DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSING AND
PHARMACOLOGY
NUR 373 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAMINATION PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
2026-2027 UPDATE
Instructions: Answer all sixty (60) practice questions. Select the single best option for each
multiple-choice question. Highlighted options indicate correct answers along with verified solutions
and comprehensive rationales.
1. A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder is prescribed fluoxetine. What
primary mechanism of action characterizes Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
(SSRIs)?
A) Blocking post-synaptic dopamine D2 receptors
B) Inhibiting presynaptic serotonin reuptake transporters, increasing synaptic
serotonin concentration
C) Inhibiting monoamine oxidase enzymes from degrading norepinephrine
D) Direct agonist stimulation of GABA-A receptor complexes
Rationale: SSRIs selectively block the presynaptic reuptake pump (SERT), elevating available serotonin levels in
the synaptic cleft to enhance neurotransmission.
2. A client taking sertraline and tramadol develops high fever, muscle clonus,
hyperreflexia, agitation, and diaphoresis. What toxic condition does the nurse suspect?
A) Serotonin Syndrome
B) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
C) Anticholinergic toxicity
D) Hypertensive crisis
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome results from excessive central serotonergic activity, presenting with
neuromuscular excitation (clonus, hyperreflexia), autonomic instability, and mental status changes.
3. What is the priority nursing intervention when Serotonin Syndrome is suspected in a
client taking SSRI therapy?
A) Discontinue all serotonergic agents immediately and provide supportive medical
care
B) Administer an additional dose of the prescribed SSRI
C) Increase oral sodium intake
, D) Administer intramuscular haloperidol
Rationale: Immediate termination of causative serotonergic drugs combined with supportive interventions
(cooling, IV fluids, serotonin antagonists) prevents fatal complications.
4. A client taking phenelzine (an MAOI) presents to the emergency department with a
severe pounding headache, stiff neck, palpitations, and a blood pressure of 210/120
mmHg. What dietary error likely precipitated this crisis?
A) Consuming a diet high in citrus fruits and green vegetables
B) Ingesting tyramine-containing foods such as aged cheeses, pepperoni, and red
wine
C) Drinking excessive amounts of plain tap water
D) Following a low-protein vegetarian diet
Rationale: MAOIs prevent gastrointestinal tyramine degradation; un-degraded tyramine enters circulation,
causing massive norepinephrine release and severe hypertensive crisis.
5. What antidote or pharmacological intervention is administered to lower blood pressure
during an MAOI-induced hypertensive crisis?
A) Intravenous Phentolamine or Nitroprusside
B) Intravenous Calcium gluconate
C) Oral Naloxone
D) Intramuscular Flumazenil
Rationale: Phentolamine (an alpha-adrenergic blocker) or sodium nitroprusside rapidly reverses tyramine-induced
vasoconstriction during hypertensive crises.
6. A client prescribed haloperidol develops acute muscle spasms of the neck (torticollis)
and upward deviation of the eyes (oculogyric crisis) 2 days after starting therapy. What
extrapyramidal symptom (EPS) is present?
A) Akathisia
B) Acute Dystonia
C) Pseudoparkinsonism
D) Tardive dyskinesia
Rationale: Acute dystonia involves painful, involuntary muscle contractions of the neck, eyes, tongue, or back,
occurring shortly after initiating first-generation antipsychotics.
7. What medication should be administered immediately to reverse an acute dystonic
reaction?
A) Intramuscular or intravenous Benztropine or Diphenhydramine
B) Oral Lorazepam
C) Intravenous Dantrolene
D) Subcutaneous Insulin
PHARMACOLOGY
NUR 373 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAMINATION PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
2026-2027 UPDATE
Instructions: Answer all sixty (60) practice questions. Select the single best option for each
multiple-choice question. Highlighted options indicate correct answers along with verified solutions
and comprehensive rationales.
1. A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder is prescribed fluoxetine. What
primary mechanism of action characterizes Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
(SSRIs)?
A) Blocking post-synaptic dopamine D2 receptors
B) Inhibiting presynaptic serotonin reuptake transporters, increasing synaptic
serotonin concentration
C) Inhibiting monoamine oxidase enzymes from degrading norepinephrine
D) Direct agonist stimulation of GABA-A receptor complexes
Rationale: SSRIs selectively block the presynaptic reuptake pump (SERT), elevating available serotonin levels in
the synaptic cleft to enhance neurotransmission.
2. A client taking sertraline and tramadol develops high fever, muscle clonus,
hyperreflexia, agitation, and diaphoresis. What toxic condition does the nurse suspect?
A) Serotonin Syndrome
B) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
C) Anticholinergic toxicity
D) Hypertensive crisis
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome results from excessive central serotonergic activity, presenting with
neuromuscular excitation (clonus, hyperreflexia), autonomic instability, and mental status changes.
3. What is the priority nursing intervention when Serotonin Syndrome is suspected in a
client taking SSRI therapy?
A) Discontinue all serotonergic agents immediately and provide supportive medical
care
B) Administer an additional dose of the prescribed SSRI
C) Increase oral sodium intake
, D) Administer intramuscular haloperidol
Rationale: Immediate termination of causative serotonergic drugs combined with supportive interventions
(cooling, IV fluids, serotonin antagonists) prevents fatal complications.
4. A client taking phenelzine (an MAOI) presents to the emergency department with a
severe pounding headache, stiff neck, palpitations, and a blood pressure of 210/120
mmHg. What dietary error likely precipitated this crisis?
A) Consuming a diet high in citrus fruits and green vegetables
B) Ingesting tyramine-containing foods such as aged cheeses, pepperoni, and red
wine
C) Drinking excessive amounts of plain tap water
D) Following a low-protein vegetarian diet
Rationale: MAOIs prevent gastrointestinal tyramine degradation; un-degraded tyramine enters circulation,
causing massive norepinephrine release and severe hypertensive crisis.
5. What antidote or pharmacological intervention is administered to lower blood pressure
during an MAOI-induced hypertensive crisis?
A) Intravenous Phentolamine or Nitroprusside
B) Intravenous Calcium gluconate
C) Oral Naloxone
D) Intramuscular Flumazenil
Rationale: Phentolamine (an alpha-adrenergic blocker) or sodium nitroprusside rapidly reverses tyramine-induced
vasoconstriction during hypertensive crises.
6. A client prescribed haloperidol develops acute muscle spasms of the neck (torticollis)
and upward deviation of the eyes (oculogyric crisis) 2 days after starting therapy. What
extrapyramidal symptom (EPS) is present?
A) Akathisia
B) Acute Dystonia
C) Pseudoparkinsonism
D) Tardive dyskinesia
Rationale: Acute dystonia involves painful, involuntary muscle contractions of the neck, eyes, tongue, or back,
occurring shortly after initiating first-generation antipsychotics.
7. What medication should be administered immediately to reverse an acute dystonic
reaction?
A) Intramuscular or intravenous Benztropine or Diphenhydramine
B) Oral Lorazepam
C) Intravenous Dantrolene
D) Subcutaneous Insulin
