ANCC CERTIFICATION PMHNP WITH
138 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS RATED A+ 2026/2027
Primary characteristic is persistent disturbance in mood
Major Depressive Disorder
Mood Disorders
Most common psych illnesses
Often occurs without precipitating event
MDD
Object loss theory
Fairbairn, Winnicott & guntrip
Aggression turned inward theory of MDD
Freud
Cognitive Theory
Beck
Learned Helplessness-Hopelessness Theory
Seligman
Genetic predisposition
Strong genetic load for depression for child of depressed parent -having 3 fold
increase in lifetime risk of MDD & 40% chance of depressive episode before age
18.
Endocrine dysfunction Theory
, Probably related to etiology of MDD
Sleep disturbances, appetite disturbances, libido disturbances, lethargy, anhedonia
are neurovegitative symptoms that are related to functions of the
Hypothalamus and pituitary gland secretions
Endocrine dysfunction and pregnancy
A high incidence of postpartum mood disturbances is suggested with this
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA)
A theory of MDD, may be a result of an abnormal stress response related to
dysregulation of this system
HPA axis
Controls the physiological response to stress and is composed of interconnective
feedback pathways between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal gland.
Hypothalamus releases
corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
Adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)
Released by pituitary in response to CRH by hypothalamus
Cortisol
Released by adrenal glands in response to ACTH by pituitary gland
Hyperactivity of the HPA axis
Demonstrated to be present in individuals with MDD. May also have elevated
cortisol levels
Elevated cortisol levels
Over time damages the CNS by altering neurotransmission and electrical signal
conduction. Cortisol over time can cause changes in size and function of brain
tissue
Dexamethasone suppression test (DST)
138 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS RATED A+ 2026/2027
Primary characteristic is persistent disturbance in mood
Major Depressive Disorder
Mood Disorders
Most common psych illnesses
Often occurs without precipitating event
MDD
Object loss theory
Fairbairn, Winnicott & guntrip
Aggression turned inward theory of MDD
Freud
Cognitive Theory
Beck
Learned Helplessness-Hopelessness Theory
Seligman
Genetic predisposition
Strong genetic load for depression for child of depressed parent -having 3 fold
increase in lifetime risk of MDD & 40% chance of depressive episode before age
18.
Endocrine dysfunction Theory
, Probably related to etiology of MDD
Sleep disturbances, appetite disturbances, libido disturbances, lethargy, anhedonia
are neurovegitative symptoms that are related to functions of the
Hypothalamus and pituitary gland secretions
Endocrine dysfunction and pregnancy
A high incidence of postpartum mood disturbances is suggested with this
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA)
A theory of MDD, may be a result of an abnormal stress response related to
dysregulation of this system
HPA axis
Controls the physiological response to stress and is composed of interconnective
feedback pathways between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal gland.
Hypothalamus releases
corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
Adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)
Released by pituitary in response to CRH by hypothalamus
Cortisol
Released by adrenal glands in response to ACTH by pituitary gland
Hyperactivity of the HPA axis
Demonstrated to be present in individuals with MDD. May also have elevated
cortisol levels
Elevated cortisol levels
Over time damages the CNS by altering neurotransmission and electrical signal
conduction. Cortisol over time can cause changes in size and function of brain
tissue
Dexamethasone suppression test (DST)
