NURS 5359 Exam 2: Psychopharmacology
Questions with Answers| Updated| Pass
Guaranteed
NURS 5359 Exam 2: Psychopharmacology
Updated Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales
For the current UT Tyler NURS 5359 Summer 2026 sequence, Exam 2 preparation centers on
the material following Exam 1: Antidepressants Part 1, Antidepressants Part 2, Mood
Stabilizers, and Anxiolytics. The official course schedule places these in Modules 6–9 and
identifies Exam 2 after the Anxiolytics module. UT Tyler
Below is an original practice-question set, not an actual or leaked university exam. No practice
set can honestly guarantee a passing grade, but these questions are designed to emphasize
high-yield psychopharmacology concepts.
High-yield areas
• SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs
• Atypical antidepressants
• Serotonin syndrome
• Antidepressant discontinuation
• CYP interactions
• Bipolar disorder pharmacotherapy
• Lithium
• Valproate/divalproex
• Carbamazepine
• Lamotrigine
• Atypical antipsychotics in mood disorders
• Benzodiazepines
• Buspirone
• Anxiolytic adverse effects
, • Panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder
• Special populations and monitoring
Questions 1–25: Antidepressants — Core Concepts
1. Which neurotransmitter system is primarily increased by SSRIs?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors block the serotonin transporter, increasing
serotonergic signaling in the synaptic cleft.
2. Which medication is an SSRI?
A. Sertraline
B. Venlafaxine
C. Amitriptyline
D. Phenelzine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sertraline is an SSRI. Venlafaxine is an SNRI, amitriptyline is a TCA, and phenelzine is
an MAOI.
3. Which medication is an SNRI?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Venlafaxine
C. Bupropion
D. Mirtazapine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Venlafaxine inhibits reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine and is classified as an
SNRI.
,4. What is a major therapeutic goal of antidepressant treatment?
A. Immediate sedation
B. Reduction of depressive symptoms and improvement in functioning
C. Complete suppression of emotions
D. Immediate elimination of anxiety after one dose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Antidepressants aim to reduce clinically significant symptoms and improve
functioning. Therapeutic effects generally develop over time rather than immediately.
5. Which SSRI has a particularly long half-life?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Paroxetine
C. Fluvoxamine
D. Sertraline
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fluoxetine and its active metabolite have long half-lives, which can reduce the
likelihood of abrupt discontinuation symptoms but also prolong interaction concerns.
6. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with SSRIs?
A. Sexual dysfunction
B. Severe agranulocytosis in most patients
C. Permanent hearing loss
D. Severe hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction is a clinically important SSRI adverse effect. Other common effects
include nausea, headache, and sleep disturbance.
7. Which SSRI is particularly associated with anticholinergic effects and discontinuation
symptoms?
, A. Paroxetine
B. Fluoxetine
C. Escitalopram
D. Sertraline
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Paroxetine has relatively more anticholinergic activity and a shorter half-life,
contributing to greater discontinuation concerns.
8. Which antidepressant is also commonly used for neuropathic pain?
A. Duloxetine
B. Fluoxetine
C. Phenelzine
D. Trazodone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Duloxetine is an SNRI used for depression and several pain conditions, including
certain neuropathic pain disorders.
9. Which antidepressant can increase blood pressure, particularly at higher doses?
A. Venlafaxine
B. Fluoxetine
C. Trazodone
D. Mirtazapine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Venlafaxine's noradrenergic effects become more prominent at higher doses and can
increase blood pressure.
10. Which antidepressant is generally considered activating?
A. Bupropion
B. Trazodone
C. Mirtazapine
D. Amitriptyline
Questions with Answers| Updated| Pass
Guaranteed
NURS 5359 Exam 2: Psychopharmacology
Updated Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales
For the current UT Tyler NURS 5359 Summer 2026 sequence, Exam 2 preparation centers on
the material following Exam 1: Antidepressants Part 1, Antidepressants Part 2, Mood
Stabilizers, and Anxiolytics. The official course schedule places these in Modules 6–9 and
identifies Exam 2 after the Anxiolytics module. UT Tyler
Below is an original practice-question set, not an actual or leaked university exam. No practice
set can honestly guarantee a passing grade, but these questions are designed to emphasize
high-yield psychopharmacology concepts.
High-yield areas
• SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs
• Atypical antidepressants
• Serotonin syndrome
• Antidepressant discontinuation
• CYP interactions
• Bipolar disorder pharmacotherapy
• Lithium
• Valproate/divalproex
• Carbamazepine
• Lamotrigine
• Atypical antipsychotics in mood disorders
• Benzodiazepines
• Buspirone
• Anxiolytic adverse effects
, • Panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder
• Special populations and monitoring
Questions 1–25: Antidepressants — Core Concepts
1. Which neurotransmitter system is primarily increased by SSRIs?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors block the serotonin transporter, increasing
serotonergic signaling in the synaptic cleft.
2. Which medication is an SSRI?
A. Sertraline
B. Venlafaxine
C. Amitriptyline
D. Phenelzine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sertraline is an SSRI. Venlafaxine is an SNRI, amitriptyline is a TCA, and phenelzine is
an MAOI.
3. Which medication is an SNRI?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Venlafaxine
C. Bupropion
D. Mirtazapine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Venlafaxine inhibits reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine and is classified as an
SNRI.
,4. What is a major therapeutic goal of antidepressant treatment?
A. Immediate sedation
B. Reduction of depressive symptoms and improvement in functioning
C. Complete suppression of emotions
D. Immediate elimination of anxiety after one dose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Antidepressants aim to reduce clinically significant symptoms and improve
functioning. Therapeutic effects generally develop over time rather than immediately.
5. Which SSRI has a particularly long half-life?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Paroxetine
C. Fluvoxamine
D. Sertraline
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fluoxetine and its active metabolite have long half-lives, which can reduce the
likelihood of abrupt discontinuation symptoms but also prolong interaction concerns.
6. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with SSRIs?
A. Sexual dysfunction
B. Severe agranulocytosis in most patients
C. Permanent hearing loss
D. Severe hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction is a clinically important SSRI adverse effect. Other common effects
include nausea, headache, and sleep disturbance.
7. Which SSRI is particularly associated with anticholinergic effects and discontinuation
symptoms?
, A. Paroxetine
B. Fluoxetine
C. Escitalopram
D. Sertraline
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Paroxetine has relatively more anticholinergic activity and a shorter half-life,
contributing to greater discontinuation concerns.
8. Which antidepressant is also commonly used for neuropathic pain?
A. Duloxetine
B. Fluoxetine
C. Phenelzine
D. Trazodone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Duloxetine is an SNRI used for depression and several pain conditions, including
certain neuropathic pain disorders.
9. Which antidepressant can increase blood pressure, particularly at higher doses?
A. Venlafaxine
B. Fluoxetine
C. Trazodone
D. Mirtazapine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Venlafaxine's noradrenergic effects become more prominent at higher doses and can
increase blood pressure.
10. Which antidepressant is generally considered activating?
A. Bupropion
B. Trazodone
C. Mirtazapine
D. Amitriptyline
