• ANCC PMHNP Exam 09/11/2026
ANCC PMHNP PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP LATEST
TEST 1 ,2,& 3 EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
DETAILED RATIONALES ANSWERS| LATEST
UPDATE ALREADY GRADED A+| GUARANTEED
PASS
A client is admitted with a diagnosis of depression. The nurse knows that which characteristic is most indicative
of depression?
A) Grandiose ideation.
B) Self-destructive thoughts.
C) Suspiciousness of others.
D) A negative view of self and the future. - Correct Answer :Negative self-image and feelings of hopelessness
about the future (D) are specific indicators for depression. (A and/or C) occurs with paranoia or paranoid
ideation. (B) may be seen in depressed clients, but are not always present, so (D) is a better answer than (B).
Correct Answer(s): D
P 1
, • ANCC PMHNP Exam 09/11/2026
A woman brings her 48-year-old husband to the outpatient psychiatric unit and describes his behavior to the
admitting nurse. She states that he has been sleepwalking, cannot remember who he is, and exhibits multiple
personalities. The nurse knows that these behaviors are often associated with
A) dissociative disorder.
B) obsessive-compulsive disorder.
C) panic disorder.
D) post-traumatic stress syndrome. - Correct Answer :Sleepwalking, amnesia, and multiple personalities are
examples of detaching emotional conflict from one's consciousness, which is the definition of a dissociative
disorder (A). (B) is characterized by persistent, recurrent intrusive thoughts or urges (obsessions) that are
unwilled and cannot be ignored, and provoke impulsive acts (compulsions) such as handwashing. (C) is an acute
attack of anxiety characterized by personality disorganization. (D) is re-experiencing a psychologically terrifying
or distressing event that is outside the usual range of human experience, such as war, rape, etc.
Correct Answer(s): A
A 65-year-old female client complains to the nurse that recently she has been hearing voices. What question
should the nurse ask this client first?
A) Do you have problems with hallucinations?
B) Are you ever alone when you hear the voices?
C) Has anyone in your family had hearing problems?
D) Do you see things that others cannot see? - Correct Answer :Determining if the client is alone when she hears
voices (B) will assist in differentiating between hallucinations and hearing loss; this is especially important in the
aging population. If the client is experiencing hallucinations, the voices will be real to her, and it is unlikely that
(A) would provide accurate information. (C and D) might be good follow-up questions, but would not have the
priority of (B).
Correct Answer(s): B
When preparing a teaching plan for a client who is to be discharged with a prescription for lithium carbonate
(Lithonate), it is most important for the nurse to include which instruction?
A) It may take 3 to 4 weeks to achieve therapeutic effects.
B) Keep your dietary salt intake consistent.
C) Avoid eating aged cheese and chicken liver.
P 2
, • ANCC PMHNP Exam 09/11/2026
D) Eat foods high in fiber such as whole grain breads. - Correct Answer :Lithium's effectiveness is influenced by
salt intake (B). Too much salt causes more lithium to be excreted, thereby decreasing the effectiveness of the
drug. Too little salt causes less lithium to be excreted, potentially resulting in toxicity. (A, C, and D) are not
specific instructions pertinent to teaching about lithium carbonate (Lithonate).
Correct Answer(s): B
Over a period of several weeks, one male participant of a socialization group at a community day care center for
the elderly monopolizes most of the group's time and interrupts others when they are talking. What is the best
action for the nurse to take in this situation?
A) Talk to the client outside the group about his behavior during group meetings.
B) Remind the client to allow others in the group a chance to talk.
C) Allow the group to handle the problem.
D) Ask the client to join another group. - Correct Answer :After several weeks, the group is in the working phase
and the group members should be allowed to determine the direction of the group. The nurse should ignore the
client's comments and allow the group to handle the situation (C). A good leader should not have separate
meetings with group members (A), as such behavior is manipulative on the part of the leader. (B) is dictatorial
and is not in keeping with good leadership skills. (D) is avoiding the problem. Remember, identify what phase the
group is in--initial, working, or termination--this will help determine communication style.
Correct Answer(s): C
The nurse is planning the care for a 32-year-old male client with acute depression. Which nursing intervention
bests helps this client deal with his depression?
A) Ensure that the client's day is filled with group activities.
B) Assist the client in exploring feelings of shame, anger, and guilt.
C) Allow the client to initiate and determine activities of daily living.
D) Encourage the client to explore the rationale for his depression. - Correct Answer :Depression is associated
with feelings of shame, anger, and guilt. Exploring such feelings is an important nursing intervention for the
depressed client (B). If the client's day is filled with group activities (A) he might not have the opportunity to
explore these feelings. (C) is a good intervention for the chronically depressed client who exhibits vegetative
signs of depression. (D) is essentially asking the client "why" he is depressed--avoid "why's" disguised as
"rationale."
Correct Answer(s): B
P 3
, • ANCC PMHNP Exam 09/11/2026
The nurse is preparing to administer phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) to a client on the psychiatric unit. Which
complaint related to administration of this drug should the nurse expect this client to make?
A) My mouth feels like cotton.
B) That stuff gives me indigestion.
C) This pill gives me diarrhea.
D) My urine looks pink. - Correct Answer :A dry mouth (A) is an anticholinergic effect that is an expected side
effect of MAO inhibitors such as phenelzine sulfate (Nardil). (B, C, and D) are not expected side effects of this
medication.
Correct Answer(s): A
A 22-year-old male client is admitted to the emergency center following a suicide attempt. His records reveal that
this is his third suicide attempt in the past two years. He is conscious, but does not respond to verbal commands
for treatment. Which assessment finding should prompt the nurse to prepare the client for gastric lavage?
A) He ingested the drug 3 hours prior to admission to the emergency center.
B) The family reports that he took an entire bottle of acetaminophen (Tylenol).
C) He is unresponsive to instructions and is unable to cooperate with emetic therapy.
D) Those with repeated suicide attempts desire punishment to relieve their guilt. - Correct Answer :Because the
client is unable to follow instructions, emetic therapy would be very difficult to implement and gastric lavage
would be necessary (C). (A and B) should be considered in determining the course of treatment, but they are not
the basis for determining if gastric lavage will be implemented. Medical treatments should never be used as
"punitive" measures (D).
Correct Answer(s): C
A 46-year-old female client has been on antipsychotic neuroleptics for the past three days. She has had a
decrease in psychotic behavior and appears to be responding well to the medication. On the fourth day, the
client's blood pressure increases, she becomes pale and febrile, and demonstrates muscular rigidity. Which
action should the nurse initiate?
A) Place the client on seizure precautions and monitor carefully.
B) Immediately transfer the client to ICU.
C) Describe the symptoms to the charge nurse and record on the client's chart.
P 4
ANCC PMHNP PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP LATEST
TEST 1 ,2,& 3 EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
DETAILED RATIONALES ANSWERS| LATEST
UPDATE ALREADY GRADED A+| GUARANTEED
PASS
A client is admitted with a diagnosis of depression. The nurse knows that which characteristic is most indicative
of depression?
A) Grandiose ideation.
B) Self-destructive thoughts.
C) Suspiciousness of others.
D) A negative view of self and the future. - Correct Answer :Negative self-image and feelings of hopelessness
about the future (D) are specific indicators for depression. (A and/or C) occurs with paranoia or paranoid
ideation. (B) may be seen in depressed clients, but are not always present, so (D) is a better answer than (B).
Correct Answer(s): D
P 1
, • ANCC PMHNP Exam 09/11/2026
A woman brings her 48-year-old husband to the outpatient psychiatric unit and describes his behavior to the
admitting nurse. She states that he has been sleepwalking, cannot remember who he is, and exhibits multiple
personalities. The nurse knows that these behaviors are often associated with
A) dissociative disorder.
B) obsessive-compulsive disorder.
C) panic disorder.
D) post-traumatic stress syndrome. - Correct Answer :Sleepwalking, amnesia, and multiple personalities are
examples of detaching emotional conflict from one's consciousness, which is the definition of a dissociative
disorder (A). (B) is characterized by persistent, recurrent intrusive thoughts or urges (obsessions) that are
unwilled and cannot be ignored, and provoke impulsive acts (compulsions) such as handwashing. (C) is an acute
attack of anxiety characterized by personality disorganization. (D) is re-experiencing a psychologically terrifying
or distressing event that is outside the usual range of human experience, such as war, rape, etc.
Correct Answer(s): A
A 65-year-old female client complains to the nurse that recently she has been hearing voices. What question
should the nurse ask this client first?
A) Do you have problems with hallucinations?
B) Are you ever alone when you hear the voices?
C) Has anyone in your family had hearing problems?
D) Do you see things that others cannot see? - Correct Answer :Determining if the client is alone when she hears
voices (B) will assist in differentiating between hallucinations and hearing loss; this is especially important in the
aging population. If the client is experiencing hallucinations, the voices will be real to her, and it is unlikely that
(A) would provide accurate information. (C and D) might be good follow-up questions, but would not have the
priority of (B).
Correct Answer(s): B
When preparing a teaching plan for a client who is to be discharged with a prescription for lithium carbonate
(Lithonate), it is most important for the nurse to include which instruction?
A) It may take 3 to 4 weeks to achieve therapeutic effects.
B) Keep your dietary salt intake consistent.
C) Avoid eating aged cheese and chicken liver.
P 2
, • ANCC PMHNP Exam 09/11/2026
D) Eat foods high in fiber such as whole grain breads. - Correct Answer :Lithium's effectiveness is influenced by
salt intake (B). Too much salt causes more lithium to be excreted, thereby decreasing the effectiveness of the
drug. Too little salt causes less lithium to be excreted, potentially resulting in toxicity. (A, C, and D) are not
specific instructions pertinent to teaching about lithium carbonate (Lithonate).
Correct Answer(s): B
Over a period of several weeks, one male participant of a socialization group at a community day care center for
the elderly monopolizes most of the group's time and interrupts others when they are talking. What is the best
action for the nurse to take in this situation?
A) Talk to the client outside the group about his behavior during group meetings.
B) Remind the client to allow others in the group a chance to talk.
C) Allow the group to handle the problem.
D) Ask the client to join another group. - Correct Answer :After several weeks, the group is in the working phase
and the group members should be allowed to determine the direction of the group. The nurse should ignore the
client's comments and allow the group to handle the situation (C). A good leader should not have separate
meetings with group members (A), as such behavior is manipulative on the part of the leader. (B) is dictatorial
and is not in keeping with good leadership skills. (D) is avoiding the problem. Remember, identify what phase the
group is in--initial, working, or termination--this will help determine communication style.
Correct Answer(s): C
The nurse is planning the care for a 32-year-old male client with acute depression. Which nursing intervention
bests helps this client deal with his depression?
A) Ensure that the client's day is filled with group activities.
B) Assist the client in exploring feelings of shame, anger, and guilt.
C) Allow the client to initiate and determine activities of daily living.
D) Encourage the client to explore the rationale for his depression. - Correct Answer :Depression is associated
with feelings of shame, anger, and guilt. Exploring such feelings is an important nursing intervention for the
depressed client (B). If the client's day is filled with group activities (A) he might not have the opportunity to
explore these feelings. (C) is a good intervention for the chronically depressed client who exhibits vegetative
signs of depression. (D) is essentially asking the client "why" he is depressed--avoid "why's" disguised as
"rationale."
Correct Answer(s): B
P 3
, • ANCC PMHNP Exam 09/11/2026
The nurse is preparing to administer phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) to a client on the psychiatric unit. Which
complaint related to administration of this drug should the nurse expect this client to make?
A) My mouth feels like cotton.
B) That stuff gives me indigestion.
C) This pill gives me diarrhea.
D) My urine looks pink. - Correct Answer :A dry mouth (A) is an anticholinergic effect that is an expected side
effect of MAO inhibitors such as phenelzine sulfate (Nardil). (B, C, and D) are not expected side effects of this
medication.
Correct Answer(s): A
A 22-year-old male client is admitted to the emergency center following a suicide attempt. His records reveal that
this is his third suicide attempt in the past two years. He is conscious, but does not respond to verbal commands
for treatment. Which assessment finding should prompt the nurse to prepare the client for gastric lavage?
A) He ingested the drug 3 hours prior to admission to the emergency center.
B) The family reports that he took an entire bottle of acetaminophen (Tylenol).
C) He is unresponsive to instructions and is unable to cooperate with emetic therapy.
D) Those with repeated suicide attempts desire punishment to relieve their guilt. - Correct Answer :Because the
client is unable to follow instructions, emetic therapy would be very difficult to implement and gastric lavage
would be necessary (C). (A and B) should be considered in determining the course of treatment, but they are not
the basis for determining if gastric lavage will be implemented. Medical treatments should never be used as
"punitive" measures (D).
Correct Answer(s): C
A 46-year-old female client has been on antipsychotic neuroleptics for the past three days. She has had a
decrease in psychotic behavior and appears to be responding well to the medication. On the fourth day, the
client's blood pressure increases, she becomes pale and febrile, and demonstrates muscular rigidity. Which
action should the nurse initiate?
A) Place the client on seizure precautions and monitor carefully.
B) Immediately transfer the client to ICU.
C) Describe the symptoms to the charge nurse and record on the client's chart.
P 4
