PMHNP-BC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner EXAM QUESTIONS ANSWERS ACCURATE
,1. A 25-year-old patient presents with auditory hallucinations and delusional thoughts. He has
poor hygiene and flat affect. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Major depressive disorder with psychotic features
B. Schizophrenia
C. Schizoaffective disorder
D. Delusional disorder
Rationale: Schizophrenia includes positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) and negative
symptoms (flat affect, avolition). Schizoaffective disorder would require mood symptoms to be
prominent.
2. Which of the following medications requires monitoring of absolute neutrophil count
(ANC)?
A. Olanzapine
B. Clozapine
C. Risperidone
D. Aripiprazole
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis and requires regular ANC monitoring.
3. A PMHNP is using motivational interviewing with a patient in the precontemplation stage.
What is the primary goal?
A. Encourage the patient to take action
B. Raise awareness of the need for change
C. Establish a treatment plan
D. Identify coping strategies
Rationale: In the precontemplation stage, the patient is not yet considering change. The goal is
to increase insight and awareness.
, 4. Which medication is most appropriate for treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with
a low risk of dependence?
A. Alprazolam
B. Buspirone
C. Diazepam
D. Clonazepam
Rationale: Buspirone is non-benzodiazepine with no risk of dependence, appropriate for long-
term use in GAD.
5. A PMHNP is prescribing sertraline for depression. What is the black box warning for this
medication?
A. Hypertension
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Increased risk of suicidality in young adults and children
D. Liver toxicity
Rationale: All SSRIs carry a black box warning about the risk of suicidal ideation in younger
populations.
6. Which of the following is a common side effect of valproic acid?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Hepatotoxicity
C. Renal failure
D. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Rationale: Valproic acid can cause liver toxicity, especially in young children and patients with
mitochondrial disorders.
Practitioner EXAM QUESTIONS ANSWERS ACCURATE
,1. A 25-year-old patient presents with auditory hallucinations and delusional thoughts. He has
poor hygiene and flat affect. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Major depressive disorder with psychotic features
B. Schizophrenia
C. Schizoaffective disorder
D. Delusional disorder
Rationale: Schizophrenia includes positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) and negative
symptoms (flat affect, avolition). Schizoaffective disorder would require mood symptoms to be
prominent.
2. Which of the following medications requires monitoring of absolute neutrophil count
(ANC)?
A. Olanzapine
B. Clozapine
C. Risperidone
D. Aripiprazole
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis and requires regular ANC monitoring.
3. A PMHNP is using motivational interviewing with a patient in the precontemplation stage.
What is the primary goal?
A. Encourage the patient to take action
B. Raise awareness of the need for change
C. Establish a treatment plan
D. Identify coping strategies
Rationale: In the precontemplation stage, the patient is not yet considering change. The goal is
to increase insight and awareness.
, 4. Which medication is most appropriate for treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with
a low risk of dependence?
A. Alprazolam
B. Buspirone
C. Diazepam
D. Clonazepam
Rationale: Buspirone is non-benzodiazepine with no risk of dependence, appropriate for long-
term use in GAD.
5. A PMHNP is prescribing sertraline for depression. What is the black box warning for this
medication?
A. Hypertension
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Increased risk of suicidality in young adults and children
D. Liver toxicity
Rationale: All SSRIs carry a black box warning about the risk of suicidal ideation in younger
populations.
6. Which of the following is a common side effect of valproic acid?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Hepatotoxicity
C. Renal failure
D. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Rationale: Valproic acid can cause liver toxicity, especially in young children and patients with
mitochondrial disorders.
