** The ANCC recently updated the PMHNP certification exam 2024 passing statistics. Currently, the pass rate for the exam is 83%.
**Content update for slide 58 in Seminar One. The thalamus is often referred to as the "relay station" of the brain because it plays a crucial role in relaying sensory information from various sensory systems (like vision, hearing, and touch) to the cerebral cortex. However, olfaction (sense of smell) is an exception. Signals from the olfactory system bypass the thalamus and directly connect to the olfactory cortex. Thank you! - Dr. Rossi
**AANP content update: For those taking the AANP exam, we wanted to provide specific information about this exam. This material will be added to the upcoming video updates, but we wanted to post here now so that you have all of the information:
Introduction to the AANP exam
PMHNP Certification Examination
- 150 questions on the exam; 3 hours to complete
- 135 are scored questions, and 15 are pretest questions (questions are included to determine how well these questions will perform before they are used on the scored portion of the exam) - cannot distinguish between questions that are counted for total score and those that are for future testing consideration
- 95/135 questions correct to pass
DOMAIN 01 - ASSESS
- Establish and evaluate therapeutic alliance
- Perform a developmentally appropriate comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, including relevant medical and psychiatric history and social determinants of health
- Perform a mental status exam and a comprehensive risk assessment
- Review patient records and gather collateral information from relevant sources
- Order and/or administer evidence-based instruments (e.g., scales, screening tools, and diagnostic and laboratory tests)
- Assess readiness for change and barriers to learning and/or care
DOMAIN 02 - DIAGNOSE
- Interpret results of scales, screening tools, and diagnostic and laboratory tests to inform diagnosis
- Synthesize and analyze subjective and objective information to formulate differential diagnoses
- Prioritize potential differential diagnoses, including recognizing urgent and emergent conditions and considering pertinent medical diagnoses
- Establish primary diagnosis and any relevant secondary and tertiary diagnoses
DOMAIN 03 - PLAN
- Establish a collaborative, patient-centered plan of care that is consistent with the best evidence
- Provide risks, benefits, alternatives, and potential side effects of psychopharmacotherapies
- Select and prescribe pharmacotherapeutics
- Provide psychotherapeutic interventions
- Provide psychoeducation, including health promotion, and risk and illness prevention strategies
- Engage in consultation and/or collaboration with interprofessional teams
- Make referrals to other providers, specialists, or programs as indicated
- Determine the most appropriate level of care and facilitate transitions to ensure continuity of care
- Manage psychiatric emergencies and crises
- Ensure the safety of clients, practitioners, and others
- Document client encounters and use appropriate coding and terminology
DOMAIN 04 - EVALUATE
- Evaluate the efficacy of care based on outcomes
- Monitor for and manage side effects and adverse events
- Monitor adherence to plan of care while considering barriers (e.g., financial, cultural, side effects)
- Modify plan of care as appropriate
- Engage in quality improvement initiatives at the individual and/or systems level
- Practice in conformance with ethical guidelines and legal requirements
- Practice in conformance with scope and standards
Disorders Most Frequently Included
- Depressive disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar and related disorders
- Trauma- and stressor-related disorders
- Substance-related and addictive disorders
- Sleep-wake disorders
- Personality disorders
All ANCC exam information is displayed in the current seminar video below!
