Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner (PMHNP) Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A 25-year-old patient presents with excessive worry,
restlessness, and difficulty concentrating for the past 6
months. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Major Depressive Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
C. Panic Disorder
D. Bipolar II Disorder
The patient exhibits persistent anxiety lasting longer than 6
months with associated symptoms such as restlessness and
difficulty concentrating, consistent with GAD.
2. Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with
the pathophysiology of schizophrenia?
A. Serotonin
B. Norepinephrine
C. Dopamine
D. GABA
Dopamine dysregulation, particularly hyperactivity in the
mesolimbic pathway, is central to schizophrenia’s positive
symptoms.
,3. A patient with bipolar disorder presents in a manic
episode. Which medication is first-line for acute mania?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium
C. Haloperidol
D. Buspirone
Lithium is a mood stabilizer effective in controlling acute
mania and preventing recurrence.
4. A patient reports feeling down, experiencing anhedonia,
fatigue, and poor concentration for 2 weeks. What is the
best initial diagnosis?
A. Adjustment disorder
B. Cyclothymic disorder
C. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
D. Persistent depressive disorder
Symptoms lasting ≥2 weeks, causing significant impairment,
are diagnostic of MDD.
5. Which of the following is the most common side effect of
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Weight loss
B. Gastrointestinal upset
C. Bradycardia
D. Hyperglycemia
,SSRIs commonly cause nausea, diarrhea, or other GI
disturbances, especially in the first few weeks.
6. A patient with panic disorder experiences sudden
episodes of palpitations, sweating, and fear of dying. What
is the first-line treatment?
A. Tricyclic antidepressants
B. SSRIs
C. Benzodiazepines only
D. Antipsychotics
SSRIs are first-line for panic disorder due to their efficacy and
safety profile for long-term use.
7. Which assessment tool is commonly used to screen for
depression in adults?
A. MINI
B. PHQ-9
C. GAD-7
D. CAGE
The PHQ-9 is a validated, brief questionnaire commonly used
to screen for depressive symptoms.
8. A patient presents with auditory hallucinations and
delusions. Which class of medication is first-line?
, A. Benzodiazepines
B. Antipsychotics
C. SSRIs
D. Mood stabilizers
Antipsychotics target positive symptoms like hallucinations
and delusions in schizophrenia and psychotic disorders.
9. A patient with OCD is treated with fluoxetine. How long
should the provider wait to assess full efficacy?
A. 1 week
B. 2 weeks
C. 8–12 weeks
D. 24 hours
SSRIs often require 8–12 weeks for maximal therapeutic effect
in obsessive-compulsive disorder.
10. Which of the following is a key feature of borderline
personality disorder?
A. Social withdrawal
B. Fear of abandonment
C. Hallucinations
D. Obsessive thoughts
Borderline personality disorder is characterized by unstable
relationships, fear of abandonment, and emotional
dysregulation.
Practitioner (PMHNP) Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A 25-year-old patient presents with excessive worry,
restlessness, and difficulty concentrating for the past 6
months. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Major Depressive Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
C. Panic Disorder
D. Bipolar II Disorder
The patient exhibits persistent anxiety lasting longer than 6
months with associated symptoms such as restlessness and
difficulty concentrating, consistent with GAD.
2. Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with
the pathophysiology of schizophrenia?
A. Serotonin
B. Norepinephrine
C. Dopamine
D. GABA
Dopamine dysregulation, particularly hyperactivity in the
mesolimbic pathway, is central to schizophrenia’s positive
symptoms.
,3. A patient with bipolar disorder presents in a manic
episode. Which medication is first-line for acute mania?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium
C. Haloperidol
D. Buspirone
Lithium is a mood stabilizer effective in controlling acute
mania and preventing recurrence.
4. A patient reports feeling down, experiencing anhedonia,
fatigue, and poor concentration for 2 weeks. What is the
best initial diagnosis?
A. Adjustment disorder
B. Cyclothymic disorder
C. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
D. Persistent depressive disorder
Symptoms lasting ≥2 weeks, causing significant impairment,
are diagnostic of MDD.
5. Which of the following is the most common side effect of
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Weight loss
B. Gastrointestinal upset
C. Bradycardia
D. Hyperglycemia
,SSRIs commonly cause nausea, diarrhea, or other GI
disturbances, especially in the first few weeks.
6. A patient with panic disorder experiences sudden
episodes of palpitations, sweating, and fear of dying. What
is the first-line treatment?
A. Tricyclic antidepressants
B. SSRIs
C. Benzodiazepines only
D. Antipsychotics
SSRIs are first-line for panic disorder due to their efficacy and
safety profile for long-term use.
7. Which assessment tool is commonly used to screen for
depression in adults?
A. MINI
B. PHQ-9
C. GAD-7
D. CAGE
The PHQ-9 is a validated, brief questionnaire commonly used
to screen for depressive symptoms.
8. A patient presents with auditory hallucinations and
delusions. Which class of medication is first-line?
, A. Benzodiazepines
B. Antipsychotics
C. SSRIs
D. Mood stabilizers
Antipsychotics target positive symptoms like hallucinations
and delusions in schizophrenia and psychotic disorders.
9. A patient with OCD is treated with fluoxetine. How long
should the provider wait to assess full efficacy?
A. 1 week
B. 2 weeks
C. 8–12 weeks
D. 24 hours
SSRIs often require 8–12 weeks for maximal therapeutic effect
in obsessive-compulsive disorder.
10. Which of the following is a key feature of borderline
personality disorder?
A. Social withdrawal
B. Fear of abandonment
C. Hallucinations
D. Obsessive thoughts
Borderline personality disorder is characterized by unstable
relationships, fear of abandonment, and emotional
dysregulation.
