PMHNP Boards - Scientific Foundation and
Advance Practice Skills Exam Questions and
Answers
Question 1
Which of the following is a contraindication to benzodiazepines?
a. Acute alcohol intoxication
b. Acute narrow angle glaucoma
c. Psychosis
d. All the above
Correct Answer
a. Acute alcohol intoxication
Question 2
In the pharmacological treatment of psychosis, when antipsychotics are administered,
which block dopamine, a secondary effect is blocking in another tract, which causes
potential prolactin problems, such as gynecomastia in males. This tract is the:
a. mesolimbic
b. tuberoinfundibular
c. nigrostrial dopamine tract
d. mesocortical
Correct Answer
b. tuberoinfundibular
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, PMHNP Boards - Scientific Foundation and Advance Practice Skills Exam Questions and Answers
Question 3
A six-year-old patient with autism spectrum disorder has not responded to six
months of psychosocial interventions and continues to demonstrate aggressive
tendencies toward a younger sibling. The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner
prescribes:
1. carbamazepine (Tegretol) 200 mg once a day.
2. haloperidol (Haldol) 2 mg once a day.
3. risperidone (Risperdal) 0.25 mg once a day.
4. venlafaxine ER (Effexor XR) 37.5 mg once a day.
Correct Answer
3. risperidone (Risperdal) 0.25 mg once a day.
Question 4
Which drug is likely to produce liver failure and hepatitis?
1. Lamotrigine
2. Gabapentin
3. Carbamazepine
4. Topiramate
Correct Answer
3. Carbamazepine
Question 5
EPS arises from:
a. D2 blockade in the nigrostriatial tract
b. D2 blockade in the tuberoinfundibular tract
c. D2 blockade in the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blockade
d. D2 blockade in the HPA axis
Correct Answer
a. D2 blockade in the nigrostriatial tract
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, PMHNP Boards - Scientific Foundation and Advance Practice Skills Exam Questions and Answers
Question 6
Which drug carries a higher risk of metabolic effects than the other second
generation antipsychotics: weight gain, diabetes, dyslipidemia ?
a. Clozaril
b. Zyprexa
c. Risperdal
d. Geodon
Correct Answer
b. Zyprexa
Question 7
A patient has not had any relief of symptoms with Fluoxetine, and is going to be
started on an MAOI. How long before starting the MAOI should the Fluoxetine be
withdrawn?
a. 2 weeks
b. 3 weeks
c. 4 weeks
d. 5 weeks
Correct Answer
a. 2 weeks
Question 8
Which drug can produce serious side effect of rash in some Asians, and the FDA has
mandated genetic testing before the administration of this drug?
a. Dilantin
b. Lamictal
c. Depakote
d. Tegretol
Correct Answer
d. Tegretol
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, PMHNP Boards - Scientific Foundation and Advance Practice Skills Exam Questions and Answers
Question 9
Which is considered the most sedating SSRI?
a. Paroxetine
b. Sertraline
c. Fluoxetine
d. Escitalopram Oxalate
Correct Answer
a. Paroxetine (Paxil is EVIL)
Question 10
Brain structure responsible for mediating mood, fear, emotion, and aggression; also
responsible for connecting sensory smell information with emotions
Correct Answer
amygdala
Question 11
Which lab is checked with clozaril?
Correct Answer
ANC
Question 12
Lobes of the Brain - Fred Tore his Pants Off
Correct Answer
Frontal - executive fx, logical thinking
Temporal (tempo) sound
Occipital (optic) vision
Parietal (pat) touch
Question 13
You ask a patient to clench her teeth, which cranial nerve are you testing?
Correct Answer
Cranial nerve 5 - TRIGEMINAL
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