BARKLEY PMHNP 2026 ULTIMATE EXAM REVIEW 350 HIGH-YIELD
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS– GUARANTEED PASS
What is the difference between Anorexia Nervosa and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in terms of
appetite? - correct answer -Individuals with Anorexia have a good appetite, while those with MDD
typically have a poor appetite.
What is Bupropion used for? - correct answer -It is used as a stimulant to suppress appetite.
What is Orlistat (Xenical) and how does it work? - correct answer -Orlistat inhibits pancreatic lipase,
decreasing the amount of fat absorbed from the GI tract.
What are predisposing factors for eating disorders? - correct answer -Predisposing factors include
neuroendocrine disorders, obsessive-compulsive personalities, and controlling family dynamics.
What is a common cause of death in Anorexia and Bulimia? - correct answer -Suicide is a common
cause, while medical death is infrequent but can occur due to cardiac arrhythmia.
What defines a substance use disorder? - correct answer -It is the maladaptive use of any substance
that alters mood/behavior, leading to social impairment.
What are key indicators for intervention in substance use disorders? - correct answer -Impaired
control, social impairment, risky use, and increased tolerance or withdrawal symptoms.
What are the severity classifications for substance abuse disorders? - correct answer -Mild (2-3
symptoms), Moderate (4-5 symptoms), Severe (6 or more symptoms).
What genetic factors are associated with cocaine use? - correct answer -Deficiencies in dopamine (DA)
and norepinephrine (NE).
,What is the effect of alcohol on the central nervous system? - correct answer -Alcohol activates GABA
and serotonin receptors, inhibiting glutamate receptors.
What is the CAGE questionnaire used for? - correct answer -It is used to screen for alcohol use
disorders.
What does the 'C' in CAGE stand for? - correct answer -Cut down: Have you ever wanted to cut down
on your drinking?
What is the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for intoxication? - correct answer -80-100
mg/dL.
What is the treatment for alcohol withdrawal delirium? - correct answer -It is treated as a medical
emergency, often requiring benzodiazepines.
What are the symptoms of mild alcohol withdrawal? - correct answer -Irritability, tremor, and
insomnia.
What is Delirium Tremens (DTs) and when does it begin? - correct answer -DTs is a severe form of
alcohol withdrawal that begins within 72 hours of cessation.
What are common signs of opioid withdrawal? - correct answer -Symptoms can start minutes to days
after cessation and include anxiety, insomnia, and physical discomfort.
What is the role of Thiamine in alcohol treatment? - correct answer -Thiamine is given to prevent
Wernicke's encephalopathy.
What is the first-line treatment for alcohol use disorder? - correct answer -Naltrexone, an opioid
receptor blocker that decreases cravings.
What is the significance of CIWA-AR in alcohol withdrawal? - correct answer -It helps determine the
need for medication based on withdrawal symptoms.
,What are the symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal? - correct answer -Grand mal seizures and
delirium tremens.
What is the relationship between substance use disorders and suicide risk? - correct answer -
Substance users are 20 times more likely to die by suicide.
What is the DSM-5 criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder? - correct answer -A problematic pattern of
alcohol use leading to significant impairment or distress.
What is the role of motivational interviewing in substance use treatment? - correct answer -It is used
when screening tools like CAGE or AUDIT indicate a need for intervention.
What is the effect of nicotine on the brain? - correct answer -Nicotine addiction is linked to poor alpha
7/beta 2 nicotinic ACh receptors in glutamate terminals and dopamine cells.
What is the significance of the AST:ALT ratio in alcohol use? - correct answer -A ratio of 2:1 with
increased GGT indicates heavy drinking.
What are the common withdrawal symptoms for stimulants? - correct answer -Symptoms can include
psychosis or delirium with intoxication.
What is the treatment for opioid overdose? - correct answer -Naloxone is used to reverse the effects
of opioids.
What is the CIWA scale used for? - correct answer -To assess the severity of alcohol withdrawal
symptoms.
What score on the CIWA indicates an immediate need for medication? - correct answer -A score of 15
or higher.
, What medication class is commonly used to relieve alcohol withdrawal symptoms? - correct answer -
Benzodiazepines.
Why are benzodiazepines effective in treating alcohol withdrawal? - correct answer -They work on
GABA receptors in the brain, similar to alcohol.
What syndrome is caused by thiamine deficiency in alcoholics? - correct answer -Wernicke-Korsakoff
syndrome.
What are the symptoms of Wernicke's encephalopathy? - correct answer -Ataxia, confusion, and
ocular abnormalities.
How is Wernicke's encephalopathy treated? - correct answer -With thiamine therapy (≥300 mg for 5
days).
What are common opiates mentioned in the notes? - correct answer -Heroin, codeine, morphine,
methadone, and dextromethorphan.
What is the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) used for? - correct answer -To assess opioid
withdrawal symptoms and guide treatment.
What treatment is recommended for opioid withdrawal with a COWS score of 15? - correct answer -
More clonidine; if score does not decrease, add phenobarbital.
What is the peak time for heroin withdrawal symptoms? - correct answer -48 hours after last use.
What are the symptoms of marijuana intoxication? - correct answer -Euphoria, anxiety, impaired
coordination, and increased appetite.
What is the DSM criteria for cannabis withdrawal? - correct answer -Cessation of prolonged use with at
least 3 withdrawal symptoms developing within a week.
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS– GUARANTEED PASS
What is the difference between Anorexia Nervosa and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in terms of
appetite? - correct answer -Individuals with Anorexia have a good appetite, while those with MDD
typically have a poor appetite.
What is Bupropion used for? - correct answer -It is used as a stimulant to suppress appetite.
What is Orlistat (Xenical) and how does it work? - correct answer -Orlistat inhibits pancreatic lipase,
decreasing the amount of fat absorbed from the GI tract.
What are predisposing factors for eating disorders? - correct answer -Predisposing factors include
neuroendocrine disorders, obsessive-compulsive personalities, and controlling family dynamics.
What is a common cause of death in Anorexia and Bulimia? - correct answer -Suicide is a common
cause, while medical death is infrequent but can occur due to cardiac arrhythmia.
What defines a substance use disorder? - correct answer -It is the maladaptive use of any substance
that alters mood/behavior, leading to social impairment.
What are key indicators for intervention in substance use disorders? - correct answer -Impaired
control, social impairment, risky use, and increased tolerance or withdrawal symptoms.
What are the severity classifications for substance abuse disorders? - correct answer -Mild (2-3
symptoms), Moderate (4-5 symptoms), Severe (6 or more symptoms).
What genetic factors are associated with cocaine use? - correct answer -Deficiencies in dopamine (DA)
and norepinephrine (NE).
,What is the effect of alcohol on the central nervous system? - correct answer -Alcohol activates GABA
and serotonin receptors, inhibiting glutamate receptors.
What is the CAGE questionnaire used for? - correct answer -It is used to screen for alcohol use
disorders.
What does the 'C' in CAGE stand for? - correct answer -Cut down: Have you ever wanted to cut down
on your drinking?
What is the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for intoxication? - correct answer -80-100
mg/dL.
What is the treatment for alcohol withdrawal delirium? - correct answer -It is treated as a medical
emergency, often requiring benzodiazepines.
What are the symptoms of mild alcohol withdrawal? - correct answer -Irritability, tremor, and
insomnia.
What is Delirium Tremens (DTs) and when does it begin? - correct answer -DTs is a severe form of
alcohol withdrawal that begins within 72 hours of cessation.
What are common signs of opioid withdrawal? - correct answer -Symptoms can start minutes to days
after cessation and include anxiety, insomnia, and physical discomfort.
What is the role of Thiamine in alcohol treatment? - correct answer -Thiamine is given to prevent
Wernicke's encephalopathy.
What is the first-line treatment for alcohol use disorder? - correct answer -Naltrexone, an opioid
receptor blocker that decreases cravings.
What is the significance of CIWA-AR in alcohol withdrawal? - correct answer -It helps determine the
need for medication based on withdrawal symptoms.
,What are the symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal? - correct answer -Grand mal seizures and
delirium tremens.
What is the relationship between substance use disorders and suicide risk? - correct answer -
Substance users are 20 times more likely to die by suicide.
What is the DSM-5 criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder? - correct answer -A problematic pattern of
alcohol use leading to significant impairment or distress.
What is the role of motivational interviewing in substance use treatment? - correct answer -It is used
when screening tools like CAGE or AUDIT indicate a need for intervention.
What is the effect of nicotine on the brain? - correct answer -Nicotine addiction is linked to poor alpha
7/beta 2 nicotinic ACh receptors in glutamate terminals and dopamine cells.
What is the significance of the AST:ALT ratio in alcohol use? - correct answer -A ratio of 2:1 with
increased GGT indicates heavy drinking.
What are the common withdrawal symptoms for stimulants? - correct answer -Symptoms can include
psychosis or delirium with intoxication.
What is the treatment for opioid overdose? - correct answer -Naloxone is used to reverse the effects
of opioids.
What is the CIWA scale used for? - correct answer -To assess the severity of alcohol withdrawal
symptoms.
What score on the CIWA indicates an immediate need for medication? - correct answer -A score of 15
or higher.
, What medication class is commonly used to relieve alcohol withdrawal symptoms? - correct answer -
Benzodiazepines.
Why are benzodiazepines effective in treating alcohol withdrawal? - correct answer -They work on
GABA receptors in the brain, similar to alcohol.
What syndrome is caused by thiamine deficiency in alcoholics? - correct answer -Wernicke-Korsakoff
syndrome.
What are the symptoms of Wernicke's encephalopathy? - correct answer -Ataxia, confusion, and
ocular abnormalities.
How is Wernicke's encephalopathy treated? - correct answer -With thiamine therapy (≥300 mg for 5
days).
What are common opiates mentioned in the notes? - correct answer -Heroin, codeine, morphine,
methadone, and dextromethorphan.
What is the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) used for? - correct answer -To assess opioid
withdrawal symptoms and guide treatment.
What treatment is recommended for opioid withdrawal with a COWS score of 15? - correct answer -
More clonidine; if score does not decrease, add phenobarbital.
What is the peak time for heroin withdrawal symptoms? - correct answer -48 hours after last use.
What are the symptoms of marijuana intoxication? - correct answer -Euphoria, anxiety, impaired
coordination, and increased appetite.
What is the DSM criteria for cannabis withdrawal? - correct answer -Cessation of prolonged use with at
least 3 withdrawal symptoms developing within a week.
