NSG552 / NSG 552 Psychopharmacology Exam 2|
Actual Questions and Answers Latest Updated
(Graded A+)- Wilkes
1. Adjustment disorders
Occurs when a person develops emotional or behavioral symptoms in response
to a stressful event or situation; symptoms aren't those of normal bereavement
and resolve within 6 months of the stressor.
A. Symptoms persist for more than 12 months after the stressor has ended
B. Symptoms occur in response to an identifiable stressor and resolve within 6
months after the stressor or its consequences end
C. Symptoms only occur in patients with a history of major depressive disorder
Correct Answer- B
Rationale: Adjustment disorder is characterized by emotional or behavioral symptoms
that develop in response to a clearly identifiable stressor and resolve within 6 months
once the stressor or its consequences end. The symptoms cause significant distress or
impairment but do not meet criteria for another psychiatric disorder and are not part
of normal bereavement.
2. SSRIs (sertraline and duloxetine)
Which of the following class of meds are used as first-line therapy for PTSD?
3 multiple choice options
A. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Mood stabilizers
Correct Answer- A
Rationale: SSRIs are considered first-line pharmacologic treatment for PTSD because
they improve core symptoms including intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and
hyperarousal. They have the strongest evidence base and favorable safety profile
compared to benzodiazepines or mood stabilizers, which are not recommended as
first-line therapies.
, 3. Blood pressure
What do you need to monitor if a patient is on Prazosin?
A. Blood pressure
B. Liver enzymes
C. Blood glucose
Correct Answer- A
Rationale: Prazosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist used in PTSD to reduce
trauma-related nightmares and sleep disturbances. Because it can cause orthostatic
hypotension and syncope, monitoring blood pressure—especially during dose
initiation and titration—is essential to ensure patient safety.
4. Why are benzodiazepines contraindicated in PTSD treatment?
They interfere with the psychological processes needed to benefit from CBT:
there is a high rate of comorbid SUD w/PTSD and benzodiazepines are highly
addictive.
A. They worsen cognitive processing and interfere with trauma-focused
psychotherapy and carry high risk for dependence in a population with frequent
substance use disorders
B. They permanently worsen PTSD symptoms in all patients
C. They are ineffective for anxiety symptoms
Correct Answer- A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are contraindicated in PTSD because they can impair fear
extinction and emotional processing required for trauma-focused therapies such as
CBT. Additionally, PTSD patients have high rates of comorbid substance use
disorders, and benzodiazepines carry significant risks of dependence, tolerance, and
misuse.
5. What medications are FDA approved to treat PTSD?
Sertraline and Paroxetine
A. Sertraline and Paroxetine
B. Fluoxetine and Venlafaxine
C. Prazosin and Clonidine
Correct Answer- A
,Rationale: Sertraline and paroxetine are the only medications with FDA approval
specifically for PTSD. Both are SSRIs that have demonstrated efficacy in reducing
core PTSD symptoms, including re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal. Other
medications may be used off-label but lack FDA approval for PTSD.
6. When would you augment treatment of PTSD with an atypical antipsychotic?
Only in SEVERE cases
A. In mild PTSD with insomnia only
B. Only in severe or treatment-resistant PTSD with persistent symptoms despite first-
line therapy
C. As first-line treatment for all PTSD patients
Correct Answer- B
Rationale: Atypical antipsychotics may be considered as augmentation in severe or
treatment-resistant PTSD when patients continue to experience significant symptoms
despite adequate trials of first-line treatments such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They
are not recommended as initial therapy due to potential adverse effects including
metabolic syndrome and extrapyramidal symptoms.
7. What co-occurring disorder do patients with DID typically have?
PTSD
A. Bipolar disorder
B. PTSD
C. Schizophrenia
Correct Answer- B
Rationale: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is strongly associated with severe,
chronic childhood trauma. As a result, PTSD is the most common co-occurring
disorder. Trauma-related symptoms often drive dissociation, emotional dysregulation,
and identity fragmentation seen in DID.
8. What are SSRIs effective for in DID?
Co-occurring depressive or PTSD symptoms
A. Core dissociative identity symptoms
B. Co-occurring depressive or PTSD symptoms
C. Memory integration between identities
, Correct Answer- B
Rationale: SSRIs do not treat the core dissociative pathology of DID but are useful in
managing comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Treating these
associated symptoms can improve overall functioning and reduce distress.
9. What are the suggested treatments for adjustment disorders?
Psychotherapy and pharmacology to target associated symptoms like anxiety,
depression, insomnia
A. Antipsychotic monotherapy
B. Psychotherapy and targeted pharmacologic treatment for associated symptoms
C. Electroconvulsive therapy as first-line treatment
Correct Answer- B
Rationale: Psychotherapy is the primary treatment for adjustment disorders, focusing
on coping skills and stressor resolution. Pharmacologic interventions may be used
short-term to address associated symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or insomnia,
but medications are not considered first-line alone.
10. In patients with DID, what medication is used to reduce self-injurous
behaviors?
Naltrexone
A. Lithium
B. Naltrexone
C. Haloperidol
Correct Answer- B
Rationale: Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, has been used off-label to
reduce self-injurious behaviors in patients with dissociative disorders. It is believed to
modulate endogenous opioid pathways involved in reinforcement of self-harm
behaviors.
11. Is ECT contraindicated in DID?
No- there is often concurrent depression/anxiety and ECT can be effective in
treating it- especially if symptoms are treatment resistant
A. Yes, it worsens dissociative symptoms
B. No, especially when treating comorbid severe depression or treatment-resistant
Actual Questions and Answers Latest Updated
(Graded A+)- Wilkes
1. Adjustment disorders
Occurs when a person develops emotional or behavioral symptoms in response
to a stressful event or situation; symptoms aren't those of normal bereavement
and resolve within 6 months of the stressor.
A. Symptoms persist for more than 12 months after the stressor has ended
B. Symptoms occur in response to an identifiable stressor and resolve within 6
months after the stressor or its consequences end
C. Symptoms only occur in patients with a history of major depressive disorder
Correct Answer- B
Rationale: Adjustment disorder is characterized by emotional or behavioral symptoms
that develop in response to a clearly identifiable stressor and resolve within 6 months
once the stressor or its consequences end. The symptoms cause significant distress or
impairment but do not meet criteria for another psychiatric disorder and are not part
of normal bereavement.
2. SSRIs (sertraline and duloxetine)
Which of the following class of meds are used as first-line therapy for PTSD?
3 multiple choice options
A. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Mood stabilizers
Correct Answer- A
Rationale: SSRIs are considered first-line pharmacologic treatment for PTSD because
they improve core symptoms including intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and
hyperarousal. They have the strongest evidence base and favorable safety profile
compared to benzodiazepines or mood stabilizers, which are not recommended as
first-line therapies.
, 3. Blood pressure
What do you need to monitor if a patient is on Prazosin?
A. Blood pressure
B. Liver enzymes
C. Blood glucose
Correct Answer- A
Rationale: Prazosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist used in PTSD to reduce
trauma-related nightmares and sleep disturbances. Because it can cause orthostatic
hypotension and syncope, monitoring blood pressure—especially during dose
initiation and titration—is essential to ensure patient safety.
4. Why are benzodiazepines contraindicated in PTSD treatment?
They interfere with the psychological processes needed to benefit from CBT:
there is a high rate of comorbid SUD w/PTSD and benzodiazepines are highly
addictive.
A. They worsen cognitive processing and interfere with trauma-focused
psychotherapy and carry high risk for dependence in a population with frequent
substance use disorders
B. They permanently worsen PTSD symptoms in all patients
C. They are ineffective for anxiety symptoms
Correct Answer- A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are contraindicated in PTSD because they can impair fear
extinction and emotional processing required for trauma-focused therapies such as
CBT. Additionally, PTSD patients have high rates of comorbid substance use
disorders, and benzodiazepines carry significant risks of dependence, tolerance, and
misuse.
5. What medications are FDA approved to treat PTSD?
Sertraline and Paroxetine
A. Sertraline and Paroxetine
B. Fluoxetine and Venlafaxine
C. Prazosin and Clonidine
Correct Answer- A
,Rationale: Sertraline and paroxetine are the only medications with FDA approval
specifically for PTSD. Both are SSRIs that have demonstrated efficacy in reducing
core PTSD symptoms, including re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal. Other
medications may be used off-label but lack FDA approval for PTSD.
6. When would you augment treatment of PTSD with an atypical antipsychotic?
Only in SEVERE cases
A. In mild PTSD with insomnia only
B. Only in severe or treatment-resistant PTSD with persistent symptoms despite first-
line therapy
C. As first-line treatment for all PTSD patients
Correct Answer- B
Rationale: Atypical antipsychotics may be considered as augmentation in severe or
treatment-resistant PTSD when patients continue to experience significant symptoms
despite adequate trials of first-line treatments such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They
are not recommended as initial therapy due to potential adverse effects including
metabolic syndrome and extrapyramidal symptoms.
7. What co-occurring disorder do patients with DID typically have?
PTSD
A. Bipolar disorder
B. PTSD
C. Schizophrenia
Correct Answer- B
Rationale: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is strongly associated with severe,
chronic childhood trauma. As a result, PTSD is the most common co-occurring
disorder. Trauma-related symptoms often drive dissociation, emotional dysregulation,
and identity fragmentation seen in DID.
8. What are SSRIs effective for in DID?
Co-occurring depressive or PTSD symptoms
A. Core dissociative identity symptoms
B. Co-occurring depressive or PTSD symptoms
C. Memory integration between identities
, Correct Answer- B
Rationale: SSRIs do not treat the core dissociative pathology of DID but are useful in
managing comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Treating these
associated symptoms can improve overall functioning and reduce distress.
9. What are the suggested treatments for adjustment disorders?
Psychotherapy and pharmacology to target associated symptoms like anxiety,
depression, insomnia
A. Antipsychotic monotherapy
B. Psychotherapy and targeted pharmacologic treatment for associated symptoms
C. Electroconvulsive therapy as first-line treatment
Correct Answer- B
Rationale: Psychotherapy is the primary treatment for adjustment disorders, focusing
on coping skills and stressor resolution. Pharmacologic interventions may be used
short-term to address associated symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or insomnia,
but medications are not considered first-line alone.
10. In patients with DID, what medication is used to reduce self-injurous
behaviors?
Naltrexone
A. Lithium
B. Naltrexone
C. Haloperidol
Correct Answer- B
Rationale: Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, has been used off-label to
reduce self-injurious behaviors in patients with dissociative disorders. It is believed to
modulate endogenous opioid pathways involved in reinforcement of self-harm
behaviors.
11. Is ECT contraindicated in DID?
No- there is often concurrent depression/anxiety and ECT can be effective in
treating it- especially if symptoms are treatment resistant
A. Yes, it worsens dissociative symptoms
B. No, especially when treating comorbid severe depression or treatment-resistant
