PMHNP PRACTICUM 1 BARKLEY PRE-
TEST STUDY GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
<LATEST VERSION>
1. Harriet is a well-established business woman who provides for her family.
She was recently arrested for stealing over $10,000 worth of merchandise
from the mall. When Harriet is asked to describe her behavior, she says: "It
just comes on me quickly, and when it's done, I feel really good." She also
describes how she grew up poor and sees the theft as a way to "even the
score" against those with "empty wealth." Which of the following does not
meet the diagnostic criteria for kleptomania?
Harriet views her shoplifting as a righteous act.
Harriet's stealing is described as pleasurable.
Harriet is well-off and can support her family's needs.
Harriet's stealing is described as impulsive. - ANSWER ✔ Although the
patient may be rationalizing her behavior as a righteous act, patients with
kleptomania do not commit theft to express anger or vengeance.
Kleptomania is characterized as failing to resist the impulse to steal, and the
stolen objects are typically not needed. The act of stealing, which usually is
performed alone, gives the person gratification.
2. Tony, a 16-year-old male, has been sent to your clinic for counseling. He has
a long record of skipping school, talking back to his teachers, and getting
poor grades. His parents say he has often gotten in fights with them, has
frequently been caught sneaking girls into his room, and has run away from
home on two occasions. During the session, you notice Tony acts tough and
aloof, not deigning to speak much. If you suspect conduct disorder, which of
the following conditions would you be least likely to include in your
differential diagnosis?
1. Borderline personality disorder
2. Oppositional defiant disorder
3. Adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct
,4. Bipolar disorder - ANSWER ✔ Borderline personality disorder is not
considered a differential diagnosis for conduct disorder, as indicated by the
patient's truancy, defiance of authority figures, fights with family members,
poor academic performance, sexual promiscuity, running away from home,
and "tough guy" demeanor. Oppositional defiant disorder, bipolar disorders,
and adjustment disorders are all considered potential differential diagnoses
for conduct disorder, as are depressive disorders, attention-
deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and intermittent explosive disorder.
3. Which of these lab findings would be least expected in a patient with
depression?
1. Decreased nocturnal growth hormone secretion
2. Decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone response
3. Increased somatostatin in cerebrospinal fluid
4. Increased secretion of cortisol - ANSWER ✔ Depressive symptoms are
associated with decreased, not increased, levels of somatostatin in
cerebrospinal fluid. Patients with depression may exhibit a decreased
thyroid-stimulating hormone response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone, as
well as hypersecretion of cortisol. Depressive symptoms are also associated
with irregularities in growth hormone release, such as reduced nocturnal
secretion and diurnal hypersecretion.
4. You are seeing your 43-year-old female patient in urgent care. She says:
"The backs of my legs are locking up. I can't walk. It feels like my leg
muscles are contracting and won't stop." As you examine her, you note that
she is having difficulty walking as her leg muscles contract uncontrollably.
When taking her history, she tells you that she has been taking haloperidol
for a month to manage her schizophrenia. Which of the following is the
preferred medication for treating the patient?
1. Entacapone
2. Carbamazepine
3. Dantrolene
4. Benztropine - ANSWER ✔ Benztropine, an anticholinergic, is the preferred
medication for treating patients experiencing dystonia, in addition to other
extrapyramidal side effects, resulting from use of typical antipsychotics
(e.g., haloperidol).
Dantrolene is the recommended treatment for neuroleptic malignant
syndrome in patients who are taking atypical antipsychotics. Carbamazepine
, is an antiepileptic used to control seizures, but is believed to cause tardive
dystonia as well.
Entacapone is used to minimize the risk of dyskinesias in patients with
Parkinson's disease, whereas benztropine is the preferred treatment for
antipsychotic-induced dyskinesias.
5. Jeff, a 14-year-old male, is undergoing therapy for social anxiety. He
worries excessively about his performance at school and especially fears
presentations: "I know everyone will laugh at me if I screw up." He does not
have many friends; he says that he is afraid people will leave him if they see
his "true self." As a nurse practitioner, you know that long-term treatment
would typically focus on all of the following modalities except:
Maintaining anxiety at a reasonable level
Teaching the patient relaxation techniques to manage his fear of others
Prescribing a tricyclic antidepressant that will manage the patient's
symptoms
Providing situations in which the patient can exercise and improve his social
skills - ANSWER ✔ Although nursing interventions for anxiety disorders in
adolescents may incorporate SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants are not
generally used in treating adolescents due to a more adverse side effect
profile. Treatment modalities for anxiety disorders in adolescents are
focused on maintaining the anxiety at a moderate level or below, improving
the patient's social interaction, and developing coping strategies for patients
to manage and prevent maladaptive symptoms (e.g., relaxation techniques).
6. Jane is hospitalized for hypotension and tachycardia. During the physical
exam, you notice abnormal pigmentation on her chest and abdomen. Also,
her abdomen is distended and she has lost most of her pubic hair. Which of
these signs or symptoms would be least characteristic of the type of eating
disorder that Jane is most likely experiencing?
1. Hypotension
2. Tachycardia
3. Pigmentation of chest and abdomen
4. Distended abdomen - ANSWER ✔ The patient's signs and symptoms are
indicative of anorexia nervosa, which is associated with bradycardia, not
tachycardia. Tachycardia is more closely associated with bulimia nervosa.
Hypotension, pigmentation of the chest and abdomen, bradycardia, and a
distended abdomen are all features associated with anorexia nervosa.
, 7. All of the following signs and symptoms in a patient would suggest opioid
withdrawal except:
1. Lacrimation
2. Nausea
3. Headache
4. Myalgia - ANSWER ✔ Headache is not a symptom associated with opioid
withdrawal. Nausea, myalgia, and lacrimation are common adverse effects
of opioid withdrawal
8. All of these statements are true of sentinel events except:
The word "sentinel" indicates the need for immediate investigation and
response.
A root cause analysis should be conducted in response to a sentinel event.
The definition of sentinel events includes serious psychological injury.
Sentinel events are synonymous with "medical errors." - ANSWER ✔
Sentinel events are not synonymous with "medical errors"-not all sentinel
events occur because of an error, and not all errors result in a sentinel event.
Sentinel events indicate an unexpected injury or death; when this occurs,
clinicians and institutions are expected to conduct a root cause analysis to
find out the reason for the injury or death.
9. Which of these scenarios would be an example of patient abandonment?
A patient comes in at the end of your shift, and you are asked to stay later
but have not been given proper notification.
You discontinue the physician-patient relationship before an extensive
course of treatment begins because your patient has not paid physician fees
for 3 months.
You have made arrangements for your patient to continue ongoing care with
another nurse practitioner.
You feel that a patient's case is too difficult for you to take. - ANSWER ✔
Discontinuing healthcare services because a patient is unable to pay for the
services would qualify as patient abandonment, especially if done without
proper notice at an unreasonable time (e.g., right before the patient begins an
extensive course of treatment). With reasonable notice, refusal to accept a
case based on lack of competency does not qualify as patient medical
abandonment. Making arrangements to re-assign the patient to another
practitioner and providing reasonable notice also does not indicate patient
abandonment. Nurse practitioners are not abandoning patients if they refuse
to work a double-shift on short notice.
TEST STUDY GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
<LATEST VERSION>
1. Harriet is a well-established business woman who provides for her family.
She was recently arrested for stealing over $10,000 worth of merchandise
from the mall. When Harriet is asked to describe her behavior, she says: "It
just comes on me quickly, and when it's done, I feel really good." She also
describes how she grew up poor and sees the theft as a way to "even the
score" against those with "empty wealth." Which of the following does not
meet the diagnostic criteria for kleptomania?
Harriet views her shoplifting as a righteous act.
Harriet's stealing is described as pleasurable.
Harriet is well-off and can support her family's needs.
Harriet's stealing is described as impulsive. - ANSWER ✔ Although the
patient may be rationalizing her behavior as a righteous act, patients with
kleptomania do not commit theft to express anger or vengeance.
Kleptomania is characterized as failing to resist the impulse to steal, and the
stolen objects are typically not needed. The act of stealing, which usually is
performed alone, gives the person gratification.
2. Tony, a 16-year-old male, has been sent to your clinic for counseling. He has
a long record of skipping school, talking back to his teachers, and getting
poor grades. His parents say he has often gotten in fights with them, has
frequently been caught sneaking girls into his room, and has run away from
home on two occasions. During the session, you notice Tony acts tough and
aloof, not deigning to speak much. If you suspect conduct disorder, which of
the following conditions would you be least likely to include in your
differential diagnosis?
1. Borderline personality disorder
2. Oppositional defiant disorder
3. Adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct
,4. Bipolar disorder - ANSWER ✔ Borderline personality disorder is not
considered a differential diagnosis for conduct disorder, as indicated by the
patient's truancy, defiance of authority figures, fights with family members,
poor academic performance, sexual promiscuity, running away from home,
and "tough guy" demeanor. Oppositional defiant disorder, bipolar disorders,
and adjustment disorders are all considered potential differential diagnoses
for conduct disorder, as are depressive disorders, attention-
deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and intermittent explosive disorder.
3. Which of these lab findings would be least expected in a patient with
depression?
1. Decreased nocturnal growth hormone secretion
2. Decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone response
3. Increased somatostatin in cerebrospinal fluid
4. Increased secretion of cortisol - ANSWER ✔ Depressive symptoms are
associated with decreased, not increased, levels of somatostatin in
cerebrospinal fluid. Patients with depression may exhibit a decreased
thyroid-stimulating hormone response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone, as
well as hypersecretion of cortisol. Depressive symptoms are also associated
with irregularities in growth hormone release, such as reduced nocturnal
secretion and diurnal hypersecretion.
4. You are seeing your 43-year-old female patient in urgent care. She says:
"The backs of my legs are locking up. I can't walk. It feels like my leg
muscles are contracting and won't stop." As you examine her, you note that
she is having difficulty walking as her leg muscles contract uncontrollably.
When taking her history, she tells you that she has been taking haloperidol
for a month to manage her schizophrenia. Which of the following is the
preferred medication for treating the patient?
1. Entacapone
2. Carbamazepine
3. Dantrolene
4. Benztropine - ANSWER ✔ Benztropine, an anticholinergic, is the preferred
medication for treating patients experiencing dystonia, in addition to other
extrapyramidal side effects, resulting from use of typical antipsychotics
(e.g., haloperidol).
Dantrolene is the recommended treatment for neuroleptic malignant
syndrome in patients who are taking atypical antipsychotics. Carbamazepine
, is an antiepileptic used to control seizures, but is believed to cause tardive
dystonia as well.
Entacapone is used to minimize the risk of dyskinesias in patients with
Parkinson's disease, whereas benztropine is the preferred treatment for
antipsychotic-induced dyskinesias.
5. Jeff, a 14-year-old male, is undergoing therapy for social anxiety. He
worries excessively about his performance at school and especially fears
presentations: "I know everyone will laugh at me if I screw up." He does not
have many friends; he says that he is afraid people will leave him if they see
his "true self." As a nurse practitioner, you know that long-term treatment
would typically focus on all of the following modalities except:
Maintaining anxiety at a reasonable level
Teaching the patient relaxation techniques to manage his fear of others
Prescribing a tricyclic antidepressant that will manage the patient's
symptoms
Providing situations in which the patient can exercise and improve his social
skills - ANSWER ✔ Although nursing interventions for anxiety disorders in
adolescents may incorporate SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants are not
generally used in treating adolescents due to a more adverse side effect
profile. Treatment modalities for anxiety disorders in adolescents are
focused on maintaining the anxiety at a moderate level or below, improving
the patient's social interaction, and developing coping strategies for patients
to manage and prevent maladaptive symptoms (e.g., relaxation techniques).
6. Jane is hospitalized for hypotension and tachycardia. During the physical
exam, you notice abnormal pigmentation on her chest and abdomen. Also,
her abdomen is distended and she has lost most of her pubic hair. Which of
these signs or symptoms would be least characteristic of the type of eating
disorder that Jane is most likely experiencing?
1. Hypotension
2. Tachycardia
3. Pigmentation of chest and abdomen
4. Distended abdomen - ANSWER ✔ The patient's signs and symptoms are
indicative of anorexia nervosa, which is associated with bradycardia, not
tachycardia. Tachycardia is more closely associated with bulimia nervosa.
Hypotension, pigmentation of the chest and abdomen, bradycardia, and a
distended abdomen are all features associated with anorexia nervosa.
, 7. All of the following signs and symptoms in a patient would suggest opioid
withdrawal except:
1. Lacrimation
2. Nausea
3. Headache
4. Myalgia - ANSWER ✔ Headache is not a symptom associated with opioid
withdrawal. Nausea, myalgia, and lacrimation are common adverse effects
of opioid withdrawal
8. All of these statements are true of sentinel events except:
The word "sentinel" indicates the need for immediate investigation and
response.
A root cause analysis should be conducted in response to a sentinel event.
The definition of sentinel events includes serious psychological injury.
Sentinel events are synonymous with "medical errors." - ANSWER ✔
Sentinel events are not synonymous with "medical errors"-not all sentinel
events occur because of an error, and not all errors result in a sentinel event.
Sentinel events indicate an unexpected injury or death; when this occurs,
clinicians and institutions are expected to conduct a root cause analysis to
find out the reason for the injury or death.
9. Which of these scenarios would be an example of patient abandonment?
A patient comes in at the end of your shift, and you are asked to stay later
but have not been given proper notification.
You discontinue the physician-patient relationship before an extensive
course of treatment begins because your patient has not paid physician fees
for 3 months.
You have made arrangements for your patient to continue ongoing care with
another nurse practitioner.
You feel that a patient's case is too difficult for you to take. - ANSWER ✔
Discontinuing healthcare services because a patient is unable to pay for the
services would qualify as patient abandonment, especially if done without
proper notice at an unreasonable time (e.g., right before the patient begins an
extensive course of treatment). With reasonable notice, refusal to accept a
case based on lack of competency does not qualify as patient medical
abandonment. Making arrangements to re-assign the patient to another
practitioner and providing reasonable notice also does not indicate patient
abandonment. Nurse practitioners are not abandoning patients if they refuse
to work a double-shift on short notice.
