NURS 6630 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC APPROACHES TO TREATMENT OF
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM FINAL CORRECT QUESTIONS WALDEN UNIVERSITY
NURS 6630 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC APPROACHES TO
TREATMENT OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM FINAL
CORRECT QUESTIONS WALDEN UNIVERSITY
1. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most implicated in schizophrenia?
A. Acetylcholine deficiency
B. Dopamine excess in mesolimbic pathways (Correct Answer)
C. GABA increase in the amygdala
D. Norepinephrine depletion
Rationale: Hyperdopaminergic activity in the mesolimbic tract contributes to
positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
2. Which second-generation antipsychotic has the lowest risk of extrapyramidal
side effects (EPS)? A. Haloperidol
B. Fluphenazine
C. Quetiapine (Correct Answer)
D. Chlorpromazine
Rationale: Quetiapine exhibits weak D2 antagonism, reducing EPS risk compared
with typical agents.
3. The nurse should monitor liver enzymes when a patient is taking:
A. Lithium
B. Valproic acid (Depakote) (Correct Answer)
C. Haloperidol
D. Buspirone
Rationale: Valproic acid can cause hepatotoxicity; periodic liver function tests are
required.
pg. 1
, NURS 6630 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC APPROACHES TO TREATMENT OF
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM FINAL CORRECT QUESTIONS WALDEN UNIVERSITY
4. Which medication is most appropriate for a patient with insomnia and
depression? A. Fluoxetine
B. Bupropion
C. Mirtazapine (Correct Answer)
D. Venlafaxine
Rationale: Mirtazapine’s sedative and antidepressant effects benefit patients with
insomnia and appetite loss.
5. When switching from an MAOI to an SSRI, the provider must ensure a washout
period of at least:
A. 3 days
B. 7 days
C. 14 days (Correct Answer)
D. 21 days
Rationale: A 2-week washout prevents serotonin syndrome due to overlapping
serotonergic effects.
6. A patient taking risperidone develops breast tenderness and galactorrhea. The
nurse recognizes this as: A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Neuroleptic syndrome
C. Hyperprolactinemia (Correct Answer)
D. Akathisia
Rationale: Risperidone increases prolactin through dopamine blockade in the
tuberoinfundibular pathway.
pg. 2
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM FINAL CORRECT QUESTIONS WALDEN UNIVERSITY
NURS 6630 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC APPROACHES TO
TREATMENT OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM FINAL
CORRECT QUESTIONS WALDEN UNIVERSITY
1. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most implicated in schizophrenia?
A. Acetylcholine deficiency
B. Dopamine excess in mesolimbic pathways (Correct Answer)
C. GABA increase in the amygdala
D. Norepinephrine depletion
Rationale: Hyperdopaminergic activity in the mesolimbic tract contributes to
positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
2. Which second-generation antipsychotic has the lowest risk of extrapyramidal
side effects (EPS)? A. Haloperidol
B. Fluphenazine
C. Quetiapine (Correct Answer)
D. Chlorpromazine
Rationale: Quetiapine exhibits weak D2 antagonism, reducing EPS risk compared
with typical agents.
3. The nurse should monitor liver enzymes when a patient is taking:
A. Lithium
B. Valproic acid (Depakote) (Correct Answer)
C. Haloperidol
D. Buspirone
Rationale: Valproic acid can cause hepatotoxicity; periodic liver function tests are
required.
pg. 1
, NURS 6630 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGIC APPROACHES TO TREATMENT OF
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM FINAL CORRECT QUESTIONS WALDEN UNIVERSITY
4. Which medication is most appropriate for a patient with insomnia and
depression? A. Fluoxetine
B. Bupropion
C. Mirtazapine (Correct Answer)
D. Venlafaxine
Rationale: Mirtazapine’s sedative and antidepressant effects benefit patients with
insomnia and appetite loss.
5. When switching from an MAOI to an SSRI, the provider must ensure a washout
period of at least:
A. 3 days
B. 7 days
C. 14 days (Correct Answer)
D. 21 days
Rationale: A 2-week washout prevents serotonin syndrome due to overlapping
serotonergic effects.
6. A patient taking risperidone develops breast tenderness and galactorrhea. The
nurse recognizes this as: A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Neuroleptic syndrome
C. Hyperprolactinemia (Correct Answer)
D. Akathisia
Rationale: Risperidone increases prolactin through dopamine blockade in the
tuberoinfundibular pathway.
pg. 2
