Page 1 of 184
GEORGETTE PMHNP EXAM REVIEW LATEST
VERSION WITH 300 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED SOLUTIONS JUST RELEASED THIS
YEAR
GEORGETTE PMHNP REVIEW – COMPREHENSIVE 300-QUESTION PRACTICE BANK
Exam Coverage Summary: The Georgette PMHNP Certification Review prepares candidates for
both the ANCC and AANP PMHNP board exams. The ANCC PMHNP-BC exam consists of 175
scored questions + 15 pretest items with a 3.5-hour time limit. Content is distributed
across five core domains: Scientific Foundation (22% – neurobiology, pathophysiology,
psychopharmacology, pharmacokinetics, EPS, NMS), Advanced Practice Skills (27% – clinical
interviewing, motivational interviewing, health promotion, screening tools like PHQ-9 and GAD-
7), Diagnosis and Treatment (22% – DSM-5-TR criteria, differential diagnosis, treatment
planning across the lifespan), Psychotherapy and Related Theories (11% – therapeutic
modalities, CBT, DBT, interpersonal therapy), and Ethical and Legal Principles (17% – ethics,
legal issues, cultural care, scope of practice). Key topics include: psychopharmacology
1
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,Page 2 of 184
(antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics), lithium monitoring and
toxicity, neurotransmitter pathways, therapeutic relationship principles, cultural syndromes,
developmental stages, and safety-first clinical decision-making.
QUESTIONS 1-300
1. Norepinephrine (NE) is primarily synthesized in which brain structure?
A) Raphe nuclei
B) Locus coeruleus
C) Substantia nigra
D) Nucleus basalis of Meynert
Answer: B Norepinephrine is synthesized in the locus coeruleus, located in the pons. It is the
primary source of NE in the CNS and is crucial for arousal, attention, and the stress response.
The raphe nuclei synthesize serotonin, the substantia nigra produces dopamine, and the nucleus
basalis of Meynert is the primary source of acetylcholine.
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2. A 46-year-old male with a history of bipolar disorder presents with severe vomiting, diarrhea,
muscle weakness, blurred vision, and ataxia. What should the PMHNP suspect?
A) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B) Serotonin syndrome
C) Lithium toxicity
D) Hyponatremia
Answer: C This is a classic presentation of lithium toxicity. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic
window (0.6-1.2 mEq/L); toxicity occurs at levels >1.5 mEq/L. Symptoms include severe GI
distress, neuromuscular effects (weakness, ataxia, tremor), and CNS effects (blurred vision,
confusion).
3. The therapeutic relationship in psychiatric-mental health nursing is best described as:
A) A social friendship between two equals
B) A goal-directed, professional alliance focused on the patient's needs
C) A dependent relationship where the patient relies entirely on the nurse
D) An informal conversation between colleagues
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, Page 4 of 184
Answer: B The therapeutic relationship is a professional, goal-directed alliance focused on the
patient's well-being. It is not a social friendship; boundaries must be maintained. The nurse uses
therapeutic communication to facilitate the patient's growth and recovery.
4. Which neurotransmitter is most strongly associated with the development of major
depressive disorder (MDD)?
A) Dopamine
B) Norepinephrine
C) Serotonin
D) Acetylcholine
Answer: C The monoamine hypothesis of depression suggests that serotonin (5-HT) deficiency is
most strongly implicated in MDD, though norepinephrine and dopamine also play roles. SSRIs
increase synaptic serotonin and are first-line treatments.
5. A patient with schizophrenia presents with muscle rigidity, fever, and altered mental status
after starting haloperidol. What is the most likely diagnosis?
4
SUCCESS!
GEORGETTE PMHNP EXAM REVIEW LATEST
VERSION WITH 300 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED SOLUTIONS JUST RELEASED THIS
YEAR
GEORGETTE PMHNP REVIEW – COMPREHENSIVE 300-QUESTION PRACTICE BANK
Exam Coverage Summary: The Georgette PMHNP Certification Review prepares candidates for
both the ANCC and AANP PMHNP board exams. The ANCC PMHNP-BC exam consists of 175
scored questions + 15 pretest items with a 3.5-hour time limit. Content is distributed
across five core domains: Scientific Foundation (22% – neurobiology, pathophysiology,
psychopharmacology, pharmacokinetics, EPS, NMS), Advanced Practice Skills (27% – clinical
interviewing, motivational interviewing, health promotion, screening tools like PHQ-9 and GAD-
7), Diagnosis and Treatment (22% – DSM-5-TR criteria, differential diagnosis, treatment
planning across the lifespan), Psychotherapy and Related Theories (11% – therapeutic
modalities, CBT, DBT, interpersonal therapy), and Ethical and Legal Principles (17% – ethics,
legal issues, cultural care, scope of practice). Key topics include: psychopharmacology
1
SUCCESS!
,Page 2 of 184
(antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics), lithium monitoring and
toxicity, neurotransmitter pathways, therapeutic relationship principles, cultural syndromes,
developmental stages, and safety-first clinical decision-making.
QUESTIONS 1-300
1. Norepinephrine (NE) is primarily synthesized in which brain structure?
A) Raphe nuclei
B) Locus coeruleus
C) Substantia nigra
D) Nucleus basalis of Meynert
Answer: B Norepinephrine is synthesized in the locus coeruleus, located in the pons. It is the
primary source of NE in the CNS and is crucial for arousal, attention, and the stress response.
The raphe nuclei synthesize serotonin, the substantia nigra produces dopamine, and the nucleus
basalis of Meynert is the primary source of acetylcholine.
2
SUCCESS!
,Page 3 of 184
2. A 46-year-old male with a history of bipolar disorder presents with severe vomiting, diarrhea,
muscle weakness, blurred vision, and ataxia. What should the PMHNP suspect?
A) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B) Serotonin syndrome
C) Lithium toxicity
D) Hyponatremia
Answer: C This is a classic presentation of lithium toxicity. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic
window (0.6-1.2 mEq/L); toxicity occurs at levels >1.5 mEq/L. Symptoms include severe GI
distress, neuromuscular effects (weakness, ataxia, tremor), and CNS effects (blurred vision,
confusion).
3. The therapeutic relationship in psychiatric-mental health nursing is best described as:
A) A social friendship between two equals
B) A goal-directed, professional alliance focused on the patient's needs
C) A dependent relationship where the patient relies entirely on the nurse
D) An informal conversation between colleagues
3
SUCCESS!
, Page 4 of 184
Answer: B The therapeutic relationship is a professional, goal-directed alliance focused on the
patient's well-being. It is not a social friendship; boundaries must be maintained. The nurse uses
therapeutic communication to facilitate the patient's growth and recovery.
4. Which neurotransmitter is most strongly associated with the development of major
depressive disorder (MDD)?
A) Dopamine
B) Norepinephrine
C) Serotonin
D) Acetylcholine
Answer: C The monoamine hypothesis of depression suggests that serotonin (5-HT) deficiency is
most strongly implicated in MDD, though norepinephrine and dopamine also play roles. SSRIs
increase synaptic serotonin and are first-line treatments.
5. A patient with schizophrenia presents with muscle rigidity, fever, and altered mental status
after starting haloperidol. What is the most likely diagnosis?
4
SUCCESS!
