Sample Questions and Answers
A patient presents with excessive preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance that are not observable or appear minor to others. This is most indicative of:
A) Anorexia Nervosa
B) Body Dysmorphic Disorder
C) Narcissistic Personality Disorder
D) Bulimia Nervosa
Answer: B
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia presents with a flat affect, lack of speech, and limited motivation. These are most consistent with:
A) Positive Symptoms
B) Negative Symptoms
C) Cognitive Symptoms
D) Affective Symptoms
Answer: B
A PMHNP is assessing a patient with a history of manic episodes, including extreme irritability, impulsiveness, and a decreased need for sleep. This is most consistent with:
A) Bipolar I Disorder
B) Bipolar II Disorder
C) Cyclothymic Disorder
D) Major Depressive Disorder
Answer: A
A patient diagnosed with panic disorder reports experiencing sudden, overwhelming feelings of fear and anxiety, along with physical symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath. These symptoms occur unpredictably. This is most consistent with:
A) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B) Panic Disorder
C) Social Anxiety Disorder
D) Agoraphobia
Answer: B
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder expresses feelings of hopelessness and thoughts of death, but does not report an active plan to harm themselves. The PMHNP should:
A) Administer antidepressant medication
B) Conduct a thorough suicide risk assessment
C) Recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
D) Refer the patient for inpatient hospitalization
Answer: B
A PMHNP is evaluating a patient with a long-standing pattern of impulsivity, self-harm behaviors, and emotional instability. These symptoms are most consistent with:
A) Antisocial Personality Disorder
B) Narcissistic Personality Disorder
C) Borderline Personality Disorder
D) Histrionic Personality Disorder
Answer: C
A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) reports spending several hours a day checking locks and appliances. This behavior is most indicative of:
A) Obsessive thoughts
B) Compulsive behaviors
C) Anxiety disorder
D) Generalized anxiety
Answer: B
A patient presents with an overwhelming sense of dread and worry about everyday situations, along with physical symptoms such as muscle tension and restlessness. These symptoms are most consistent with:
A) Social Anxiety Disorder
B) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C) Panic Disorder
D) Agoraphobia
Answer: B
A patient with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents with hyperarousal, flashbacks, and avoidance behaviors. The most effective initial treatment would be:
A) Antipsychotic medications
B) Exposure therapy
C) Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
D) Psychoanalysis
Answer: B
A PMHNP is working with a patient diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. The patient demonstrates a consistent disregard for the rights of others, as well as a lack of remorse for harmful actions. The PMHNP should focus on:
A) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
B) Medications to address mood instability
C) Long-term psychotherapy
D) Establishing clear boundaries and consequences for behavior
Answer: D
A patient diagnosed with agoraphobia reports avoiding situations where they may not be able to escape. The PMHNP should first consider:
A) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
B) Exposure therapy to gradually confront feared situations
C) Group therapy for social support
D) Medication alone, such as benzodiazepines
Answer: B
A PMHNP is assessing a patient with bipolar II disorder. The patient reports experiencing periods of hypomania, followed by depressive episodes. The most appropriate treatment for this condition is:
A) Antidepressant medications
B) Lithium or anticonvulsant mood stabilizers
C) Benzodiazepines
D) Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Answer: B
A patient with a long history of severe depression presents with low energy, feelings of worthlessness, and lack of interest in activities. This is most consistent with:
A) Major Depressive Disorder
B) Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
C) Bipolar II Disorder
D) Cyclothymic Disorder
Answer: A
A PMHNP is assessing a patient with generalized anxiety disorder who experiences excessive worry about work, health, and social interactions. How long must these symptoms persist for a diagnosis of GAD?
A) At least one week
B) At least one month
C) At least six months
D) At least one year
Answer: C
A patient diagnosed with bulimia nervosa engages in recurrent episodes of binge eating, followed by purging behaviors such as vomiting. What is the most likely comorbidity for this patient?
A) Bipolar Disorder
B) Borderline Personality Disorder
C) Anxiety Disorders
D) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Answer: C
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is experiencing visual and auditory hallucinations. The PMHNP should prioritize:
A) Medication management to address psychosis
B) Psychoanalytic therapy to uncover repressed memories
C) Family therapy to improve communication
D) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety
Answer: A
A PMHNP is assessing a patient diagnosed with substance use disorder. The patient continues to engage in drinking despite a history of alcohol-related legal issues. This behavior is indicative of:
A) Substance Use Disorder
B) Substance-Induced Mood Disorder
C) Alcohol Intoxication
D) Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
Answer: A
A patient with major depressive disorder presents with symptoms of hopelessness, social withdrawal, and loss of interest in activities. The PMHNP should consider which of the following interventions?
A) Antipsychotic medications
B) Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
C) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
D) Psychodynamic therapy
Answer: C
A patient diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder reports avoiding social interactions, preferring solitary activities. The patient has little desire for close relationships. These symptoms are most consistent with:
A) Avoidant Personality Disorder
B) Borderline Personality Disorder
C) Narcissistic Personality Disorder
D) Schizoid Personality Disorder
Answer: D
A patient with bipolar I disorder presents with symptoms of mania, including elevated mood, impulsivity, and grandiosity. The most effective treatment for this patient would be:
A) Lithium
B) Antidepressants
C) Benzodiazepines
D) Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Answer: A
A PMHNP is evaluating a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The patient presents with increased fatigue, significant weight loss, and feelings of guilt. This patient’s symptoms are most consistent with:
A) Major Depressive Disorder with atypical features
B) Major Depressive Disorder with melancholic features
C) Persistent Depressive Disorder
D) Bipolar Disorder
Answer: B
A patient diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) reports intrusive thoughts about contamination, leading to excessive hand-washing. This is most indicative of:
A) Negative reinforcement
B) Compulsions
C) Delusions
D) Obsessive thoughts
Answer: D
A patient diagnosed with borderline personality disorder presents with intense feelings of abandonment and emotional instability. Which of the following interventions is most effective?
A) Psychodynamic therapy
B) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
C) Medications alone
D) Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Answer: B
A PMHNP is working with a patient diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder. The patient exhibits eccentric behaviors, odd beliefs, and social anxiety. The PMHNP should:
A) Focus on antipsychotic medications alone
B) Provide supportive therapy to encourage social engagement
C) Focus on confrontation of irrational beliefs
D) Avoid treatment as these behaviors are unchangeable
Answer: B
A patient diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder reports compulsively checking locks and doors to alleviate anxiety. The PMHNP should encourage:
A) Psychoanalysis to explore unconscious drives
B) Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy
C) Medication management for mood regulation
D) Group therapy for social support
Answer: B
A PMHNP is evaluating a patient diagnosed with bipolar II disorder. The patient experiences depressive episodes followed by hypomanic states. Which of the following is typically used to treat this condition?
A) Lithium
B) Antipsychotic medications
C) Antidepressants
D) Mood stabilizers such as anticonvulsants
Answer: D
A patient diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder exhibits a constant distrust of others and reads hidden meanings into innocent remarks. The PMHNP should:
A) Encourage the patient to participate in group therapy
B) Engage in collaborative decision-making
C) Use psychoanalysis to explore childhood trauma
D) Work on building trust through therapeutic relationship
Answer: D
A PMHNP is assessing a patient with generalized anxiety disorder who reports excessive worry about everyday events. The most appropriate intervention would be:
A) Prescribing benzodiazepines
B) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
C) Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
D) Psychoanalysis
Answer: B
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