• ANCC PMHNP Exam 09/11/2026
PMHNP ANCC EXAM ACTUAL EXAM SCRIPT 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED
A+
A male client with cyclothymic disorder with hypomanic symptoms is admitted to the psychiatric unit. He has
progressively lost weight and does not take the time to eat his food. How can the nurse best respond to this
situation?
1
By providing a tray for him in his room
2
By assuring him that he is deserving of food
3
By pointing out that he must replace the energy that he is burning up by eating
4
By ordering food that he can hold in his hand to eat while moving around –
Correct Answer :4
The client with hypomanic symptoms cannot tolerate sitting still long enough to eat an adequate meal; handheld
foods will help meet the client's nutritional needs and do not require the client to sit down. This client will most
P 1
, • ANCC PMHNP Exam 09/11/2026
likely ignore the tray. Unworthy feelings are related to a depressive, not manic, episode. It is unlikely that this
client will understand or care about the need to replace energy with food.
A nurse who is assessing a recently hospitalized client with a diagnosis of opioid addiction should look for signs
of withdrawal. What are these signs? Select all that apply.
1
Seizures
2
Yawning
3
Drowsiness
4
Constipation
5
Muscle aches –
Correct Answer :
25Yawning and muscle aches are clinical manifestations of opioid withdrawal, which occurs after cessation or
reduction of prolonged moderate or heavy use of opioids. Seizures do not occur with opioid withdrawal.
Insomnia, not drowsiness, occurs with opioid withdrawal. Diarrhea, not constipation, occurs with opioid
withdrawal.
A nurse, planning care for a client who is an alcoholic, knows that the most serious life-threatening effects of
alcohol withdrawal usually begin after a specific time interval. How many hours after the last drink do they occur?
1
8 to 12
2
12 to 24
3
72 to 96
4
P 2
, • ANCC PMHNP Exam 09/11/2026
24 to 72 - Correct Answer :4
A nurse manager of a mental health unit has delegated medication administration to the licensed practical nurse
(LPN). While supervising the LPN's technique, the nurse manager sees the LPN beginning to dispense an
incorrect dose. How should the nurse manager respond initially?
1
By telling the LPN that an error has been made
2
By informing the nursing supervisor that the LPN is unsafe
3
By pointing out the error just before the LPN begins to administer the medication
4
By questioning the dosage in the hope that the LPN will identify the error –
Correct Answer :4Because the nurse is supervising, not evaluating, the LPN, questioning the dosage rather than
pointing out the error is a positive approach that will allow the LPN to grow and help foster a supportive working
relationship. Telling the LPN that an error has been made is not the initial intervention; this may become
necessary if the LPN does not identify the error on his own. Informing the nursing supervisor is inappropriate and
premature. Waiting until just before administration of the incorrect dose puts the client at risk.
A client with a history of substance abuse is brought to the emergency department. The client is having seizures,
is hypertensive, and has hyperthermia. What drug should the nurse consider that the client may have been
abusing?
1
Fentanyl
2
Alcohol
3
Oxycodone
4
Methamphetamine - Correct Answer :4
P 3
, • ANCC PMHNP Exam 09/11/2026
Methamphetamine is a stimulant that increases the heart rate and blood pressure. It can cause hyperthermia,
convulsions, and death. Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Overdose of alcohol leads to a
decreased level of consciousness and respiratory depression. Fentanyl and oxycodone are opioid and CNS
depressants. Overdose leads to hypotension, a decreased level of consciousness, and respiratory depression.
A 17-year-old client is found to have anorexia nervosa. The psychiatrist, in conjunction with the client and the
parents, decides to institute a behavior modification program. The nurse recalls that a major component of
behavior modification is:
1
Reducing necessary restrictions
2
Deconditioning fear of weight gain
3
Reducing anxiety-producing situations
4
Rewarding positive behavior - Correct Answer :4In behavior modification, positive behavior is reinforced and
negative behavior is not reinforced or punished. Reducing the number or complexity of necessary restrictions,
deconditioning the fear of weight gain, and reducing the number of anxiety-producing situations may all be part
of the program, but none is a major component.
Sildenafil (Viagra) is prescribed for a man with erectile dysfunction. A nurse teaches the client about common
side effects of this drug, which include which of the following? Select all that apply.
1
Flushing
2
Headache
3
Dyspepsia
4
Constipation
5
P 4
PMHNP ANCC EXAM ACTUAL EXAM SCRIPT 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED
A+
A male client with cyclothymic disorder with hypomanic symptoms is admitted to the psychiatric unit. He has
progressively lost weight and does not take the time to eat his food. How can the nurse best respond to this
situation?
1
By providing a tray for him in his room
2
By assuring him that he is deserving of food
3
By pointing out that he must replace the energy that he is burning up by eating
4
By ordering food that he can hold in his hand to eat while moving around –
Correct Answer :4
The client with hypomanic symptoms cannot tolerate sitting still long enough to eat an adequate meal; handheld
foods will help meet the client's nutritional needs and do not require the client to sit down. This client will most
P 1
, • ANCC PMHNP Exam 09/11/2026
likely ignore the tray. Unworthy feelings are related to a depressive, not manic, episode. It is unlikely that this
client will understand or care about the need to replace energy with food.
A nurse who is assessing a recently hospitalized client with a diagnosis of opioid addiction should look for signs
of withdrawal. What are these signs? Select all that apply.
1
Seizures
2
Yawning
3
Drowsiness
4
Constipation
5
Muscle aches –
Correct Answer :
25Yawning and muscle aches are clinical manifestations of opioid withdrawal, which occurs after cessation or
reduction of prolonged moderate or heavy use of opioids. Seizures do not occur with opioid withdrawal.
Insomnia, not drowsiness, occurs with opioid withdrawal. Diarrhea, not constipation, occurs with opioid
withdrawal.
A nurse, planning care for a client who is an alcoholic, knows that the most serious life-threatening effects of
alcohol withdrawal usually begin after a specific time interval. How many hours after the last drink do they occur?
1
8 to 12
2
12 to 24
3
72 to 96
4
P 2
, • ANCC PMHNP Exam 09/11/2026
24 to 72 - Correct Answer :4
A nurse manager of a mental health unit has delegated medication administration to the licensed practical nurse
(LPN). While supervising the LPN's technique, the nurse manager sees the LPN beginning to dispense an
incorrect dose. How should the nurse manager respond initially?
1
By telling the LPN that an error has been made
2
By informing the nursing supervisor that the LPN is unsafe
3
By pointing out the error just before the LPN begins to administer the medication
4
By questioning the dosage in the hope that the LPN will identify the error –
Correct Answer :4Because the nurse is supervising, not evaluating, the LPN, questioning the dosage rather than
pointing out the error is a positive approach that will allow the LPN to grow and help foster a supportive working
relationship. Telling the LPN that an error has been made is not the initial intervention; this may become
necessary if the LPN does not identify the error on his own. Informing the nursing supervisor is inappropriate and
premature. Waiting until just before administration of the incorrect dose puts the client at risk.
A client with a history of substance abuse is brought to the emergency department. The client is having seizures,
is hypertensive, and has hyperthermia. What drug should the nurse consider that the client may have been
abusing?
1
Fentanyl
2
Alcohol
3
Oxycodone
4
Methamphetamine - Correct Answer :4
P 3
, • ANCC PMHNP Exam 09/11/2026
Methamphetamine is a stimulant that increases the heart rate and blood pressure. It can cause hyperthermia,
convulsions, and death. Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Overdose of alcohol leads to a
decreased level of consciousness and respiratory depression. Fentanyl and oxycodone are opioid and CNS
depressants. Overdose leads to hypotension, a decreased level of consciousness, and respiratory depression.
A 17-year-old client is found to have anorexia nervosa. The psychiatrist, in conjunction with the client and the
parents, decides to institute a behavior modification program. The nurse recalls that a major component of
behavior modification is:
1
Reducing necessary restrictions
2
Deconditioning fear of weight gain
3
Reducing anxiety-producing situations
4
Rewarding positive behavior - Correct Answer :4In behavior modification, positive behavior is reinforced and
negative behavior is not reinforced or punished. Reducing the number or complexity of necessary restrictions,
deconditioning the fear of weight gain, and reducing the number of anxiety-producing situations may all be part
of the program, but none is a major component.
Sildenafil (Viagra) is prescribed for a man with erectile dysfunction. A nurse teaches the client about common
side effects of this drug, which include which of the following? Select all that apply.
1
Flushing
2
Headache
3
Dyspepsia
4
Constipation
5
P 4
