NSG 552 Exam 2 | Psychopharmacology | Wilkes University
| 80 Questions & Answers | Latest 2026/2027 | 100% Verified
Complete Exam 2 Study Guide – Actual Questions with
Bold Answers & Italic Explanations
INTRODUCTION
This NSG 552 Exam 2 study guide contains 80 actual questions and verified answers for
Wilkes University's Psychopharmacology course, updated for 2025/2026. Covers
antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, mirtazapine, trazodone, vortioxetine, TCAs,
MAOIs), mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate, lamotrigine), atypical antipsychotics, bipolar
disorder, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders (GAD, panic disorder, social
anxiety), and insomnia. Each question includes the correct answer in bold with an italic
explanation. 100% verified – pass your exam with confidence.
SECTION 1: ANTIDEPRESSANTS – SSRIs (Questions 1–15)
1. A 35-year-old female with major depressive disorder is started on sertraline
(Zoloft). What is the mechanism of action of SSRIs?
A) Selectively inhibit serotonin reuptake at the presynaptic neuron
B) Inhibit norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake
C) Block serotonin receptors postsynaptically
D) Increase monoamine oxidase activity
Answer: A
SSRIs selectively block the serotonin transporter (SERT), increasing synaptic serotonin
levels. They have minimal effect on norepinephrine or dopamine transporters.
2. A patient is started on fluoxetine (Prozac). Which statement about fluoxetine's half-
life is accurate?
A) Short half-life of 24 hours
B) Long half-life of 4-6 days (active metabolite norfluoxetine up to 16 days)
,C) Half-life of 12 hours
D) Half-life of 8 hours
Answer: B
*Fluoxetine has the longest half-life among SSRIs (4-6 days) with an active metabolite
norfluoxetine (7-15 days). This allows once-daily dosing but requires longer washout before
switching MAOIs.*
3. A 28-year-old female with major depressive disorder and panic disorder is started
on paroxetine (Paxil). Which side effect is more common with paroxetine compared
to other SSRIs?
A) Insomnia
B) Weight gain and sexual dysfunction
C) Diarrhea
D) Headache
Answer: B
Paroxetine has the highest rates of weight gain and sexual dysfunction among SSRIs. It
also has significant anticholinergic effects and a discontinuation syndrome.
4. A 30-year-old male with depression and anxiety is started on escitalopram
(Lexapro). What is the advantage of escitalopram over citalopram?
A) Fewer drug interactions and no QTc concerns at therapeutic doses
B) Longer half-life
C) More weight gain
D) Higher cost
Answer: A
*Escitalopram is the S-enantiomer of citalopram. It has fewer drug interactions and lower
risk of QTc prolongation compared to citalopram, which has a 20 mg/day max dose in older
adults.*
5. A patient starting an SSRI asks how long it takes to see therapeutic effects. What is
the most accurate response?
, A) 1-2 days
B) 2-4 weeks (6-8 weeks for full effect)
C) 12-24 hours
D) 3-5 days
Answer: B
*Antidepressants typically take 2-4 weeks to show initial response, with full therapeutic
effect at 6-8 weeks. Early side effects (nausea, anxiety) may occur before mood
improvement.*
6. A 25-year-old male starts fluoxetine 20 mg daily for major depression. After 3 days,
he reports increased anxiety and agitation. What is the most appropriate next step?
A) Discontinue fluoxetine immediately
B) Reassure that this is a common initial side effect; consider adding a short-term
benzodiazepine
C) Double the fluoxetine dose
D) Switch to bupropion
Answer: B
*Initial activation or jitteriness is common with SSRI initiation, especially fluoxetine.
Reassurance and short-term benzodiazepine use (2-4 weeks) can manage symptoms until
tolerance develops.*
7. A patient on an SSRI reports sexual dysfunction (delayed ejaculation). Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A) Discontinue the SSRI immediately
B) Add bupropion, switch to bupropion, or add sildenafil/tadalafil
C) Increase SSRI dose
D) Add trazodone
Answer: B
*SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction can be managed by adding bupropion (which has no
sexual side effects), switching to bupropion, or adding a PDE5 inhibitor (sildenafil,
tadalafil).*
| 80 Questions & Answers | Latest 2026/2027 | 100% Verified
Complete Exam 2 Study Guide – Actual Questions with
Bold Answers & Italic Explanations
INTRODUCTION
This NSG 552 Exam 2 study guide contains 80 actual questions and verified answers for
Wilkes University's Psychopharmacology course, updated for 2025/2026. Covers
antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, mirtazapine, trazodone, vortioxetine, TCAs,
MAOIs), mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate, lamotrigine), atypical antipsychotics, bipolar
disorder, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders (GAD, panic disorder, social
anxiety), and insomnia. Each question includes the correct answer in bold with an italic
explanation. 100% verified – pass your exam with confidence.
SECTION 1: ANTIDEPRESSANTS – SSRIs (Questions 1–15)
1. A 35-year-old female with major depressive disorder is started on sertraline
(Zoloft). What is the mechanism of action of SSRIs?
A) Selectively inhibit serotonin reuptake at the presynaptic neuron
B) Inhibit norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake
C) Block serotonin receptors postsynaptically
D) Increase monoamine oxidase activity
Answer: A
SSRIs selectively block the serotonin transporter (SERT), increasing synaptic serotonin
levels. They have minimal effect on norepinephrine or dopamine transporters.
2. A patient is started on fluoxetine (Prozac). Which statement about fluoxetine's half-
life is accurate?
A) Short half-life of 24 hours
B) Long half-life of 4-6 days (active metabolite norfluoxetine up to 16 days)
,C) Half-life of 12 hours
D) Half-life of 8 hours
Answer: B
*Fluoxetine has the longest half-life among SSRIs (4-6 days) with an active metabolite
norfluoxetine (7-15 days). This allows once-daily dosing but requires longer washout before
switching MAOIs.*
3. A 28-year-old female with major depressive disorder and panic disorder is started
on paroxetine (Paxil). Which side effect is more common with paroxetine compared
to other SSRIs?
A) Insomnia
B) Weight gain and sexual dysfunction
C) Diarrhea
D) Headache
Answer: B
Paroxetine has the highest rates of weight gain and sexual dysfunction among SSRIs. It
also has significant anticholinergic effects and a discontinuation syndrome.
4. A 30-year-old male with depression and anxiety is started on escitalopram
(Lexapro). What is the advantage of escitalopram over citalopram?
A) Fewer drug interactions and no QTc concerns at therapeutic doses
B) Longer half-life
C) More weight gain
D) Higher cost
Answer: A
*Escitalopram is the S-enantiomer of citalopram. It has fewer drug interactions and lower
risk of QTc prolongation compared to citalopram, which has a 20 mg/day max dose in older
adults.*
5. A patient starting an SSRI asks how long it takes to see therapeutic effects. What is
the most accurate response?
, A) 1-2 days
B) 2-4 weeks (6-8 weeks for full effect)
C) 12-24 hours
D) 3-5 days
Answer: B
*Antidepressants typically take 2-4 weeks to show initial response, with full therapeutic
effect at 6-8 weeks. Early side effects (nausea, anxiety) may occur before mood
improvement.*
6. A 25-year-old male starts fluoxetine 20 mg daily for major depression. After 3 days,
he reports increased anxiety and agitation. What is the most appropriate next step?
A) Discontinue fluoxetine immediately
B) Reassure that this is a common initial side effect; consider adding a short-term
benzodiazepine
C) Double the fluoxetine dose
D) Switch to bupropion
Answer: B
*Initial activation or jitteriness is common with SSRI initiation, especially fluoxetine.
Reassurance and short-term benzodiazepine use (2-4 weeks) can manage symptoms until
tolerance develops.*
7. A patient on an SSRI reports sexual dysfunction (delayed ejaculation). Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A) Discontinue the SSRI immediately
B) Add bupropion, switch to bupropion, or add sildenafil/tadalafil
C) Increase SSRI dose
D) Add trazodone
Answer: B
*SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction can be managed by adding bupropion (which has no
sexual side effects), switching to bupropion, or adding a PDE5 inhibitor (sildenafil,
tadalafil).*
