PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER ANCC EXAM | REAL &
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2024–2025 UPDATED VERSION |
VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS WITH EXAM-FOCUSED RATIONALES |
CURRENTLY TESTING CONTENT | HIGH-ACCURACY EXAM
A community has an unusually high incidence of depression and drug use among the teenage
population. The public health nurses decide to address this problem, in part, by modifying the
environment and strengthening the capacities of families to prevent the development of new
cases of depression and drug use. What is this is an example of?
a. Primary prevention
b. Secondary prevention
c. Tertiary prevention
d. Protective factorial prevention
A. This action focuses on interventions designed to reduce the incidence of new cases of disease.
Mrs. Kemp is voluntarily admitted to the hospital. After 24 hours, she states she wishes to leave
because "this place can't help me." The best nursing action that reflects the legal right of this
client is
a. Discharge the client
b. Explain that the client cannot leave until you can complete further assessment
c. Allow the client to leave but have her sign forms stating she is leaving against medical advice
d. Immediately start the paperwork to commit the client and to allow you to treat her against her
wishes
B. Almost every state allows for a brief for a period detainment to assess a client for
dangerousness to self or others before allowing the client to leave a hospital setting, even if the
admission was voluntary.
In forming a therapeutic relationship with clients, the PMHNP must consider developing many
characteristics that are known to be helpful in relationship-building. Which of the following is an
essential part of building a therapeutic relationship?
a. Collecting a family history
b. Like-mindedness
c. Authenticity
d. Accuracy in assessment
,C. Authenticity. Being genuine, honest, and respectful are essential elements in establishing a
working relationship with any client. Like-mindedness is not a part of the therapeutic
relationship. Although an important aspect of the PMHNP role, collecting a family history and
accuracy in assessment does not in and of itself facilitate relationship building.
According to the DSM-5, which of the following is true? (Ch. 3)
a. A mental disorder is equivalent to the need for treatment.
b. Diagnostic criteria are used to inform clinical judgment.
c. Socially deviant behavior is considered a mental disorder.
d. A culturally expected response to a stressor is not a mental disorder.
D. All DSM-5 disorders need to be made taking a person's culture into account. A cultural
expression of a response to grief, loss, or stress is not considered a DSM-5 diagnosis.
Mrs. French has been in individual therapy for 3 months. She has shown much growth and
improvement in her functioning and insight and is to discontinue services within the next few
weeks. In the next session, after you discuss service termination, she suddenly begins to
demonstrate the original symptoms that had brought her to treatment initially. She is now
hesitant to discharge, wants to continue services, and is displaying an increase in regressive
defense mechanisms. What is the best explanation for Ms. French's behavior?
a. An exacerbation of her symptoms related to stress
b. The normal cyclic nature of chronic mental health symptoms
c. A sign of normal resistance to termination seen in the termination phase of therapy
d. A sign of pathological attachment to the therapist that must be addressed
C. Clients frequently display resistance and regression at the termination of a meaningful
therapeutic process. The PMHNP is responsible for planning an effective termination and
monitoring clients during the termination period.
A client is displaying low self-esteem, poor self-control, self-doubt, and a high level of
dependency. These behaviors indicate developmental failure of which of the following stages of
development:
a. Infancy
b. Early childhood
c. Late childhood
d. School age
,B. These signs indicate developmental failure of early childhood.
Mr. Thompson has been forgetful lately, for example, forgetting where he has placed his keys or
what time appointments are scheduled, and he has stated that he thinks these are just random
behaviors that have no particular meaning. Which Freudian-based psychodynamic principle
assumes that all behavior and actions are purposeful?
a. Pleasure principle
b. Psychic determinism principle
c. Reality principle
d. Unconsciousness principle
B. The psychic determinism principle states that all behavior has purpose and meaning, often
unconscious in nature, and that no behaviors occur randomly or by coincidence.
An example of a mature, healthy defense mechanism is
a. Denial
b. Rationalization
c. Repression
d. Suppression
D. Suppression is the only defense mechanism listed in which the client channels conflicting
energies into growth-promoting activities.
Mr. Johnson is a 54-year-old client you have been seeing for several weeks in therapy. While
discussing his current concerns of marital stress, he lies on the floor and assumes the fetal
position. This is most likely an example of
a. Immature regressive defense mechanism
b. Denial of reality
c. Immature fantasy defense mechanism
d. Repressive behavior
A. Immature regressive defense mechanism is a return to a behavior common to an earlier stage
of development.
Defense mechanisms are best viewed as a function of the ego
a. To alert us to harm and danger
b. To alert us to problems
, c. Used to resolve a conflict
d. Used to protect the id
C. Defense mechanisms are a function of the ego used to resolve a conflict.
One of the health care changes that has occurred as a result of the affordable care act (ACA) is
that doctors/hospitals/clinic groups or health systems are coming together and assuming the
responsibility for quality care to large groups of individuals insured by Medicare. The health care
clinics/systems doctors or hospitals that join together are called which of the following?
a. Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
b. Preferred Provider Network (PPO)
c. Accountable Care Organization (ACO)
d. Individual Health Plan (IHP)
C. ACO's are groups of doctors or other health care providers who voluntarily come together and
assume the care provided to Medicare patients.
Health care economics is concerned with making decisions so the benefits outweigh the cost of
resource utilization. What are two concepts that healthcare economics is concerned with in
regard to fair distribution of resources and allocation?
a. Equity and efficiency
b. Cost and benefits
c. Opportunity and waste
d. Affordable and quality
A. Health care efficiency is making risk and benefit decision about how care resources are
allocated and equity is ensuring that there is a fair distribution of the resources.
What four elements need to be present for a malpractice lawsuit to be filed?
a. Beneficence, Non-Maleficence, Truthfulness, and Justice
b. Duty of care, Breach of standard of care, Injury, and Injury must be related to breach of the
standard of care
c. Abandonment, Breach of care, Violation of ethics, and Reimbursement for poor care
d. Breach of standard of care, Injury, Deceit, and Malpractice
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2024–2025 UPDATED VERSION |
VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS WITH EXAM-FOCUSED RATIONALES |
CURRENTLY TESTING CONTENT | HIGH-ACCURACY EXAM
A community has an unusually high incidence of depression and drug use among the teenage
population. The public health nurses decide to address this problem, in part, by modifying the
environment and strengthening the capacities of families to prevent the development of new
cases of depression and drug use. What is this is an example of?
a. Primary prevention
b. Secondary prevention
c. Tertiary prevention
d. Protective factorial prevention
A. This action focuses on interventions designed to reduce the incidence of new cases of disease.
Mrs. Kemp is voluntarily admitted to the hospital. After 24 hours, she states she wishes to leave
because "this place can't help me." The best nursing action that reflects the legal right of this
client is
a. Discharge the client
b. Explain that the client cannot leave until you can complete further assessment
c. Allow the client to leave but have her sign forms stating she is leaving against medical advice
d. Immediately start the paperwork to commit the client and to allow you to treat her against her
wishes
B. Almost every state allows for a brief for a period detainment to assess a client for
dangerousness to self or others before allowing the client to leave a hospital setting, even if the
admission was voluntary.
In forming a therapeutic relationship with clients, the PMHNP must consider developing many
characteristics that are known to be helpful in relationship-building. Which of the following is an
essential part of building a therapeutic relationship?
a. Collecting a family history
b. Like-mindedness
c. Authenticity
d. Accuracy in assessment
,C. Authenticity. Being genuine, honest, and respectful are essential elements in establishing a
working relationship with any client. Like-mindedness is not a part of the therapeutic
relationship. Although an important aspect of the PMHNP role, collecting a family history and
accuracy in assessment does not in and of itself facilitate relationship building.
According to the DSM-5, which of the following is true? (Ch. 3)
a. A mental disorder is equivalent to the need for treatment.
b. Diagnostic criteria are used to inform clinical judgment.
c. Socially deviant behavior is considered a mental disorder.
d. A culturally expected response to a stressor is not a mental disorder.
D. All DSM-5 disorders need to be made taking a person's culture into account. A cultural
expression of a response to grief, loss, or stress is not considered a DSM-5 diagnosis.
Mrs. French has been in individual therapy for 3 months. She has shown much growth and
improvement in her functioning and insight and is to discontinue services within the next few
weeks. In the next session, after you discuss service termination, she suddenly begins to
demonstrate the original symptoms that had brought her to treatment initially. She is now
hesitant to discharge, wants to continue services, and is displaying an increase in regressive
defense mechanisms. What is the best explanation for Ms. French's behavior?
a. An exacerbation of her symptoms related to stress
b. The normal cyclic nature of chronic mental health symptoms
c. A sign of normal resistance to termination seen in the termination phase of therapy
d. A sign of pathological attachment to the therapist that must be addressed
C. Clients frequently display resistance and regression at the termination of a meaningful
therapeutic process. The PMHNP is responsible for planning an effective termination and
monitoring clients during the termination period.
A client is displaying low self-esteem, poor self-control, self-doubt, and a high level of
dependency. These behaviors indicate developmental failure of which of the following stages of
development:
a. Infancy
b. Early childhood
c. Late childhood
d. School age
,B. These signs indicate developmental failure of early childhood.
Mr. Thompson has been forgetful lately, for example, forgetting where he has placed his keys or
what time appointments are scheduled, and he has stated that he thinks these are just random
behaviors that have no particular meaning. Which Freudian-based psychodynamic principle
assumes that all behavior and actions are purposeful?
a. Pleasure principle
b. Psychic determinism principle
c. Reality principle
d. Unconsciousness principle
B. The psychic determinism principle states that all behavior has purpose and meaning, often
unconscious in nature, and that no behaviors occur randomly or by coincidence.
An example of a mature, healthy defense mechanism is
a. Denial
b. Rationalization
c. Repression
d. Suppression
D. Suppression is the only defense mechanism listed in which the client channels conflicting
energies into growth-promoting activities.
Mr. Johnson is a 54-year-old client you have been seeing for several weeks in therapy. While
discussing his current concerns of marital stress, he lies on the floor and assumes the fetal
position. This is most likely an example of
a. Immature regressive defense mechanism
b. Denial of reality
c. Immature fantasy defense mechanism
d. Repressive behavior
A. Immature regressive defense mechanism is a return to a behavior common to an earlier stage
of development.
Defense mechanisms are best viewed as a function of the ego
a. To alert us to harm and danger
b. To alert us to problems
, c. Used to resolve a conflict
d. Used to protect the id
C. Defense mechanisms are a function of the ego used to resolve a conflict.
One of the health care changes that has occurred as a result of the affordable care act (ACA) is
that doctors/hospitals/clinic groups or health systems are coming together and assuming the
responsibility for quality care to large groups of individuals insured by Medicare. The health care
clinics/systems doctors or hospitals that join together are called which of the following?
a. Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
b. Preferred Provider Network (PPO)
c. Accountable Care Organization (ACO)
d. Individual Health Plan (IHP)
C. ACO's are groups of doctors or other health care providers who voluntarily come together and
assume the care provided to Medicare patients.
Health care economics is concerned with making decisions so the benefits outweigh the cost of
resource utilization. What are two concepts that healthcare economics is concerned with in
regard to fair distribution of resources and allocation?
a. Equity and efficiency
b. Cost and benefits
c. Opportunity and waste
d. Affordable and quality
A. Health care efficiency is making risk and benefit decision about how care resources are
allocated and equity is ensuring that there is a fair distribution of the resources.
What four elements need to be present for a malpractice lawsuit to be filed?
a. Beneficence, Non-Maleficence, Truthfulness, and Justice
b. Duty of care, Breach of standard of care, Injury, and Injury must be related to breach of the
standard of care
c. Abandonment, Breach of care, Violation of ethics, and Reimbursement for poor care
d. Breach of standard of care, Injury, Deceit, and Malpractice
