enzyme metabolizes CYP2D6 metabolizes many SSRIs, antipsychotics, and other
many SSRIs and antipsychotics? psychotropics. Genetic polymorphisms may alter drug response.
What is pharmacodynamics? Pharmacodynamics refers to the biochemical and physiologic effects
of drugs and their mechanisms of action on the body.
A child fails to develop object permanence at the Cognitive neurodevelopment may be impaired, particularly processes
expected age. Which developmental domain may involving memory integration and frontal-parietal maturation.
be impaired?
2
,500 Flashcards Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Exam
What brain structure is primarily responsible for The hippocampus is responsible for forming and consolidating new
memory consolidation? memories.
Define akathisia. Akathisia is a distressing extrapyramidal side effect characterized by
inner restlessness, inability to stay still, pacing, and agitation, commonly
caused by antipsychotics.
Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in Excess dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway is associated with
schizophrenia's positive symptoms? positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
Clozapine carries a black box warning for ________. Agranulocytosis.
A patient taking MAOIs consumes aged cheese Tyramine-induced hypertensive crisis occurred because MAOIs inhibit
and develops severe hypertension. What caused tyramine breakdown, increasing norepinephrine release.
this reaction?
3
, 500 Flashcards Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Exam
What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in mental The prefrontal cortex regulates executive functioning, judgment,
functioning? impulse control, planning, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
Define pharmacokinetics. Pharmacokinetics refers to how the body absorbs, distributes,
metabolizes, and excretes medications.
A patient on lithium develops tremors, diarrhea, Lithium toxicity should be suspected, often worsened by dehydration,
confusion, and ataxia. What should be suspected? renal impairment, or drug interactions.
Which antipsychotic has the highest risk for Olanzapine and clozapine are strongly associated with weight gain,
metabolic syndrome? dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance.
A patient on valproate develops abdominal pain Hepatotoxicity or pancreatitis should be suspected, both serious
and elevated liver enzymes. What complication is adverse effects of valproate.
concerning?
What is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter.
the CNS?
4
Define neuroplasticity and explain its relevance in Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganize neural
psychiatric disorders. pathways in response to learning, injury, stress, or environmental
changes. In psychiatric disorders such as depression and PTSD,
maladaptive neuroplasticity may contribute to persistent symptoms.
Antidepressants and psychotherapy may promote adaptive
neuroplastic changes.
A patient taking haloperidol develops muscle The patient is likely experiencing Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
rigidity, fever, autonomic instability, and elevated (NMS), a life-threatening adverse reaction to antipsychotics
CK levels. What is the likely diagnosis? characterized by hyperthermia, severe rigidity, altered mental status,
and autonomic dysfunction. Immediate discontinuation of
antipsychotics is required.
What neurotransmitter deficiency is most Dopamine deficiency in the nigrostriatal pathway is primarily
associated with Parkinsonian extrapyramidal associated with Parkinsonian extrapyramidal symptoms such as tremor,
symptoms? rigidity, and bradykinesia.
1
,500 Flashcards Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Exam
The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
is ________.
A PMHNP notes a patient on lithium has tremors, Lithium toxicity should be suspected. Toxicity may occur even within
diarrhea, confusion, and ataxia. What should be therapeutic ranges if dehydration or renal impairment is present.
suspected first?
What is the function of the amygdala in psychiatric The amygdala regulates emotional processing, fear responses, and
neuroscience? threat perception. Hyperactivity is often associated with anxiety
disorders and PTSD.
Serotonin syndrome and NMS are identical False. Serotonin syndrome results from excess serotonergic activity
conditions. Explain. and presents with hyperreflexia and clonus, while NMS results from
dopamine blockade and presents with lead-pipe rigidity and
bradyreflexia.
Which cytochrome P450 enzyme metabolizes CYP2D6 metabolizes many SSRIs, antipsychotics, and other
many SSRIs and antipsychotics? psychotropics. Genetic polymorphisms may alter drug response.
What is pharmacodynamics? Pharmacodynamics refers to the biochemical and physiologic effects
of drugs and their mechanisms of action on the body.
A child fails to develop object permanence at the Cognitive neurodevelopment may be impaired, particularly processes
expected age. Which developmental domain may involving memory integration and frontal-parietal maturation.
be impaired?
2
,500 Flashcards Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Exam
What brain structure is primarily responsible for The hippocampus is responsible for forming and consolidating new
memory consolidation? memories.
Define akathisia. Akathisia is a distressing extrapyramidal side effect characterized by
inner restlessness, inability to stay still, pacing, and agitation, commonly
caused by antipsychotics.
Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in Excess dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway is associated with
schizophrenia's positive symptoms? positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
Clozapine carries a black box warning for ________. Agranulocytosis.
A patient taking MAOIs consumes aged cheese Tyramine-induced hypertensive crisis occurred because MAOIs inhibit
and develops severe hypertension. What caused tyramine breakdown, increasing norepinephrine release.
this reaction?
3
, 500 Flashcards Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Exam
What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in mental The prefrontal cortex regulates executive functioning, judgment,
functioning? impulse control, planning, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
Define pharmacokinetics. Pharmacokinetics refers to how the body absorbs, distributes,
metabolizes, and excretes medications.
A patient on lithium develops tremors, diarrhea, Lithium toxicity should be suspected, often worsened by dehydration,
confusion, and ataxia. What should be suspected? renal impairment, or drug interactions.
Which antipsychotic has the highest risk for Olanzapine and clozapine are strongly associated with weight gain,
metabolic syndrome? dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance.
A patient on valproate develops abdominal pain Hepatotoxicity or pancreatitis should be suspected, both serious
and elevated liver enzymes. What complication is adverse effects of valproate.
concerning?
What is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter.
the CNS?
4
