APEA PMHNP EXAM PREP MATERIAL
NEWEST PRACTICE GUIDE UPDATED 2026
TESTED SOLUTIONS
⫸ 2. A patient has been taking escitalopram (Lexapro) 10 mg daily for
four weeks. Initially, the patient reported depression and suicidal
thoughts. The patient's sleep, appetite, energy, and appearance have now
begun to improve. Which statement applies to this patient?
A. The medication should be discontinued.
B. The medication should be increased.
C. The patient's risk for suicide is not a concern.
D. The patient's suicide potential is increased. Answer: D. The patient's
suicide potential is increased.
⫸ 3. Which behavior reflects existentially oriented therapy?
A. Attempting to understand a patient's subjective world
B. Challenging a patient's irrational beliefs
C. Developing specific plans for change
D. Establishing general group goals Answer: A. Attempting to
understand a patient's subjective world
⫸ 4. Serving as a member on a crisis team, an adult psychiatric and
mental health nurse practitioner provides crisis intervention to the
survivors of a plane crash. Forty-eight hours after the accident, the
survivors describe vivid flashbacks, startle reactions, and disrupted sleep
patterns. The nurse practitioner responds by:
, A. advising the survivors to consider using a hypnotic medication for a
brief period.
B. educating the survivors about prodromal symptoms of posttraumatic
stress disorder.
C. encouraging the survivors to rest during the day.
D. suggesting that the survivors join a posttrauma support group.
Answer: B. educating the survivors about prodromal symptoms of
posttraumatic stress disorder.
⫸ 5. An adult psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner uses the
interpersonal therapy model with a patient to establish a therapeutic
alliance based upon empathy and trust. The nurse practitioner recognizes
the patient's readiness to terminate therapy when the patient
demonstrates:
A. an understanding that leaving a significant other may be painful, but
also presents an opportunity for growth.
B. breathing and muscle relaxation exercises that decrease muscle
tension and anxiety.
C. free association, and considers the nurse practitioner's interpretation
of the patient's dreams.
D. new adaptive skills and responses after completing "homework
assignments." Answer: A. an understanding that leaving a significant
other may be painful, but also presents an opportunity for growth.
⫸ 6. An Hispanic patient informs an adult psychiatric and mental health
nurse practitioner during a wellness visit that he or she occasionally uses
hot chili juice to relieve a "nervous condition." The patient denies any
NEWEST PRACTICE GUIDE UPDATED 2026
TESTED SOLUTIONS
⫸ 2. A patient has been taking escitalopram (Lexapro) 10 mg daily for
four weeks. Initially, the patient reported depression and suicidal
thoughts. The patient's sleep, appetite, energy, and appearance have now
begun to improve. Which statement applies to this patient?
A. The medication should be discontinued.
B. The medication should be increased.
C. The patient's risk for suicide is not a concern.
D. The patient's suicide potential is increased. Answer: D. The patient's
suicide potential is increased.
⫸ 3. Which behavior reflects existentially oriented therapy?
A. Attempting to understand a patient's subjective world
B. Challenging a patient's irrational beliefs
C. Developing specific plans for change
D. Establishing general group goals Answer: A. Attempting to
understand a patient's subjective world
⫸ 4. Serving as a member on a crisis team, an adult psychiatric and
mental health nurse practitioner provides crisis intervention to the
survivors of a plane crash. Forty-eight hours after the accident, the
survivors describe vivid flashbacks, startle reactions, and disrupted sleep
patterns. The nurse practitioner responds by:
, A. advising the survivors to consider using a hypnotic medication for a
brief period.
B. educating the survivors about prodromal symptoms of posttraumatic
stress disorder.
C. encouraging the survivors to rest during the day.
D. suggesting that the survivors join a posttrauma support group.
Answer: B. educating the survivors about prodromal symptoms of
posttraumatic stress disorder.
⫸ 5. An adult psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner uses the
interpersonal therapy model with a patient to establish a therapeutic
alliance based upon empathy and trust. The nurse practitioner recognizes
the patient's readiness to terminate therapy when the patient
demonstrates:
A. an understanding that leaving a significant other may be painful, but
also presents an opportunity for growth.
B. breathing and muscle relaxation exercises that decrease muscle
tension and anxiety.
C. free association, and considers the nurse practitioner's interpretation
of the patient's dreams.
D. new adaptive skills and responses after completing "homework
assignments." Answer: A. an understanding that leaving a significant
other may be painful, but also presents an opportunity for growth.
⫸ 6. An Hispanic patient informs an adult psychiatric and mental health
nurse practitioner during a wellness visit that he or she occasionally uses
hot chili juice to relieve a "nervous condition." The patient denies any
