(2025/2026) PMHNP CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS {ACTUAL TEST VERIFIED A GUIDE}

(2025/2026) PMHNP CERTIFICATION EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS {ACTUAL TEST
VERIFIED A GUIDE}



CONTAINS 400+ QUESTIONS & CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS




1. Which patient is at highest risk for SI

A. 30y/o married AA female with previous SI attempt *1 risk factor

B. 35 y/o single Asian male with previous SI attempt *3 risk factors

C. 38 y/o single AA male who is a manager of a bank *2 risk factors

D. 68 y/o single white male with depression *5 risk factors (age, male, white,
depression) ANS >> D. 68 y/o single white male with depression *5 risk factors (age,
https://www.stuvia.com/user/Mboffin 1 B/ B79

, male, white, depression)

Count the risk factors

2. COWS scale components ANS >> · Opioid W/D

Pulse, sweating, restlessness, pupil size- dilation (if pinpoint= opioid intoxication,
not w/d), body aches, Rhinorrhea (running nose), Lacrimation (eye tearing), GI
upset (N/V/D), yawning, tremors, anxiety/irritability, Piloerection (gooseflesh skin),
insomnia

3. What does COWS stand for? ANS >> Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale

4. What does CIWA stand for? ANS >> Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment

5. What does CIWA assess for? ANS >> --used to determine likelihood of ETOH
withdraw- al or DTs

--usually occur within the first 24-72 hours after cessation

o used to determine when to administer medications for ETOH withdrawal

6. What does CIWA NOT test for? ANS >> Alcohol Use Disorder

7. What are the CIWA scale components? ANS >> · N/V, tremor, paroxysmal
sweats, anxiety, agitation, tactile disturbances, auditory disturbances, visual
disturbances, H/A, orientation

Each component is scored from 0(none)-7(severe) except orientation wh/ is (0
(AA0x4)-4 (disoriented)

Score ANS >>

<10 ANS >> Very mild Start PRN meds at score of 8

https://www.stuvia.com/user/Mboffin 2 B/ B79

, >10 to 15 ANS >> Mild scheduled + PRN meds

>16 to 20 ANS >> Moderate

>21 ANS >> Severe Diazepam, Librium, Ativan

8. When interview teenagers (16 y/o) that arrive with their parents what should
you do? ANS >> interview them separately from parents.

-This helps Build therapeutic rapport with teens by telling them the info is confiden-
tial. Parents may be upset but remember you are advocating for the child.

9. Which Ethnic group has the highest rate of suicide? ANS >> Native Americans

10. Example A patient is being treated for schizophrenia with olanzapine.
Which of the following is the most common side effect of olanzapine?




https://www.stuvia.com/user/Mboffin 3 B/ B79

, A. Increased waist circumference B B




B. EPS (not as common in atypical antipsychotics d/t 5HT2A)-receptor antag-
B B B B B B B B B


onism
B




C. Increased Lipids B




D. Metabolic Syndrome B B ANS B>> B BD.BMetabolic BSyndrome B(UMBRELLA BANSWER)


11. Which antipsychotics have the least weight gain? ANS >> Latuda, Abilify,
B B B B B B B B BB B


(also least sedating), Geodon-if patient has metabolic syndrome consider
B B B B B B B B B


switching to one of the medications above. Or if the patient is overly sedated try
B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B


switching to ABILIFY
B B B




12. Which mood stabilizer have the least weight gain?
B B B B B B B ANS B>> B BLamictal
B




-But remember all mood stabilizers cause some weight gain
B B B B B B B B




13. When presented with a question about typical vs atypical
B B B B B B B B


antipsychotic the answer is usually to start of a ANS >> atypical
B B B B B B B B B B B BB




14. A client presents with complains of changes in appetite, feeling
B B B B B B B B B


fatigued, problems with sleep-rest cycle, and changes in libido. What is the
B B B B B B B B B B B B


neu- roanatomical area of the brain that is responsible for the normal
B B B B B B B B B B B B


regulation of these functions?
B B B B




A. Thalamus

B. Hypothalamus

C. Limbic System B




https://www.stuvia.com/user/Mboffin 4 B/ B79