1|Page
NU 665 Exam 1 2026 NU 665 Actual Exam 2026
Questions and Correct Answers Rated A+
A 25-year-old woman with bipolar disorder is newly pregnant. She is
currently stable on valproate. What should be done?
......ANSWER......Discontinue valproate immediately due to its high risk
of neural tube defects. Consider switching to lamotrigine, which is safer
in pregnancy.
A 70-year-old woman with GAD and a history of falls is asking for
medication. Which medication should be avoided?
......ANSWER......Benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam,
lorazepam) - They increase fall risk, cognitive impairment, and
dependence in elderly patients. Consider SSRIs or buspirone instead.
A 36-year-old male combat veteran with PTSD experiences nightmares
and hyperarousal. What medication should be considered?
......ANSWER......A 36-year-old male combat veteran with PTSD
experiences nightmares and hyperarousal. What medication should be
considered?
A 28-year-old female with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) wants a
medication that is non-addictive and does not cause sedation. What is a
good option? ......ANSWER......Buspirone - A non-benzodiazepine option
,2|Page
that does not cause sedation or dependence, but takes 2-4 weeks to
work.
A 38-year-old male with depression and chronic pain (fibromyalgia)
needs an antidepressant. Which medication would be a good choice?
......ANSWER......Duloxetine - It treats both depression and neuropathic
pain/fibromyalgia.
A 45-year-old woman with treatment-resistant depression has tried
fluoxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine with minimal improvement. What
is the next step? ......ANSWER......Consider augmentation therapy with
lithium, atypical antipsychotics (e.g., aripiprazole), or triiodothyronine
(T3). Alternatively, MAOIs or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be
considered.
A 24-year-old man with major depressive disorder (MDD) and nicotine
dependence wants to quit smoking. He has no history of seizures. What
antidepressant might be a good option? ......ANSWER......Bupropion - It
treats MDD and helps with smoking cessation. However, it is
contraindicated in seizure disorders or eating disorders.
A 32-year-old woman presents with depression, decreased appetite,
weight loss, and insomnia. She denies suicidal ideation but feels
hopeless. She is underweight (BMI 17.8). Which antidepressant is a
good choice? ......ANSWER......Mirtazapine - It promotes weight gain and
improves sleep, making it ideal for underweight patients with insomnia.
, 3|Page
What is the black box warning for all antidepressants?
......ANSWER......What is the black box warning for all antidepressants?
Which antipsychotic has a black box warning for increased mortality in
elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis? ......ANSWER......All
antipsychotics (especially second-generation).
Which benzodiazepine has the highest potential for abuse due to rapid
onset? ......ANSWER......Alprazolam (Xanax).
Which sleep medication is most associated with complex sleep
behaviors like sleepwalking? ......ANSWER......Zolpidem (Ambien).
What are the three hallmark symptoms of serotonin syndrome?
......ANSWER......Hyperreflexia, clonus, autonomic instability (fever,
sweating, tachycardia).
What is the first-line treatment for serotonin syndrome?
......ANSWER......Discontinue serotonergic drugs and give
cyproheptadine (serotonin antagonist).
What is the hallmark sign of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)?
......ANSWER......Lead-pipe rigidity, high fever, altered mental status,
autonomic instability.
NU 665 Exam 1 2026 NU 665 Actual Exam 2026
Questions and Correct Answers Rated A+
A 25-year-old woman with bipolar disorder is newly pregnant. She is
currently stable on valproate. What should be done?
......ANSWER......Discontinue valproate immediately due to its high risk
of neural tube defects. Consider switching to lamotrigine, which is safer
in pregnancy.
A 70-year-old woman with GAD and a history of falls is asking for
medication. Which medication should be avoided?
......ANSWER......Benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam,
lorazepam) - They increase fall risk, cognitive impairment, and
dependence in elderly patients. Consider SSRIs or buspirone instead.
A 36-year-old male combat veteran with PTSD experiences nightmares
and hyperarousal. What medication should be considered?
......ANSWER......A 36-year-old male combat veteran with PTSD
experiences nightmares and hyperarousal. What medication should be
considered?
A 28-year-old female with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) wants a
medication that is non-addictive and does not cause sedation. What is a
good option? ......ANSWER......Buspirone - A non-benzodiazepine option
,2|Page
that does not cause sedation or dependence, but takes 2-4 weeks to
work.
A 38-year-old male with depression and chronic pain (fibromyalgia)
needs an antidepressant. Which medication would be a good choice?
......ANSWER......Duloxetine - It treats both depression and neuropathic
pain/fibromyalgia.
A 45-year-old woman with treatment-resistant depression has tried
fluoxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine with minimal improvement. What
is the next step? ......ANSWER......Consider augmentation therapy with
lithium, atypical antipsychotics (e.g., aripiprazole), or triiodothyronine
(T3). Alternatively, MAOIs or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be
considered.
A 24-year-old man with major depressive disorder (MDD) and nicotine
dependence wants to quit smoking. He has no history of seizures. What
antidepressant might be a good option? ......ANSWER......Bupropion - It
treats MDD and helps with smoking cessation. However, it is
contraindicated in seizure disorders or eating disorders.
A 32-year-old woman presents with depression, decreased appetite,
weight loss, and insomnia. She denies suicidal ideation but feels
hopeless. She is underweight (BMI 17.8). Which antidepressant is a
good choice? ......ANSWER......Mirtazapine - It promotes weight gain and
improves sleep, making it ideal for underweight patients with insomnia.
, 3|Page
What is the black box warning for all antidepressants?
......ANSWER......What is the black box warning for all antidepressants?
Which antipsychotic has a black box warning for increased mortality in
elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis? ......ANSWER......All
antipsychotics (especially second-generation).
Which benzodiazepine has the highest potential for abuse due to rapid
onset? ......ANSWER......Alprazolam (Xanax).
Which sleep medication is most associated with complex sleep
behaviors like sleepwalking? ......ANSWER......Zolpidem (Ambien).
What are the three hallmark symptoms of serotonin syndrome?
......ANSWER......Hyperreflexia, clonus, autonomic instability (fever,
sweating, tachycardia).
What is the first-line treatment for serotonin syndrome?
......ANSWER......Discontinue serotonergic drugs and give
cyproheptadine (serotonin antagonist).
What is the hallmark sign of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)?
......ANSWER......Lead-pipe rigidity, high fever, altered mental status,
autonomic instability.
