PMHNP MOCK BOARD EXAM Q&A 2026
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ The risk of bleeding on SSRI, NSAIDS, or aspirin, is an example of?
Answer: Pharmacodynamics
◉ What is Pharmacokinetics verses Pharmacodynamics? Answer:
Pharmacokinetics (PK) what the body does to the drug (absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Pharmacodynamics (PD) is how
the drug affects the body.
◉ What are benztropine (Cogentin) and trihexyphenidyl (Artane)?
Answer: Anticholinergic mediation used for extrapyramidal side effects
(EPS).
◉ What direct-acting dopamine receptor agonist is recommended to be
used in the tx of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) to help lower
the dopamine receptor blockade? Answer: bromocriptine (Parlodel) is
recommended as a direct acting dopamine receptor agonist to help
decrease the dopamine blockade. And Dantrolene , a muscle relaxant.
,◉ What is dantrolene (Dantrium) ? Answer: A muscle relaxant
◉ A mood stabilizer most associated with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a
potentially life-threatening rash red or purple rash that spreads and forms
blisters leading to skin eventually dies and peels off)? Answer:
lamotrigine (Lamictal)
◉ Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) works by? Answer: GABA is a
inhibitory neurotransmitter. GABA decreases brain activity. Increasing
GABA decreases anxiety and can induce a drowsy or calming effect.
◉ Increasing levels of Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the
amygdala, hippocampus and locus ceruleus affects the body by?
Answer: Increasing anxiety, by activating the Adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland. CRF effects our response to
stress, addiction, and depression.
◉ What part of the brain is implicated in modulate pain due to loss of
gray matter? Answer: Prefrontal Cortex
◉ What therapy can decrease pain in the prefrontal cortex? Answer:
Transcranial magnetic stimulation.
◉ Which serotonin receptor antagonism makes an antipsychotic
"atypical"?
,5HT4A, 5HT3A, 5HT2A, 5HT1A Answer: The mechanism of action
that makes an antipsychotic medication "atypical" is related to the
5HT2A receptor antagonism and D2 receptor antagonism.
◉ What is a first sign of acoustic neuroma when a patient complains of
tinnitus? Answer: unilateral ringing in ear
◉ 22 y.o. male Bipolar c/0 of Oculogyric Crisis (acute dystonia) on 15
mg of Abilify Q4 days ago what do you do? Answer: DC Abilify start
Benztropine Mesylates 1 mg po BID for 5 days and return to provider
for bipolar management. Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a third generation
atypical antipsychotic and a dopamine serotonin system stabilizer (DSS)
that is effective against positive and and negative symptoms of
schizophrenia. It has a low propensity for extrapyramidal side effects,
causes minimal weight gain, sedation, produces no elevation in serum
prolactin levels and no cause of prolongation of QTc intervals.
◉ Arcus Senilis is? When seen in clients before the age of 40 is
associated with ? Answer: A gray opaque band seen around the cornea
separated from the limbus by a narrow clear zone. When seen in clients
before the age of 40 is is associated with Hyperlipidemia.
◉ Antidepressants associated with dose-related cardiovascular adverse
effects ? An a typical second generation antipsychotic associated with
OT prolonged intervals? Answer: Citalopram (Celexa) and a Atypical
second generation antipsychotic Ziprasidone (Geodon) prolongs QT
interval)
, ◉ Extrapyramidal Side Effects Answer:
◉ Anticholinergic withdrawal syndrome Answer: abruptly stopping can
cause cholinergic rebound, symptoms of which include nausea,
sweating, and urinary urgency.
◉ Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Answer: acute mental status
changes, fever, rigidity.
◉ Serotonin Syndrome is caused by? Answer: antidepressants,
Prescribing and SSRI with a MAOI (increase serotonin, norepinephrine,
and dopamine), placing patient on more than one SSRI, SSRI and St.
Johns Wart will increase Serotonin. Imitrex, some retroviral drugs,
Benzos, progesterone.
◉ Dopamine pathways of negative and positive symptoms of
schizophrenia? Answer: Negative symptoms are related to DA deficit in
the cerebral cortex. Positive symptoms are related to DA excess in the
nucleus accumbent and mesolimbic systems.
◉ Hematologic changes associated with lithium? Answer:
Leukocytosis (WBC increase therefore order CBC during therapy to
monitor tx)
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ The risk of bleeding on SSRI, NSAIDS, or aspirin, is an example of?
Answer: Pharmacodynamics
◉ What is Pharmacokinetics verses Pharmacodynamics? Answer:
Pharmacokinetics (PK) what the body does to the drug (absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Pharmacodynamics (PD) is how
the drug affects the body.
◉ What are benztropine (Cogentin) and trihexyphenidyl (Artane)?
Answer: Anticholinergic mediation used for extrapyramidal side effects
(EPS).
◉ What direct-acting dopamine receptor agonist is recommended to be
used in the tx of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) to help lower
the dopamine receptor blockade? Answer: bromocriptine (Parlodel) is
recommended as a direct acting dopamine receptor agonist to help
decrease the dopamine blockade. And Dantrolene , a muscle relaxant.
,◉ What is dantrolene (Dantrium) ? Answer: A muscle relaxant
◉ A mood stabilizer most associated with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a
potentially life-threatening rash red or purple rash that spreads and forms
blisters leading to skin eventually dies and peels off)? Answer:
lamotrigine (Lamictal)
◉ Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) works by? Answer: GABA is a
inhibitory neurotransmitter. GABA decreases brain activity. Increasing
GABA decreases anxiety and can induce a drowsy or calming effect.
◉ Increasing levels of Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the
amygdala, hippocampus and locus ceruleus affects the body by?
Answer: Increasing anxiety, by activating the Adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland. CRF effects our response to
stress, addiction, and depression.
◉ What part of the brain is implicated in modulate pain due to loss of
gray matter? Answer: Prefrontal Cortex
◉ What therapy can decrease pain in the prefrontal cortex? Answer:
Transcranial magnetic stimulation.
◉ Which serotonin receptor antagonism makes an antipsychotic
"atypical"?
,5HT4A, 5HT3A, 5HT2A, 5HT1A Answer: The mechanism of action
that makes an antipsychotic medication "atypical" is related to the
5HT2A receptor antagonism and D2 receptor antagonism.
◉ What is a first sign of acoustic neuroma when a patient complains of
tinnitus? Answer: unilateral ringing in ear
◉ 22 y.o. male Bipolar c/0 of Oculogyric Crisis (acute dystonia) on 15
mg of Abilify Q4 days ago what do you do? Answer: DC Abilify start
Benztropine Mesylates 1 mg po BID for 5 days and return to provider
for bipolar management. Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a third generation
atypical antipsychotic and a dopamine serotonin system stabilizer (DSS)
that is effective against positive and and negative symptoms of
schizophrenia. It has a low propensity for extrapyramidal side effects,
causes minimal weight gain, sedation, produces no elevation in serum
prolactin levels and no cause of prolongation of QTc intervals.
◉ Arcus Senilis is? When seen in clients before the age of 40 is
associated with ? Answer: A gray opaque band seen around the cornea
separated from the limbus by a narrow clear zone. When seen in clients
before the age of 40 is is associated with Hyperlipidemia.
◉ Antidepressants associated with dose-related cardiovascular adverse
effects ? An a typical second generation antipsychotic associated with
OT prolonged intervals? Answer: Citalopram (Celexa) and a Atypical
second generation antipsychotic Ziprasidone (Geodon) prolongs QT
interval)
, ◉ Extrapyramidal Side Effects Answer:
◉ Anticholinergic withdrawal syndrome Answer: abruptly stopping can
cause cholinergic rebound, symptoms of which include nausea,
sweating, and urinary urgency.
◉ Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Answer: acute mental status
changes, fever, rigidity.
◉ Serotonin Syndrome is caused by? Answer: antidepressants,
Prescribing and SSRI with a MAOI (increase serotonin, norepinephrine,
and dopamine), placing patient on more than one SSRI, SSRI and St.
Johns Wart will increase Serotonin. Imitrex, some retroviral drugs,
Benzos, progesterone.
◉ Dopamine pathways of negative and positive symptoms of
schizophrenia? Answer: Negative symptoms are related to DA deficit in
the cerebral cortex. Positive symptoms are related to DA excess in the
nucleus accumbent and mesolimbic systems.
◉ Hematologic changes associated with lithium? Answer:
Leukocytosis (WBC increase therefore order CBC during therapy to
monitor tx)
