PMHNP Exam questions and answers 2026\2027
A+ Grade
Psychodynamic theory
- correct answer The concepts of defense mechanisms, transference, and countertransference that are
used in psychiatric mental health nursing practice are derived from which of the following theories?
Acceptance
- correct answer Which of the following stages is not a component of the transtheoretical model of
behavior change?
Maintenance
- correct answer A PMHNP is seeing a client who is working to change a problematic behavior. At his last
visit, the client states that on a daily basis, he is working to prevent the problematic behavior as he has
seen positive changes that have occurred in his life as a result of changing the behavior. Based on the
transtheoretical model of behavior change. which of the following stages is this client in?
Hildegard Peplau
- correct answer Which of the following nursing theorists is considered to be the founder of psychiatric
nursing?
Comparison
- correct answer The unit manager of an inpatient psychiatric unit asks the mental health nurse
practitioner to conduct an in-service with the new registered nurses on the unit to teach them about
evidence-based practice. The NP decides to utilize the commonly used PICO model as a guide to assist
the new staff What does the "C" in the PICO model stand for?
Ask clinical questions using patient scenarios.
- correct answer A psychiatric nurse practitioner in a large academic medication center has noticed
recently that there has been an increase in violent behaviors of patients with psychiatric illnesses
,hospitalized outside of the psychiatric unit. The NP would like to review the literature on behavioral
response teams and their effectiveness in assisting non-behavioral health staff in managing this type of
behavior. Now that the NP has begun the inquiry process, what is the next step in the evidence-based
practice process?
Personal experience
- correct answer Which of the following is not a key component of evidence-based practice?
Resilience
- correct answer The ability to transform a disastrous situation into a growth experience in an effort to
move forward is defined as which of the following?
Concordance
- correct answer Which of the following concepts is defined as the process of developing a mutually
agreed upon treatment plan?
The clinical skills/professional behaviors of a clinician that focus on the cultural beliefs, values, and
perceptions of the patient during the therapeutic relationship established between the patient and
clinician.
- correct answer Which of the following best describes "culturally competent" care?
Acetylcholine
- correct answer Which of the following is not an example of a monoamine neurotransmitter?
Serotonin
- correct answer Which of the following neurotransmitters is implicated in the regulation of sleep,
mood, pain, and appetite?
Agonist
- correct answer Which of the following is a molecule with the same effect on the postsynaptic neuron
as the neurotransmitter itself?
a. Dopamine and norepinephrine
- correct answer Which two neurotransmitters can be grouped together into the catecholamine
, category due to sharing a commonality in having the same core biochemical structure (the catechol
group)?
Loxapine
- correct answer Which of the following antipsychotics is classified as moderate potency?
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- correct answer A mental health nurse practitioner is working in an inpatient psychiatric unit and is
called to see a newly admitted patient. The patient is a 32-year-old schizophrenic who is currently being
treated with haloperidol. The patient was brought to the Emergency department by her mother, who
states that earlier in the day the patient became very confused and agitated. The registered nurse caring
for the patient states that the patient is diaphoretic with a heart rate running in the 140's and a
temperature of 39.0 C. The patient's lab work shows an elevated white blood count and an elevation in
creatine phosphokinase. Which of the following conditions might the patient be experiencing?
Dantrolene
- correct answer Which of the following pharmacologic options may be considered in the treatment of
neuroleptic malignant syndrome in patients that do not respond to the discontinuation of the
neuroleptic agent and supportive care within the first day or two?
Malignant catatonia
- correct answer Which of the following conditions shares many of the common features of neuroleptic
malignant syndrome (NMS) and may be difficult to clinically distinguish from NMS?
Decreased bowel sounds
- correct answer Which of the following is not a common physical finding in patients with suspected
selective serotonin syndrome?
Cyproheptadine
- correct answer Which of the following medications may be administered as an antidote in patients
with selective serotonin syndrome?
Akathisia
- correct answer According to the DSM-S-TR, catatonia is a behavioral syndrome that occurs in ill
individuals with an underlying psychiatric or general medical disorder. It is characterized by the
predominant presence of at least three of the clinical criteria defined in the DSM-5-TR. Which of the
following is not part of the clinical criteria used to define catatonia?
A+ Grade
Psychodynamic theory
- correct answer The concepts of defense mechanisms, transference, and countertransference that are
used in psychiatric mental health nursing practice are derived from which of the following theories?
Acceptance
- correct answer Which of the following stages is not a component of the transtheoretical model of
behavior change?
Maintenance
- correct answer A PMHNP is seeing a client who is working to change a problematic behavior. At his last
visit, the client states that on a daily basis, he is working to prevent the problematic behavior as he has
seen positive changes that have occurred in his life as a result of changing the behavior. Based on the
transtheoretical model of behavior change. which of the following stages is this client in?
Hildegard Peplau
- correct answer Which of the following nursing theorists is considered to be the founder of psychiatric
nursing?
Comparison
- correct answer The unit manager of an inpatient psychiatric unit asks the mental health nurse
practitioner to conduct an in-service with the new registered nurses on the unit to teach them about
evidence-based practice. The NP decides to utilize the commonly used PICO model as a guide to assist
the new staff What does the "C" in the PICO model stand for?
Ask clinical questions using patient scenarios.
- correct answer A psychiatric nurse practitioner in a large academic medication center has noticed
recently that there has been an increase in violent behaviors of patients with psychiatric illnesses
,hospitalized outside of the psychiatric unit. The NP would like to review the literature on behavioral
response teams and their effectiveness in assisting non-behavioral health staff in managing this type of
behavior. Now that the NP has begun the inquiry process, what is the next step in the evidence-based
practice process?
Personal experience
- correct answer Which of the following is not a key component of evidence-based practice?
Resilience
- correct answer The ability to transform a disastrous situation into a growth experience in an effort to
move forward is defined as which of the following?
Concordance
- correct answer Which of the following concepts is defined as the process of developing a mutually
agreed upon treatment plan?
The clinical skills/professional behaviors of a clinician that focus on the cultural beliefs, values, and
perceptions of the patient during the therapeutic relationship established between the patient and
clinician.
- correct answer Which of the following best describes "culturally competent" care?
Acetylcholine
- correct answer Which of the following is not an example of a monoamine neurotransmitter?
Serotonin
- correct answer Which of the following neurotransmitters is implicated in the regulation of sleep,
mood, pain, and appetite?
Agonist
- correct answer Which of the following is a molecule with the same effect on the postsynaptic neuron
as the neurotransmitter itself?
a. Dopamine and norepinephrine
- correct answer Which two neurotransmitters can be grouped together into the catecholamine
, category due to sharing a commonality in having the same core biochemical structure (the catechol
group)?
Loxapine
- correct answer Which of the following antipsychotics is classified as moderate potency?
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- correct answer A mental health nurse practitioner is working in an inpatient psychiatric unit and is
called to see a newly admitted patient. The patient is a 32-year-old schizophrenic who is currently being
treated with haloperidol. The patient was brought to the Emergency department by her mother, who
states that earlier in the day the patient became very confused and agitated. The registered nurse caring
for the patient states that the patient is diaphoretic with a heart rate running in the 140's and a
temperature of 39.0 C. The patient's lab work shows an elevated white blood count and an elevation in
creatine phosphokinase. Which of the following conditions might the patient be experiencing?
Dantrolene
- correct answer Which of the following pharmacologic options may be considered in the treatment of
neuroleptic malignant syndrome in patients that do not respond to the discontinuation of the
neuroleptic agent and supportive care within the first day or two?
Malignant catatonia
- correct answer Which of the following conditions shares many of the common features of neuroleptic
malignant syndrome (NMS) and may be difficult to clinically distinguish from NMS?
Decreased bowel sounds
- correct answer Which of the following is not a common physical finding in patients with suspected
selective serotonin syndrome?
Cyproheptadine
- correct answer Which of the following medications may be administered as an antidote in patients
with selective serotonin syndrome?
Akathisia
- correct answer According to the DSM-S-TR, catatonia is a behavioral syndrome that occurs in ill
individuals with an underlying psychiatric or general medical disorder. It is characterized by the
predominant presence of at least three of the clinical criteria defined in the DSM-5-TR. Which of the
following is not part of the clinical criteria used to define catatonia?
