ANCC PMHNP Exam Prep Latest

ANCC PMHNP Exam Prep (Latest Update 2025 / 2026) IQ Domain 1 - 5 Questions and Answers | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Solutions)

Question:

A 34-year-old African American female presents to the PMHNP for an initial psychiatric evaluation. On examination, she reports she thinks she has attention deficit disorder because she has a short attention span, poor recent memory, nervousness, and mood lability, and she is sweating more. Which laboratory test should the PMHNP order to rule out an organic etiology of her symptoms?

• Prolactin level
• Comprehensive metabolic panel
• Thyroid profile
• Cortisol level

Answer:

• Thyroid profile

Rationale: A patient presenting with nervousness, problems with memory,

focus, mood lability, and sweating should be tested for hyperthyroidism before being diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder.

• / 4

Question:

In bipolar I disorder, men are more prone than women to have:

• Manic episodes
• Depressive episodes
• Mixed episodes
• Rapid cycling

Answer:

• Manic episodes

Rationale: In bipolar I disorder, manic episodes are more common in men,

and depressive episodes are mor common in women. When manic episodes do occur in women, they are more likely than men to present a mixed picture (e.g., mania and depression). Women also have a higher rate of being rapid cyclers, defined as having four or more manic episodes in a 1-year period.

Question:

Which of the following antipsychotic medications has dosage formulations which include oral tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, short-acting injections, and long-acting injections?

• Ziprasidone (Geodon)
• Clozapine (Clozaril)
• Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
• Paliperidone (Invega)

Answer:

• Olanzapine (Zyprexa) 2 / 4

Rationale: Olanzapine is available in various formulations. Clozaril is only

available in oral tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and oral suspension.Paliperidone is only available in oral tablets and long-acting injections.Ziprasidone is only available in capsules and a short-acting injection.

Question:

In the aftermath of a tornado that destroyed over 100 homes in a rural Midwest community, the PMHNP draws on principles of crisis intervention while working with an elderly couple who lost everything in the storm during the night. Which of the following statements is most appropriate at the initial encounter?

• What is your biggest concern right now? I will help you as much as you

can.

• Tell me everything that happened. We'll sort through the next steps.
• You will be able to stay in the shelter until the FEMA trailers arrive. It's

going to be OK.

• What medications were you taking? Let me work on that first.

Answer:

• What is your biggest concern right now? I will help you as much as you can.

Rationale: Principles of crisis intervention guide the PMHNP to focus on one

of the individual's primary concerns at a time offering direct, realistic information, and emotional support. Do not give false reassurance which blocks communication; you don't know whether everything will be resolved, and in this scenario, nothing can replace a lifetime of treasures and memories lost in their home. Do not focus on all implications at once or ask the individual to describe all of the losses or implications; this will be too overwhelming. While concerns about medication is important, first the 3 / 4

PMHNP needs to assess what the primary concern is for this couple before addressing the medication issue.

Question:

During an initial assessment, the PMHNP asks the patient to perform the serial 7's. What aspect of the mental status exam would the nurse practitioner be assessing?

• Concentration
• Affect
• Memory
• Speech

Answer:

• Concentration

Rationale: Subtracting serial 7's from 100 is a simple task that requires intact concentration and cognitive capabilities.

Question:

A 31-year old married woman with a history of anorexia nervosa, binging- purging type, during her teens and early 20's, is pregnant. She has had two prior spontaneous abortions in late 20's. She is worried whether this pregnancy may trigger recurrence of her prior eating disorder, adversely impact fetal development, or affect the likelihood of full-term delivery. At 5'7" she maintains a weight of 120 pounds by running 6-10 miles daily as conditioning for marathons and a 2,000 calorie daily vegan diet. What

• / 4