NU664 ADVANCED
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND
MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 24-year-old patient diagnosed with Schizophrenia is started on Clozapine. Which
laboratory monitoring is strictly required by the FDA to prevent life-threatening
complications?
A. Liver function tests (LFTs) every month
B. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
C. Serum Creatinine and BUN
D. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis. The
Clozapine REMS program requires regular monitoring of the Absolute Neutrophil Count
(ANC) to ensure the patient does not develop severe neutropenia.
,2. Which antidepressant is uniquely characterized as a Selective Norepinephrine and
Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (NDRI) and is contraindicated in patients with a history of
seizures?
A. Venlafaxine
B. Mirtazapine
C. Duloxetine
D. Bupropion
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Bupropion is an NDRI. It is contraindicated in patients with
seizure disorders and eating disorders (bulimia or anorexia) because it lowers the seizure
threshold.
3. A patient presents with confusion, hyperreflexia, shivering, and diaphoresis after
increasing their dose of Sertraline and starting Sumatriptan for migraines. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
C. Anticholinergic Toxicity
D. Hypertensive Crisis
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: Serotonin syndrome is caused by excess serotonin activity, often
from combining SSRIs with other serotonergic agents like triptans. Key symptoms include
hyperreflexia and autonomic instability.
4. Which mood stabilizer is associated with a rare but life-threatening side effect of Stevens-
Johnson Syndrome (SJS), necessitating a slow titration schedule?
A. Valproate
B. Lithium
C. Carbamazepine
D. Lamotrigine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Lamotrigine must be titrated slowly to reduce the risk of severe
dermatological reactions, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
5. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by First-Generation Antipsychotics (FGAs) to
reduce positive symptoms of Schizophrenia?
A. Dopamine (D2) Antagonism
B. Serotonin (5-HT2A) Antagonism
C. Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibition
D. GABA Modulation
Answer: A
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND
MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 24-year-old patient diagnosed with Schizophrenia is started on Clozapine. Which
laboratory monitoring is strictly required by the FDA to prevent life-threatening
complications?
A. Liver function tests (LFTs) every month
B. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
C. Serum Creatinine and BUN
D. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis. The
Clozapine REMS program requires regular monitoring of the Absolute Neutrophil Count
(ANC) to ensure the patient does not develop severe neutropenia.
,2. Which antidepressant is uniquely characterized as a Selective Norepinephrine and
Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (NDRI) and is contraindicated in patients with a history of
seizures?
A. Venlafaxine
B. Mirtazapine
C. Duloxetine
D. Bupropion
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Bupropion is an NDRI. It is contraindicated in patients with
seizure disorders and eating disorders (bulimia or anorexia) because it lowers the seizure
threshold.
3. A patient presents with confusion, hyperreflexia, shivering, and diaphoresis after
increasing their dose of Sertraline and starting Sumatriptan for migraines. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
C. Anticholinergic Toxicity
D. Hypertensive Crisis
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: Serotonin syndrome is caused by excess serotonin activity, often
from combining SSRIs with other serotonergic agents like triptans. Key symptoms include
hyperreflexia and autonomic instability.
4. Which mood stabilizer is associated with a rare but life-threatening side effect of Stevens-
Johnson Syndrome (SJS), necessitating a slow titration schedule?
A. Valproate
B. Lithium
C. Carbamazepine
D. Lamotrigine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Lamotrigine must be titrated slowly to reduce the risk of severe
dermatological reactions, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
5. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by First-Generation Antipsychotics (FGAs) to
reduce positive symptoms of Schizophrenia?
A. Dopamine (D2) Antagonism
B. Serotonin (5-HT2A) Antagonism
C. Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibition
D. GABA Modulation
Answer: A
