NR 546 EXAM 2 - ADVANCED
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS (CHAMBERLAIN) 100%
GUARANTEE PASS
1. A patient who has been taking Sertraline for two weeks begins taking an over-the-counter
St. John’s Wort supplement. The patient presents with hyperthermia, tachycardia, and
muscle rigidity. Which neurotransmitter syndrome is most likely occurring?
A. Anticholinergic Toxicity
B. Dopamine Withdrawal Syndrome
C. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
D. Serotonin Syndrome
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition
caused by excessive serotonergic activity, often due to the combination of SSRIs and other
serotonergic agents like St. John’s Wort.
2. Which dopamine pathway is primarily responsible for the negative and cognitive
symptoms of schizophrenia when dopamine levels are low?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
,B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Mesocortical pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The mesocortical pathway is associated with cognitive and
negative symptoms of schizophrenia when there is a deficit of dopamine in this area.
3. A patient is being started on Lamotrigine for bipolar depression. What is the most critical
education point regarding the titration schedule?
A. Take the medication only on an empty stomach to increase absorption.
B. Strict adherence to slow titration is necessary to reduce the risk of Stevens-Johnson
Syndrome.
C. Increase the dose every 2 days until reaching the target dose.
D. Stop the medication immediately if you experience a dry mouth.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Lamotrigine must be titrated slowly over several weeks to
minimize the risk of a life-threatening rash known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS).
4. Which of the following antidepressants is contraindicated in patients with a history of
seizure disorders or eating disorders?
A. Fluoxetine
, B. Venlafaxine
C. Mirtazapine
D. Bupropion
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and is specifically
contraindicated in patients with seizure disorders and those with current or prior
diagnoses of bulimia or anorexia nervosa due to increased seizure risk.
5. A patient taking Clozapine must have regular blood draws to monitor for which life-
threatening side effect?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Hyperthyroidism
C. Acute Renal Failure
D. Thrombocytopenia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis, a
severe reduction in white blood cell count, requiring frequent Absolute Neutrophil Count
(ANC) monitoring.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS (CHAMBERLAIN) 100%
GUARANTEE PASS
1. A patient who has been taking Sertraline for two weeks begins taking an over-the-counter
St. John’s Wort supplement. The patient presents with hyperthermia, tachycardia, and
muscle rigidity. Which neurotransmitter syndrome is most likely occurring?
A. Anticholinergic Toxicity
B. Dopamine Withdrawal Syndrome
C. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
D. Serotonin Syndrome
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition
caused by excessive serotonergic activity, often due to the combination of SSRIs and other
serotonergic agents like St. John’s Wort.
2. Which dopamine pathway is primarily responsible for the negative and cognitive
symptoms of schizophrenia when dopamine levels are low?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
,B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Mesocortical pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The mesocortical pathway is associated with cognitive and
negative symptoms of schizophrenia when there is a deficit of dopamine in this area.
3. A patient is being started on Lamotrigine for bipolar depression. What is the most critical
education point regarding the titration schedule?
A. Take the medication only on an empty stomach to increase absorption.
B. Strict adherence to slow titration is necessary to reduce the risk of Stevens-Johnson
Syndrome.
C. Increase the dose every 2 days until reaching the target dose.
D. Stop the medication immediately if you experience a dry mouth.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Lamotrigine must be titrated slowly over several weeks to
minimize the risk of a life-threatening rash known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS).
4. Which of the following antidepressants is contraindicated in patients with a history of
seizure disorders or eating disorders?
A. Fluoxetine
, B. Venlafaxine
C. Mirtazapine
D. Bupropion
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and is specifically
contraindicated in patients with seizure disorders and those with current or prior
diagnoses of bulimia or anorexia nervosa due to increased seizure risk.
5. A patient taking Clozapine must have regular blood draws to monitor for which life-
threatening side effect?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Hyperthyroidism
C. Acute Renal Failure
D. Thrombocytopenia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis, a
severe reduction in white blood cell count, requiring frequent Absolute Neutrophil Count
(ANC) monitoring.
