NURS 752 EXAM 3 – ADVANCED PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY – EXAM – QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED
PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST
1. A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder is prescribed a selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Which clinical response indicates the earliest sign of therapeutic
improvement?
A. Improved sleep patterns
B. Increased energy levels
C. Decreased suicidal ideation
D. Improved appetite
════════════════════
Correct Answer: B. Increased energy levels
Rationale:
Increased energy is often one of the earliest signs of SSRI effectiveness, appearing before
mood elevation. Sleep and appetite changes typically occur later, and reduction in suicidal
ideation is a more complex, later-stage outcome requiring close monitoring.
════════════════════
2. A patient taking lithium reports tremors, diarrhea, and confusion. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Administer next scheduled dose
B. Encourage fluid restriction
C. Hold medication and notify provider
D. Increase dietary sodium intake
════════════════════
Correct Answer: C. Hold medication and notify provider
Rationale:
These symptoms suggest lithium toxicity, requiring immediate discontinuation and provider
notification. Continuing the dose or altering fluids without assessment could worsen toxicity.
════════════════════
,3. Which medication class is most associated with risk of serotonin syndrome when combined
with SSRIs?
A. Beta-blockers
B. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
C. Antacids
D. Calcium channel blockers
════════════════════
Correct Answer: B. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Rationale:
MAOIs increase serotonin levels and, when combined with SSRIs, can lead to life-threatening
serotonin syndrome. Other listed medications do not significantly affect serotonin pathways.
════════════════════
4. A patient with schizophrenia is prescribed risperidone. Which symptom requires immediate
intervention?
A. Mild sedation
B. Weight gain
C. Muscle rigidity and fever
D. Dry mouth
════════════════════
Correct Answer: C. Muscle rigidity and fever
Rationale:
These are signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a medical emergency requiring
immediate discontinuation of antipsychotic therapy.
════════════════════
5. Which antidepressant is considered safest for a patient with cardiac conduction
abnormalities?
A. Amitriptyline
B. Nortriptyline
C. Sertraline
D. Imipramine
,════════════════════
Correct Answer: C. Sertraline
Rationale:
Sertraline (an SSRI) has a safer cardiac profile compared to tricyclic antidepressants, which
can prolong conduction intervals and cause arrhythmias.
════════════════════
6. A patient prescribed valproate requires monitoring for which life-threatening adverse
effect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hepatotoxicity
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypertension
════════════════════
Correct Answer: B. Hepatotoxicity
Rationale:
Valproate carries a risk of severe liver toxicity, especially in the first six months of treatment,
requiring routine liver function monitoring.
════════════════════
7. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by benzodiazepines?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
════════════════════
Correct Answer: C. GABA
Rationale:
Benzodiazepines enhance GABA activity, producing anxiolytic, sedative, and anticonvulsant
effects.
════════════════════
, 8. A patient taking clozapine must be monitored closely for which complication?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Hyperkalemia
════════════════════
Correct Answer: B. Agranulocytosis
Rationale:
Clozapine can severely suppress bone marrow function, leading to agranulocytosis, requiring
routine ANC monitoring.
════════════════════
9. Which medication is most appropriate for acute manic episodes in bipolar disorder?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium
C. Lorazepam
D. Haloperidol
════════════════════
Correct Answer: D. Haloperidol
Rationale:
Haloperidol provides rapid control of acute mania due to its strong dopamine blockade.
Lithium is slower in onset.
════════════════════
10. A patient taking SSRIs develops agitation, hyperreflexia, and diaphoresis. What condition
is suspected?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Lithium toxicity
D. Anticholinergic crisis
ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED
PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST
1. A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder is prescribed a selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Which clinical response indicates the earliest sign of therapeutic
improvement?
A. Improved sleep patterns
B. Increased energy levels
C. Decreased suicidal ideation
D. Improved appetite
════════════════════
Correct Answer: B. Increased energy levels
Rationale:
Increased energy is often one of the earliest signs of SSRI effectiveness, appearing before
mood elevation. Sleep and appetite changes typically occur later, and reduction in suicidal
ideation is a more complex, later-stage outcome requiring close monitoring.
════════════════════
2. A patient taking lithium reports tremors, diarrhea, and confusion. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Administer next scheduled dose
B. Encourage fluid restriction
C. Hold medication and notify provider
D. Increase dietary sodium intake
════════════════════
Correct Answer: C. Hold medication and notify provider
Rationale:
These symptoms suggest lithium toxicity, requiring immediate discontinuation and provider
notification. Continuing the dose or altering fluids without assessment could worsen toxicity.
════════════════════
,3. Which medication class is most associated with risk of serotonin syndrome when combined
with SSRIs?
A. Beta-blockers
B. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
C. Antacids
D. Calcium channel blockers
════════════════════
Correct Answer: B. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Rationale:
MAOIs increase serotonin levels and, when combined with SSRIs, can lead to life-threatening
serotonin syndrome. Other listed medications do not significantly affect serotonin pathways.
════════════════════
4. A patient with schizophrenia is prescribed risperidone. Which symptom requires immediate
intervention?
A. Mild sedation
B. Weight gain
C. Muscle rigidity and fever
D. Dry mouth
════════════════════
Correct Answer: C. Muscle rigidity and fever
Rationale:
These are signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a medical emergency requiring
immediate discontinuation of antipsychotic therapy.
════════════════════
5. Which antidepressant is considered safest for a patient with cardiac conduction
abnormalities?
A. Amitriptyline
B. Nortriptyline
C. Sertraline
D. Imipramine
,════════════════════
Correct Answer: C. Sertraline
Rationale:
Sertraline (an SSRI) has a safer cardiac profile compared to tricyclic antidepressants, which
can prolong conduction intervals and cause arrhythmias.
════════════════════
6. A patient prescribed valproate requires monitoring for which life-threatening adverse
effect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hepatotoxicity
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypertension
════════════════════
Correct Answer: B. Hepatotoxicity
Rationale:
Valproate carries a risk of severe liver toxicity, especially in the first six months of treatment,
requiring routine liver function monitoring.
════════════════════
7. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by benzodiazepines?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
════════════════════
Correct Answer: C. GABA
Rationale:
Benzodiazepines enhance GABA activity, producing anxiolytic, sedative, and anticonvulsant
effects.
════════════════════
, 8. A patient taking clozapine must be monitored closely for which complication?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Hyperkalemia
════════════════════
Correct Answer: B. Agranulocytosis
Rationale:
Clozapine can severely suppress bone marrow function, leading to agranulocytosis, requiring
routine ANC monitoring.
════════════════════
9. Which medication is most appropriate for acute manic episodes in bipolar disorder?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium
C. Lorazepam
D. Haloperidol
════════════════════
Correct Answer: D. Haloperidol
Rationale:
Haloperidol provides rapid control of acute mania due to its strong dopamine blockade.
Lithium is slower in onset.
════════════════════
10. A patient taking SSRIs develops agitation, hyperreflexia, and diaphoresis. What condition
is suspected?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Lithium toxicity
D. Anticholinergic crisis
