ANCC PMHNP Sample Test Questions and Answers 2023
(Verified Answers)
1. A patient with borderline personality disorder experiences intense
anxiety when an adult psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner
goes on vacation. The best explanation for this reaction is that the patient:
A. has failed to develop clear ego boundaries.
B. has failed to master object constancy.
C. is employing primitive idealization.
D. is employing projective identification ANS B. has failed to master
object constan- cy
2. 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 im- prove. 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 ANS D. The patient's suicide
potential is increased.
1/6
, 3. 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: ANS A. Attempting to understand
a patient's subjective world
4. 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 ANS B.
educat- ing the survivors about prodromal symptoms of posttraumatic
stress disorder.
5. 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 pa-
2/6
(Verified Answers)
1. A patient with borderline personality disorder experiences intense
anxiety when an adult psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner
goes on vacation. The best explanation for this reaction is that the patient:
A. has failed to develop clear ego boundaries.
B. has failed to master object constancy.
C. is employing primitive idealization.
D. is employing projective identification ANS B. has failed to master
object constan- cy
2. 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 im- prove. 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 ANS D. The patient's suicide
potential is increased.
1/6
, 3. 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: ANS A. Attempting to understand
a patient's subjective world
4. 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 ANS B.
educat- ing the survivors about prodromal symptoms of posttraumatic
stress disorder.
5. 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 pa-
2/6
