ANCC PMHNP Certification Exam Qbank (Domains 1–5) – 88 Verified Questions with Answers & Rationales | Summer 2025 Update

ANCC IQ Domain • Domain 1: Scientific Foundation (40 questions with rationales) • Domain 2: Advanced Practice Skills (49 questions with rationales) • Domain 3: Diagnosis and Treatment (52 questions with rationales) • Domain 4: Psychotherapy and Related Theories (30 questions with rationales) • Domain 5: Ethical and Legal Principles (72 questions with rationales) ANCC Domain 1: Scientific Foundation (40 questions with rationales) As a PMHNP, you are aware of antipsychotic medication side effects. Which of the following side effects of antipsychotic medications has an insidious, delayed-onset typically 1 to 2 years after initiation of the medication? a. Dry mouth b. Tardive dyskinesia c. Sedation d. Weight gain In evaluating a 4-year-old, one would expect which of the following delays in Asperger's Disorder? a. Language development b. Cognitive development c. Motor skills coordination d. Social skills development Which area of the brain has been implicated to modulate pain and can help explain how transcranial magnetic stimulation can help decrease pain? a. Prefrontal cortex b. Insula cortex c. Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex d. Anterior cingulate cortex Which of the following antidepressants is associated with dose-related cardiovascular adverse effects which require adherence to maximum recommended dosing, unless higher doses are deemed appropriate despite risks? a. Citalopram (Celexa) b. Venlafaxine (Effexor) c. Mirtazapine (Remeron) d. Sertraline (Zoloft) Which of the following findings would raise concern in an annual sports exam for a 15-year-old girl? a. Scar tissue from hymenal tear at 11 o'clock (reported biking injury) b. Blood pressure 86/56 c. Height 67 inches, weight 102 pounds d. Pulse 60, respirations 26 A week after raising the dose of risperidone (Risperdal), a patient treated for schizophrenia presents to the clinic with reports of an acute change in mental status, fever, and rigidity. As the treating PMHNP, you know these symptoms are consistent with which of the following? a. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) b. Anticholinergic withdrawal syndrome c. Extrapyramidal side effects d. Serotonin syndrome Which of the following statements regarding disulfiram (Antabuse is correct? a. Disulfiram should not be taken for at least 6 hours after drinking alcohol. b. Avoid anything containing alcohol (i.e., vinegar, mouthwash, aftershave, cough medication) while using disulfiram and for 2 weeks after discontinuing. c. A disulfiram-alcohol reaction can occur up to 1 week after discontinuing disulfiram. d. Disulfiram can lower liver function tests so monitoring is necessary. Which mood stabilizer is most associated with a potentially life-threatening rash? a. Divalproex (Depakote) b. Lamotrigine (Lamictal) c. Lithium (Eskalith) d. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the predominant risk factors of antisocial personality disorders? a. Gang affiliation and early substance abuse b. Genetic predisposition of first-degree family member c. Childhood abuse and trauma from domestic violence d. Lower socioeconomic status from single-parent families A 37-year-old patient with schizophrenia is started on a high dose of chlorpromazine (Thorazine). The next day, he complains of lightheadedness after standing up. Vital sign changes reflect a significant decrease in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. You suspect this is secondary to the alpha 1-adrenergic blockade which is causing a. Orthostatic hypotension b. Dry mouth c. Respiratory depression d. Decreased sweating A 74-year-old female presents for an evaluation. The psychiatric nurse practitioner has the patient complete the mini mental status examination and clock drawing. The patient is unable to correctly draw the face of the clock. Which area of the brain is likely to have a compromised functioning? a. Wernicke's Area b. Corpus Callosum c. Left Hemisphere d. Right hemisphere Your patient comes into the office for her middle of the year appointment. She is diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder. She has been maintained well for the past 3 years on Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) 900 mg po QHS. Her labs are normal except for a blood sugar of 114 and her hemoglobin A1C is 5.6. She has a normal energy level and states that her mood is stable but complains of excessive urination and thirst. You suspect: a. Possible Diabetes 2 b. Possible hyponatremia c. Possible polydipsia d. Side effects of oxcarbazepine What is a rare but serious side effect of trazodone (Desyrel)? a. Confusion b. Priapism c. Rash d. Tremor When studying pharmacodynamics involving receptors, you know that an inverse agonist produces the following effect: a. Does not fully activate the receptor and causes only limited actions b. Causes the opposite effect of agonist, and causes the receptor to close the ion channel c. Blocks the agonist from opening the channel, and does not activate a biological response d. Activates a biological response, and opens the ion channel. Mr. Smith is a 56-year-old white male who has been successfully treated on Selegiline for over 4 years. Mr. Smith is going in for an elective surgical procedure. Which medication is strictly contraindicated with Selegiline? a. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) b. Meperidine c. Codeine d. Morphine Patty is a 62-year-old white female with Bipolar I Disorder and has been stable for 2 years on valproate and risperidone. She was recently diagnosed with shingles, and her primary care nurse practitioner started her on corticosteroids. As the PMHNP treating Patty, you are concerned that the addition of the corticosteroids may cause a. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome b. A hypertensive crisis c. A manic episode d. Stevens-Johnson syndrome Which serotonin receptor antagonism makes an antipsychotic