1|Page
NURS 6630 Practice Final Exam — Psychopharmacologic Approaches ALL
QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+ - LATEST
UPDATE 2026-2027
1. Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with mood regulation and is commonly
targeted by antidepressants?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Glutamate
Answer: B
Rationale: Serotonin plays a key role in mood and affect regulation and is the main target of
SSRIs.
2. A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) works by:
A. Blocking dopamine receptors
B. Increasing serotonin in the synaptic cleft
C. Inhibiting GABA release
D. Enhancing acetylcholine breakdown
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs prevent reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability.
3. Which class of medication is MOST appropriate as first-line treatment for generalized anxiety
disorder?
A. TCAs
B. MAOIs
C. SSRIs
D. First-generation antipsychotics
Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs are generally first-line due to efficacy and safety.
UPDATED exam 2026
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4. A patient taking an MAOI must avoid foods high in tyramine to prevent:
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Hypertensive crisis
C. Hypotension
D. Photosensitivity
Answer: B
Rationale: MAOIs inhibit tyramine metabolism, risking dangerous hypertension.
5. A common side effect of many antipsychotic medications is:
A. Insomnia
B. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Typical antipsychotics frequently cause EPS.
6. Lithium’s therapeutic range should be monitored because of the risk of:
A. Hepatic failure
B. Nephrotoxicity
C. Lithium toxicity
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index.
7. Which medication is an SNRI used for depression and certain anxiety disorders?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Venlafaxine
C. Haloperidol
D. Bupropion
Answer: B
UPDATED exam 2026
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8. A major advantage of atypical antipsychotics compared to typical antipsychotics is:
A. Lower cost
B. Reduced EPS
C. Higher sedation
D. Higher anticholinergic effects
Answer: B
9. Serotonin syndrome may present with:
A. Bradycardia and low fever
B. Muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, and confusion
C. Hypotension and sedation
D. Bradykinesia
Answer: B
10. A patient on benzodiazepines for anxiety should be cautioned about:
A. Caffeine use
B. Alcohol use
C. Vitamin supplements
D. Aerobic exercise
Answer: B
Rationale: CNS depression is potentiated by alcohol.
11. Mood stabilizers such as valproate are often used in:
A. Panic disorder
B. Bipolar disorder
C. OCD
D. PTSD
Answer: B
UPDATED exam 2026
, 4|Page
12. A patient on a TCA presents with constipation and urinary retention; this is most likely due to:
A. Serotonin reuptake
B. Anticholinergic effects
C. Increased GABA
D. Dopamine blockade
Answer: B
13. Which class of antidepressants is associated with orthostatic hypotension?
A. SSRIs
B. SNRIs
C. TCAs
D. Benzodiazepines
Answer: C
14. Clozapine requires monitoring of:
A. Liver enzymes
B. Blood glucose
C. WBC count
D. ECG only
Answer: C
15. St. John’s Wort may interact with SSRIs to produce:
A. Hypertensive crisis
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Diabetes
D. EPS
Answer: B
UPDATED exam 2026
NURS 6630 Practice Final Exam — Psychopharmacologic Approaches ALL
QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+ - LATEST
UPDATE 2026-2027
1. Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with mood regulation and is commonly
targeted by antidepressants?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Glutamate
Answer: B
Rationale: Serotonin plays a key role in mood and affect regulation and is the main target of
SSRIs.
2. A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) works by:
A. Blocking dopamine receptors
B. Increasing serotonin in the synaptic cleft
C. Inhibiting GABA release
D. Enhancing acetylcholine breakdown
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs prevent reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability.
3. Which class of medication is MOST appropriate as first-line treatment for generalized anxiety
disorder?
A. TCAs
B. MAOIs
C. SSRIs
D. First-generation antipsychotics
Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs are generally first-line due to efficacy and safety.
UPDATED exam 2026
,2|Page
4. A patient taking an MAOI must avoid foods high in tyramine to prevent:
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Hypertensive crisis
C. Hypotension
D. Photosensitivity
Answer: B
Rationale: MAOIs inhibit tyramine metabolism, risking dangerous hypertension.
5. A common side effect of many antipsychotic medications is:
A. Insomnia
B. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Typical antipsychotics frequently cause EPS.
6. Lithium’s therapeutic range should be monitored because of the risk of:
A. Hepatic failure
B. Nephrotoxicity
C. Lithium toxicity
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index.
7. Which medication is an SNRI used for depression and certain anxiety disorders?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Venlafaxine
C. Haloperidol
D. Bupropion
Answer: B
UPDATED exam 2026
,3|Page
8. A major advantage of atypical antipsychotics compared to typical antipsychotics is:
A. Lower cost
B. Reduced EPS
C. Higher sedation
D. Higher anticholinergic effects
Answer: B
9. Serotonin syndrome may present with:
A. Bradycardia and low fever
B. Muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, and confusion
C. Hypotension and sedation
D. Bradykinesia
Answer: B
10. A patient on benzodiazepines for anxiety should be cautioned about:
A. Caffeine use
B. Alcohol use
C. Vitamin supplements
D. Aerobic exercise
Answer: B
Rationale: CNS depression is potentiated by alcohol.
11. Mood stabilizers such as valproate are often used in:
A. Panic disorder
B. Bipolar disorder
C. OCD
D. PTSD
Answer: B
UPDATED exam 2026
, 4|Page
12. A patient on a TCA presents with constipation and urinary retention; this is most likely due to:
A. Serotonin reuptake
B. Anticholinergic effects
C. Increased GABA
D. Dopamine blockade
Answer: B
13. Which class of antidepressants is associated with orthostatic hypotension?
A. SSRIs
B. SNRIs
C. TCAs
D. Benzodiazepines
Answer: C
14. Clozapine requires monitoring of:
A. Liver enzymes
B. Blood glucose
C. WBC count
D. ECG only
Answer: C
15. St. John’s Wort may interact with SSRIs to produce:
A. Hypertensive crisis
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Diabetes
D. EPS
Answer: B
UPDATED exam 2026
