D116 NURS 6800
Advanced Pharmacology
OA READINESS EXAM
Q&S
©2024/2025
,1. Multiple Choice: Which medication is considered first-line
treatment for a patient with newly diagnosed schizophrenia?
A) Lithium
B) Haloperidol
C) Sertraline
D) Lorazepam
Answer: B) Haloperidol
Rationale: Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic that is often
used as a first-line treatment in schizophrenia due to its
effectiveness in managing psychosis.
2. True/False: Clozapine is the only antipsychotic that has been
shown to reduce the risk of suicide in patients with schizophrenia.
Answer: True
Rationale: Clozapine is the only antipsychotic that has an FDA
indication for reducing suicidal behavior in patients with
schizophrenia.
3. Fill-in-the-Blank: ________ is an atypical antipsychotic that
requires monitoring of the white blood cell count due to the risk
of agranulocytosis.
Answer: Clozapine
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a potentially
life-threatening decrease in white blood cells, necessitating
regular monitoring.
4. Multiple Response: Select all the following medications that
are considered mood stabilizers:
A) Carbamazepine
B) Fluoxetine
C) Valproate
D) Aripiprazole
Answers: A) Carbamazepine, C) Valproate
©2024/2025
, Rationale: Both carbamazepine and valproate are mood
stabilizers used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, while
fluoxetine is an antidepressant and aripiprazole is an
antipsychotic.
5. Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a common side
effect of SSRIs in the initial treatment phase?
A) Hypertension
B) Insomnia
C) Bradycardia
D) Urinary retention
Answer: B) Insomnia
Rationale: Insomnia is a common side effect when initiating
treatment with SSRIs, often improving with continued therapy.
6. True/False: Benzodiazepines are the most appropriate first-line
long-term treatment option for generalized anxiety disorder.
Answer: False
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are not recommended for long-term
treatment of generalized anxiety disorder due to the risk of
dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
7. Fill-in-the-Blank: The therapeutic range of lithium for the
treatment of bipolar disorder is typically between _______
mEq/L.
Answer: 0.6-1.2
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is narrow, and
maintaining a blood level between 0.6-1.2 mEq/L is crucial for
efficacy and safety.
8. Multiple Response: Which of the following are potential side
effects of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?
A) Dry mouth
©2024/2025
Advanced Pharmacology
OA READINESS EXAM
Q&S
©2024/2025
,1. Multiple Choice: Which medication is considered first-line
treatment for a patient with newly diagnosed schizophrenia?
A) Lithium
B) Haloperidol
C) Sertraline
D) Lorazepam
Answer: B) Haloperidol
Rationale: Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic that is often
used as a first-line treatment in schizophrenia due to its
effectiveness in managing psychosis.
2. True/False: Clozapine is the only antipsychotic that has been
shown to reduce the risk of suicide in patients with schizophrenia.
Answer: True
Rationale: Clozapine is the only antipsychotic that has an FDA
indication for reducing suicidal behavior in patients with
schizophrenia.
3. Fill-in-the-Blank: ________ is an atypical antipsychotic that
requires monitoring of the white blood cell count due to the risk
of agranulocytosis.
Answer: Clozapine
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a potentially
life-threatening decrease in white blood cells, necessitating
regular monitoring.
4. Multiple Response: Select all the following medications that
are considered mood stabilizers:
A) Carbamazepine
B) Fluoxetine
C) Valproate
D) Aripiprazole
Answers: A) Carbamazepine, C) Valproate
©2024/2025
, Rationale: Both carbamazepine and valproate are mood
stabilizers used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, while
fluoxetine is an antidepressant and aripiprazole is an
antipsychotic.
5. Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a common side
effect of SSRIs in the initial treatment phase?
A) Hypertension
B) Insomnia
C) Bradycardia
D) Urinary retention
Answer: B) Insomnia
Rationale: Insomnia is a common side effect when initiating
treatment with SSRIs, often improving with continued therapy.
6. True/False: Benzodiazepines are the most appropriate first-line
long-term treatment option for generalized anxiety disorder.
Answer: False
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are not recommended for long-term
treatment of generalized anxiety disorder due to the risk of
dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
7. Fill-in-the-Blank: The therapeutic range of lithium for the
treatment of bipolar disorder is typically between _______
mEq/L.
Answer: 0.6-1.2
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is narrow, and
maintaining a blood level between 0.6-1.2 mEq/L is crucial for
efficacy and safety.
8. Multiple Response: Which of the following are potential side
effects of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?
A) Dry mouth
©2024/2025
