PSYCHIATRIC ADVANCED PRACTICE
NURSING: A BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL
FOUNDATION FOR PRACTICE TEST
BANK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A PMHNP is treating a patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia who is about to start
Clozapine. Which absolute neutrophil count (ANC) must be documented before initiating
therapy according to the Clozapine REMS program?
A. > 500/µL
B. > 1,000/µL
C. > 1,500/µL
D. > 2,000/µL
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: According to the Clozapine REMS program, the ANC must be
greater than or equal to 1,500/µL for the general population before starting treatment to
minimize the risk of severe neutropenia.
,2. Which neuroanatomical structure is primarily responsible for the ‘fear conditioning’ and
emotional processing observed in patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
A. Hippocampus
B. Basal Ganglia
C. Prefrontal Cortex
D. Amygdala
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The amygdala is the key structure for emotional processing,
particularly fear and anxiety. In PTSD, the amygdala often becomes hyper-responsive to
trauma-related stimuli.
3. When assessing a patient for Bipolar I Disorder, which of the following criteria is essential
for the diagnosis, distinguishing it from Bipolar II?
A. Presence of at least one hypomanic episode
B. Presence of at least one manic episode lasting at least one week
C. A history of at least one major depressive episode
D. Rapid cycling of moods over a 12-month period
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Bipolar I Disorder requires at least one full manic episode.
Bipolar II requires hypomania and depression, but never a full manic episode.
, 4. A 45-year-old patient taking Phenelzine (an MAOI) presents to the ER with a severe
headache, palpitations, and a blood pressure of 210/120 mmHg. Which dietary indiscretion
most likely caused this hypertensive crisis?
A. Whole grain bread and milk
B. Fresh green leafy vegetables
C. Aged cheddar cheese and red wine
D. Grilled chicken and potatoes
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: MAOIs inhibit the breakdown of tyramine. Foods high in
tyramine, such as aged cheeses and fermented beverages like red wine, can trigger a
massive release of norepinephrine, leading to a hypertensive crisis.
5. Which theory of nursing, developed by Hildegard Peplau, emphasizes the importance of
the nurse-patient relationship as a therapeutic process?
A. Self-Care Deficit Theory
B. Humanistic Nursing Theory
C. Adaptation Model
D. Theory of Interpersonal Relations
Answer: D
NURSING: A BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL
FOUNDATION FOR PRACTICE TEST
BANK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A PMHNP is treating a patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia who is about to start
Clozapine. Which absolute neutrophil count (ANC) must be documented before initiating
therapy according to the Clozapine REMS program?
A. > 500/µL
B. > 1,000/µL
C. > 1,500/µL
D. > 2,000/µL
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: According to the Clozapine REMS program, the ANC must be
greater than or equal to 1,500/µL for the general population before starting treatment to
minimize the risk of severe neutropenia.
,2. Which neuroanatomical structure is primarily responsible for the ‘fear conditioning’ and
emotional processing observed in patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
A. Hippocampus
B. Basal Ganglia
C. Prefrontal Cortex
D. Amygdala
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The amygdala is the key structure for emotional processing,
particularly fear and anxiety. In PTSD, the amygdala often becomes hyper-responsive to
trauma-related stimuli.
3. When assessing a patient for Bipolar I Disorder, which of the following criteria is essential
for the diagnosis, distinguishing it from Bipolar II?
A. Presence of at least one hypomanic episode
B. Presence of at least one manic episode lasting at least one week
C. A history of at least one major depressive episode
D. Rapid cycling of moods over a 12-month period
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Bipolar I Disorder requires at least one full manic episode.
Bipolar II requires hypomania and depression, but never a full manic episode.
, 4. A 45-year-old patient taking Phenelzine (an MAOI) presents to the ER with a severe
headache, palpitations, and a blood pressure of 210/120 mmHg. Which dietary indiscretion
most likely caused this hypertensive crisis?
A. Whole grain bread and milk
B. Fresh green leafy vegetables
C. Aged cheddar cheese and red wine
D. Grilled chicken and potatoes
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: MAOIs inhibit the breakdown of tyramine. Foods high in
tyramine, such as aged cheeses and fermented beverages like red wine, can trigger a
massive release of norepinephrine, leading to a hypertensive crisis.
5. Which theory of nursing, developed by Hildegard Peplau, emphasizes the importance of
the nurse-patient relationship as a therapeutic process?
A. Self-Care Deficit Theory
B. Humanistic Nursing Theory
C. Adaptation Model
D. Theory of Interpersonal Relations
Answer: D
