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WILKES UNIVERSITY
NSG 552
EXAM 2
CERTIFICATION / COURSE EXAM
2026/2027
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
PLUS DETAILED RATIONALES
# ✓ i ■
55 CORRECT DETAILED LATEST
PRACTICE ANSWERS RATIONALES 2026/2027
QUESTIONS CONTENT
NURSING
,Wilkes University NSG 552 Exam 2 (pdf) |
2026/2027 | Psychopharmacology Q&A | Nursing
What is agoraphobia and how can it be treated?
A. Intense fear of being in public places where escape or obtaining help may be difficult;
treat with CBT and SSRI
B. Fear of scrutiny by others; treat with beta blockers
C. Fear of specific objects or situations; treat with exposure therapy alone
D. Excessive worry about multiple life domains; treat with buspirone
Correct Answer: A. Intense fear of being in public places where escape or obtaining help
may be difficult; treat with CBT and SSRI
Expert Rationale: Agoraphobia is characterized by intense fear or anxiety about being in
places or situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable (e.g., crowds, open
spaces, public transportation). It often co-occurs with panic disorder. First-line treatment is
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure and SSRIs. Option B describes social
phobia, Option D describes generalized anxiety disorder.
What treatment is used for generalized anxiety disorder?
A. First line — SSRI; Second line — Buspar (anxiolytic), SNRI; short-term benzodiazepines
or augmentation with buspirone
B. First line — benzodiazepines; Second line — antipsychotics
C. First line — MAOIs; Second line — beta blockers
D. First line — ECT; Second line — psychotherapy only
Correct Answer: A. First line — SSRI; Second line — Buspar (anxiolytic), SNRI; short-term
benzodiazepines or augmentation with buspirone
Expert Rationale: GAD is treated first-line with SSRIs (escitalopram, paroxetine) or SNRIs
(duloxetine, venlafaxine). Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic used as second-
line or augmentation. Benzodiazepines may be used short-term until SSRIs reach
therapeutic effect. MAOIs and ECT are reserved for refractory cases. Beta blockers are not
first-line for GAD.
, What is used to treat panic attacks?
A. Long-term antipsychotics
B. Initially use benzodiazepines short term
C. MAOIs as first-line
D. Beta blockers as monotherapy
Correct Answer: B. Initially use benzodiazepines short term
Expert Rationale: Acute panic attacks are managed initially with short-term
benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, lorazepam) for rapid symptom relief. Long-term
management transitions to SSRIs/SNRIs. Antipsychotics and MAOIs are not first-line for
panic attacks.
What is used to treat panic disorder?
A. First line — SSRI, SNRI; Second line — TCAs; Adjunct — benzodiazepine short-term
until SSRIs reach therapeutic efficacy
B. First line — benzodiazepines indefinitely
C. First line — antipsychotics
D. First line — beta blockers
Correct Answer: A. First line — SSRI, SNRI; Second line — TCAs; Adjunct —
benzodiazepine short-term until SSRIs reach therapeutic efficacy
Expert Rationale: Panic disorder is treated first-line with SSRIs (fluoxetine, paroxetine,
sertraline) or SNRIs (venlafaxine). TCAs (clomipramine, imipramine) are second-line due to
side effects. Benzodiazepines (alprazolam is FDA-approved) are used as short-term
adjuncts until SSRIs take effect. Indefinite benzodiazepine use is avoided due to
dependence risk.
What is social phobia and how is it treated?
WILKES UNIVERSITY
NSG 552
EXAM 2
CERTIFICATION / COURSE EXAM
2026/2027
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
PLUS DETAILED RATIONALES
# ✓ i ■
55 CORRECT DETAILED LATEST
PRACTICE ANSWERS RATIONALES 2026/2027
QUESTIONS CONTENT
NURSING
,Wilkes University NSG 552 Exam 2 (pdf) |
2026/2027 | Psychopharmacology Q&A | Nursing
What is agoraphobia and how can it be treated?
A. Intense fear of being in public places where escape or obtaining help may be difficult;
treat with CBT and SSRI
B. Fear of scrutiny by others; treat with beta blockers
C. Fear of specific objects or situations; treat with exposure therapy alone
D. Excessive worry about multiple life domains; treat with buspirone
Correct Answer: A. Intense fear of being in public places where escape or obtaining help
may be difficult; treat with CBT and SSRI
Expert Rationale: Agoraphobia is characterized by intense fear or anxiety about being in
places or situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable (e.g., crowds, open
spaces, public transportation). It often co-occurs with panic disorder. First-line treatment is
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure and SSRIs. Option B describes social
phobia, Option D describes generalized anxiety disorder.
What treatment is used for generalized anxiety disorder?
A. First line — SSRI; Second line — Buspar (anxiolytic), SNRI; short-term benzodiazepines
or augmentation with buspirone
B. First line — benzodiazepines; Second line — antipsychotics
C. First line — MAOIs; Second line — beta blockers
D. First line — ECT; Second line — psychotherapy only
Correct Answer: A. First line — SSRI; Second line — Buspar (anxiolytic), SNRI; short-term
benzodiazepines or augmentation with buspirone
Expert Rationale: GAD is treated first-line with SSRIs (escitalopram, paroxetine) or SNRIs
(duloxetine, venlafaxine). Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic used as second-
line or augmentation. Benzodiazepines may be used short-term until SSRIs reach
therapeutic effect. MAOIs and ECT are reserved for refractory cases. Beta blockers are not
first-line for GAD.
, What is used to treat panic attacks?
A. Long-term antipsychotics
B. Initially use benzodiazepines short term
C. MAOIs as first-line
D. Beta blockers as monotherapy
Correct Answer: B. Initially use benzodiazepines short term
Expert Rationale: Acute panic attacks are managed initially with short-term
benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, lorazepam) for rapid symptom relief. Long-term
management transitions to SSRIs/SNRIs. Antipsychotics and MAOIs are not first-line for
panic attacks.
What is used to treat panic disorder?
A. First line — SSRI, SNRI; Second line — TCAs; Adjunct — benzodiazepine short-term
until SSRIs reach therapeutic efficacy
B. First line — benzodiazepines indefinitely
C. First line — antipsychotics
D. First line — beta blockers
Correct Answer: A. First line — SSRI, SNRI; Second line — TCAs; Adjunct —
benzodiazepine short-term until SSRIs reach therapeutic efficacy
Expert Rationale: Panic disorder is treated first-line with SSRIs (fluoxetine, paroxetine,
sertraline) or SNRIs (venlafaxine). TCAs (clomipramine, imipramine) are second-line due to
side effects. Benzodiazepines (alprazolam is FDA-approved) are used as short-term
adjuncts until SSRIs take effect. Indefinite benzodiazepine use is avoided due to
dependence risk.
What is social phobia and how is it treated?
