PMHNP-BC Study Guide — 2026 Edition cover

PMHNP-BC — Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification · 2026 Edition

PMHNP-BC Study Guide — 2026 Edition

Every domain of ANCC's PMHNP-BC Test Content Outline (effective April 28, 2023), 274 original questions with worked explanations, and a 175-question full-length practice exam.

  • 274 original PMHNP-BC practice questions, each with a worked explanation, in one PDF + EPUB you keep

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  • Quick reference
    Appendix C. High-Yield Decision Tables Antidepressant selection cues · PDF page 125

    A page you can turn back to: the numbers, deadlines or terms gathered in one place.

  • How it's taught
    Chapter 4 Quiz — Psychotherapy and Related Theories · PDF page 53

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  • A question, worked
    Chapter 2 Quiz — Advanced Practice Skills · PDF page 27

    A practice question with its answer and the reasoning behind it — not just a key.

About the PMHNP-BC exam

Registered nurses preparing for ANCC psychiatric–mental health nurse practitioner board certification across the lifespan, including new graduates and experienced RNs seeking advanced practice credentialing.

Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) board certification examination — exam facts
Awarding bodyAmerican Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Questions175 questions (150 scored, 25 unscored pretest)
Time limit3.5 hours
Passing ruleScaled score of 350 or higher
FeesInitial certification: $395 nonmember, $295 American Nurses Association member; prices include a $140 non-refundable administrative fee
DeliveryComputer-based through Prometric testing centers
EligibilityCurrent, active RN license (or legally recognized equivalent); PMHNP (Across the Lifespan) master's, post-graduate certificate or DNP from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program; at least 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours in the program
RetakesMay retest after 60 calendar days; no more than three times in any 12-month period
Content outlineANCC PMHNP-BC Test Content Outline, Effective April 28, 2023 (updated July 28, 2026) — effective April 28, 2023
Domains and weights
  • Scientific Foundation — 22%
  • Advanced Practice Skills — 27%
  • Diagnosis and Treatment — 22%
  • Psychotherapy and Related Theories — 11%
  • Ethics, Legal Principles, and Cultural Care — 17%

Questions buyers ask

How many questions are on the PMHNP-BC exam, and how long is it?
The exam has 175 questions — 150 scored plus 25 unscored pretest questions that cannot be distinguished from scored ones — and you have 3.5 hours to answer all of them.
What is the passing score?
A scaled score of 350 or higher is required to pass.
What domains are tested and how are they weighted?
Scientific Foundation (22%), Advanced Practice Skills (27%), Diagnosis and Treatment (22%), Psychotherapy and Related Theories (11%), and Ethics, Legal Principles, and Cultural Care (17%).
Which outline edition is this book built on, and what changed?
The ANCC test content outline effective April 28, 2023. ANCC does not publish a summary of changes from the previous edition in the cited sources.
Who is eligible to take the exam?
You need a current, active RN license (or the legally recognized equivalent in another country) and a PMHNP (Across the Lifespan) master's, post-graduate certificate or DNP from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program that included at least 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours.
What are the fees and retesting rules?
Initial certification costs $395 for nonmembers and $295 for American Nurses Association members; both prices include a $140 non-refundable administrative fee. You may retest after 60 calendar days, no more than three times in any 12-month period.
How many practice questions does this book include?
This book includes 274 original four-option questions, including a full-length 175-question practice exam, available for $24.99.
Do the 25 pretest questions count toward my score?
No. Pretest questions cannot be distinguished from scored ones, so answer all 175 — but only the 150 scored questions determine your result.
Is a study guide enough for the PMHNP-BC — Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification exam, or do I need a course?
Check eligibility first — per American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): current, active RN license (or legally recognized equivalent); PMHNP (Across the Lifespan) master's, post-graduate certificate or DNP from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program; at least 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours in the program. A book does not replace those requirements. For the exam content itself, this 129-page guide teaches the material chapter by chapter with 274 practice questions and explanations inside. A prep course adds live instruction and a set schedule; whether you need one beyond any required education is your call.
What happens if I fail the PMHNP-BC — Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification exam?
You can retake it under American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)'s rule: may retest after 60 calendar days; no more than three times in any 12-month period. Confirm the current policy with American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) before you book.
Does the PMHNP-BC — Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification study guide come as a PDF?
Yes — PMHNP-BC Study Guide — 2026 Edition downloads as PDF and EPUB, 129 pages. The download link is emailed the moment payment clears and does not expire.
How much does the PMHNP-BC — Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification study guide cost?
$24.99, once. There is no subscription and no account to create; the PDF and EPUB files are yours to keep.
Can I read part of the PMHNP-BC — Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification study guide before buying?
Yes. A full chapter is free to read on this page — not a summary of one, the chapter itself.
Is this the official PMHNP-BC — Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification study guide?
No. This is an independent study guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the exam's awarding body. It is written from ANCC's PMHNP-BC Test Content Outline (effective April 28, 2023) and ANCC Certification Handbook. Always confirm current requirements with the body that issues your licence.

What's included — and what isn't

Included

  • Every domain of ANCC's PMHNP-BC Test Content Outline (effective April 28, 2023)
  • A quiz closing each chapter, with worked explanations
  • A 175-question full-length practice exam at the published domain weights
  • 274 original questions, each explained and cited to its source
  • Psychopharmacology taught from FDA drug labels, with high-yield decision tables
  • PDF + EPUB you keep

Not included

  • No printed copy is shipped — this is a file you download and can print yourself
  • No video course, instructor, tutoring or online question bank comes with the book — everything is in the file
  • Not your exam registration or the testing centre's fee, which you still pay to the official body

Contents

See 21 sections and the page each one starts on
  1. Chapter 1. Scientific Foundationp. 6
  2. Chapter 1 Quiz — Scientific Foundationp. 11
  3. Chapter 2. Advanced Practice Skillsp. 19
  4. Chapter 2 Quiz — Advanced Practice Skillsp. 22
  5. Chapter 3. Diagnosis and Treatmentp. 31
  6. Chapter 3 Quiz — Diagnosis and Treatmentp. 36
  7. Chapter 4. Psychotherapy and Related Theories Cognitive-behavioral therapyp. 45
  8. Chapter 4 Quiz — Psychotherapy and Related Theoriesp. 47
  9. Chapter 5. Ethics, Legal Principles, and Cultural Carep. 52
  10. Chapter 5 Quiz — Ethics, Legal Principles, and Cultural Carep. 54
  11. Answer Key — Chapter 5 Quizp. 58
  12. Practice Exam — Full-Length (175 Questions)p. 61
  13. Section 2. Advanced Practice Skills (Questions 40–87)p. 74
  14. Section 3. Diagnosis and Treatment (Questions 88–126)p. 89
  15. Answer Key — Section 3. Diagnosis and Treatmentp. 98
  16. Section 4. Psychotherapy and Related Theories (Questions 127–146)p. 102
  17. Section 5. Ethics, Legal Principles, and Cultural Care (Questions 147–175)p. 108
  18. Answer Key — Section 5. Ethics, Legal Principles, and Cultural Carep. 115
  19. Appendix A. Exam at a Glance Item Detailp. 118
  20. Appendix B. Precise Terminologyp. 119
  21. Appendix C. High-Yield Decision Tables Antidepressant selection cuesp. 120

Taken from the PDF you download, with the page each one starts on — not typed here.

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Chapter 3 · ≈11 min read
Diagnosis and Treatment
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This chapter teaches diagnostic reasoning and evidence-based treatment across the disorders the PMHNP manages. A standing rule governs everything here: diagnostic criteria sets from the DSM are copyrighted and are not reproduced — instead you learn the clinical reasoning that leads to a diagnosis, supported by public sources. Drug doses and warnings are cited facts, never advice.

Assessment tools and diagnostic reasoning

Diagnosis begins with the structured interview and validated instruments, interpreted against medical and substance-induced mimics. The differential for any psychiatric presentation includes medical disorders, substance and medication effects, and primary mental disorders, worked through with the assessment tools of Chapter 2. Age shapes the whole process: children, adults, and older adults present differently and tolerate treatments differently.

Depressive disorders

Major depression is among the most common and most treatable psychiatric conditions, and the VA/DoD clinical practice guideline gives the PMHNP a decision sequence. For initial pharmacotherapy — or for patients who previously responded well to medication — the guideline suggests offering bupropion, mirtazapine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, trazodone, vilazodone or vortioxetine, or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, not rank ordered[1]. It suggests against esketamine, ketamine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, nefazodone, or tricyclic antidepressants as initial pharmacotherapy[1].

For severe depression (for example PHQ-9 above 20), persistent depression lasting more than two years, or recurrent depression with two or more episodes, the guideline suggests offering combined pharmacotherapy and evidence-based psychotherapy[1]. When a patient shows partial or no response to an adequate trial of initial medication, the options are switching to another antidepressant (including TCAs, MAOIs, or agents from the earlier list), switching to psychotherapy, augmenting with psychotherapy, or augmenting with a second-generation antipsychotic[1]. After partial or no response to two or more adequate pharmacologic trials, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is suggested[1]. For patients who have not responded to several adequate pharmacologic trials, ketamine or esketamine is suggested as an augmentation option[1]. Patients who achieve remission with antidepressant medication should continue the antidepressant at the therapeutic dose for at least six months to decrease relapse risk[1].

Pharmacogenomics refines antidepressant choice: in CYP2D6 poor metabolizers vortioxetine reaches higher concentrations and the maximum is 10 mg[2], and in CYP2C19 poor metabolizers citalopram's maximum recommended dose is 20 mg because of QT-prolongation risk[2]. Among complementary approaches, St. John's wort is not consistently effective for depression[3], and combining it with certain antidepressants can lead to a potentially life-threatening increase in the body's levels of serotonin[3].

Bipolar and related disorders

Bipolar disorder involves episodes of mania or hypomania alternating with depression, and accurate diagnosis separates it from unipolar depression because the treatments differ. Lithium remains a cornerstone mood stabilizer, with its thyroid and calcium monitoring requirements described in Chapter 1[4]. Valproate is effective but carries the pregnancy, pancreatitis, and pediatric hepatotoxicity warnings every prescriber must know[5]. Carbamazepine's risks include aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, SIADH-related hyponatremia, and HLA-B*1502-linked severe skin reactions[6]. Lamotrigine requires slow titration, especially with valproate on board[7].

Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders

Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder whose symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and negative symptoms; antipsychotic medications are the pharmacologic mainstay. Second-generation antipsychotics carry metabolic risks that may increase cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk[8]. Clozapine is reserved for treatment-resistant illness because of its boxed warnings — severe neutropenia requiring baseline and ongoing ANC monitoring, orthostatic hypotension with bradycardia and syncope, seizure, and myocarditis or cardiomyopathy that can be fatal[9]. In CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, aripiprazole and iloperidone need dosage adjustment, and pimozide has strict maximums[2].

Anxiety disorders

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent excessive worry; first-line treatments include SSRIs and cognitive behavioral therapy. Panic disorder responds to SSRIs as first-line pharmacotherapy with CBT as the psychotherapeutic standard. Specific phobias are treated primarily with exposure-based CBT. Buspirone and hydroxyzine appear among anxiolytic options, while benzodiazepines — effective short-term — carry the dependence and opioid-interaction warnings of Chapter 1[10].

Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is marked by uncontrollable recurring thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive excessive behaviors (compulsions), or both[11]. First-line treatments are SSRIs and exposure and response prevention (ERP), a CBT variant; augmentation strategies exist for partial responders. The related disorders — body dysmorphic disorder, hoarding disorder, trichotillomania, excoriation — share the compulsive behavioral pattern and respond to related behavioral and serotonergic approaches.

Trauma- and stressor-related disorders

PTSD follows exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, acts of violence, or serious accidents, producing a range of reactions[12]. The VA/DoD guideline recommends individual trauma-focused psychotherapy — prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, or EMDR — over pharmacotherapy for PTSD[13]. When medication is used, paroxetine, sertraline, or venlafaxine are suggested[13]. Prazosin is suggested for the treatment of nightmares[13]. The PC-PTSD-5 provides brief primary-care screening[14].

Sleep-wake disorders

Chronic insomnia is treated first with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), not medication: NCCIH notes that CBT-I is the treatment most strongly recommended for insomnia[15], comprising sleep hygiene education, stimulus control, sleep restriction, and cognitive restructuring. Melatonin supplements may be helpful for sleep problems caused by shift work or jet lag[15], while clinical trials of valerian have had inconsistent results and its value for insomnia has not been demonstrated[15].

Substance-related and addictive disorders

Tobacco, alcohol, and drug use are assessed at every encounter and treated with combined pharmacologic and behavioral approaches. For alcohol use disorder, naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are the established medications — disulfiram blocking alcohol oxidation at the acetaldehyde stage and requiring at least 12 hours of abstinence before the first dose[16], naltrexone requiring 7 to 10 opioid-free days first[17]. Opioid use disorder is treated with methadone (through opioid treatment programs with daily supervised dosing), buprenorphine, or extended-release naltrexone, always paired with counseling. Motivational interviewing — expressing empathy, developing discrepancy, rolling with resistance, supporting self-efficacy — is the core counseling style, and peer support groups aid sustained recovery.

Neurodevelopmental disorders

CNS stimulants raise blood pressure (about 2 to 4 mm Hg) and heart rate (about 3 to 6 bpm), and sudden death has been reported in patients with structural cardiac abnormalities or other serious cardiac disease treated at recommended ADHD dosages[18]. Atomoxetine is a non-stimulant option — with CYP2D6 poor-metabolizer titration cautions[2].

Eating disorders

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are diagnosed by their characteristic behavioral and physiologic patterns. Medical stabilization comes first in anorexia — refeeding is managed carefully — while bulimia and binge-eating disorder respond to CBT and, for binge eating, specific pharmacotherapy. Fluoxetine's SSRI labeling reminds prescribers that serotonin syndrome can occur with SSRIs alone or combined with other serotonergic agents[19, 20].

Neurocognitive disorders: delirium and dementia

Delirium is an acute, transient, usually reversible, fluctuating disturbance in attention, cognition, and consciousness level[21]. Treatment is correction of the cause and supportive measures[21]: correcting the cause and removing exacerbating factors may result in resolution of delirium[21]. In dementia-related psychosis, elderly patients treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death[8]; when medications are used for behavioral symptoms, risks are weighed explicitly with families.

Personality disorders

Borderline personality disorder is treated with dialectical behavior therapy, whose modules — mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness — are intended to improve emotion regulation skills[22].

Somatic symptom, dissociative, and adjustment disorders

Somatic symptom disorder's first-line treatment is psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy[23]. Patients also benefit from a supportive primary-care relationship with regular visits, coordinated care, and protection from unnecessary tests and procedures[23]. Dissociative disorders (disruptions of memory, identity, or consciousness) and adjustment disorders (maladaptive responses to identifiable stressors) complete the differential in this section.

Integrative treatment

Integrative approaches are evaluated by evidence: for sleep, CBT-I is the most strongly recommended treatment[15], melatonin may help sleep problems caused by shift work or jet lag[15], and valerian's value for insomnia has not been demonstrated[15] — while kava's use has been linked to liver injury that is sometimes serious or even fatal[15]. Each approach is weighed against interactions such as St. John's wort with serotonergic antidepressants, which can dangerously raise serotonin levels[3].

Psychopharmacologic interactions with other drugs and substances

Chapter 1's interaction table is clinical practice here: lithium with NSAIDs, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and metronidazole[4]; lamotrigine with valproate[7]; fluoxetine with thioridazine[20] and other serotonergic agents[20]; MAOIs with tyramine-containing foods[24], with immediate discontinuation and blood-pressure-lowering therapy if hypertensive crisis occurs[24]; benzodiazepines with opioids[10]; stimulants with cardiac risk factors[18]; and disulfiram only after at least 12 hours of alcohol abstinence[16].

Psychotherapy and related theories in treatment planning

Treatment plans draw on evidence-based modalities matched to diagnosis: DBT's skills modules — mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness — for emotion dysregulation[22], motivational interviewing for substance use, and attention to transference phenomena in the therapeutic relationship[25]. The plan matches modality to diagnosis, severity, patient preference, and evidence — combined treatment for severe, persistent, or recurrent depression being the clearest example[1].

Chapter 3 Quiz — Diagnosis and Treatment

1. A patient with severe major depression with psychotic features has not responded to multiple medication trials. The PMHNP discusses electroconvulsive therapy. Which guideline statement supports considering ECT here?

  • A. Recommended for psychotic depression
  • B. Recommended only for mild depression
  • C. Contraindicated in psychotic depression
  • D. No role in resistant depression

2. A patient with chronic insomnia asks for a sleep medication as the first treatment. The PMHNP explains the evidence-based first-line approach. Which is it?

  • A. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia
  • B. Immediate nightly benzodiazepine therapy
  • C. Over-the-counter antihistamines long term
  • D. Antipsychotic medication for sedation

3. A CYP2D6 poor metabolizer is prescribed atomoxetine for ADHD. The PMHNP follows the pharmacogenomic table. Which action does it state?

  • A. Slower titration; increase if tolerated
  • B. Double the starting dose
  • C. No adjustment is ever needed
  • D. Discontinue it immediately

4. A patient with newly diagnosed major depressive disorder has no prior medication trials. Following the VA/DoD guideline, which agent may the PMHNP offer as initial pharmacotherapy?

  • A. Esketamine as a first-line option
  • B. Bupropion among the suggested options
  • C. A monoamine oxidase inhibitor first
  • D. Nefazodone as the preferred agent

5. A patient has failed two adequate antidepressant trials. The PMHNP discusses repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. Which guideline statement supports this option?

  • A. After two failed adequate trials
  • B. Suggested before any medication trial
  • C. Contraindicated in resistant depression
  • D. A replacement for diagnostic assessment

6. An older adult with dementia develops psychosis, and the family asks about antipsychotic treatment. Which class-wide warning must the PMHNP discuss?

  • A. Increased mortality in dementia-related psychosis
  • B. Guaranteed improvement of memory symptoms
  • C. No risks exist in elderly patients
  • D. Antipsychotics cure the underlying dementia

7. A patient with PTSD has prominent nightmares that persist after a course of trauma-focused psychotherapy. Which medication does the VA/DoD guideline suggest for this symptom?

  • A. Prazosin for trauma-related nightmares
  • B. A benzodiazepine for nightly sedation
  • C. An antipsychotic as the first choice
  • D. A stimulant to suppress dreaming

8. The same guideline suggests against several agents for initial pharmacotherapy of MDD. Which agent belongs on the "suggest against" list for initial treatment?

  • A. Sertraline as initial therapy
  • B. Mirtazapine as initial therapy
  • C. A tricyclic antidepressant initially
  • D. Vortioxetine as initial therapy

9. When medication is chosen for PTSD, which agents does the VA/DoD guideline suggest?

  • A. Paroxetine, sertraline, or venlafaxine
  • B. Haloperidol, chlorpromazine, or fluphenazine
  • C. Lithium, valproate, or carbamazepine
  • D. Disulfiram, acamprosate, or naltrexone

10. A patient on phenelzine develops a sudden severe headache with very high blood pressure after a meal. The PMHNP recognizes a hypertensive crisis. Which immediate action does the label direct?

  • A. Stop it; treat the blood pressure
  • B. Reassure the patient and continue
  • C. Double the next dose
  • D. Wait a week before acting

11. A patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia is evaluated for clozapine. Which baseline test does the label require before starting?

  • A. Baseline absolute neutrophil count
  • B. Baseline serum amylase level
  • C. Baseline visual acuity testing
  • D. Baseline pulmonary function testing

12. A patient on clozapine develops fever, chest pain, and palpitations. The PMHNP suspects a cardiac complication. Which labeled risk does this presentation suggest?

  • A. Myocarditis or cardiomyopathy
  • B. Benign orthostatic hypotension
  • C. Expected mild tachycardia
  • D. Chest wall muscle strain

13. A newly diagnosed PTSD patient asks about treatment options. The PMHNP explains the guideline's preferred first approach. Which is recommended over pharmacotherapy?

  • A. Trauma-focused individual psychotherapy
  • B. Long-term benzodiazepines alone
  • C. Watchful waiting without treatment
  • D. Group psychoeducation as the only treatment

14. A patient with alcohol use disorder who also takes prescribed oxycodone for back pain asks about starting naltrexone. Which statement is accurate?

  • A. Stop opioids 7–10 days first.
  • B. It can start while he takes oxycodone.
  • C. It requires no preparation at all.
  • D. It is used only after disulfiram fails.

15. A child with ADHD is starting a stimulant. The parents ask about cardiac safety. Which labeled warning does the PMHNP discuss?

  • A. Sudden death with heart defects
  • B. Stimulants have no cardiac effects
  • C. Cardiac assessment is unnecessary
  • D. Stimulants protect the heart

16. A patient shows partial response to an adequate trial of sertraline. Which next step does the VA/DoD guideline suggest?

  • A. Continue the same dose unchanged
  • B. Switch, add psychotherapy, or augment
  • C. Stop treatment for six months
  • D. Add esketamine first

17. A patient taking St. John's wort for mood also starts sertraline. The PMHNP warns about the combination. Which risk does the evidence describe?

  • A. A dangerous rise in serotonin
  • B. Loss of antidepressant effect in days
  • C. Severe hypoglycemia
  • D. No significant interaction

18. A patient has severe major depression with a PHQ-9 of 24. The PMHNP recommends combined treatment. Which guideline statement supports this?

  • A. Combined medication and psychotherapy
  • B. Psychotherapy alone for all severe depression
  • C. Medication alone for all severe depression
  • D. No treatment until symptoms become persistent

19. A patient with MDD achieves full remission on venlafaxine. How long does the guideline recommend continuing the antidepressant at the therapeutic dose?

  • A. Two weeks after remission begins
  • B. At least six months
  • C. One month after remission begins
  • D. Until the first missed dose occurs

20. A patient with borderline personality disorder asks about the most evidence-based psychotherapy. The PMHNP recommends which modality?

  • A. Dialectical behavior therapy
  • B. Psychoanalysis five times weekly indefinitely
  • C. No psychotherapy has any evidence base
  • D. Hypnosis as the primary treatment

21. A patient describes uncontrollable recurring thoughts and repetitive excessive behaviors. The PMHNP recognizes the NIMH description of which disorder?

  • A. Generalized anxiety disorder presentation
  • B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder presentation
  • C. Panic disorder presentation
  • D. Specific phobia presentation

22. A patient with delirium becomes agitated on the medical unit. The PMHNP prioritizes which intervention?

  • A. Treat the underlying cause
  • B. Start long-term antipsychotics
  • C. Apply physical restraints first
  • D. Discharge without evaluation

Sources cited in this excerpt

  1. VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Major Depressive Disorder: Provider Summary, Version 4.0 (2022). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense. https://www.healthquality.va.gov/
  2. Table of Pharmacogenetic Associations. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/precision-medicine/table-pharmacogenetic-associations
  3. St. John's Wort and Depression: In Depth. NCCIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/st-johns-wort-and-depression-in-depth
  4. DailyMed - LITHIUM CARBONATE- lithium carbonate capsule. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=04518b80-7563-4544-bf05-04f286223faa
  5. DailyMed - DIVALPROEX SODIUM tablet, delayed release. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=15f8a5be-e269-2e07-60d9-1dd7bf5f5281
  6. DailyMed - CARBAMAZEPINE tablet, chewable CARBAMAZEPINE tablet CARBAMAZEPINE tablet, extended release CARBAMAZEPINE suspension. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0526a054-3eda-49b4-b390-7d5d16e30af8
  7. DailyMed - LAMOTRIGINE tablet. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=44670496-41ea-36a1-c435-32e359766a74
  8. DailyMed - RISPERIDONE tablet, film coated. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=07d43bf6-a695-453a-a5c7-9581effe585c
  9. DailyMed - CLOZAPINE tablet, orally disintegrating. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=09231d80-6343-4a34-bd5b-100c547fd3c9
  10. DailyMed - LORAZEPAM injection, solution. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=20140b19-846b-425f-b191-670e17809945
  11. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
  12. Traumatic Events and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
  13. VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder: Provider Summary, Version 4.0 (2023). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense. https://www.healthquality.va.gov/
  14. Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) - PTSD: National Center for PTSD. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/screens/pc-ptsd.asp
  15. Sleep Disorders and Complementary Health Approaches: Usefulness and Safety (NCCIH). https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/sleep-disorders-and-complementary-health-approaches
  16. DailyMed - DISULFIRAM tablet. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=07abe950-3565-418c-8086-b804406a8c87
  17. DailyMed - NALTREXONE HYDROCHLORIDE tablet, film coated. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=00c04ff4-b6f2-466c-9ab9-813a60577db0
  18. DailyMed - AMPHETAMINE SULFATE tablet. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=00242264-40d8-4267-a91a-727a1f088616
  19. DailyMed - SERTRALINE HYDROCHLORIDE solution, concentrate. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=01800452-c353-4235-a66a-214048752e74
  20. DailyMed - FLUOXETINE capsule. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=05b0781b-50e2-4311-bde0-430b96e2ef8e
  21. Delirium - Neurology - MSD Manual Professional Edition. https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/delirium-and-dementia/delirium
  22. Emotion Regulation in Schema Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy - PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5021701/
  23. Somatic Symptom Disorder - Psychiatry - MSD Manual Professional Edition. https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/psychiatric-disorders/somatic-symptom-and-related-disorders/somatic-symptom-disorder
  24. DailyMed - PHENELZINE SULFATE tablet. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=40483372-448f-4284-976c-8462ef256661
  25. 4.3 Assessment – Nursing Mental Health and Community Concepts 2e. https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/nursingmhcc/chapter/4-3-assessment/
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Can I read it on my phone?
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The details

Every domain of ANCC's PMHNP-BC Test Content Outline (effective April 28, 2023), 274 original questions with worked explanations, and a 175-question full-length practice exam.

PrepPass team · Verified against ANCC's PMHNP-BC Test Content Outline (effective April 28, 2023) and ANCC Certification Handbook · How we review
  • Format: PDF + EPUB download · 129 pages
  • 274 practice questions in the book, with a full answer key
  • $24.99 one-time — no subscription
  • 14-day money-back guarantee · refund policy
  • Cross-referenced against: ANCC's PMHNP-BC Test Content Outline (effective April 28, 2023) and ANCC Certification Handbook
  • Last updated: September 2026
  • Verified from the official source(ANCC's PMHNP-BC Test Content Outline (effective April 28, 2023) and ANCC Certification Handbook)
  • Instant download, yours for life
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A PMHNP certification review course runs $449–$1,049. This book teaches the same exam — same rules, verified to current standards — for a one-time $24.99 you keep for life.

What the book gives you

PrepPass has no online question bank for this exam, so the $24.99 book is complete in itself: the material taught in order, a quiz closing each chapter and a full-length practice exam, in a file you own.

  • Systematic teaching — every exam section explained chapter by chapter, start to finish, not just questions
  • Print it & tab it — a paper-ready PDF you can highlight, mark up, and bring to your study table
  • Study anywhere, offline — EPUB on your phone or e-reader; no wifi, no browser tabs
  • Everything in one place — the chapters and the practice questions in one file
  • Yours for life — one-time $24.99, instant download, no subscription

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One-time purchase, lifetime access to the download. The eBook is the full PMHNP-BC — Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification study guide in PDF and EPUB. Educational summary, not professional or legal advice — always confirm the current rules with the official source. Last updated: September 2026.

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