NR.110.574 Clinical Psychopharmcaology
Final Exam Review (Qns & Ans)
2025
1. Which class of psychotropic medications is primarily used to
treat major depressive disorder?
A. Antipsychotics
B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Mood stabilizers
ANS: B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Rationale: SSRIs enhance serotonin availability in the
synaptic cleft, effectively alleviating symptoms of depression.
©2025
,2. What is the primary mechanism of action for antipsychotic
medications used in schizophrenia treatment?
A. Blockade of dopamine receptors
B. Enhancement of serotonin transmission
C. GABA receptor inhibition
D. Sodium channel modulation
ANS: A. Blockade of dopamine receptors
Rationale: Antipsychotics reduce symptoms of schizophrenia
by antagonizing dopamine receptors, particularly in the
mesolimbic pathway.
3. Which medication is most commonly prescribed for acute
management of generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Lithium
B. Lorazepam
C. Fluoxetine
D. Haloperidol
ANS: B. Lorazepam
Rationale: Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, provides rapid
relief from acute anxiety symptoms by enhancing GABAergic
activity.
©2025
,4. Which adverse effect is most commonly associated with long-
term use of first-generation antipsychotics?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Tardive dyskinesia
C. Bradycardia
D. Hepatotoxicity
ANS: B. Tardive dyskinesia
Rationale: First-generation antipsychotics can cause tardive
dyskinesia, a movement disorder resulting from chronic dopamine
receptor blockade.
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True/False Questions
5. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are commonly prescribed due
to their low side effect profile.
ANS: False
Rationale: TCAs are associated with significant side effects,
such as anticholinergic effects and cardiovascular risks, limiting
their use.
6. Clozapine requires regular monitoring of white blood cell
counts due to its risk of agranulocytosis.
©2025
, ANS: True
Rationale: Clozapine can cause severe leukopenia,
necessitating routine hematological monitoring.
7. Mood stabilizers like lithium are contraindicated in patients
with impaired renal function.
ANS: True
Rationale: Lithium is excreted by the kidneys, and impaired
renal function can lead to toxicity.
---
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
8. ________ is the therapeutic drug level range required for
lithium to be effective without causing toxicity.
ANS: 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Maintaining lithium within this therapeutic range
ensures efficacy while minimizing adverse effects.
9. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors primarily inhibit the
reuptake of ________ in the synaptic cleft.
ANS: Serotonin
©2025
Final Exam Review (Qns & Ans)
2025
1. Which class of psychotropic medications is primarily used to
treat major depressive disorder?
A. Antipsychotics
B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Mood stabilizers
ANS: B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Rationale: SSRIs enhance serotonin availability in the
synaptic cleft, effectively alleviating symptoms of depression.
©2025
,2. What is the primary mechanism of action for antipsychotic
medications used in schizophrenia treatment?
A. Blockade of dopamine receptors
B. Enhancement of serotonin transmission
C. GABA receptor inhibition
D. Sodium channel modulation
ANS: A. Blockade of dopamine receptors
Rationale: Antipsychotics reduce symptoms of schizophrenia
by antagonizing dopamine receptors, particularly in the
mesolimbic pathway.
3. Which medication is most commonly prescribed for acute
management of generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Lithium
B. Lorazepam
C. Fluoxetine
D. Haloperidol
ANS: B. Lorazepam
Rationale: Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, provides rapid
relief from acute anxiety symptoms by enhancing GABAergic
activity.
©2025
,4. Which adverse effect is most commonly associated with long-
term use of first-generation antipsychotics?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Tardive dyskinesia
C. Bradycardia
D. Hepatotoxicity
ANS: B. Tardive dyskinesia
Rationale: First-generation antipsychotics can cause tardive
dyskinesia, a movement disorder resulting from chronic dopamine
receptor blockade.
---
True/False Questions
5. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are commonly prescribed due
to their low side effect profile.
ANS: False
Rationale: TCAs are associated with significant side effects,
such as anticholinergic effects and cardiovascular risks, limiting
their use.
6. Clozapine requires regular monitoring of white blood cell
counts due to its risk of agranulocytosis.
©2025
, ANS: True
Rationale: Clozapine can cause severe leukopenia,
necessitating routine hematological monitoring.
7. Mood stabilizers like lithium are contraindicated in patients
with impaired renal function.
ANS: True
Rationale: Lithium is excreted by the kidneys, and impaired
renal function can lead to toxicity.
---
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
8. ________ is the therapeutic drug level range required for
lithium to be effective without causing toxicity.
ANS: 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Maintaining lithium within this therapeutic range
ensures efficacy while minimizing adverse effects.
9. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors primarily inhibit the
reuptake of ________ in the synaptic cleft.
ANS: Serotonin
©2025
