Nurs 615 Pharm Exam 2 Latest Questions and
Answers (2026) | Updated Comprehensive
Review with Detailed Rationales | A+ Verified
• What are the two main classes of anxiolytics? -✓✓Benzodiazepines and
Buspirone (Buspar)
• Name three examples of benzodiazepines. -✓✓Alprazolam (Xanax), Lorazepam
(Ativan), Temazepam (Restoril), Clonazepam (Klonopin)
• What neurotransmitter do benzodiazepines primarily enhance the action of? -
✓✓Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA)
• What are some effects of benzodiazepines? -✓✓Reduction in anxiety, muscle
relaxation, ataxia, anticonvulsant activity.
• What is Buspirone (Buspar) primarily used to treat? -✓✓Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD)
• How does Buspirone act at the serotonin receptors? -✓✓It is a full agonist at the
pre-synaptic serotonin-1A (5-HT 1a) receptor.
• What is a key characteristic of the pharmacokinetics of Buspirone? -✓✓It should
be taken with food to decrease the first-pass effect.
• What are the main classes of antidepressants? -✓✓SSRIs, SNRIs, Tricyclics,
Atypical antidepressants.
, • What are SSRIs and what do they do? -✓✓Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors that inhibit presynaptic neuronal reuptake of serotonin, increasing its
availability.
• Name four SSRIs. -✓✓Paroxetine (Paxil), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline
(Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• What are common adverse effects of SSRIs? -✓✓Nausea, dry mouth, headache,
sexual side effects.
• What is the mechanism of action of SNRIs? -✓✓They block serotonin and
norepinephrine transporters, inhibiting the reuptake of these neurotransmitters.
• Name two SNRIs. -✓✓Venlafaxine (Effexor) and Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• What are tricyclic antidepressants primarily used for? -✓✓To inhibit the reuptake
of serotonin and norepinephrine at the presynaptic neuron.
• What are some contraindications for tricyclic antidepressants? -✓✓Patients with
cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled epilepsy, urinary retention, angle-closure
glaucoma.
• What is Bupropion (Wellbutrin) classified as? -✓✓An atypical antidepressant and
norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor.
• What are some contraindications for Bupropion? -✓✓Patients with seizure
disorders or conditions that increase the risk of seizures, angle-closure glaucoma.
Answers (2026) | Updated Comprehensive
Review with Detailed Rationales | A+ Verified
• What are the two main classes of anxiolytics? -✓✓Benzodiazepines and
Buspirone (Buspar)
• Name three examples of benzodiazepines. -✓✓Alprazolam (Xanax), Lorazepam
(Ativan), Temazepam (Restoril), Clonazepam (Klonopin)
• What neurotransmitter do benzodiazepines primarily enhance the action of? -
✓✓Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA)
• What are some effects of benzodiazepines? -✓✓Reduction in anxiety, muscle
relaxation, ataxia, anticonvulsant activity.
• What is Buspirone (Buspar) primarily used to treat? -✓✓Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD)
• How does Buspirone act at the serotonin receptors? -✓✓It is a full agonist at the
pre-synaptic serotonin-1A (5-HT 1a) receptor.
• What is a key characteristic of the pharmacokinetics of Buspirone? -✓✓It should
be taken with food to decrease the first-pass effect.
• What are the main classes of antidepressants? -✓✓SSRIs, SNRIs, Tricyclics,
Atypical antidepressants.
, • What are SSRIs and what do they do? -✓✓Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors that inhibit presynaptic neuronal reuptake of serotonin, increasing its
availability.
• Name four SSRIs. -✓✓Paroxetine (Paxil), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline
(Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• What are common adverse effects of SSRIs? -✓✓Nausea, dry mouth, headache,
sexual side effects.
• What is the mechanism of action of SNRIs? -✓✓They block serotonin and
norepinephrine transporters, inhibiting the reuptake of these neurotransmitters.
• Name two SNRIs. -✓✓Venlafaxine (Effexor) and Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• What are tricyclic antidepressants primarily used for? -✓✓To inhibit the reuptake
of serotonin and norepinephrine at the presynaptic neuron.
• What are some contraindications for tricyclic antidepressants? -✓✓Patients with
cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled epilepsy, urinary retention, angle-closure
glaucoma.
• What is Bupropion (Wellbutrin) classified as? -✓✓An atypical antidepressant and
norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor.
• What are some contraindications for Bupropion? -✓✓Patients with seizure
disorders or conditions that increase the risk of seizures, angle-closure glaucoma.
