ACTUAL EXAM 2026|| MOST RECENT EXAM 2026|2027
ACTUAL COMPLETE REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
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Which neurotransmitter is most strongly associated with the
pathophysiology of schizophrenia and the positive symptoms of
psychosis?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: B. Dopamine
Rationale: Excessive dopamine activity, particularly in mesolimbic
pathways, is associated with positive symptoms such as hallucinations
and delusions. Antipsychotic medications primarily reduce psychotic
symptoms by antagonizing dopamine D2 receptors. GABA, glutamate,
serotonin, and other neurotransmitters also contribute to
schizophrenia, but dopamine remains central to the classic
neurochemical model.
A patient with major depressive disorder reports depressed mood,
anhedonia, insomnia, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness for several
weeks. Which neurotransmitter system is most directly targeted by
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors?
,A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Glutamate
Answer: A. Serotonin
Rationale: SSRIs inhibit serotonin reuptake at the presynaptic neuron,
increasing serotonin availability in the synaptic cleft. They are
commonly used as first-line pharmacotherapy for major depressive
disorder and several anxiety disorders.
Which finding most strongly suggests serotonin syndrome in a patient
taking serotonergic medications?
A. Bradycardia and constipation
B. Rigidity, hyperthermia, clonus, and agitation
C. Increased appetite and weight gain
D. Dry skin and urinary retention
Answer: B. Rigidity, hyperthermia, clonus, and agitation
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome results from excessive serotonergic
activity. Characteristic findings include mental-status changes,
autonomic instability, hyperthermia, hyperreflexia, and clonus. Severe
cases are medical emergencies. The condition can occur when
serotonergic medications are combined or excessive serotonergic
exposure develops.
,A patient taking lithium develops coarse tremor, vomiting, diarrhea,
confusion, and severe ataxia. What is the PMHNP's priority action?
A. Increase the lithium dose
B. Administer the next scheduled dose
C. Hold lithium and obtain an urgent medical evaluation
D. Recommend taking lithium with caffeine
Answer: C. Hold lithium and obtain an urgent medical evaluation
Rationale: These findings are concerning for lithium toxicity. Severe
tremor, gastrointestinal symptoms, confusion, and ataxia require
prompt evaluation. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, and
toxicity can cause serious neurologic and cardiac complications.
Which laboratory abnormality can increase the risk of lithium
toxicity?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Elevated hemoglobin
Answer: B. Hyponatremia
Rationale: Lithium is handled by the kidneys similarly to sodium.
Sodium depletion can increase renal lithium reabsorption and raise
lithium concentrations. Dehydration and significant changes in sodium
intake can therefore increase toxicity risk.
, Which medication is an atypical antipsychotic associated with a
particularly high risk of agranulocytosis and therefore requires
regular absolute neutrophil count monitoring?
A. Clozapine
B. Buspirone
C. Fluoxetine
D. Lamotrigine
Answer: A. Clozapine
Rationale: Clozapine is highly effective for treatment-resistant
schizophrenia and can reduce suicidality in schizophrenia-spectrum
illness, but it can cause severe neutropenia/agranulocytosis.
Appropriate blood-count monitoring is therefore required.
A patient taking clozapine develops fever and a sore throat. What
should the PMHNP do first?
A. Reassure the patient that this is expected
B. Recommend an immediate evaluation for possible neutropenia
C. Increase the clozapine dose
D. Add an SSRI
Answer: B. Recommend an immediate evaluation for possible
neutropenia
Rationale: Fever and sore throat can indicate infection associated with
neutropenia. A patient receiving clozapine requires prompt assessment