WALDEN UNIVERSITY NURS 6501 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 2026
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
◉ SS of substance abuse withdrawal 3 Answer: Can last days to
weeks
- NVD
- Flu-like SS: lacrimation, rhinorrhea, diaphoresis, shivering,
piloerection
- SNS/CNS Arousal: mydriasis, mild HTN and tachy, anxiety,
irritability, insomnia, agitation, restless leg, general restlessness,
tremor, low grade temp
◉ Which medications are central nervous system sedatives?
Answer: Include sedatives, tranquilizers, hypnotics
- Good for treating anxiety, panic, acute stress reactions, sleep
disorders
Examples:
Benzos:
- Diazepam (valium), clonazepam (klonopin), alprazolam (xanax)
Non-Benzo Sedative Hypnotics
,- Zolpidem (ambien)
Barbiturates
- Mephobarbital
◉ Initiation Strategies for Antidepressants: Answer:
Antidepressants are considered equivalent in efficacy for depression
Decide on med by:
- History of response
- Family history of response
- Symptoms
- Medical history
- Interactions
- AE
◉ which antidepressant is good for smoking cessation, weight loss,
and ADD? Answer: Bupropion
◉ which antidepressant is good for fibromyalgia Answer: Duloxetine
◉ which antidepressant is good for migraine prevention Answer:
Amitriptyline
, ◉ what is grief Answer: - response to bereavement → varies over
time as the person adapts to the loss
- painful, impairing, should NOT be diagnosed as a mental disorder
- Bereavement is a stressor ⇒ can worsen mental disorders (ex:
depression)
- can progress to complicated grief: intense, prolonged, and
debilitating SS
◉ treatments for acute grief Answer: - Typical doesn't require
treatment
- For bereaved patients who don't have mental disorders, suggest
not routinely administering grief counseling or other
psychotherapies
- Grief counseling can be helpful for bereaved patients who request
it
- Encourage pts to maintain regular patterns of activity, sleep,
exercise, and nutrition
◉ How long is a preoperative evaluation valid? Answer: - Preop
evaluation must occur 1-30 days prior to the surgery
- The more time the better so that referrals and consults can be done
if needed
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 2026
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
◉ SS of substance abuse withdrawal 3 Answer: Can last days to
weeks
- NVD
- Flu-like SS: lacrimation, rhinorrhea, diaphoresis, shivering,
piloerection
- SNS/CNS Arousal: mydriasis, mild HTN and tachy, anxiety,
irritability, insomnia, agitation, restless leg, general restlessness,
tremor, low grade temp
◉ Which medications are central nervous system sedatives?
Answer: Include sedatives, tranquilizers, hypnotics
- Good for treating anxiety, panic, acute stress reactions, sleep
disorders
Examples:
Benzos:
- Diazepam (valium), clonazepam (klonopin), alprazolam (xanax)
Non-Benzo Sedative Hypnotics
,- Zolpidem (ambien)
Barbiturates
- Mephobarbital
◉ Initiation Strategies for Antidepressants: Answer:
Antidepressants are considered equivalent in efficacy for depression
Decide on med by:
- History of response
- Family history of response
- Symptoms
- Medical history
- Interactions
- AE
◉ which antidepressant is good for smoking cessation, weight loss,
and ADD? Answer: Bupropion
◉ which antidepressant is good for fibromyalgia Answer: Duloxetine
◉ which antidepressant is good for migraine prevention Answer:
Amitriptyline
, ◉ what is grief Answer: - response to bereavement → varies over
time as the person adapts to the loss
- painful, impairing, should NOT be diagnosed as a mental disorder
- Bereavement is a stressor ⇒ can worsen mental disorders (ex:
depression)
- can progress to complicated grief: intense, prolonged, and
debilitating SS
◉ treatments for acute grief Answer: - Typical doesn't require
treatment
- For bereaved patients who don't have mental disorders, suggest
not routinely administering grief counseling or other
psychotherapies
- Grief counseling can be helpful for bereaved patients who request
it
- Encourage pts to maintain regular patterns of activity, sleep,
exercise, and nutrition
◉ How long is a preoperative evaluation valid? Answer: - Preop
evaluation must occur 1-30 days prior to the surgery
- The more time the better so that referrals and consults can be done
if needed
