NAPLEX Depression Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: major depressive disorder
Answer: persistent feelings of hopelessness, dejection, worry, etc.
Question 2: What causes depression?
Answer: poorly understood - likely 5-HT, NE, epi, DA, glutamate, and ACh involvement
Question 3: How is depression diagnosed?
Answer: DSM-5, HDRS or Ham-D assessment - at least 5 symptoms during the same 2 weeks with 1 being
depressed mood or loss of interest (Mood, Sleep, Interest/pleasure, Guilt, Energy, Concentration, Appetite,
Psychomotor agitation/retardation, Suicidal ideation - M SIG E CAPS)
Question 4: What needs to be ruled out before starting and antidepressant?
Answer: bipolar disorder (can activate mania)
Question 5: What natural products are sometimes used for depression
Answer: St. John's wort, SAMe, valerian, 5-HTP
Question 6: valerian ADE
Answer: sedation
Question 7: How long should antidepressants be trialed?
Answer: at least 4-8 weeks; physical symptoms resolve in 1-2 weeks but psychological take at least a month
Question 8: How is mild depression treated?
Answer: CBT or medication
Question 9: first-line medications for depression
Answer: SSRI, SNRI, mirtazapine, bupropion
Question 10: How should depression be managed in pregnancy?
Answer: taper off before if mild; risk for adverse outcomes if untreated and symptoms return; SSRI
preferred (not paroxetine)
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, Question 11: Which SSRI should not be used in pregnancy?
Answer: paroxetine (cardiotoxicity)
Question 12: How can postpartum depression be treated?
Answer: breastfeeding helps; SSRI, TCA (not doxepin), brexanolone
Question 13: Which TCA should not be used for postpartum depression?
Answer: doxepin
Question 14: MAOIs
Answer: phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxid, selegiline
Question 15: When are MAOIs used?
Answer: after failure of other antidepressants
Question 16: serotonin syndrome sx
Answer: n/v, dizziness, headache, agitation, tachycardia, muscle rigidity, hallucinations
Question 17: All antidepressants have a BBW for -
Answer: suicidal thoughts in children, teens, and young adults
Question 18: What must be dispensed with antidepressants?
Answer: MedGuide
Question 19: What antidepressant is preferred for patients with cardiac/QT prolongation risk?
Answer: sertraline
Question 20: What antidepressant is preferred for a smoker?
Answer: bupropion - used for smoking cessation
Question 21: What antidepressant is preferred for a patient with peripheral neuropathy or pain?
Answer: duloxetine
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Question 1: major depressive disorder
Answer: persistent feelings of hopelessness, dejection, worry, etc.
Question 2: What causes depression?
Answer: poorly understood - likely 5-HT, NE, epi, DA, glutamate, and ACh involvement
Question 3: How is depression diagnosed?
Answer: DSM-5, HDRS or Ham-D assessment - at least 5 symptoms during the same 2 weeks with 1 being
depressed mood or loss of interest (Mood, Sleep, Interest/pleasure, Guilt, Energy, Concentration, Appetite,
Psychomotor agitation/retardation, Suicidal ideation - M SIG E CAPS)
Question 4: What needs to be ruled out before starting and antidepressant?
Answer: bipolar disorder (can activate mania)
Question 5: What natural products are sometimes used for depression
Answer: St. John's wort, SAMe, valerian, 5-HTP
Question 6: valerian ADE
Answer: sedation
Question 7: How long should antidepressants be trialed?
Answer: at least 4-8 weeks; physical symptoms resolve in 1-2 weeks but psychological take at least a month
Question 8: How is mild depression treated?
Answer: CBT or medication
Question 9: first-line medications for depression
Answer: SSRI, SNRI, mirtazapine, bupropion
Question 10: How should depression be managed in pregnancy?
Answer: taper off before if mild; risk for adverse outcomes if untreated and symptoms return; SSRI
preferred (not paroxetine)
Page 1
, Question 11: Which SSRI should not be used in pregnancy?
Answer: paroxetine (cardiotoxicity)
Question 12: How can postpartum depression be treated?
Answer: breastfeeding helps; SSRI, TCA (not doxepin), brexanolone
Question 13: Which TCA should not be used for postpartum depression?
Answer: doxepin
Question 14: MAOIs
Answer: phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxid, selegiline
Question 15: When are MAOIs used?
Answer: after failure of other antidepressants
Question 16: serotonin syndrome sx
Answer: n/v, dizziness, headache, agitation, tachycardia, muscle rigidity, hallucinations
Question 17: All antidepressants have a BBW for -
Answer: suicidal thoughts in children, teens, and young adults
Question 18: What must be dispensed with antidepressants?
Answer: MedGuide
Question 19: What antidepressant is preferred for patients with cardiac/QT prolongation risk?
Answer: sertraline
Question 20: What antidepressant is preferred for a smoker?
Answer: bupropion - used for smoking cessation
Question 21: What antidepressant is preferred for a patient with peripheral neuropathy or pain?
Answer: duloxetine
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