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ANCC PMHNP Review Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the most important initial step when a patient with schizophrenia reports medication nonadherence?✔✔Explore the patient’s reasons for stopping the medication
Which lab value must be monitored regularly while a patient is taking valproic acid?✔✔Liver function tests
What is the best initial action when a patient describes passive suicidal ideation with no plan?✔✔Assess protective factors and support systems
Which disorder is characterized by at least one manic episode?✔✔Bipolar I disorder
What is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for a patient with generalized anxiety disorder?✔✔Anxiety related to excessive worry, as evidenced by restlessness and irritability 1 / 3
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Which class of medication is most associated with weight gain and metabolic syndrome?✔✔Second-generation antipsychotics
What is the most appropriate response when a patient with PTSD avoids discussing their trauma during sessions?✔✔Normalize avoidance and use trauma-informed approaches to build trust
What is a key feature that distinguishes social anxiety disorder from panic disorder?✔✔Fear of negative evaluation by others
What must be ruled out before diagnosing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in an adult?✔✔Substance use or mood disorders
Which side effect of antipsychotic medications can be irreversible if not detected early?✔✔Tardive dyskinesia
What symptom would prompt the PMHNP to evaluate for a manic episode? 2 / 3
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✔✔Decreased need for sleep with increased goal-directed activity
What is the primary purpose of a mental status exam?✔✔To assess the patient’s current psychological functioning
What clinical feature suggests neuroleptic malignant syndrome?✔✔Muscle rigidity, high fever, and autonomic instability
What approach should the PMHNP take with a patient exhibiting borderline personality disorder traits?✔✔Maintain firm boundaries while showing empathy
What is the first-line intervention for insomnia in older adults?✔✔Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)
What differentiates delusions from obsessions?✔✔Delusions are fixed false beliefs; obsessions are intrusive unwanted thoughts
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