PMHNP Certification Exam Study questions
and answers 2026\2027 A+ Grade
Pain and bloating after eating is caused by...
- correct answer delayed gastric emptying
Medications that cause delayed gastric emptying?
- correct answer PPIs; ranitidine, famotidine, omeprazole
What instructions should you give your patient if they are prescribed antacids/PPIs and psychotropics?
- correct answer Give medications at least 2 hours apart b/c antacids/PPIs decrease absorption of
psychotropics
Normal BMI range
- correct answer 18.5-25
Criteria for admission for ED bx:
- correct answer BMI <15; 25% total body weight loss in 3 months; severe dehydration, infection,
bradycardia, hypothermia, hematemesis, hypokalemia
What neurotransmitters are implicated in ADHD?
- correct answer DA, NE, 5HT - DNS
What brain structures are involved in ADHD?
- correct answer Reticular activating system, basal ganglia, frontal cortex - RBF
Abnormalities in this part of the brain cause inattentive ADHD:
- correct answer Prefrontal cortex
,Amphetamines are FDA approved for children beginning at _ years old
- correct answer 3
Methamphetamines are FDA approved for children beginning at _ years old
- correct answer 6
Alpha agonists clonidine and guanfacine are FDA approved to treat ADHD in patients ages ___
- correct answer 6-17
Strattera is FDA approved to treat ADHD in patients ages ___
- correct answer 6 and up (including adults)
Adults diagnosed with both ADHD and depression would benefit from being prescribed:
- correct answer Wellbutrin
Conduct disorder can be diagnosed in:
- correct answer Both children and adults
Conduct disorder diagnostic criteria:
- correct answer Violating rights of others or societal norms; aggression towards people/animals;
destruction of property; no remorse
Treatment for conduct disorder:
- correct answer Targets aggression and mood; SGA, mood stabilizer, SSRI, alpha agonists
ODD diagnostic criteria:
- correct answer Argumentative, defiant for at least 6 months and with 4 sx
Treatment of ODD:
- correct answer Focused on family therapy, child management skills, teaching parents
reinforcement/boundaries/problem solving
,DMDD diagnostic criteria:
- correct answer Childhood depressive d/o between ages 6-17; chronic dysregulated mood, frequent
tantrums, severe irritability; typically DMDD rather than bipolar d/o in children
Neurotransmitters implicated in ASD:
- correct answer Glutamate, GABA, 5HT - GGS
Echolalia
- correct answer Meaningless repetition of words; often seen in ASD
Broken mirror theory
- correct answer Dysfunction of the mirror neuron system results in poor social interaction and cognition
in ASD patients
Parallel play is developmentally appropriate at which ages?
- correct answer 1-3 years old
Parallel play continuing beyond the age of 3 years old may be indicative of...
- correct answer ASD dx d/t social deficits
M-CHAT
- correct answer Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers; ASD scale
ADOS-G
- correct answer Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Generic; ASD scale
ASQ
- correct answer Ages and Stages Questionnaire; development and social/emotional screening
Pharmacological treatment of ASD:
- correct answer Stimulants (increase DA to help with impulsivity, hyperactivity, inattention;
Antipsychotics (target aggressive bx, tantrums, self-injury, stereotyped bx)
, Nightmares in children can be the result of:
- correct answer Genetic factors; assess family patterns of nightmares
Features of children diagnosed with Fragile X
- correct answer LARGE features: large head, elongated face, hyperextensible joints, abnormally large
testes, short stature
Features of children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome
- correct answer small features: small head, small eye opening, low nasal bridge, flat midface, smooth
philtrum, thin upper lip
Clock drawing test assesses function of which brain lobe?
- correct answer Parietal
What does the clock drawing test assess for?
- correct answer Executive/cognitive fx, impairments associated w/ damage to right parietal lobe,
constructional apraxia (inability to draw or assemble objects)
Important labs to draw for patients presenting with dementia?
- correct answer B12, folic acid
Dementia presents with mental decline that is ___
- correct answer Chronic; if acute sx, consider other dx
Symptoms of subcortical dementia:
- correct answer Motor sx, lack of coordination, tremors, depression, irritability, apathy
Example of subcortical dementia diagnosis
- correct answer Huntington's disease
Symptoms of cortical dementia:
- correct answer Language and memory impairments (aphasia and amnesia)
and answers 2026\2027 A+ Grade
Pain and bloating after eating is caused by...
- correct answer delayed gastric emptying
Medications that cause delayed gastric emptying?
- correct answer PPIs; ranitidine, famotidine, omeprazole
What instructions should you give your patient if they are prescribed antacids/PPIs and psychotropics?
- correct answer Give medications at least 2 hours apart b/c antacids/PPIs decrease absorption of
psychotropics
Normal BMI range
- correct answer 18.5-25
Criteria for admission for ED bx:
- correct answer BMI <15; 25% total body weight loss in 3 months; severe dehydration, infection,
bradycardia, hypothermia, hematemesis, hypokalemia
What neurotransmitters are implicated in ADHD?
- correct answer DA, NE, 5HT - DNS
What brain structures are involved in ADHD?
- correct answer Reticular activating system, basal ganglia, frontal cortex - RBF
Abnormalities in this part of the brain cause inattentive ADHD:
- correct answer Prefrontal cortex
,Amphetamines are FDA approved for children beginning at _ years old
- correct answer 3
Methamphetamines are FDA approved for children beginning at _ years old
- correct answer 6
Alpha agonists clonidine and guanfacine are FDA approved to treat ADHD in patients ages ___
- correct answer 6-17
Strattera is FDA approved to treat ADHD in patients ages ___
- correct answer 6 and up (including adults)
Adults diagnosed with both ADHD and depression would benefit from being prescribed:
- correct answer Wellbutrin
Conduct disorder can be diagnosed in:
- correct answer Both children and adults
Conduct disorder diagnostic criteria:
- correct answer Violating rights of others or societal norms; aggression towards people/animals;
destruction of property; no remorse
Treatment for conduct disorder:
- correct answer Targets aggression and mood; SGA, mood stabilizer, SSRI, alpha agonists
ODD diagnostic criteria:
- correct answer Argumentative, defiant for at least 6 months and with 4 sx
Treatment of ODD:
- correct answer Focused on family therapy, child management skills, teaching parents
reinforcement/boundaries/problem solving
,DMDD diagnostic criteria:
- correct answer Childhood depressive d/o between ages 6-17; chronic dysregulated mood, frequent
tantrums, severe irritability; typically DMDD rather than bipolar d/o in children
Neurotransmitters implicated in ASD:
- correct answer Glutamate, GABA, 5HT - GGS
Echolalia
- correct answer Meaningless repetition of words; often seen in ASD
Broken mirror theory
- correct answer Dysfunction of the mirror neuron system results in poor social interaction and cognition
in ASD patients
Parallel play is developmentally appropriate at which ages?
- correct answer 1-3 years old
Parallel play continuing beyond the age of 3 years old may be indicative of...
- correct answer ASD dx d/t social deficits
M-CHAT
- correct answer Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers; ASD scale
ADOS-G
- correct answer Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Generic; ASD scale
ASQ
- correct answer Ages and Stages Questionnaire; development and social/emotional screening
Pharmacological treatment of ASD:
- correct answer Stimulants (increase DA to help with impulsivity, hyperactivity, inattention;
Antipsychotics (target aggressive bx, tantrums, self-injury, stereotyped bx)
, Nightmares in children can be the result of:
- correct answer Genetic factors; assess family patterns of nightmares
Features of children diagnosed with Fragile X
- correct answer LARGE features: large head, elongated face, hyperextensible joints, abnormally large
testes, short stature
Features of children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome
- correct answer small features: small head, small eye opening, low nasal bridge, flat midface, smooth
philtrum, thin upper lip
Clock drawing test assesses function of which brain lobe?
- correct answer Parietal
What does the clock drawing test assess for?
- correct answer Executive/cognitive fx, impairments associated w/ damage to right parietal lobe,
constructional apraxia (inability to draw or assemble objects)
Important labs to draw for patients presenting with dementia?
- correct answer B12, folic acid
Dementia presents with mental decline that is ___
- correct answer Chronic; if acute sx, consider other dx
Symptoms of subcortical dementia:
- correct answer Motor sx, lack of coordination, tremors, depression, irritability, apathy
Example of subcortical dementia diagnosis
- correct answer Huntington's disease
Symptoms of cortical dementia:
- correct answer Language and memory impairments (aphasia and amnesia)
