BARKLEY PMHNP STUDY EXAM GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔What are the symptoms of a manic episode? - ✔✔Elevated mood, grandiosity,
decreased need for sleep, distractibility, and increased goal-directed activity.
✔✔What is the difference between a manic episode and a hypomanic episode? - ✔✔A
hypomanic episode lasts at least 4 days and does not cause significant impairment.
✔✔What is the diagnostic criteria for Bipolar I Disorder? - ✔✔Occurrence of at least one
manic or mixed episode.
✔✔What is the Young Mania Rating Scale used for? - ✔✔To assess the severity of
mania.
✔✔What is a common treatment for acute mania? - ✔✔Mood stabilizers, antipsychotics,
or benzodiazepines.
✔✔What is the significance of the PHQ-9 in depression treatment? - ✔✔It is used to
monitor progress and symptom severity.
✔✔What are some specifiers for Major Depressive Disorder? - ✔✔Single or recurrent
episodes, with or without psychotic features, in partial or full remission.
✔✔What is the prognosis for depression with comorbid anxiety or substance use? -
✔✔Generally poor compared to cases without these comorbidities.
✔✔What is the typical treatment approach for Bipolar Disorder? - ✔✔Mood stabilizers
first, followed by antidepressants if necessary.
✔✔What is the mean age of onset for bipolar disorder? - ✔✔The mean age of onset is
18.
✔✔How much more likely are first-degree relatives to develop bipolar disorder? -
✔✔First-degree relatives are 10 times more likely.
✔✔What are common symptoms experienced by patients with bipolar disorder? -
✔✔Patients may experience psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations.
✔✔How long do manic episodes usually last in bipolar disorder? - ✔✔Manic episodes
usually last for months.
✔✔What is the drug of choice for treating bipolar disorder? - ✔✔Lithium is the drug of
choice.
, ✔✔What is a significant benefit of lithium in bipolar disorder treatment? - ✔✔Lithium
reduces the risk of suicide.
✔✔What are some side effects of lithium? - ✔✔Side effects include weight gain, tremor,
GI disturbances, fatigue, and cardiac arrhythmias.
✔✔What is the therapeutic range for lithium levels? - ✔✔The therapeutic range is 0.6-
1.2 mEq/L.
✔✔What is the first-line therapy for rapid cycling in bipolar disorder? - ✔✔Valproic acid
(Depakote) is the first-line therapy.
✔✔What are the common side effects of valproic acid? - ✔✔Side effects include GI
distress, drowsiness, tremor, and weight gain.
✔✔What is the mechanism of action for carbamazepine? - ✔✔Carbamazepine blocks
sodium channels and inhibits action potentials.
✔✔What are the symptoms of Dysthymic Disorder? - ✔✔Chronic, mild depression with
symptoms like poor concentration, feelings of hopelessness, and low energy.
✔✔What is the DSM-V criteria for Dysthymic Disorder? - ✔✔Depressed mood for most
days for at least 2 years and at least two additional symptoms.
✔✔What is the treatment for Dysthymic Disorder? - ✔✔Cognitive therapy and
antidepressants (SSRIs, TCAs, MAOIs) are used.
✔✔What characterizes Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)? - ✔✔Chronic
severe irritability with recurrent outbursts inconsistent with developmental level.
✔✔What is the treatment for DMDD? - ✔✔Psychotherapy and medications like SSRIs
and mood stabilizers.
✔✔What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? - ✔✔A subtype of major depressive disorder
where episodes occur during winter months.
✔✔What is the primary treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder? - ✔✔Light therapy is
the primary treatment.
✔✔What are the physical manifestations of anxiety disorders? - ✔✔Physical
manifestations can include pain, GI issues, and changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔What are the symptoms of a manic episode? - ✔✔Elevated mood, grandiosity,
decreased need for sleep, distractibility, and increased goal-directed activity.
✔✔What is the difference between a manic episode and a hypomanic episode? - ✔✔A
hypomanic episode lasts at least 4 days and does not cause significant impairment.
✔✔What is the diagnostic criteria for Bipolar I Disorder? - ✔✔Occurrence of at least one
manic or mixed episode.
✔✔What is the Young Mania Rating Scale used for? - ✔✔To assess the severity of
mania.
✔✔What is a common treatment for acute mania? - ✔✔Mood stabilizers, antipsychotics,
or benzodiazepines.
✔✔What is the significance of the PHQ-9 in depression treatment? - ✔✔It is used to
monitor progress and symptom severity.
✔✔What are some specifiers for Major Depressive Disorder? - ✔✔Single or recurrent
episodes, with or without psychotic features, in partial or full remission.
✔✔What is the prognosis for depression with comorbid anxiety or substance use? -
✔✔Generally poor compared to cases without these comorbidities.
✔✔What is the typical treatment approach for Bipolar Disorder? - ✔✔Mood stabilizers
first, followed by antidepressants if necessary.
✔✔What is the mean age of onset for bipolar disorder? - ✔✔The mean age of onset is
18.
✔✔How much more likely are first-degree relatives to develop bipolar disorder? -
✔✔First-degree relatives are 10 times more likely.
✔✔What are common symptoms experienced by patients with bipolar disorder? -
✔✔Patients may experience psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations.
✔✔How long do manic episodes usually last in bipolar disorder? - ✔✔Manic episodes
usually last for months.
✔✔What is the drug of choice for treating bipolar disorder? - ✔✔Lithium is the drug of
choice.
, ✔✔What is a significant benefit of lithium in bipolar disorder treatment? - ✔✔Lithium
reduces the risk of suicide.
✔✔What are some side effects of lithium? - ✔✔Side effects include weight gain, tremor,
GI disturbances, fatigue, and cardiac arrhythmias.
✔✔What is the therapeutic range for lithium levels? - ✔✔The therapeutic range is 0.6-
1.2 mEq/L.
✔✔What is the first-line therapy for rapid cycling in bipolar disorder? - ✔✔Valproic acid
(Depakote) is the first-line therapy.
✔✔What are the common side effects of valproic acid? - ✔✔Side effects include GI
distress, drowsiness, tremor, and weight gain.
✔✔What is the mechanism of action for carbamazepine? - ✔✔Carbamazepine blocks
sodium channels and inhibits action potentials.
✔✔What are the symptoms of Dysthymic Disorder? - ✔✔Chronic, mild depression with
symptoms like poor concentration, feelings of hopelessness, and low energy.
✔✔What is the DSM-V criteria for Dysthymic Disorder? - ✔✔Depressed mood for most
days for at least 2 years and at least two additional symptoms.
✔✔What is the treatment for Dysthymic Disorder? - ✔✔Cognitive therapy and
antidepressants (SSRIs, TCAs, MAOIs) are used.
✔✔What characterizes Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)? - ✔✔Chronic
severe irritability with recurrent outbursts inconsistent with developmental level.
✔✔What is the treatment for DMDD? - ✔✔Psychotherapy and medications like SSRIs
and mood stabilizers.
✔✔What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? - ✔✔A subtype of major depressive disorder
where episodes occur during winter months.
✔✔What is the primary treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder? - ✔✔Light therapy is
the primary treatment.
✔✔What are the physical manifestations of anxiety disorders? - ✔✔Physical
manifestations can include pain, GI issues, and changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
