Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Exam
2025 | Comprehensive PMHNP Test Bank,
Clinical Scenarios, Study Notes & Verified
Answers
Question 1
What is the primary role of an Advanced Practice
Psychiatric Nurse (APRN)?
A) Providing primary care
B) Diagnosing and treating mental health disorders
C) Conducting research
D) Administering physical therapy
Correct Option: B) Diagnosing and treating mental health
disorders
Rationale: The primary role of an APRN is to assess, diagnose,
and treat mental health conditions.
Question 2
Which assessment tool is commonly used to screen for
depression in adults?
A) DSM-5
B) Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale
C) Beck Depression Inventory
D) Mini-Mental State Examination
Correct Option: C) Beck Depression Inventory
Rationale: The Beck Depression Inventory is specifically
designed to assess the severity of depression.
Question 3
According to the DSM-5, which of the following is a key
criterion for diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder?
,Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Exam
2025 | Comprehensive PMHNP Test Bank,
Clinical Scenarios, Study Notes & Verified
Answers
A) Manic episodes
B) Significant weight gain
C) A minimum of five symptoms lasting at least two weeks
D) Persistent anxiety
Correct Option: C) A minimum of five symptoms lasting at
least two weeks
Rationale: Diagnosis requires specific symptom criteria over a
defined duration.
Question 4
Which of the following therapeutic interventions is
considered first-line treatment for Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD)?
A) Electroconvulsive therapy
B) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
C) Beta-blockers
D) Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Correct Option: B) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs)
Rationale: SSRIs are often the first-line pharmacological
treatment for GAD.
Question 5
What is the ethical principle of "beneficence"?
A) The right to make decisions about one's own care
B) The obligation to act in the best interest of the patient
,Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Exam
2025 | Comprehensive PMHNP Test Bank,
Clinical Scenarios, Study Notes & Verified
Answers
C) The duty to do no harm
D) The right to privacy
Correct Option: B) The obligation to act in the best interest
of the patient
Rationale: Beneficence emphasizes the importance of promoting
the well-being of patients.
Question 6
In a crisis intervention, which of the following is the
primary goal?
A) Diagnosis of the underlying mental health disorder
B) Stabilization of the patient and reduction of immediate distress
C) Long-term treatment planning
D) Referral to a psychiatrist
Correct Option: B) Stabilization of the patient and
reduction of immediate distress
Rationale: Crisis intervention focuses on immediate safety and
stabilization.
Question 7
Which of the following medications is an atypical
antipsychotic often used to treat schizophrenia?
A) Haloperidol
B) Olanzapine
C) Fluoxetine
D) Diazepam
, Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Exam
2025 | Comprehensive PMHNP Test Bank,
Clinical Scenarios, Study Notes & Verified
Answers
Correct Option: B) Olanzapine
Rationale: Olanzapine is classified as an atypical antipsychotic
for schizophrenia treatment.
Question 8
When collaborating with other healthcare providers, which
of the following is essential for an APRN?
A) Maintaining strict confidentiality
B) Following orders without question
C) Avoiding communication with non-psychiatric providers
D) Sharing all patient information freely
Correct Option: A) Maintaining strict confidentiality
Rationale: Confidentiality is crucial in healthcare, especially in
mental health settings.
Question 9
Which of the following is a common side effect of Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A) Hypertension
B) Sedation
C) Sexual dysfunction
D) Weight loss
Correct Option: C) Sexual dysfunction
Rationale: Sexual side effects are a well-documented issue with
SSRIs.
2025 | Comprehensive PMHNP Test Bank,
Clinical Scenarios, Study Notes & Verified
Answers
Question 1
What is the primary role of an Advanced Practice
Psychiatric Nurse (APRN)?
A) Providing primary care
B) Diagnosing and treating mental health disorders
C) Conducting research
D) Administering physical therapy
Correct Option: B) Diagnosing and treating mental health
disorders
Rationale: The primary role of an APRN is to assess, diagnose,
and treat mental health conditions.
Question 2
Which assessment tool is commonly used to screen for
depression in adults?
A) DSM-5
B) Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale
C) Beck Depression Inventory
D) Mini-Mental State Examination
Correct Option: C) Beck Depression Inventory
Rationale: The Beck Depression Inventory is specifically
designed to assess the severity of depression.
Question 3
According to the DSM-5, which of the following is a key
criterion for diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder?
,Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Exam
2025 | Comprehensive PMHNP Test Bank,
Clinical Scenarios, Study Notes & Verified
Answers
A) Manic episodes
B) Significant weight gain
C) A minimum of five symptoms lasting at least two weeks
D) Persistent anxiety
Correct Option: C) A minimum of five symptoms lasting at
least two weeks
Rationale: Diagnosis requires specific symptom criteria over a
defined duration.
Question 4
Which of the following therapeutic interventions is
considered first-line treatment for Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD)?
A) Electroconvulsive therapy
B) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
C) Beta-blockers
D) Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Correct Option: B) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs)
Rationale: SSRIs are often the first-line pharmacological
treatment for GAD.
Question 5
What is the ethical principle of "beneficence"?
A) The right to make decisions about one's own care
B) The obligation to act in the best interest of the patient
,Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Exam
2025 | Comprehensive PMHNP Test Bank,
Clinical Scenarios, Study Notes & Verified
Answers
C) The duty to do no harm
D) The right to privacy
Correct Option: B) The obligation to act in the best interest
of the patient
Rationale: Beneficence emphasizes the importance of promoting
the well-being of patients.
Question 6
In a crisis intervention, which of the following is the
primary goal?
A) Diagnosis of the underlying mental health disorder
B) Stabilization of the patient and reduction of immediate distress
C) Long-term treatment planning
D) Referral to a psychiatrist
Correct Option: B) Stabilization of the patient and
reduction of immediate distress
Rationale: Crisis intervention focuses on immediate safety and
stabilization.
Question 7
Which of the following medications is an atypical
antipsychotic often used to treat schizophrenia?
A) Haloperidol
B) Olanzapine
C) Fluoxetine
D) Diazepam
, Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Exam
2025 | Comprehensive PMHNP Test Bank,
Clinical Scenarios, Study Notes & Verified
Answers
Correct Option: B) Olanzapine
Rationale: Olanzapine is classified as an atypical antipsychotic
for schizophrenia treatment.
Question 8
When collaborating with other healthcare providers, which
of the following is essential for an APRN?
A) Maintaining strict confidentiality
B) Following orders without question
C) Avoiding communication with non-psychiatric providers
D) Sharing all patient information freely
Correct Option: A) Maintaining strict confidentiality
Rationale: Confidentiality is crucial in healthcare, especially in
mental health settings.
Question 9
Which of the following is a common side effect of Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A) Hypertension
B) Sedation
C) Sexual dysfunction
D) Weight loss
Correct Option: C) Sexual dysfunction
Rationale: Sexual side effects are a well-documented issue with
SSRIs.
