APEA PMHNP Exam 2026/2027 PDF – Verified Exam Questions with NGN Integration | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Prep | Instant Download

APEA Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner (PMHNP) Exam | 2026/2027
Edition | Verified Exam Questions with NGN
Integration for Certification Prep

SECTION 1: Psychiatric Assessment & Mental Status Exam (Questions 1-25)


Q1. A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly licensed
nurse. Which statements indicate that the newly licensed nurse has
understood the teaching? (Select all that apply)
A) "To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count backward by
sevens."
B) "To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression."
C) "To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a sentence."
D) "To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of objects."
E) "To assess the client's abstract thinking, I should ask the client to identify our
most recent presidents."

✅ Correct Answers: A, B, C
Rationale: Options A, B, and C describe standard Mental Status Exam (MSE)
components. Cognitive ability is assessed via serial 7s or spelling "world"
backward (A). Affect is observed via facial expression (B). Language is assessed
by sentence writing (C). Option D describes immediate memory, not remote
memory (remote memory involves long-term recall of past events). Option E tests
fund of knowledge, not abstract thinking (abstract thinking is tested by interpreting
proverbs or similarities) .

,Q2. A nurse is told during change of shift report that a client is stuporous.
When assessing the client, which of the following findings should the nurse
expect?
A) The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
B) The client has a Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 7.
C) The client exhibits decorticate rigidity.
D) The client is alert but disoriented to time and place.

✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stupor is a state of unresponsiveness from which the patient can be
aroused only by vigorous and repeated stimuli (e.g., sternal rub). Once the stimulus
stops, the patient returns to an unresponsive state. A GCS <7 indicates coma, not
stupor .


Q3. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health disorder.
Which action should the nurse include as a psychobiological intervention?
A) Assist the client with systematic desensitization therapy.
B) Teach the client appropriate coping mechanisms.
C) Assess the client for comorbid health conditions.
D) Monitor the client for adverse effects of the medications.

✅ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Psychobiological interventions include monitoring for medication
adverse effects, as these directly address the biological aspects of mental health
treatment. Psychotherapy (A), coping mechanisms (B), and assessing comorbid
conditions (C) are not classified as psychobiological interventions .


Q4. A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct an
initial client interview. When conducting the interview, which action should
the nurse identify as the priority?
A) Coordinate holistic care with social services.
B) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.

,C) Include the client's family in the interview.
D) Teach the client about her current mental health disorder.

✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority during an initial interview is to identify the client's
perception of her mental health status. This establishes the foundation for
therapeutic communication and helps the nurse understand the client's perspective
before proceeding with further assessment or education .


Q5. A nurse decides to put a client who has a psychotic disorder in seclusion
overnight because the unit is very short-staffed, and the client frequently
fights with other clients. The nurse's actions are an example of which of the
following torts?
A) Invasion of privacy
B) False imprisonment
C) Assault
D) Battery

⬛ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: False imprisonment is the unjustified restraint or confinement of a
patient without legal authority or proper justification. Seclusion requires a provider
order, documented justification (imminent danger to self or others), and regular
assessment. Using seclusion due to short staffing is an illegal use of restraints .


Q6. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing moderate anxiety. Which
actions should the nurse take when trying to give necessary information to the
client? (Select all that apply)
A) Reassure the client that everything will be okay.
B) Discuss prior use of coping mechanisms with the client.
C) Ignore the client's anxiety so that she will not be embarrassed.
D) Demonstrate a calm manner while using simple and clear directions.
E) Gather information from the client using closed-ended questions.

, ⬛ Correct Answers: B, D
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Rationale: For moderate anxiety, the nurse should discuss prior coping mechanisms
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that have been effective (B) and demonstrate a calm manner with simple, clear
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directions (D). Reassuring that "everything will be okay" (A)
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minimizes the client's feelings. Ignoring anxiety (C) does not address the client's
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needs. Closed-ended questions (E) are more appropriate for severe anxiety when
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the client cannot process complex information .
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Q7. A client with schizophrenia is noted to have a flat affect, lack of motivation,
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and social withdrawal. These symptoms are classified as:
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A) Positive Symptoms k




B) Negative Symptoms k




C) Cognitive Symptoms k




D) Affective Symptoms k




⬛ Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Negative symptoms refer to a diminishment or absence of normal
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emotional and behavioral functioning. The mnemonic "A PATH" includes:
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Anhedonia, Prosocial withdrawal (asociality), Avolition, Thinking (alogia), and
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Health (affective flattening). Flat affect, lack of motivation (avolition), and social
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withdrawal are core negative symptoms of schizophrenia .
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Q8. A patient presents with persecutory delusions and auditory hallucinations
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that comment on their behavior. There has been no history of a major
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depressive, manic, or hypomanic episode. The most likely diagnosis is:
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A) Schizoaffective Disorder k




B) Schizophrenia
C) Delusional Disorder k




D) Brief Psychotic Disorder k k




⬛ Correct Answer: B
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