BARKLEY PMHNP 2026 ULTIMATE
EXAM REVIEW 350 HIGH-YIELD
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS– GUARANTEED PASS
1. 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.
2. What is Bupropion used for? - correct answer--- it is used as a
stimulant to suppress appetite.
3. 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.
4. What are predisposing factors for eating disorders? - correct
answer--- Predisposing factors include neuroendocrine disorders,
obsessive-compulsive personalities, and controlling family dynamics.
5. 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.
6. What defines a substance use disorder? - correct answer--- It is the
maladaptive use of any substance that alters mood/behavior, leading to
social impairment.
7. What are key indicators for intervention in substance use disorders? -
correct answer--- Impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and
increased tolerance or withdrawal symptoms.
,8. What are the severity classifications for substance abuse disorders? -
correct answer--- Mild (2-3 symptoms), Moderate (4-5 symptoms),
Severe (6 or more symptoms).
9. What genetic factors are associated with cocaine use? - correct
answer--- Deficiencies in dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE).
10.What is the effect of alcohol on the central nervous system? - correct
answer--- Alcohol activates GABA and serotonin receptors, inhibiting
glutamate receptors.
11.What is the CAGE questionnaire used for? - correct answer--- It is
used to screen for alcohol use disorders.
12.What does the 'C' in CAGE stand for? - correct answer--- Cut down:
Have you ever wanted to cut down on your drinking?
13.What is the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for
intoxication? - correct answer--- 80-100 mg/dL.
14.What is the treatment for alcohol withdrawal delirium? - correct
answer--- It is treated as a medical emergency, often requiring
benzodiazepines.
15.What are the symptoms of mild alcohol withdrawal? - correct
answer--- Irritability, tremor, and insomnia.
16.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.
17.What are common signs of opioid withdrawal? - correct answer--
- Symptoms can start minutes to days after cessation and include anxiety,
insomnia, and physical discomfort.
18.What is the role of Thiamine in alcohol treatment? - correct answer-
-- Thiamine is given to prevent Wernicke's encephalopathy.
,19.What is the first-line treatment for alcohol use disorder? - correct
answer--- Naltrexone, an opioid receptor blocker that decreases cravings.
20.What is the significance of CIWA-AR in alcohol withdrawal? -
correct answer--- It helps determine the need for medication based on
withdrawal symptoms.
21.What are the symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal? - correct
answer--- Grand mal seizures and delirium tremens.
22.What is the relationship between substance use disorders and suicide
risk? - correct answer--- Substance users are 20 times more likely to
die by suicide.
23.What is the DSM-5 criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder? - correct
answer--- A problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to significant
impairment or distress.
24.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.
25.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.
26.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.
27.What are the common withdrawal symptoms for stimulants? -
correct answer--- Symptoms can include psychosis or delirium with
intoxication.
, 28.What is the treatment for opioid overdose? - correct answer--
- Naloxone is used to reverse the effects of opioids.
29.What is the CIWA scale used for? - correct answer--- To assess the
severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
30.What score on the CIWA indicates an immediate need for
medication? - correct answer--- A score of 15 or higher.
31.What medication class is commonly used to relieve alcohol withdrawal
symptoms? - correct answer--- Benzodiazepines.
32.Why are benzodiazepines effective in treating alcohol withdrawal? -
correct answer--- They work on GABA receptors in the brain, similar to
alcohol
.
33.What syndrome is caused by thiamine deficiency in alcoholics? -
correct answer--- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
34.What are the symptoms of Wernicke's encephalopathy? - correct
answer--- Ataxia, confusion, and ocular abnormalities.
35.How is Wernicke's encephalopathy treated? - correct answer--- With
thiamine therapy (≥300 mg for 5 days).
36.What are common opiates mentioned in the notes? - correct answer-
-- Heroin, codeine, morphine, methadone, and dextromethorphan.
37.What is the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) used for? -
correct answer--- To assess opioid withdrawal symptoms and guide
treatment.
38.What treatment is recommended for opioid withdrawal with a COWS
score of 15? - correct answer--- More clonidine; if score does not
decrease, add phenobarbital.
EXAM REVIEW 350 HIGH-YIELD
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS– GUARANTEED PASS
1. 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.
2. What is Bupropion used for? - correct answer--- it is used as a
stimulant to suppress appetite.
3. 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.
4. What are predisposing factors for eating disorders? - correct
answer--- Predisposing factors include neuroendocrine disorders,
obsessive-compulsive personalities, and controlling family dynamics.
5. 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.
6. What defines a substance use disorder? - correct answer--- It is the
maladaptive use of any substance that alters mood/behavior, leading to
social impairment.
7. What are key indicators for intervention in substance use disorders? -
correct answer--- Impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and
increased tolerance or withdrawal symptoms.
,8. What are the severity classifications for substance abuse disorders? -
correct answer--- Mild (2-3 symptoms), Moderate (4-5 symptoms),
Severe (6 or more symptoms).
9. What genetic factors are associated with cocaine use? - correct
answer--- Deficiencies in dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE).
10.What is the effect of alcohol on the central nervous system? - correct
answer--- Alcohol activates GABA and serotonin receptors, inhibiting
glutamate receptors.
11.What is the CAGE questionnaire used for? - correct answer--- It is
used to screen for alcohol use disorders.
12.What does the 'C' in CAGE stand for? - correct answer--- Cut down:
Have you ever wanted to cut down on your drinking?
13.What is the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for
intoxication? - correct answer--- 80-100 mg/dL.
14.What is the treatment for alcohol withdrawal delirium? - correct
answer--- It is treated as a medical emergency, often requiring
benzodiazepines.
15.What are the symptoms of mild alcohol withdrawal? - correct
answer--- Irritability, tremor, and insomnia.
16.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.
17.What are common signs of opioid withdrawal? - correct answer--
- Symptoms can start minutes to days after cessation and include anxiety,
insomnia, and physical discomfort.
18.What is the role of Thiamine in alcohol treatment? - correct answer-
-- Thiamine is given to prevent Wernicke's encephalopathy.
,19.What is the first-line treatment for alcohol use disorder? - correct
answer--- Naltrexone, an opioid receptor blocker that decreases cravings.
20.What is the significance of CIWA-AR in alcohol withdrawal? -
correct answer--- It helps determine the need for medication based on
withdrawal symptoms.
21.What are the symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal? - correct
answer--- Grand mal seizures and delirium tremens.
22.What is the relationship between substance use disorders and suicide
risk? - correct answer--- Substance users are 20 times more likely to
die by suicide.
23.What is the DSM-5 criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder? - correct
answer--- A problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to significant
impairment or distress.
24.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.
25.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.
26.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.
27.What are the common withdrawal symptoms for stimulants? -
correct answer--- Symptoms can include psychosis or delirium with
intoxication.
, 28.What is the treatment for opioid overdose? - correct answer--
- Naloxone is used to reverse the effects of opioids.
29.What is the CIWA scale used for? - correct answer--- To assess the
severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
30.What score on the CIWA indicates an immediate need for
medication? - correct answer--- A score of 15 or higher.
31.What medication class is commonly used to relieve alcohol withdrawal
symptoms? - correct answer--- Benzodiazepines.
32.Why are benzodiazepines effective in treating alcohol withdrawal? -
correct answer--- They work on GABA receptors in the brain, similar to
alcohol
.
33.What syndrome is caused by thiamine deficiency in alcoholics? -
correct answer--- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
34.What are the symptoms of Wernicke's encephalopathy? - correct
answer--- Ataxia, confusion, and ocular abnormalities.
35.How is Wernicke's encephalopathy treated? - correct answer--- With
thiamine therapy (≥300 mg for 5 days).
36.What are common opiates mentioned in the notes? - correct answer-
-- Heroin, codeine, morphine, methadone, and dextromethorphan.
37.What is the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) used for? -
correct answer--- To assess opioid withdrawal symptoms and guide
treatment.
38.What treatment is recommended for opioid withdrawal with a COWS
score of 15? - correct answer--- More clonidine; if score does not
decrease, add phenobarbital.
