NR 546 / NR546 Final Exam
Guide 2024/2025:
Chamberlain’s Verified
Q&A for
Psychopharmacology
(New!!!)
1. What are the five P's?
Partners, practices, past history of STI, protection,
prevention of pregnancy (and pleasure).
2. What is the monoamine hypothesis of depression?
Depression occurs as a result of a deficiency of one or all
three monoamine neurotransmitters.
3. What are the three monoamine neurotransmitters?
Norepinephrine (NE), Dopamine (DA), and Serotonin (5HT).
4. According to the monoamine hypothesis, what
symptom is associated with too little positive affect?
,DA/NE dysfunction, leading to loss of pleasure, interest,
alertness, and self-confidence.
5. According to the monoamine hypothesis, what
symptom is associated with too much negative affect?
5HT/NE dysfunction, leading to depressed mood, guilt,
fear/anxiety, hostility, irritability, and loneliness.
6. What is the goal of antidepressant medication?
Complete remission of symptoms.
7. What is the typical prescribing schedule for
antidepressants?
Start a patient on a single drug for 4-8 weeks to assess
efficacy.
8. If a patient does not achieve efficacy on an
antidepressant, what is the first step?
Increase the dose gradually to the efficacious dose range.
9. If a patient does not achieve efficacy after an
adequate trial and dose increase of an antidepressant,
what is the next step?
Switch to a different drug within the same class after an
adequate trial which includes higher dosing and a
minimum of eight weeks.
10. What is the mechanism of action (MOA) for SSRIs?
Inhibit serotonin (5HT) reuptake.
,11. SSRIs are considered a first-line treatment for what
condition?
Depression.
12. What is a common mnemonic for SSRI side effects?
The 7 S's of SSRIs: Stomach, Sexual dysfunction, Serotonin
syndrome, Sleep difficulties, Suicidal thoughts, Stress, Size
(weight).
13. What SSRI has no known drug interactions and is
considered the best tolerated?
Escitalopram (Lexapro).
14. What SSRI has the longest half-life and is a good
choice for patients who may forget to take their
medication?
Fluoxetine (Prozac).
15. What SSRI is associated with the highest risk of
discontinuation syndrome?
Paroxetine (Paxil).
16. What SSRI is associated with the highest risk of
galactorrhea?
Risperidone. (Note: This is an antipsychotic, not an SSRI,
but it was listed as the answer in the source).
17. What is the mechanism of action (MOA) for SNRIs?
Inhibit serotonin (5HT) reuptake and inhibit
norepinephrine (NE) reuptake.
, 18. What is a common adverse effect of SNRIs due to
their norepinephrine effects?
Elevated blood pressure, anxiety, and insomnia.
19. What is the mechanism of action (MOA) for NDRIs?
Inhibit dopamine (DA) reuptake and inhibit norepinephrine
(NE) reuptake.
20. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is an example of which
drug class?
NDRI (Norepinephrine Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor).
21. What is a key contraindication for Bupropion?
History of seizures; avoid in patients with comorbid
anxiety.
22. What is the mechanism of action (MOA) for SARIs
(Serotonin Antagonist and Reuptake Inhibitors)?
Potently block 5-HT2A and 5HT 2C receptors, allowing
more 5-HT to interact at postsynaptic 5-HT1A sites.
23. What is the most common serious adverse effect of
Trazodone?
Priapism.
24. What is the mechanism of action (MOA) for TCAs
(Tricyclic Antidepressants)?
Possess both SRI and NRI properties but also block other
receptors, including α1-adrenergic, histamine-1, and
muscarinic cholinergic receptors.
Guide 2024/2025:
Chamberlain’s Verified
Q&A for
Psychopharmacology
(New!!!)
1. What are the five P's?
Partners, practices, past history of STI, protection,
prevention of pregnancy (and pleasure).
2. What is the monoamine hypothesis of depression?
Depression occurs as a result of a deficiency of one or all
three monoamine neurotransmitters.
3. What are the three monoamine neurotransmitters?
Norepinephrine (NE), Dopamine (DA), and Serotonin (5HT).
4. According to the monoamine hypothesis, what
symptom is associated with too little positive affect?
,DA/NE dysfunction, leading to loss of pleasure, interest,
alertness, and self-confidence.
5. According to the monoamine hypothesis, what
symptom is associated with too much negative affect?
5HT/NE dysfunction, leading to depressed mood, guilt,
fear/anxiety, hostility, irritability, and loneliness.
6. What is the goal of antidepressant medication?
Complete remission of symptoms.
7. What is the typical prescribing schedule for
antidepressants?
Start a patient on a single drug for 4-8 weeks to assess
efficacy.
8. If a patient does not achieve efficacy on an
antidepressant, what is the first step?
Increase the dose gradually to the efficacious dose range.
9. If a patient does not achieve efficacy after an
adequate trial and dose increase of an antidepressant,
what is the next step?
Switch to a different drug within the same class after an
adequate trial which includes higher dosing and a
minimum of eight weeks.
10. What is the mechanism of action (MOA) for SSRIs?
Inhibit serotonin (5HT) reuptake.
,11. SSRIs are considered a first-line treatment for what
condition?
Depression.
12. What is a common mnemonic for SSRI side effects?
The 7 S's of SSRIs: Stomach, Sexual dysfunction, Serotonin
syndrome, Sleep difficulties, Suicidal thoughts, Stress, Size
(weight).
13. What SSRI has no known drug interactions and is
considered the best tolerated?
Escitalopram (Lexapro).
14. What SSRI has the longest half-life and is a good
choice for patients who may forget to take their
medication?
Fluoxetine (Prozac).
15. What SSRI is associated with the highest risk of
discontinuation syndrome?
Paroxetine (Paxil).
16. What SSRI is associated with the highest risk of
galactorrhea?
Risperidone. (Note: This is an antipsychotic, not an SSRI,
but it was listed as the answer in the source).
17. What is the mechanism of action (MOA) for SNRIs?
Inhibit serotonin (5HT) reuptake and inhibit
norepinephrine (NE) reuptake.
, 18. What is a common adverse effect of SNRIs due to
their norepinephrine effects?
Elevated blood pressure, anxiety, and insomnia.
19. What is the mechanism of action (MOA) for NDRIs?
Inhibit dopamine (DA) reuptake and inhibit norepinephrine
(NE) reuptake.
20. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is an example of which
drug class?
NDRI (Norepinephrine Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor).
21. What is a key contraindication for Bupropion?
History of seizures; avoid in patients with comorbid
anxiety.
22. What is the mechanism of action (MOA) for SARIs
(Serotonin Antagonist and Reuptake Inhibitors)?
Potently block 5-HT2A and 5HT 2C receptors, allowing
more 5-HT to interact at postsynaptic 5-HT1A sites.
23. What is the most common serious adverse effect of
Trazodone?
Priapism.
24. What is the mechanism of action (MOA) for TCAs
(Tricyclic Antidepressants)?
Possess both SRI and NRI properties but also block other
receptors, including α1-adrenergic, histamine-1, and
muscarinic cholinergic receptors.
