NSG 552 Exam 2: Psychopharmacology
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Question 1.
What treatment is used for generalized anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: First line - SSRI Second line - Buspar (anxiolytic), SNRI Can
consider short term course of benzos or augmentation with buspirone
(Buspar) SSRI - escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), SNRI - duloxetine
(Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor)
Question 2.
What is used to treat panic attacks?
Correct Answer: initially use benzos short term
Question 3.
What is used to treat panic disorder?
Correct Answer: First line- SSRI, SRNA Second line- TCAs, though limited use
Adjunct - benzo with caution, short-term until SSRIs reach therapeutic efficacy
Alprazolam (Xanax) is FDA approved SSRI - Fluoxetine (Prozac), Paxil
(paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), SNRI - Effexor (venlafaxine) TCA -
clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Tofranil)
Question 4.
What is social phobia and how is it treated?
Correct Answer: fear of scrutiny by others or fear of acting in humiliating or
embarrassing way CBT First line - SSRI or SNRI Benzos can be used as
scheduled or PRN Beta blockers such as atenolol (50-100 mg) and propranolol
(20-40 mg) 1 hour before performance or public speaking
Question 5.
What is used to great specific phobias?
Correct Answer: CBT with exposure SSRI - fluvoxamine (Luvox), Paxil
(paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), SNRI - Effexor (venlafaxine)
Question 6.
What is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and how is it treated?
Correct Answer: obsessions and/or compulsions that are time consuming,
distressing, and impairing MEDS + CBT Fist line- SSRI (often high doses of
Zoloft (sertraline). Prozac (Fluoxetine), Luvox - FDA approved (fluvoxamine)
, 50-300 mg 2nd line - SNRI Effexor (venlafaxine) TCA Anafranil (clomipramine)
FDA approved Can augment with atypical antipsychotic in severe cases ECT in
debilitating resistant cases
Question 7.
What is a common side effect of SSRI Luvox (fluvoxamine)?
Correct Answer: nausea and vomiting
Question 8.
What are commonly prescribed benzodiazepines?
Correct Answer: Alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan)
Question 9.
What effects does GABA lead to?
Correct Answer: Potentiate effects of GABA (GABA is inhibitory and lead to
drowsiness, cognitive impairments, dampening of fear and anxiety, impaired
balance, motor control, muscle tone, and coordination, and anterograde
amnesia
Question 10.
Who is at greater risk of fall risk and hip fracture on benzodiazepines?
Correct Answer: Elderly patients
Question 11.
What is the mechanism of action for benzodiazepines?
Correct Answer: enhance activity of GABA at GABA-A receptors
Question 12.
Why are benzodiazepines not always the best choice of medicatioon
Correct Answer: potential for abuse and addition may become physically
dependent may build tolerance
Question 13.
What can be used to treat akathisia?
Correct Answer: Benzodiazepines can be used to treat the uncontrollable urge
to move and fidgeting movements
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Question 1.
What treatment is used for generalized anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: First line - SSRI Second line - Buspar (anxiolytic), SNRI Can
consider short term course of benzos or augmentation with buspirone
(Buspar) SSRI - escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), SNRI - duloxetine
(Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor)
Question 2.
What is used to treat panic attacks?
Correct Answer: initially use benzos short term
Question 3.
What is used to treat panic disorder?
Correct Answer: First line- SSRI, SRNA Second line- TCAs, though limited use
Adjunct - benzo with caution, short-term until SSRIs reach therapeutic efficacy
Alprazolam (Xanax) is FDA approved SSRI - Fluoxetine (Prozac), Paxil
(paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), SNRI - Effexor (venlafaxine) TCA -
clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Tofranil)
Question 4.
What is social phobia and how is it treated?
Correct Answer: fear of scrutiny by others or fear of acting in humiliating or
embarrassing way CBT First line - SSRI or SNRI Benzos can be used as
scheduled or PRN Beta blockers such as atenolol (50-100 mg) and propranolol
(20-40 mg) 1 hour before performance or public speaking
Question 5.
What is used to great specific phobias?
Correct Answer: CBT with exposure SSRI - fluvoxamine (Luvox), Paxil
(paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), SNRI - Effexor (venlafaxine)
Question 6.
What is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and how is it treated?
Correct Answer: obsessions and/or compulsions that are time consuming,
distressing, and impairing MEDS + CBT Fist line- SSRI (often high doses of
Zoloft (sertraline). Prozac (Fluoxetine), Luvox - FDA approved (fluvoxamine)
, 50-300 mg 2nd line - SNRI Effexor (venlafaxine) TCA Anafranil (clomipramine)
FDA approved Can augment with atypical antipsychotic in severe cases ECT in
debilitating resistant cases
Question 7.
What is a common side effect of SSRI Luvox (fluvoxamine)?
Correct Answer: nausea and vomiting
Question 8.
What are commonly prescribed benzodiazepines?
Correct Answer: Alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan)
Question 9.
What effects does GABA lead to?
Correct Answer: Potentiate effects of GABA (GABA is inhibitory and lead to
drowsiness, cognitive impairments, dampening of fear and anxiety, impaired
balance, motor control, muscle tone, and coordination, and anterograde
amnesia
Question 10.
Who is at greater risk of fall risk and hip fracture on benzodiazepines?
Correct Answer: Elderly patients
Question 11.
What is the mechanism of action for benzodiazepines?
Correct Answer: enhance activity of GABA at GABA-A receptors
Question 12.
Why are benzodiazepines not always the best choice of medicatioon
Correct Answer: potential for abuse and addition may become physically
dependent may build tolerance
Question 13.
What can be used to treat akathisia?
Correct Answer: Benzodiazepines can be used to treat the uncontrollable urge
to move and fidgeting movements
