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NURS 660 Exam 2 2026/2027 | Psychopharmacology &
Advanced Mental Health | NGN-Aligned Actual Questions,
Verified Answers & Rationales | Maryville Grade
1. What occurs with mania associated with bipolar disorder?
A. Varying degrees of sadness
B. Distinct episodes of elation
C. Suicide
D. Psychomotor retardation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mania in bipolar disorder is characterized by distinct episodes of elation,
euphoria, or irritability, along with increased energy and activity.
2. Which postoperative narcotic analgesic will most likely be prescribed to a patient
whose current medications include a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), a thyroid
hormone, and a multivitamin?
A. Meperidine (Demerol)
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B. Morphine
C. Ibuprofen (Advil)
D. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine is safe to use with MAOIs. Meperidine can cause serotonin
syndrome when combined with MAOIs.
3. What is the major advantage of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) over
other types of antidepressant therapy?
A. They are less expensive than the other classes of antidepressants
B. They cure major depressive illnesses
C. They do not cause the anticholinergic and cardiovascular adverse effects
D. Therapeutic relief is immediate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs have a more favorable side effect profile than TCAs and MAOIs, lacking
significant anticholinergic and cardiovascular effects.
4. Lithium (Eskalith) is the drug of choice for which of the following disorders?
A. Psychotic episodes
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B. Obsessive compulsive disorders (OCDs)
C. Bipolar disorders
D. Depressive disorders
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lithium is the first-line mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder, effective for
acute mania and maintenance treatment.
5. Which psychological manifestations of depression will improve in response to
antidepressant therapy?
A. Loss of energy
B. Palpitations
C. Sleep disturbances
D. Social withdrawal
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Social withdrawal is a psychological manifestation that improves with
antidepressant therapy. Loss of energy and sleep disturbances are physical/biological
symptoms.
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6. On what is the choice of tricyclic antidepressants based?
A. The need to decrease the action of norepinephrine, dopamine, or serotonin
B. Patient age and gender
C. An absence of adverse effects, such as orthostatic hypotension
D. The need for stimulation and increased mental alertness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The choice of TCA is often based on patient age and gender, as side effect
profiles and tolerability vary.
7. The nurse is teaching a patient about medication treatment for depression. The
patient asks how long it will take before sleep and appetite will begin to improve.
Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. 3 days
B. 1 week
C. 4 weeks
D. 2 months
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sleep and appetite often begin to improve within the first 1-2 weeks of
antidepressant therapy, before mood improvement.
NURS 660 Exam 2 2026/2027 | Psychopharmacology &
Advanced Mental Health | NGN-Aligned Actual Questions,
Verified Answers & Rationales | Maryville Grade
1. What occurs with mania associated with bipolar disorder?
A. Varying degrees of sadness
B. Distinct episodes of elation
C. Suicide
D. Psychomotor retardation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mania in bipolar disorder is characterized by distinct episodes of elation,
euphoria, or irritability, along with increased energy and activity.
2. Which postoperative narcotic analgesic will most likely be prescribed to a patient
whose current medications include a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), a thyroid
hormone, and a multivitamin?
A. Meperidine (Demerol)
,2|Page
B. Morphine
C. Ibuprofen (Advil)
D. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine is safe to use with MAOIs. Meperidine can cause serotonin
syndrome when combined with MAOIs.
3. What is the major advantage of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) over
other types of antidepressant therapy?
A. They are less expensive than the other classes of antidepressants
B. They cure major depressive illnesses
C. They do not cause the anticholinergic and cardiovascular adverse effects
D. Therapeutic relief is immediate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs have a more favorable side effect profile than TCAs and MAOIs, lacking
significant anticholinergic and cardiovascular effects.
4. Lithium (Eskalith) is the drug of choice for which of the following disorders?
A. Psychotic episodes
,3|Page
B. Obsessive compulsive disorders (OCDs)
C. Bipolar disorders
D. Depressive disorders
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lithium is the first-line mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder, effective for
acute mania and maintenance treatment.
5. Which psychological manifestations of depression will improve in response to
antidepressant therapy?
A. Loss of energy
B. Palpitations
C. Sleep disturbances
D. Social withdrawal
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Social withdrawal is a psychological manifestation that improves with
antidepressant therapy. Loss of energy and sleep disturbances are physical/biological
symptoms.
, 4|Page
6. On what is the choice of tricyclic antidepressants based?
A. The need to decrease the action of norepinephrine, dopamine, or serotonin
B. Patient age and gender
C. An absence of adverse effects, such as orthostatic hypotension
D. The need for stimulation and increased mental alertness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The choice of TCA is often based on patient age and gender, as side effect
profiles and tolerability vary.
7. The nurse is teaching a patient about medication treatment for depression. The
patient asks how long it will take before sleep and appetite will begin to improve.
Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. 3 days
B. 1 week
C. 4 weeks
D. 2 months
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sleep and appetite often begin to improve within the first 1-2 weeks of
antidepressant therapy, before mood improvement.
