ANCC PMHNP FINAL PAPER 2026 EXAM FULL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS ALREADY PASSED
Deontological Theory. Answer: Ethical theory that states an action is judged as good or bad based on the
act itself regardless of the consequences
Teleological Theory. Answer: Ethical theory that states an action is judged as good or bad based on a
consequence or outcome
Virtue ethics. Answer: ethical theory that states actions are chosen based on moral virtues (e.g., honesty,
courage, compassion, wisdom, gratitude, self-respect) or the character of the person making the decision
Erikson's developmental stage infancy age range. Answer: birth-1 year
Erikson's developmental stage infancy developmental tasks. Answer: trust vs. mistrust
Erikson's developmental stage infancy indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Ability to form
meaningful relationships, hope about the future, trust in others
Erikson's developmental stage early childhood age range. Answer: 1-3 years
Erikson's developmental stage early childhood developmental tasks. Answer: autonomy vs. shame/doubt
Erikson's developmental stage early childhood indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Self-
control, willpower, ability to make choices
Erikson's developmental stage preschool age range. Answer: 3-6 years
Erikson's developmental stage preschool developmental tasks. Answer: initiative vs. guilt
Erikson's developmental stage preschool indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Purpose, ability
to initiate activities and play
Erikson's developmental stage school age age range. Answer: 6-12 years
Erikson's developmental stage school age developmental tasks. Answer: industry vs. inferiority
Erikson's developmental stage school age indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Competence,
ability to work and achieve
,Erikson's developmental stage adolescence age range. Answer: 12-20 years
Erikson's developmental stage adolescence developmental tasks. Answer: identity vs. role confusion
Erikson's developmental stage adolescence indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Fidelity, sense
of self and personal identity
Erikson's developmental stage young adulthood age range. Answer: 20-35 years
Erikson's developmental stage young adulthood developmental tasks. Answer: intimacy vs. isolation
Erikson's developmental stage young adulthood indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Love,
ability to form close relationships
Erikson's developmental stage middle adulthood age range. Answer: 35-65 years
Erikson's developmental stage middle adulthood developmental tasks. Answer: generativity vs.
stagnation
Erikson's developmental stage middle adulthood indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Care,
concern for others and future generations
Erikson's developmental stage late adulthood age range. Answer: 65+ years
Erikson's developmental stage late adulthood developmental tasks. Answer: ego integrity vs. despair
Erikson's developmental stage late adulthood indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Wisdom,
acceptance of life's successes and failures
Piaget's sensorimotor stage key achievement. Answer: Object permanence
Piaget's preoperational stage key limitation. Answer: Egocentrism and lack of conservation
Piaget's concrete operational stage key achievement. Answer: Logical thinking about concrete events,
conservation
Piaget's formal operational stage key achievement. Answer: Abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking
Kohlberg's preconventional level stage 1. Answer: Obedience and punishment orientation
Kohlberg's preconventional level stage 2. Answer: Self-interest and exchange orientation
Kohlberg's conventional level stage 3. Answer: Interpersonal accord and conformity
Kohlberg's conventional level stage 4. Answer: Authority and social order maintenance
Kohlberg's postconventional level stage 5. Answer: Social contract and individual rights
,Kohlberg's postconventional level stage 6. Answer: Universal ethical principles
Mahler's normal autism subphase. Answer: Birth to 1 month, focused on basic needs satisfaction
Mahler's symbiosis subphase. Answer: 1-5 months, infant fused with mother
Mahler's differentiation subphase. Answer: 5-10 months, infant begins to separate self from mother
Mahler's practicing subphase. Answer: 10-16 months, infant begins to walk and explore
Mahler's rapprochement subphase. Answer: 16-24 months, toddler returns to mother for reassurance
Mahler's object constancy subphase. Answer: 24-36 months, internalized representation of mother
Bowlby's pre-attachment phase age range. Answer: Birth to 6 weeks
Bowlby's attachment-in-the-making phase age range. Answer: 6 weeks to 6-8 months
Bowlby's clear-cut attachment phase age range. Answer: 6-8 months to 18-24 months
Bowlby's reciprocal relationships phase age range. Answer: 18-24 months and beyond
Ainsworth's secure attachment pattern. Answer: Infant explores freely, distressed at separation, happy at
reunion
Ainsworth's anxious-ambivalent attachment pattern. Answer: Infant clings, extremely distressed at
separation, ambivalent at reunion
Ainsworth's avoidant attachment pattern. Answer: Infant ignores caregiver, little distress at separation,
avoids at reunion
Ainsworth's disorganized attachment pattern. Answer: Infant shows contradictory behaviors, dazed or
frozen expressions
Freud's id definition. Answer: Pleasure principle, primitive and instinctual drives
Freud's ego definition. Answer: Reality principle, mediates id and superego
Freud's superego definition. Answer: Morality principle, internalized societal rules and ideals
Freud's Oedipus complex. Answer: Phallic stage conflict where boy desires mother and fears father
Freud's Electra complex. Answer: Phallic stage conflict where girl desires father and envies father's penis
Jung's collective unconscious. Answer: Universal memories and archetypes shared by all humans
Jung's archetype of persona. Answer: Social mask presented to the world
, Jung's archetype of shadow. Answer: Dark, repressed aspects of personality
Jung's archetype of anima. Answer: Feminine inner personality in men
Jung's archetype of animus. Answer: Masculine inner personality in women
Adler's inferiority complex. Answer: Feelings of inadequacy driving striving for superiority
Adler's birth order theory. Answer: Psychological development influenced by order of birth among
siblings
Sullivan's interpersonal theory. Answer: Personality shaped by interpersonal relationships and social
interactions
Sullivan's parataxic distortion. Answer: Misperception of a current relationship based on past experiences
Peplau's interpersonal relations theory phases. Answer: Orientation, identification, exploitation, resolution
Peplau's orientation phase. Answer: Nurse and patient identify problem and establish rapport
Peplau's identification phase. Answer: Patient identifies with nurse and begins to explore feelings
Peplau's exploitation phase. Answer: Patient uses available services and resources for growth
Peplau's resolution phase. Answer: Patient transfers learning to new situations and terminates
relationship
Maslow's hierarchy of needs level 1. Answer: Physiological needs (air, water, food, shelter, sleep)
Maslow's hierarchy of needs level 2. Answer: Safety needs (security, stability, freedom from fear)
Maslow's hierarchy of needs level 3. Answer: Love and belonging (friendship, family, intimacy)
Maslow's hierarchy of needs level 4. Answer: Esteem needs (respect, self-esteem, recognition)
Maslow's hierarchy of needs level 5. Answer: Self-actualization (achieving full potential)
Biopsychosocial model. Answer: Integrates biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding
mental health
Diathesis-stress model. Answer: Mental disorders result from genetic vulnerability combined with
environmental stressors
Biopsychosocial formulation components. Answer: Predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, and
protective factors
Therapeutic alliance definition. Answer: Collaborative, trusting relationship between clinician and patient
AND CORRECT ANSWERS ALREADY PASSED
Deontological Theory. Answer: Ethical theory that states an action is judged as good or bad based on the
act itself regardless of the consequences
Teleological Theory. Answer: Ethical theory that states an action is judged as good or bad based on a
consequence or outcome
Virtue ethics. Answer: ethical theory that states actions are chosen based on moral virtues (e.g., honesty,
courage, compassion, wisdom, gratitude, self-respect) or the character of the person making the decision
Erikson's developmental stage infancy age range. Answer: birth-1 year
Erikson's developmental stage infancy developmental tasks. Answer: trust vs. mistrust
Erikson's developmental stage infancy indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Ability to form
meaningful relationships, hope about the future, trust in others
Erikson's developmental stage early childhood age range. Answer: 1-3 years
Erikson's developmental stage early childhood developmental tasks. Answer: autonomy vs. shame/doubt
Erikson's developmental stage early childhood indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Self-
control, willpower, ability to make choices
Erikson's developmental stage preschool age range. Answer: 3-6 years
Erikson's developmental stage preschool developmental tasks. Answer: initiative vs. guilt
Erikson's developmental stage preschool indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Purpose, ability
to initiate activities and play
Erikson's developmental stage school age age range. Answer: 6-12 years
Erikson's developmental stage school age developmental tasks. Answer: industry vs. inferiority
Erikson's developmental stage school age indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Competence,
ability to work and achieve
,Erikson's developmental stage adolescence age range. Answer: 12-20 years
Erikson's developmental stage adolescence developmental tasks. Answer: identity vs. role confusion
Erikson's developmental stage adolescence indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Fidelity, sense
of self and personal identity
Erikson's developmental stage young adulthood age range. Answer: 20-35 years
Erikson's developmental stage young adulthood developmental tasks. Answer: intimacy vs. isolation
Erikson's developmental stage young adulthood indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Love,
ability to form close relationships
Erikson's developmental stage middle adulthood age range. Answer: 35-65 years
Erikson's developmental stage middle adulthood developmental tasks. Answer: generativity vs.
stagnation
Erikson's developmental stage middle adulthood indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Care,
concern for others and future generations
Erikson's developmental stage late adulthood age range. Answer: 65+ years
Erikson's developmental stage late adulthood developmental tasks. Answer: ego integrity vs. despair
Erikson's developmental stage late adulthood indications of developmental mastery. Answer: Wisdom,
acceptance of life's successes and failures
Piaget's sensorimotor stage key achievement. Answer: Object permanence
Piaget's preoperational stage key limitation. Answer: Egocentrism and lack of conservation
Piaget's concrete operational stage key achievement. Answer: Logical thinking about concrete events,
conservation
Piaget's formal operational stage key achievement. Answer: Abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking
Kohlberg's preconventional level stage 1. Answer: Obedience and punishment orientation
Kohlberg's preconventional level stage 2. Answer: Self-interest and exchange orientation
Kohlberg's conventional level stage 3. Answer: Interpersonal accord and conformity
Kohlberg's conventional level stage 4. Answer: Authority and social order maintenance
Kohlberg's postconventional level stage 5. Answer: Social contract and individual rights
,Kohlberg's postconventional level stage 6. Answer: Universal ethical principles
Mahler's normal autism subphase. Answer: Birth to 1 month, focused on basic needs satisfaction
Mahler's symbiosis subphase. Answer: 1-5 months, infant fused with mother
Mahler's differentiation subphase. Answer: 5-10 months, infant begins to separate self from mother
Mahler's practicing subphase. Answer: 10-16 months, infant begins to walk and explore
Mahler's rapprochement subphase. Answer: 16-24 months, toddler returns to mother for reassurance
Mahler's object constancy subphase. Answer: 24-36 months, internalized representation of mother
Bowlby's pre-attachment phase age range. Answer: Birth to 6 weeks
Bowlby's attachment-in-the-making phase age range. Answer: 6 weeks to 6-8 months
Bowlby's clear-cut attachment phase age range. Answer: 6-8 months to 18-24 months
Bowlby's reciprocal relationships phase age range. Answer: 18-24 months and beyond
Ainsworth's secure attachment pattern. Answer: Infant explores freely, distressed at separation, happy at
reunion
Ainsworth's anxious-ambivalent attachment pattern. Answer: Infant clings, extremely distressed at
separation, ambivalent at reunion
Ainsworth's avoidant attachment pattern. Answer: Infant ignores caregiver, little distress at separation,
avoids at reunion
Ainsworth's disorganized attachment pattern. Answer: Infant shows contradictory behaviors, dazed or
frozen expressions
Freud's id definition. Answer: Pleasure principle, primitive and instinctual drives
Freud's ego definition. Answer: Reality principle, mediates id and superego
Freud's superego definition. Answer: Morality principle, internalized societal rules and ideals
Freud's Oedipus complex. Answer: Phallic stage conflict where boy desires mother and fears father
Freud's Electra complex. Answer: Phallic stage conflict where girl desires father and envies father's penis
Jung's collective unconscious. Answer: Universal memories and archetypes shared by all humans
Jung's archetype of persona. Answer: Social mask presented to the world
, Jung's archetype of shadow. Answer: Dark, repressed aspects of personality
Jung's archetype of anima. Answer: Feminine inner personality in men
Jung's archetype of animus. Answer: Masculine inner personality in women
Adler's inferiority complex. Answer: Feelings of inadequacy driving striving for superiority
Adler's birth order theory. Answer: Psychological development influenced by order of birth among
siblings
Sullivan's interpersonal theory. Answer: Personality shaped by interpersonal relationships and social
interactions
Sullivan's parataxic distortion. Answer: Misperception of a current relationship based on past experiences
Peplau's interpersonal relations theory phases. Answer: Orientation, identification, exploitation, resolution
Peplau's orientation phase. Answer: Nurse and patient identify problem and establish rapport
Peplau's identification phase. Answer: Patient identifies with nurse and begins to explore feelings
Peplau's exploitation phase. Answer: Patient uses available services and resources for growth
Peplau's resolution phase. Answer: Patient transfers learning to new situations and terminates
relationship
Maslow's hierarchy of needs level 1. Answer: Physiological needs (air, water, food, shelter, sleep)
Maslow's hierarchy of needs level 2. Answer: Safety needs (security, stability, freedom from fear)
Maslow's hierarchy of needs level 3. Answer: Love and belonging (friendship, family, intimacy)
Maslow's hierarchy of needs level 4. Answer: Esteem needs (respect, self-esteem, recognition)
Maslow's hierarchy of needs level 5. Answer: Self-actualization (achieving full potential)
Biopsychosocial model. Answer: Integrates biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding
mental health
Diathesis-stress model. Answer: Mental disorders result from genetic vulnerability combined with
environmental stressors
Biopsychosocial formulation components. Answer: Predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, and
protective factors
Therapeutic alliance definition. Answer: Collaborative, trusting relationship between clinician and patient
