PMHNP Certification Q & A

Which of the following is not a validated tool used to evaluate attention deficit disorder?

A. The Vanderbilt Assessment Scale

B. The Connors Comprehensive Scale

C. The Early Childhood Screening Assessment

D. The Child Behavior Checklist
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmuMEFrjBLg&list=PLf0PFEPBXfq5HGfNV-GbOlYHtDwd35OeG&index=35

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of major neurocognitive disorder and and while largely managed with non-pharmacologic interventions, there are also a variety of pharmacotherapeutics available for use when appropriate. Which of the following is considered a first-line pharmacologic intervention for symptom control in the patient with Alzheimer’s disease?

A. Lecanemab

B. Donepezil

C. Memantine

D. Namzaric®
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z2D99MLGuM&list=PLf0PFEPBXfq5HGfNV-GbOlYHtDwd35OeG&index=34

A new patient presents for evaluation of self-diagnosed bipolar disorder. An assessment of her history of interpersonal relationships increases your index of suspicion for borderline personality disorder as opposed to bipolar disorder. Which of the following circumstances is most characteristic of borderline personality disorder?

A. Her fluctuations in mood have caused problems with interpersonal relationships at work.

B. Both parents have expressed significant concern over the depths of her mood when she is depressed.

C. The history reveals that relationships with significant others always seem to be very tumultuous.

D. She is resistant to treatment because when her mood is good she is very productive.
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-FojtAgRCE&list=PLf0PFEPBXfq5HGfNV-GbOlYHtDwd35OeG&index=33

A 32-year-old female patient with diagnoses of bipolar I disorder and borderline personality disorder was recently transferred to your care. She was managed on desvenlafaxine ER 150 mg daily and olanzapine 10 mg daily but experiencing increasingly elevated mood. In an attempt to wean off desvenlafaxine you reduce her from 150 mg to 100 mg daily. She experiences profound discontinuation syndrome symptoms. What is the most appropriate approach?

A. Resume desvenlafaxine ER 150 mg daily

B. Add valproic acid 750 mg daily

C. Increase olanzapine to 15 mg daily

D. Begin fluoxetine 20 mg daily
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z6t5IAVPpc&list=PLf0PFEPBXfq5HGfNV-GbOlYHtDwd35OeG&index=32

You are evaluating a 71-year-old female patient and have made a diagnosis of major depressive episode, moderate. The patient is agreeable to pharmacotherapy. When considering pharmacologic treatment options, you review her existing medication list for potential interactions and contraindications. Which of the following classes of medication might increase the patient’s risk of cognitive impairment with the addition of an SSRI?

A. A calcium channel blocker

B. An antiepileptic

C. A diuretic

D. A proton pump inhibitor
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkgHo5uf0D8&list=PLf0PFEPBXfq5HGfNV-GbOlYHtDwd35OeG&index=31

Piaget’s sensorimotor stage of development is characterized by all of the following except:

A. Object permanence

B. Magical thinking

C. Exploring

D. Manipulating environment
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3amwp7QVzY&list=PLf0PFEPBXfq5HGfNV-GbOlYHtDwd35OeG&index=30

You are evaluating a 17-year-old patient who presents for care reporting panic attacks. A comprehensive assessment suggests that the patient is experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder related to a very serious motor vehicle accident a few months ago. Which of the following medications is the best augment to trauma therapy for this patient?

A. Escitalopram (Lexapro)

B. Venlafaxine (Effexor)

C. Fluvoxamine (Luvox)

D. Sertraline (Zoloft)
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCb0Ar3-K_Q&list=PLf0PFEPBXfq5HGfNV-GbOlYHtDwd35OeG&index=29

A 14-year-old female is diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder and has been in exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy for the last three months. While there has been some improvement of symptoms, the patient, patient’s Mom, and therapist would all like to discuss augmenting therapy with medication management. Which of the following would be a likely pharmacologic option?

A. Fluoxetine (Prozac)

B. Paroxetine (Paxil)

C. Clomipramine (Anafranil)

D. Escitalopram (Lexapro)
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Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFfllea2xcE&list=PLf0PFEPBXfq5HGfNV-GbOlYHtDwd35OeG&index=28

Which of the following organisms are associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders?

A. Group B Streptococcus

B. Escherichia coli

C. Herpes simplex virus

D. Proteus sp.
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMg1bZE4o00&list=PLf0PFEPBXfq5HGfNV-GbOlYHtDwd35OeG&index=27

The PMHNP is evaluating Jared, a 47-year-old male who is brought to care by his wife because “he’s not the man I married 20 years ago.”  He denies any significant medical history. He takes no medication and his remaining histories are unremarkable. According to his wife, she and Jared have been married for 20 years, have two children, and have lived a “normal” life. Jared owns a local construction company and their marriage has been a solid one, characterized by the typical day-to-day issues that occur in most marriages, but otherwise happy. For the last two to three months, she says Jared has completely changed. He will get angry for no apparent reason and even broke a lamp once. He tells stupid and offensive jokes that no one else thinks are funny, and someone even called the police when he continued to make inappropriate remarks to a woman in a restaurant. Jared seems unsure what to say, but his wife is adamant that this is a totally different man from the one she has known. The PMHNP knows that Jared should be evaluated for:

A. Borderline Personality Disorder

B.  Structural Brain Damage

C. Substance Abuse Disorder

D. Cognitive Impairment
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqffAs4Hkho&list=PLf0PFEPBXfq5HGfNV-GbOlYHtDwd35OeG&index=26