PMHNP Diagnosis and Treatment Practice Test

1) A patient diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder experiences debilitating panic attacks. Which medication is considered first-line pharmacologic treatment?

2) A patient is preoccupied with weight, food, and body image, resulting in severe disturbances in eating behavior. Which category of disorders best fits this presentation?

3) A teenager exhibits persistent irritability over many months without discrete manic episodes. Which diagnosis should be considered?

4) A patient reports hopelessness, loss of appetite, and insomnia. The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner suspects:

5) A patient experiences recurrent panic attacks accompanied by palpitations, sweating, and a sense of impending doom. The most likely diagnosis is:

6) A patient exhibits excessive fear of separation from a spouse and avoids leaving home. Which diagnosis is most appropriate?

7) A patient with alcohol use disorder presents with persistent sadness, loss of interest, and feelings of worthlessness. The initial step should be to:

8) A patient experiences depersonalization symptoms following substance use. Which factor helps differentiate substance-induced symptoms from Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder?

9) Which medication would be the most appropriate initial treatment for a patient presenting with depression, insomnia, and decreased appetite?

10) A 45-year-old patient reports feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and difficulty concentrating for more than six months. The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner suspects:

11) A patient interested in CAM asks about Bach Flower remedies. The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner should:

12) Which medication class is most appropriate for long-term management of generalized anxiety disorder?

13) A patient with bipolar disorder experiences recurrent manic episodes despite treatment. Which medication may be considered as adjunctive therapy?

14) A patient presents with irritability and distractibility. Which consideration is important when differentiating ADHD from Major Depressive Disorder?

15) A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is prescribed clozapine. Regular blood testing is required to assess:

16) A patient with major depressive disorder asks about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner's initial response should be to:

17) A patient insists on extensive testing despite multiple negative results and fears having a rare fatal disease. Which diagnosis should be prioritized?

18) A patient avoids public transportation and open spaces due to fear of panic-like symptoms. Which diagnosis is most likely?

19) A patient presents with persistent difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep with daytime fatigue. Which diagnosis is most likely?

20) A patient reports blackouts and flashbacks associated with substance use. Which class of drugs is commonly associated with these symptoms?

21) A patient presents with delusions, disorganized speech, and impaired social functioning. What is the priority intervention?

22) A woman experiences mood swings, irritability, and sleep disturbances before menstruation for at least two cycles. The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner should first:

23) A patient with PTSD reports distressing nightmares. Which medication is commonly used as adjunctive treatment?

24) A patient with schizophrenia presents with auditory hallucinations and disorganized thinking. What symptom is commonly associated with schizophrenia?

25) To differentiate Bipolar Disorder from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner should:

26) A patient with schizophrenia stabilized on risperidone develops irregular menstrual periods. The initial action is to:

27) A patient presents with mood swings, impulsivity, grandiosity, and decreased need for sleep. Which diagnosis should be considered?

28) A patient presents with chronic somatic complaints without evidence of medical pathology. Which diagnosis should be considered?

29) A patient with schizophrenia presents with tongue protrusion and lip-smacking movements. These symptoms are most consistent with:

30) A patient with schizophrenia continues to experience persistent cognitive impairment despite antipsychotic treatment. Which adjunctive medication may be considered?

31) A patient with bipolar disorder asks about participating in a research study involving an experimental drug. The most appropriate response is:

32) A patient with treatment-resistant depression is considering ECT. The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner should explain that ECT primarily affects:

33) A patient with bipolar disorder presents with elevated mood, increased energy, and impulsivity. Which medication is considered a first-line treatment for acute mania?