1. Question: The parents of a 10 years old girl diagnosed with ADHD ask if the PMHNP can prescribe something to help their daughter’s ADHD that is not a stimulant. Which of the following responses is correct?
2. Question: A patient with chronic insomnia asks the PMHNP if they can first try an over-the-counter (OTC) medication before one that needs to be prescribed to help the patient sleep. Which is the best response by the PMHNP?
3. Question: Methylphenidate, amphetamine, and cocaine are alike because all three _____________________.
4. Question: An elderly woman with a history of Alzheimer’s disease, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction had a fall at home 3 months ago that resulted in her receiving an open reduction internal fixation. While assessing this patient, the PMHNP is made aware that the patient continues to experience mild to moderate pain. What is the PMHNP most likely to do?
5. Question: The PMHNP is caring for a patient who openly admitted to drinking a quart of vodka daily. Prior to prescribing this patient disulfiram (Antabuse), it is important for the PMHNP to:
6. Question: Insomnia is caused by excessive nighttime arousal. The PMHNP is likely to prescribe which of the following to treat insomnia?
7. Question: The nursing staff asks the PMHNP for additional education regarding the treatment of agitation in dementia patients. Which of the following is correct?
8. Question: The PMHNP is evaluating a 30-year-old female patient who states that she notices pain and a drastic change in mood before the start of her menstrual cycle. The patient states that she has tried diet and lifestyle changes but nothing has worked. What will the PMHNP most likely do?
9. Question: The PMHNP is caring for a patient who reports excessive arousal at nighttime. What could the PMHNP use for a time-limited duration to shift the patient’s brain from a hyperactive state to a sleep state?  
10. Question: Which of these characteristics does NOT meet the criteria for probably Alzheimer's dementia?
11. Question: A patient with a new diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy is switched from sertraline (ZOLOFT) to duloxetine (CYMBALTA). The patient asks why they are switching treatment. What is the best response?
12. Question: Daniel is a 33 years old patient with ADHD and multiple comorbidities: mood disorder, alcohol abuse, ADHD, and nicotine dependence. Which comorbidity should be treated first?
13. Question: Parents of a 12-year-old boy want to consider attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication for their son. Which medication would the PMHNP start?
14. Question: Which of the following is considered as a disruptive/impulse control behavior?
15. Question: The PMHNP is performing a quality assurance peer review of the chart of another PMHNP. Upon review, the PMHNP reviews the chart of an older adult patient in long-term care facility who has chronic insomnia. The chart indicates that the patient has been receiving hypnotics on a nightly basis. What does the PMHNP find problematic about this documentation?
16. Question: The PMHNP understands that slow-dose extended release stimulants are most appropriate for which patient with ADHD?
17. Question: Mr. Peterson is meeting with the PMHNP to discuss healthier dietary habits. With a BMI of 33, Mr. Peterson is obese and needs to modify his food intake. “Sometimes I think I’m addicted to food the way some people are addicted to drugs,” he says. Which statement best describes the neurobiological parallels between food and drug addiction?
18. Question: Which of the following substances has the highest probability of becoming dependent after a single use?
19. Question: A patient recovering from shingles presents with tenderness and sensitivity to the upper back. He states it is bothersome to put a shirt on most days. This patient has end stage renal disease (ESRD) and is scheduled to have hemodialysis tomorrow but states that he does not know how he can lie in a recliner for 3 hours feeling this uncomfortable. What will be the PMHNP’s priority?
20. Question: A patient is prescribed D-methylphenidate, 10-mg extended-release capsules. What should the PMHNP include when discussing the side effects with the patient?  
21. Question: An interneuron is a neuron that has its cell body, dendrites, and axon within the spinal cord. The neuron can be considered excitatory if it contains ____________ or inhibitory if it contains ____________.
22. Question: The PMHNP is treating a patient with depression and fibromyalgia. The PMHNP chooses to prescribe a treatment that may help treat the patient's fibromyalgia and depressive symptoms. Which medication is the PMHNP likely to choose?
23. Question: Brandon is a non-compliant patient that presents to the clinic asking for help with his alcohol dependence. The PMHNP evaluates the patient and determines a long-acting injection that blocks the mu-receptors would be the best treatment option for Brandon.

Which medication should the PMHNP prescribe?

24. Question: Which patient will receive a lower dose of guanfacine?
25. Question: Alcohol enhances inhibition at ____________ synapses and reduces excitation at ______________ synapses.
26. Question: An opioid-naive patient is taking MS Contin (morphine sulfate) to treat his pain that is secondary to cancer. Under what circumstances would the PMHNP order naloxone (Narcan) IM/SQ?
27. Question: The PMHNP is meeting with the parents of an 8-year-old patient who is receiving an initial prescription for D-amphetamine. The PMHNP demonstrates appropriate prescribing practices when she prescribes the following dose:  
28. Question: The PMHNP is treating a patient for fibromyalgia and is considering prescribing milnacipran (Savella). When prescribing this medication, which action is the PMHNP likely to choose?
29. Question: An adult patient presents with a history of alcohol addiction and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Given these comorbidities, the PMHNP determines which of the following medications may be the best treatment option?
30. Question: The PMHNP is evaluating a 7 year old pediatric patient for the treatment of ADHD. The PMHNP decides to prescribe a medication that is selective for alpha-2A receptors that has a lower incidence of sedation and hypotension. Which agent did the PMHNP prescribe?
31. Question: The PMHNP is discussing dopamine D2 receptor occupancy and its association with aggressive behaviors in patients with the student. Why does the PMHNP prescribe a standard dose of atypical antipsychotics?
32. Question: Antihistamines may cause side effects such as blurred vision, constipation, memory problems, and dry mouth. This is due to the _______________ effects of antihistamines.
33. Question: The PMHNP is assessing a patient who has expressed suicidal intent and is now stating that he is hearing voices and sees people chasing him. The PMHNP identifies these symptoms to be associated with which of the following?
34. Question: A patient is being prescribed bupropion and is concerned about the side effects. What will the PMHNP tell the patient regarding bupropion?
35. Question: A patient with chronic back pain has been prescribed a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). How does the PMHNP describe the action of SNRIs on the inhibition of pain to the patient?
36. Question: Mike wants to quit smoking. He has tried nicotine replacement and varenicline without success. He has asked for another medication to help him kick his habit. The PMHNP decides to try a medication that increases dopamine by prescribing a medications that can increase both norepinephrine and dopamine. Which medication did the PMHNP prescribe?
37. Question: Individuals who suffer from an addiction often increase the dose of medication to achieve the desired effect. The need to increase the dose to reach the safe effect is due to __________________.
38. Question: A patient you have been evaluating was admitted to the hospital with some abnormal lab work. Hematology/oncology was consulted and diagnoses the patient with aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis. Which medication was likely the culprit?
39. Question: A 26-year-old female patient with nicotine dependence and a history of anxiety presents with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Based on the assessment, what does the PMHNP consider?
40. Question: Neal is complaining of restless leg syndrome and insomnia. Which first-line medication should the PMHNP prescribe to treat both?
41. Question: A 63-year-old patient presents with the following symptoms. The PMHNP determines which set of symptoms warrant prescribing a medication? Select the answer that is matched with an appropriate treatment.
42. Question: Which of these statements is correct?
43. Question: The PMHNP is selecting a medication treatment option for a patient who is exhibiting psychotic behaviors with poor impulse control and aggression. Of the available treatments, which can help temper some of the adverse effects or symptoms that are normally caused by D2 antagonism?
44. Question: A patient with fibromyalgia and major depression needs to be treated for symptoms of pain. Which is the PMHNP most likely to prescribe for this patient?
45. Question: You have been consulted to evaluate a patient who presents with symptoms of dementia. The patient is experiencing memory deficit, aphasia, apraxia, and agnosia. Which treatment option is best for this patient?
46. Question: A patient with hypersexual disorder is being assessed for possible pharmacologic treatment. Why does the PMHNP prescribe an antiandrogen for this patient?
47. Question: A patient with gambling disorder and no other psychiatric comorbidities is being treated with pharmacological agents. Which drug is the PMHNP most likely to prescribe?
48. Question: A patient on chronic opioids is currently on oxycodone ER (OxyContin). The PMHNP is consulted to treat underlying depression. Under which circumstance should the PMHNP order naloxone (NARCAN)?
49. Question: An 8-year-old patient presents with severe hyperactivity, described as “ants in his pants.” Based on self-report from the patient, his parents, and his teacher; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is suspected. What medication is the PMNHP most likely to prescribe?
50. Question: A 71-year-old male patient comes to an appointment with his 65-year-old wife. They are both having concerns related to her memory and ability to recognize faces. The PMNHP is considering prescribing memantine (Namenda) based on the following symptoms:
51. Question: Heather is admitted for opioid withdrawals and detoxification. The PMHNP decides to prescribe an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist to reduce the symptoms of autonomic hyperactivity during withdrawal and aid in the detoxification process. Which medication did the PMHNP prescribe?
52. Question: An adult patient presents with a history of substance-use disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Which of the following treatment options is best for this patient?
53. Question: The PMHNP is providing a workshop for pediatric nurses, and a question is posed about noradrenergic agents to treat ADHD. Which of the following noradrenergic agents have norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) properties that can treat ADHD?
54. Question: The PMHNP is teaching a patient with a sleep disorder about taking diphenhydramine (Benadryl). The patient is concerned about the side effects of the drug. What can the PMHNP teach the patient about this treatment approach?
55. Question: Karen completes the Epworth sleepiness scale and scores abnormally high. She is diagnosed with narcolepsy. The PMHNP prescribes a wake-promoting agent that is a weak dopamine transporter antagonist. Which medication did the PMHNP prescribe?
56. Question: The PMHNP wants to use a symptom-based approach to treating a patient with fibromyalgia. How does the PMHNP go about treating this patient?
57. Question: Jacob is a 7-year-old pediatric patient who has significant oppositional symptoms associated with his ADHD diagnosis. What is the best treatment for this patient?
58. Question: A 72-year-old male patient is diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and presents with aggression and agitation. The PMHNP is consulted and decided to prescribe which of the following?
59. Question: A patient with chronic insomnia and depression is taking trazodone (Oleptro) but complains of feeling drowsy during the day. What can the PMHNP do to reduce the drug’s daytime sedating effects?
60. Question: Even though both of these medications are useful in the treatment of ADHD, their actions are different. Atomoxetine is a selective ______________________ reuptake inhibitor, while bupropion is a selective __________________ reuptake inhibitor.
61. Question: The PMHNP is assessing a patient who presents with elevated levels of brain amyloid as noted by positron emission tomography (PET). What other factors will the PMHNP consider before prescribing medication for this patient, and what medication would the PMHNP want to avoid given these other factors?
62. Question: A 72-year-old male patient is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The PMHNP determines that improving memory is a key consideration in selecting a medication. Which of the following would be an appropriate choice?
63. Question: A patient presents with psychotic aggression. Which treatment option is best for a patient presenting with psychotic aggression due to impaired top-down cortical control and excessive drive from striatal hyperactivity?
64. Question: The PMHNP wants to prescribe Mr. Barber a mood stabilizer that will target aggressive and impulsive symptoms by decreasing dopaminergic neurotransmission. Which mood stabilizer will the PMHNP select?
65. Question: What will the PMHNP most likely prescribe to a patient with psychotic aggression who needs to manage the top-down cortical control and the excessive drive from striatal hyperactivity?
66. Question: Sandra complains of constipation after being on quetiapine (SEROQUEL) for several weeks. Constipation is likely caused by the binding of quetiapine (SEROQUEL) to which receptor?
67. Question: Mrs. Kenner is concerned that her teenage daughter spends too much time on the Internet. She inquires about possible treatments for her daughter’s addiction. Which response by the PMHNP demonstrates understanding of pharmacologic approaches for compulsive disorders?
68. Question: The PMHNP is assessing a 49-year-old male with a history of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcoholism with malnutrition, diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypertension. His physical assessment is unremarkable with the exception of peripheral edema bilaterally to his lower extremities and a chief complaint of pain with numbness and tingling to each leg 5/10. The PMHNP starts this patient on a low dose of doxepin (Sinequan). What is the next action that must be taken by the PMHNP?
69. Question: Why does the PMHNP avoid prescribing clozapine (Clozaril) as a first-line treatment to the patient with psychosis and aggression?
70. Question: Kevin is an adolescent who has been diagnosed with kleptomania. His parents are interested in seeking pharmacological treatment. What does the PMHNP tell the parents regarding his treatment options?
71. Question: Jerry presents to the clinic for his four-week follow-up after starting trazodone for insomnia. How does trazodone help with insomnia?
72. Question: The PMHNP is caring for a patient who experiences too much overstimulation and anxiety during daytime hours. The patient agrees to a pharmacological treatment but states, “I don’t want to feel sedated or drowsy from the medicine.” Which decision made by the PMHNP demonstrates proper knowledge of this patient’s symptoms and appropriate treatment options?
73. Question: The PMHNP is assessing a patient who will be receiving phentermine (Adipex-P)/topiramate (Topamax) (Qsymia). Which of the following conditions/diseases will require further evaluation before this medication can be prescribed?
74. Question: The parents of a 7-year-old patient with ADHD are concerned about the effects of stimulants on their child. The parents prefer to start pharmacological treatment with a non-stimulant. Which medication will the PMHNP will most likely prescribe?
75. Question: The PMHNP is caring for a patient with fibromyalgia. Which second-line treatment does the PMHNP select that may be effective for managing this patient’s pain?
76. Question: When completing this exam, did you comply with Walden University’s Code of Conduct including the expectations for academic integrity?