NRNP 6675 WALDEN
FINAL EXAM
Actual Questions and Answers
Expert-Verified Explanation
This Exam contains:
❖ Guarantee passing score
❖ 100 Questions and Answers
❖ format set of multiple-choice
❖ Expert-Verified Explanation
❖ Verified with trusted textbooks
,1) The half-life of lithium is about…?
A. 8 hours
B. 12 hours
C. 24 hours
D. 48 hours
Answer: C. 24 hours
Expert-Verified Explanation:
Lithium’s plasma half-life (the time it takes for the drug’s concentration to reduce by
half in the bloodstream) is typically around 24 hours in individuals with normal renal
function. This relatively medium-range half-life allows for once- or twice-daily dosing in
many cases. Adequate monitoring of serum lithium level is crucial because slight
variations in kidney function or fluid balance can significantly affect lithium levels and
risk of toxicity.
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2) Fluoxetine is the SSRI with the ______ withdrawal risk, due to its long half-life.
A. Highest
B. Lowest
C. Moderate
D. No
Answer: B. Lowest
Expert-Verified Explanation:
Fluoxetine (Prozac) has one of the longest half-lives among SSRIs (about 2 weeks when
considering its active metabolite). A longer half-life means the medication exits the
,body more gradually, typically resulting in fewer and less severe withdrawal symptoms
compared to shorter half-life antidepressants. This makes fluoxetine a commonly used
“bridge” medication when trying to taper patients off SSRIs that have more pronounced
discontinuation syndromes.
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3) Which one of the following antipsychotics is incorrectly associated with a long half-
life?
A. Cariprazine (2–4 days; active metabolites up to 3 weeks)
B. Aripiprazole (≈3 days)
C. Risperidone (≈12–24 hours)
D. Brexipiprazole (≈4 days)
Answer: C. Risperidone (≈12–24 hours)
Expert-Verified Explanation:
Cariprazine, aripiprazole, brexipiprazole, pimozide, and pimavanserin are known for
their lengthy half-lives (ranging from about 2 days to several days, or even weeks for
active metabolites). These longer half-lives can be advantageous for patients who
occasionally miss doses because blood levels remain more stable. Risperidone,
conversely, has a shorter half-life of around 12–24 hours and can drop more quickly if
doses are missed.
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4) Disulfiram’s alcohol-interaction effects can persist for up to how long after the
medication is stopped?
A. 1 day
B. 2–3 days, up to 2 weeks
, C. 4 weeks
D. 12 hours
Answer: B. 2–3 days, up to 2 weeks
Expert-Verified Explanation:
Disulfiram (Antabuse) irreversibly inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing an
unpleasant reaction when alcohol is consumed. Its effects can remain active in the body
for 1–2 weeks after stopping regular dosing because the body must synthesize new
enzyme to replace the inhibited enzyme. Clinicians advise patients to avoid alcohol for
at least 14 days after discontinuation to prevent a severe disulfiram-alcohol reaction.
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5) Which TCA is known for having a long half-life?
A. Amitriptyline
B. Doxepin
C. Nortriptyline
D. Protriptyline (Vivactil)
Answer: D. Protriptyline (Vivactil)
Expert-Verified Explanation:
Protriptyline (Vivactil) is a lesser-prescribed tricyclic antidepressant but stands out for its
relatively long half-life among TCAs. This can influence dosing schedules and side-effect
profiles. TCAs in general must be monitored for anticholinergic side effects, conduction
abnormalities, and potential toxicity in overdose, but a longer half-life such as
protriptyline’s can also affect how quickly (or slowly) symptoms of toxicity or withdrawal
might present.
FINAL EXAM
Actual Questions and Answers
Expert-Verified Explanation
This Exam contains:
❖ Guarantee passing score
❖ 100 Questions and Answers
❖ format set of multiple-choice
❖ Expert-Verified Explanation
❖ Verified with trusted textbooks
,1) The half-life of lithium is about…?
A. 8 hours
B. 12 hours
C. 24 hours
D. 48 hours
Answer: C. 24 hours
Expert-Verified Explanation:
Lithium’s plasma half-life (the time it takes for the drug’s concentration to reduce by
half in the bloodstream) is typically around 24 hours in individuals with normal renal
function. This relatively medium-range half-life allows for once- or twice-daily dosing in
many cases. Adequate monitoring of serum lithium level is crucial because slight
variations in kidney function or fluid balance can significantly affect lithium levels and
risk of toxicity.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
2) Fluoxetine is the SSRI with the ______ withdrawal risk, due to its long half-life.
A. Highest
B. Lowest
C. Moderate
D. No
Answer: B. Lowest
Expert-Verified Explanation:
Fluoxetine (Prozac) has one of the longest half-lives among SSRIs (about 2 weeks when
considering its active metabolite). A longer half-life means the medication exits the
,body more gradually, typically resulting in fewer and less severe withdrawal symptoms
compared to shorter half-life antidepressants. This makes fluoxetine a commonly used
“bridge” medication when trying to taper patients off SSRIs that have more pronounced
discontinuation syndromes.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
3) Which one of the following antipsychotics is incorrectly associated with a long half-
life?
A. Cariprazine (2–4 days; active metabolites up to 3 weeks)
B. Aripiprazole (≈3 days)
C. Risperidone (≈12–24 hours)
D. Brexipiprazole (≈4 days)
Answer: C. Risperidone (≈12–24 hours)
Expert-Verified Explanation:
Cariprazine, aripiprazole, brexipiprazole, pimozide, and pimavanserin are known for
their lengthy half-lives (ranging from about 2 days to several days, or even weeks for
active metabolites). These longer half-lives can be advantageous for patients who
occasionally miss doses because blood levels remain more stable. Risperidone,
conversely, has a shorter half-life of around 12–24 hours and can drop more quickly if
doses are missed.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
4) Disulfiram’s alcohol-interaction effects can persist for up to how long after the
medication is stopped?
A. 1 day
B. 2–3 days, up to 2 weeks
, C. 4 weeks
D. 12 hours
Answer: B. 2–3 days, up to 2 weeks
Expert-Verified Explanation:
Disulfiram (Antabuse) irreversibly inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing an
unpleasant reaction when alcohol is consumed. Its effects can remain active in the body
for 1–2 weeks after stopping regular dosing because the body must synthesize new
enzyme to replace the inhibited enzyme. Clinicians advise patients to avoid alcohol for
at least 14 days after discontinuation to prevent a severe disulfiram-alcohol reaction.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
5) Which TCA is known for having a long half-life?
A. Amitriptyline
B. Doxepin
C. Nortriptyline
D. Protriptyline (Vivactil)
Answer: D. Protriptyline (Vivactil)
Expert-Verified Explanation:
Protriptyline (Vivactil) is a lesser-prescribed tricyclic antidepressant but stands out for its
relatively long half-life among TCAs. This can influence dosing schedules and side-effect
profiles. TCAs in general must be monitored for anticholinergic side effects, conduction
abnormalities, and potential toxicity in overdose, but a longer half-life such as
protriptyline’s can also affect how quickly (or slowly) symptoms of toxicity or withdrawal
might present.
