Psychiatric Mental Health Board
Certification Questions and Answers
________ protects patients against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment - ANSWER-
Writ of habeas corpus
1 in 10 people aged 65 and older have this disorder that is the 5th leading cause of
death for this age group - ANSWER-Alzheimer's Dementia
10 Test Taking Techniques - ANSWER-1. One min per question
2. Answer every question
3. Have a "guess" answer
4. Identify key words (e.g. age, diagnosis)
5. Identify priority words (e.g. first, best)
6. Identify word clues (e.g. physiologic needs)
7. Identify opposites
8. Identify absolutes (e.g. just, always, never)
9. Identify duplicate facts
10. Avoid changing answers
A term to describe words that have no relation to each other or gibberish - ANSWER-
Word salad
According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, what must be addressed prior to moving into
nursing process(es)? - ANSWER-Life-threatening situation
Person/People's safety is in danger
According to Nurse Builders, what grade level should written instructions be given? -
ANSWER-5th grade
According to the DSM-5, a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder requires at least 1 depressive
episode and needs to meet at least 5/9 symptoms in a 2 week period. What are the 9
symptoms? - ANSWER-1. Depressed mood
2. Decreased enjoyment (verbalized or observed)
3. Weight changes of >5% of body weight in a month
4. Psychomotor agitation or retardation
5. Fatigue, loss of energy
6. Worthlessness
7. Inappropriate or unwarranted feelings of guilt
8. Inability to concentrate
9. Recurrent suicidal thoughts
According to the DSM-5, what frequency qualifies rapid cycling bipolar diagnosis? -
ANSWER-4 or more episodes of mania within a 12-month period
,According to the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change, how long must a behavior
be maintained to be in the maintenance phase? - ANSWER-Greater than 6 months
All antidepressants carry what FDA black box warning? - ANSWER-Increased suicidal
thinking, feeling and behavior in children and adolescents up to age 24
All antipsychotics carry what black box warning? - ANSWER-Increased mortality in
elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis
ame the 8 basic conflicts of Erickson's Theory of Psychosocial Development -
ANSWER-1. Trust v mistrust (birth - 18 m)
2. Autonomy v Shame and Doubt (2 - 3 years)
3. Initiative v Guilt (3 - 5 years)
4. Industry v Inferiority (6 -11 years)
5. Identity v Role Confusion (12 - 18 years)
6. Intimacy v Isolation (19 - 40 years)
7. Generativity v Stagnation (40 - 65 years)
8. Ego Integrity v Despair (65 - death)
Anticholinergics and antipsychotics cause severe adverse side effects and should be
avoided for patients suffering from this disorder - ANSWER-Lewy body dementia
Antipsychotics affect dopamine transmission at which receptor site? - ANSWER-
Dopamine type 2 (D2) receptor site
Disclosing patient information to an individual or in a setting that is inappropriate is
considered a ___________ - ANSWER-HIPAA violation and/or Breach of Confidentiality
For why type of hallucinogen overdose would "talking down" be most likely to be
helpful? - ANSWER-MDMA (ecstasy) overdose
Gynecomastia and galactorrhea can be adverse effects of what drug class? -
ANSWER-Antipsychotics
How long do mood stabilizers typically take to work? To take full effect? - ANSWER-3-4
days. 7-10 days
How many hypomanic or manic episodes qualifies the illness as bipolar? - ANSWER-
One
How many total questions are there on the PMH-BC exam? - ANSWER-150 (125
scored, 25 unscored)
How often and for how long is ECT typically performed? - ANSWER-2-3 times per week
for 6-12 treatments
,How often should pain be reassessed for ________?
oral medication
IM medication
non-pharmacologic intervention - ANSWER-oral medication = reassess within 60
minutes of administration
IM medication = reassess within 30 minutes of administration
Non-pharmacologic intervention = reassess within 30 minutes of administration
How often should the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) be completed for
patients on antipsychotics? - ANSWER-Baseline and yearly
If a patient with bipolar disorder is misdiagnosed with depression and is started on an
antidepressant, what risk should the nurse look for? - ANSWER-Could be activated into
mania which can dramatically exacerbate suicidality
In order to be diagnosed with substance-induced dementia, the patient must have these
2 things - ANSWER-1. Evidence of sustained substance abuse
2. Have eliminated other medical causes
In order to receive a diagnosis of cyclothymia per the DSM-5, the patient must have
numerous periods of mild hypomania and mild depression over what time period? What
is the longest acceptable remission period? - ANSWER-Minimum 2 years for adults, 1
year for 18 years and under
remissions last no longer than 2 months
In what year was the first DSM published? - ANSWER-1952
Increased levels of this neurotransmitter are associated with agitation, anxiety & sexual
dysfunction. - ANSWER-Serotonin
Intellect peaks at ____ years of age and plateaus between ages _______ - ANSWER-
30; 50-60
Involuntary, singular preoccupation with a specific thought or concern - ANSWER-
Perseveration
List the 11 symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) - ANSWER-1.
Marked lability of affect
2. Irritability
3. Anger or conflict with others
4. Feeling depressed or hopeless
5. Anxiety
6. Feeling overwhelmed
7. Difficulty concentrating
8. A decrease in interest in usual activities
, 9. Lethargy
10. Fatigue
11. Changes in sleep/ appetite
Medications for this diagnosis typically include a mood stabilizer and/or anticonvulsant
medication and antidepressants are typically contraindicated - ANSWER-Bipolar
disorder
Name 10 causes of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Acute Stress Disorder
(ASD) - ANSWER-1. Near-death or believing they are near-death
2. Death of a child or loved one
3. Traumatic childbirth experiences
4. Physical or sexual assault or molestation
5. Being in war/ active combat zones
6. Witnessing violence or the results of violence (Police, EMS, ER)
7. Powerlessness over deprivation and uncertainty about survival
8. Experiencing a plane crash or serious car accident
9. Directly impacted by bombings or terrorist attacks
10. Directly impacted by a natural disaster
Name 10 patient rights - ANSWER-1. Dignity and respect
2. Right to refuse treatment
3. Confidentiality/ privacy
4. Informed consent
5. Free from harm, treated humanely
6. Ability to vote while in our care
7. Quality, safe care
8. Be able to make calls, send mail
9. Receive an education (school-aged patients)
10. Having least restrictive measures used to ensure safety
Name 13 withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines - ANSWER-1. Muscle
twitching/aching
2. Tremors
3. Shakiness
4. Diaphoresis
5. Dizziness
6. Loss of appetite
7. Anxiety
8. Irritability
9. Insomnia
10. Fatigue
11. Headaches
12. Concentration problems
13. Seizures
Certification Questions and Answers
________ protects patients against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment - ANSWER-
Writ of habeas corpus
1 in 10 people aged 65 and older have this disorder that is the 5th leading cause of
death for this age group - ANSWER-Alzheimer's Dementia
10 Test Taking Techniques - ANSWER-1. One min per question
2. Answer every question
3. Have a "guess" answer
4. Identify key words (e.g. age, diagnosis)
5. Identify priority words (e.g. first, best)
6. Identify word clues (e.g. physiologic needs)
7. Identify opposites
8. Identify absolutes (e.g. just, always, never)
9. Identify duplicate facts
10. Avoid changing answers
A term to describe words that have no relation to each other or gibberish - ANSWER-
Word salad
According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, what must be addressed prior to moving into
nursing process(es)? - ANSWER-Life-threatening situation
Person/People's safety is in danger
According to Nurse Builders, what grade level should written instructions be given? -
ANSWER-5th grade
According to the DSM-5, a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder requires at least 1 depressive
episode and needs to meet at least 5/9 symptoms in a 2 week period. What are the 9
symptoms? - ANSWER-1. Depressed mood
2. Decreased enjoyment (verbalized or observed)
3. Weight changes of >5% of body weight in a month
4. Psychomotor agitation or retardation
5. Fatigue, loss of energy
6. Worthlessness
7. Inappropriate or unwarranted feelings of guilt
8. Inability to concentrate
9. Recurrent suicidal thoughts
According to the DSM-5, what frequency qualifies rapid cycling bipolar diagnosis? -
ANSWER-4 or more episodes of mania within a 12-month period
,According to the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change, how long must a behavior
be maintained to be in the maintenance phase? - ANSWER-Greater than 6 months
All antidepressants carry what FDA black box warning? - ANSWER-Increased suicidal
thinking, feeling and behavior in children and adolescents up to age 24
All antipsychotics carry what black box warning? - ANSWER-Increased mortality in
elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis
ame the 8 basic conflicts of Erickson's Theory of Psychosocial Development -
ANSWER-1. Trust v mistrust (birth - 18 m)
2. Autonomy v Shame and Doubt (2 - 3 years)
3. Initiative v Guilt (3 - 5 years)
4. Industry v Inferiority (6 -11 years)
5. Identity v Role Confusion (12 - 18 years)
6. Intimacy v Isolation (19 - 40 years)
7. Generativity v Stagnation (40 - 65 years)
8. Ego Integrity v Despair (65 - death)
Anticholinergics and antipsychotics cause severe adverse side effects and should be
avoided for patients suffering from this disorder - ANSWER-Lewy body dementia
Antipsychotics affect dopamine transmission at which receptor site? - ANSWER-
Dopamine type 2 (D2) receptor site
Disclosing patient information to an individual or in a setting that is inappropriate is
considered a ___________ - ANSWER-HIPAA violation and/or Breach of Confidentiality
For why type of hallucinogen overdose would "talking down" be most likely to be
helpful? - ANSWER-MDMA (ecstasy) overdose
Gynecomastia and galactorrhea can be adverse effects of what drug class? -
ANSWER-Antipsychotics
How long do mood stabilizers typically take to work? To take full effect? - ANSWER-3-4
days. 7-10 days
How many hypomanic or manic episodes qualifies the illness as bipolar? - ANSWER-
One
How many total questions are there on the PMH-BC exam? - ANSWER-150 (125
scored, 25 unscored)
How often and for how long is ECT typically performed? - ANSWER-2-3 times per week
for 6-12 treatments
,How often should pain be reassessed for ________?
oral medication
IM medication
non-pharmacologic intervention - ANSWER-oral medication = reassess within 60
minutes of administration
IM medication = reassess within 30 minutes of administration
Non-pharmacologic intervention = reassess within 30 minutes of administration
How often should the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) be completed for
patients on antipsychotics? - ANSWER-Baseline and yearly
If a patient with bipolar disorder is misdiagnosed with depression and is started on an
antidepressant, what risk should the nurse look for? - ANSWER-Could be activated into
mania which can dramatically exacerbate suicidality
In order to be diagnosed with substance-induced dementia, the patient must have these
2 things - ANSWER-1. Evidence of sustained substance abuse
2. Have eliminated other medical causes
In order to receive a diagnosis of cyclothymia per the DSM-5, the patient must have
numerous periods of mild hypomania and mild depression over what time period? What
is the longest acceptable remission period? - ANSWER-Minimum 2 years for adults, 1
year for 18 years and under
remissions last no longer than 2 months
In what year was the first DSM published? - ANSWER-1952
Increased levels of this neurotransmitter are associated with agitation, anxiety & sexual
dysfunction. - ANSWER-Serotonin
Intellect peaks at ____ years of age and plateaus between ages _______ - ANSWER-
30; 50-60
Involuntary, singular preoccupation with a specific thought or concern - ANSWER-
Perseveration
List the 11 symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) - ANSWER-1.
Marked lability of affect
2. Irritability
3. Anger or conflict with others
4. Feeling depressed or hopeless
5. Anxiety
6. Feeling overwhelmed
7. Difficulty concentrating
8. A decrease in interest in usual activities
, 9. Lethargy
10. Fatigue
11. Changes in sleep/ appetite
Medications for this diagnosis typically include a mood stabilizer and/or anticonvulsant
medication and antidepressants are typically contraindicated - ANSWER-Bipolar
disorder
Name 10 causes of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Acute Stress Disorder
(ASD) - ANSWER-1. Near-death or believing they are near-death
2. Death of a child or loved one
3. Traumatic childbirth experiences
4. Physical or sexual assault or molestation
5. Being in war/ active combat zones
6. Witnessing violence or the results of violence (Police, EMS, ER)
7. Powerlessness over deprivation and uncertainty about survival
8. Experiencing a plane crash or serious car accident
9. Directly impacted by bombings or terrorist attacks
10. Directly impacted by a natural disaster
Name 10 patient rights - ANSWER-1. Dignity and respect
2. Right to refuse treatment
3. Confidentiality/ privacy
4. Informed consent
5. Free from harm, treated humanely
6. Ability to vote while in our care
7. Quality, safe care
8. Be able to make calls, send mail
9. Receive an education (school-aged patients)
10. Having least restrictive measures used to ensure safety
Name 13 withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines - ANSWER-1. Muscle
twitching/aching
2. Tremors
3. Shakiness
4. Diaphoresis
5. Dizziness
6. Loss of appetite
7. Anxiety
8. Irritability
9. Insomnia
10. Fatigue
11. Headaches
12. Concentration problems
13. Seizures
