PMH-C Exam Questions and Answers |
Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct &
Verified
A client with depression says, “I feel exhausted all the time and cannot enjoy anything anymore.”
What symptom is the client describing?
✔✔Anhedonia
Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure in activities once found enjoyable. It is a core
symptom of major depressive disorder and often occurs alongside fatigue and low motivation.
A psychiatric nurse notices a client pacing rapidly, clenching fists, and speaking loudly. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
✔✔Ensure safety and use calm de-escalation techniques
The client may be escalating toward aggression. The priority is reducing stimulation, maintaining
safety, and using calm communication to prevent violence or loss of control.
A client diagnosed with bipolar disorder suddenly begins excessive spending and sleeps only two
hours nightly without fatigue. What phase is the client likely experiencing?
✔✔Manic episode
1
,Mania is characterized by elevated mood, impulsivity, decreased need for sleep, increased
energy, and risky behavior such as excessive spending.
A client states, “The government has implanted a chip in my brain.” What psychiatric symptom
is being demonstrated?
✔✔Delusion
A delusion is a fixed false belief that remains despite evidence to the contrary. This statement
reflects a persecutory or paranoid delusion.
A nurse caring for a suicidal client removes belts, sharp objects, and cords from the room. Why
is this intervention important?
✔✔It reduces access to means of self-harm
Suicide prevention focuses first on maintaining safety. Removing dangerous objects decreases
the risk of impulsive self-injury or suicide attempts.
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly checks if the door is locked before
sleeping. Why does the client perform this behavior?
✔✔To reduce anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts
Compulsions are repetitive actions performed to temporarily relieve distress or anxiety linked to
obsessions.
2
,A psychiatric nurse asks a client, “Can you tell me more about how you felt during that event?”
Why is this communication technique therapeutic?
✔✔It encourages open expression of feelings
Open-ended questions promote discussion, improve assessment, and help clients explore
emotions without feeling judged or pressured.
A client taking antipsychotic medication develops lip smacking and involuntary facial
movements. What condition may the client be experiencing?
✔✔Tardive dyskinesia
Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder caused by long-term antipsychotic use. Early
recognition is important because symptoms may become permanent.
A client with severe anxiety reports chest tightness, sweating, and trembling before public
speaking. What is happening physiologically?
✔✔Activation of the sympathetic nervous system
Anxiety triggers the fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate, sweating, muscle tension, and
other physical symptoms through sympathetic nervous system activation.
3
, A nurse observes that a client with schizophrenia speaks incoherently and changes topics rapidly
without logical connection. What symptom is being demonstrated?
✔✔Loose associations
Loose associations occur when thoughts shift from one idea to another with little or no logical
connection, commonly seen in schizophrenia and psychotic disorders.
Military Stressors ✔✔ Recent/upcoming deployment
Potential lack of emotional support from partner
Fear for welfare or self or partner
Living without partner
Single parenting
Concerns about childcare
Inadequate support:
Location away from friends and family
Possibility of no established relationships with recent move
Lack of providers who understand military culture
Lack of providers for beneficiaries
Lack of providers who accept insurance
Lack of peer support due to "army strong" mentality
Lack of disclosure to others due to "small town"
Lack of ability to provide peer support due to own needs
4
Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct &
Verified
A client with depression says, “I feel exhausted all the time and cannot enjoy anything anymore.”
What symptom is the client describing?
✔✔Anhedonia
Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure in activities once found enjoyable. It is a core
symptom of major depressive disorder and often occurs alongside fatigue and low motivation.
A psychiatric nurse notices a client pacing rapidly, clenching fists, and speaking loudly. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
✔✔Ensure safety and use calm de-escalation techniques
The client may be escalating toward aggression. The priority is reducing stimulation, maintaining
safety, and using calm communication to prevent violence or loss of control.
A client diagnosed with bipolar disorder suddenly begins excessive spending and sleeps only two
hours nightly without fatigue. What phase is the client likely experiencing?
✔✔Manic episode
1
,Mania is characterized by elevated mood, impulsivity, decreased need for sleep, increased
energy, and risky behavior such as excessive spending.
A client states, “The government has implanted a chip in my brain.” What psychiatric symptom
is being demonstrated?
✔✔Delusion
A delusion is a fixed false belief that remains despite evidence to the contrary. This statement
reflects a persecutory or paranoid delusion.
A nurse caring for a suicidal client removes belts, sharp objects, and cords from the room. Why
is this intervention important?
✔✔It reduces access to means of self-harm
Suicide prevention focuses first on maintaining safety. Removing dangerous objects decreases
the risk of impulsive self-injury or suicide attempts.
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly checks if the door is locked before
sleeping. Why does the client perform this behavior?
✔✔To reduce anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts
Compulsions are repetitive actions performed to temporarily relieve distress or anxiety linked to
obsessions.
2
,A psychiatric nurse asks a client, “Can you tell me more about how you felt during that event?”
Why is this communication technique therapeutic?
✔✔It encourages open expression of feelings
Open-ended questions promote discussion, improve assessment, and help clients explore
emotions without feeling judged or pressured.
A client taking antipsychotic medication develops lip smacking and involuntary facial
movements. What condition may the client be experiencing?
✔✔Tardive dyskinesia
Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder caused by long-term antipsychotic use. Early
recognition is important because symptoms may become permanent.
A client with severe anxiety reports chest tightness, sweating, and trembling before public
speaking. What is happening physiologically?
✔✔Activation of the sympathetic nervous system
Anxiety triggers the fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate, sweating, muscle tension, and
other physical symptoms through sympathetic nervous system activation.
3
, A nurse observes that a client with schizophrenia speaks incoherently and changes topics rapidly
without logical connection. What symptom is being demonstrated?
✔✔Loose associations
Loose associations occur when thoughts shift from one idea to another with little or no logical
connection, commonly seen in schizophrenia and psychotic disorders.
Military Stressors ✔✔ Recent/upcoming deployment
Potential lack of emotional support from partner
Fear for welfare or self or partner
Living without partner
Single parenting
Concerns about childcare
Inadequate support:
Location away from friends and family
Possibility of no established relationships with recent move
Lack of providers who understand military culture
Lack of providers for beneficiaries
Lack of providers who accept insurance
Lack of peer support due to "army strong" mentality
Lack of disclosure to others due to "small town"
Lack of ability to provide peer support due to own needs
4
