NSG 552 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM – EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE | 2027
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is reviewing the purpose of psychopharmacologic treatment with a client
who has major depressive disorder. Which statement best describes the primary
goal of antidepressant therapy?
A. To produce immediate sedation and eliminate all emotional responses
B. To prevent the client from experiencing normal fluctuations in mood
C. To reduce depressive symptoms and improve functional recovery
D. To permanently eliminate the biological vulnerability to depression
Rationale: Antidepressant therapy aims to reduce clinically significant depressive symptoms and
restore functioning. Medication does not eliminate all future vulnerability or normal emotional
experiences, and most antidepressants do not provide immediate symptom relief.
2. Which neurotransmitter system is most directly associated with the mechanism of
action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Serotonin
B. Gamma-aminobutyric acid
C. Acetylcholine
D. Histamine
Rationale: SSRIs primarily inhibit serotonin reuptake, increasing serotonergic activity in the
synaptic cleft. GABA, acetylcholine, and histamine are affected by other medication classes and
are not the primary target of SSRIs.
3. A client has been prescribed sertraline. Which teaching point is most important
during the initial phase of treatment?
A. Therapeutic effects should occur within several hours.
B. The medication should be stopped as soon as mood improves.
C. Taking extra doses can accelerate antidepressant response.
D. Improvement may take several weeks, even though some adverse effects can occur
earlier.
,Rationale: Antidepressant benefits generally develop gradually over several weeks. Adverse
effects may appear before therapeutic improvement, so clients should not increase the dose
independently or discontinue treatment abruptly.
4. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with SSRIs?
A. Severe neutropenia in most patients
B. Sexual dysfunction
C. Permanent hearing loss
D. Profound respiratory depression
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction, including decreased libido, delayed orgasm, or erectile
difficulties, is a well-recognized SSRI adverse effect. Respiratory depression and profound
neutropenia are not typical class effects.
5. A client taking fluoxetine reports agitation, sweating, diarrhea, tremor, and muscle
rigidity. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Anticholinergic toxicity
C. Serotonin syndrome
D. Lithium toxicity
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome can result from excessive serotonergic activity and may include
agitation, autonomic instability, gastrointestinal symptoms, tremor, hyperreflexia, and rigidity.
The medication history should be reviewed for combinations of serotonergic agents.
6. Which medication combination creates the greatest concern for serotonin
syndrome?
A. Fluoxetine and acetaminophen
B. Sertraline and calcium carbonate
C. Escitalopram and amoxicillin
D. Sertraline and a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
,Rationale: Combining an SSRI with an MAOI can produce excessive serotonergic activity and
potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome. These medications require appropriate
separation and careful prescribing.
7. A client taking an SSRI asks why the medication should not be stopped abruptly
after several months of therapy. Which response is most appropriate?
A. Abrupt discontinuation always causes psychosis.
B. Stopping suddenly causes permanent brain damage.
C. Sudden discontinuation can produce withdrawal-like symptoms and may increase the
risk of symptom recurrence.
D. The medication accumulates permanently in body tissues.
Rationale: Some antidepressants can cause discontinuation symptoms such as dizziness,
irritability, sensory disturbances, sleep problems, and flu-like symptoms when stopped abruptly.
Gradual tapering is often used when clinically appropriate.
8. Which antidepressant is also commonly used to treat neuropathic pain and
certain anxiety disorders?
A. Duloxetine
B. Haloperidol
C. Clozapine
D. Buspirone
Rationale: Duloxetine is an SNRI that is used for major depressive disorder and several anxiety
disorders and also has indications involving chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain. The
other medications belong to different psychopharmacologic categories.
9. A client taking venlafaxine has repeated blood pressure readings above the
client's previous baseline. What is the nurse's priority consideration?
A. The client has developed serotonin deficiency.
B. The medication has become ineffective.
C. Venlafaxine can increase blood pressure, particularly at higher doses.
D. Hypertension proves the client is experiencing an allergic reaction.
, Rationale: SNRIs such as venlafaxine can increase norepinephrine activity and may raise blood
pressure. Blood pressure monitoring is therefore important, particularly with dose escalation.
10. Which characteristic distinguishes buspirone from benzodiazepines in the
treatment of anxiety?
A. It produces immediate sedation after the first dose.
B. It has a high potential for respiratory depression when used alone.
C. It is primarily effective as an emergency treatment for acute panic.
D. Its anxiolytic effects develop gradually and it has less sedative and dependence potential
than benzodiazepines.
Rationale: Buspirone generally requires consistent use over time before therapeutic effects
become apparent. Unlike benzodiazepines, it is not primarily used for rapid relief of acute
anxiety and has substantially less potential for dependence.
11. A client prescribed lorazepam asks why the medication should generally be used
cautiously over prolonged periods. Which response is best?
A. Long-term use can lead to tolerance, physical dependence, and withdrawal.
B. Benzodiazepines permanently reduce serotonin levels.
C. Long-term use always causes irreversible dementia.
D. The medication becomes an antidepressant after several months.
Rationale: Benzodiazepines can produce tolerance and physical dependence with prolonged use.
Abrupt discontinuation after sustained therapy can cause significant withdrawal, including
seizures in severe cases.
12. Which finding is most concerning in a client who has taken an excessive amount
of a benzodiazepine?
A. Increased appetite
B. Mild thirst
C. Marked CNS depression with impaired consciousness and respiratory compromise
D. Increased urinary frequency
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE | 2027
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is reviewing the purpose of psychopharmacologic treatment with a client
who has major depressive disorder. Which statement best describes the primary
goal of antidepressant therapy?
A. To produce immediate sedation and eliminate all emotional responses
B. To prevent the client from experiencing normal fluctuations in mood
C. To reduce depressive symptoms and improve functional recovery
D. To permanently eliminate the biological vulnerability to depression
Rationale: Antidepressant therapy aims to reduce clinically significant depressive symptoms and
restore functioning. Medication does not eliminate all future vulnerability or normal emotional
experiences, and most antidepressants do not provide immediate symptom relief.
2. Which neurotransmitter system is most directly associated with the mechanism of
action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Serotonin
B. Gamma-aminobutyric acid
C. Acetylcholine
D. Histamine
Rationale: SSRIs primarily inhibit serotonin reuptake, increasing serotonergic activity in the
synaptic cleft. GABA, acetylcholine, and histamine are affected by other medication classes and
are not the primary target of SSRIs.
3. A client has been prescribed sertraline. Which teaching point is most important
during the initial phase of treatment?
A. Therapeutic effects should occur within several hours.
B. The medication should be stopped as soon as mood improves.
C. Taking extra doses can accelerate antidepressant response.
D. Improvement may take several weeks, even though some adverse effects can occur
earlier.
,Rationale: Antidepressant benefits generally develop gradually over several weeks. Adverse
effects may appear before therapeutic improvement, so clients should not increase the dose
independently or discontinue treatment abruptly.
4. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with SSRIs?
A. Severe neutropenia in most patients
B. Sexual dysfunction
C. Permanent hearing loss
D. Profound respiratory depression
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction, including decreased libido, delayed orgasm, or erectile
difficulties, is a well-recognized SSRI adverse effect. Respiratory depression and profound
neutropenia are not typical class effects.
5. A client taking fluoxetine reports agitation, sweating, diarrhea, tremor, and muscle
rigidity. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Anticholinergic toxicity
C. Serotonin syndrome
D. Lithium toxicity
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome can result from excessive serotonergic activity and may include
agitation, autonomic instability, gastrointestinal symptoms, tremor, hyperreflexia, and rigidity.
The medication history should be reviewed for combinations of serotonergic agents.
6. Which medication combination creates the greatest concern for serotonin
syndrome?
A. Fluoxetine and acetaminophen
B. Sertraline and calcium carbonate
C. Escitalopram and amoxicillin
D. Sertraline and a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
,Rationale: Combining an SSRI with an MAOI can produce excessive serotonergic activity and
potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome. These medications require appropriate
separation and careful prescribing.
7. A client taking an SSRI asks why the medication should not be stopped abruptly
after several months of therapy. Which response is most appropriate?
A. Abrupt discontinuation always causes psychosis.
B. Stopping suddenly causes permanent brain damage.
C. Sudden discontinuation can produce withdrawal-like symptoms and may increase the
risk of symptom recurrence.
D. The medication accumulates permanently in body tissues.
Rationale: Some antidepressants can cause discontinuation symptoms such as dizziness,
irritability, sensory disturbances, sleep problems, and flu-like symptoms when stopped abruptly.
Gradual tapering is often used when clinically appropriate.
8. Which antidepressant is also commonly used to treat neuropathic pain and
certain anxiety disorders?
A. Duloxetine
B. Haloperidol
C. Clozapine
D. Buspirone
Rationale: Duloxetine is an SNRI that is used for major depressive disorder and several anxiety
disorders and also has indications involving chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain. The
other medications belong to different psychopharmacologic categories.
9. A client taking venlafaxine has repeated blood pressure readings above the
client's previous baseline. What is the nurse's priority consideration?
A. The client has developed serotonin deficiency.
B. The medication has become ineffective.
C. Venlafaxine can increase blood pressure, particularly at higher doses.
D. Hypertension proves the client is experiencing an allergic reaction.
, Rationale: SNRIs such as venlafaxine can increase norepinephrine activity and may raise blood
pressure. Blood pressure monitoring is therefore important, particularly with dose escalation.
10. Which characteristic distinguishes buspirone from benzodiazepines in the
treatment of anxiety?
A. It produces immediate sedation after the first dose.
B. It has a high potential for respiratory depression when used alone.
C. It is primarily effective as an emergency treatment for acute panic.
D. Its anxiolytic effects develop gradually and it has less sedative and dependence potential
than benzodiazepines.
Rationale: Buspirone generally requires consistent use over time before therapeutic effects
become apparent. Unlike benzodiazepines, it is not primarily used for rapid relief of acute
anxiety and has substantially less potential for dependence.
11. A client prescribed lorazepam asks why the medication should generally be used
cautiously over prolonged periods. Which response is best?
A. Long-term use can lead to tolerance, physical dependence, and withdrawal.
B. Benzodiazepines permanently reduce serotonin levels.
C. Long-term use always causes irreversible dementia.
D. The medication becomes an antidepressant after several months.
Rationale: Benzodiazepines can produce tolerance and physical dependence with prolonged use.
Abrupt discontinuation after sustained therapy can cause significant withdrawal, including
seizures in severe cases.
12. Which finding is most concerning in a client who has taken an excessive amount
of a benzodiazepine?
A. Increased appetite
B. Mild thirst
C. Marked CNS depression with impaired consciousness and respiratory compromise
D. Increased urinary frequency
