ANCC – PMHNP EXAM WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025/2026
A patient with borderline personality disorder experiences intense
anxiety when an adult psychiatric and mental health nurse
practitioner goes on vacation. The best explanation for this
reaction is that the patient:
A. has failed to develop clear ego boundaries.
B. has failed to master object constancy.
C. is employing primitive idealization.
D. is employing projective identification. correct answers >>
B. has failed to master object constancy
2. A patient has been taking escitalopram (Lexapro) 10 mg daily
for four weeks. Initially, the patient reported depression and
suicidal thoughts. The patient's sleep, appetite, energy, and
appearance have now begun to improve. Which statement applies
to this patient?
A. The medication should be discontinued.
B. The medication should be increased.
C. The patient's risk for suicide is not a concern.
D. The patient's suicide potential is increased. correct answers
>> D. The patient's suicide potential is increased.
3. Which behavior reflects existentially oriented therapy?
A. Attempting to understand a patient's subjective world
B. Challenging a patient's irrational beliefs
C. Developing specific plans for change
, D. Establishing general group goals correct answers >> A.
Attempting to understand a patient's subjective world
4. Serving as a member on a crisis team, an adult psychiatric and
mental health nurse practitioner provides crisis intervention to
the survivors of a plane crash. Forty-eight hours after the
accident, the survivors describe vivid flashbacks, startle
reactions, and disrupted sleep patterns. The nurse practitioner
responds by:
A. advising the survivors to consider using a hypnotic medication
for a brief period.
B. educating the survivors about prodromal symptoms of
posttraumatic stress disorder.
C. encouraging the survivors to rest during the day.
D. suggesting that the survivors join a posttrauma support group.
correct answers >> B. educating the survivors about prodromal
symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.
5. An adult psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner uses
the interpersonal therapy model with a patient to establish a
therapeutic alliance based upon empathy and trust. The nurse
practitioner recognizes the patient's readiness to terminate
therapy when the patient demonstrates:
A. an understanding that leaving a significant other may be
painful, but also presents an opportunity for growth.
B. breathing and muscle relaxation exercises that decrease
muscle tension and anxiety.
C. free association, and considers the nurse practitioner's
interpretation of the patient's dreams.
D. new adaptive skills and responses after completing "homework
assignments." correct answers >> A. an understanding that
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025/2026
A patient with borderline personality disorder experiences intense
anxiety when an adult psychiatric and mental health nurse
practitioner goes on vacation. The best explanation for this
reaction is that the patient:
A. has failed to develop clear ego boundaries.
B. has failed to master object constancy.
C. is employing primitive idealization.
D. is employing projective identification. correct answers >>
B. has failed to master object constancy
2. A patient has been taking escitalopram (Lexapro) 10 mg daily
for four weeks. Initially, the patient reported depression and
suicidal thoughts. The patient's sleep, appetite, energy, and
appearance have now begun to improve. Which statement applies
to this patient?
A. The medication should be discontinued.
B. The medication should be increased.
C. The patient's risk for suicide is not a concern.
D. The patient's suicide potential is increased. correct answers
>> D. The patient's suicide potential is increased.
3. Which behavior reflects existentially oriented therapy?
A. Attempting to understand a patient's subjective world
B. Challenging a patient's irrational beliefs
C. Developing specific plans for change
, D. Establishing general group goals correct answers >> A.
Attempting to understand a patient's subjective world
4. Serving as a member on a crisis team, an adult psychiatric and
mental health nurse practitioner provides crisis intervention to
the survivors of a plane crash. Forty-eight hours after the
accident, the survivors describe vivid flashbacks, startle
reactions, and disrupted sleep patterns. The nurse practitioner
responds by:
A. advising the survivors to consider using a hypnotic medication
for a brief period.
B. educating the survivors about prodromal symptoms of
posttraumatic stress disorder.
C. encouraging the survivors to rest during the day.
D. suggesting that the survivors join a posttrauma support group.
correct answers >> B. educating the survivors about prodromal
symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.
5. An adult psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner uses
the interpersonal therapy model with a patient to establish a
therapeutic alliance based upon empathy and trust. The nurse
practitioner recognizes the patient's readiness to terminate
therapy when the patient demonstrates:
A. an understanding that leaving a significant other may be
painful, but also presents an opportunity for growth.
B. breathing and muscle relaxation exercises that decrease
muscle tension and anxiety.
C. free association, and considers the nurse practitioner's
interpretation of the patient's dreams.
D. new adaptive skills and responses after completing "homework
assignments." correct answers >> A. an understanding that
