Page 1 of 23
NR 546 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS,RATIONALES NEWEST
2026 EXAM VERIFIED 100 %
A patient reports upset stomach and diarrhea 3 days after taking new
prescription of sertraline. Which of the following is the most appropriate
response from the PMHNP?
A. "Start doubling the dose of sertraline and your symptoms will begin to ease
up".
B. "Most side effects subside after 4-5 days. Your body is getting adjusted to
the increased serotonin levels".
C. "Stop taking it immediately and go to the local emergency department".
D. "You must take Sertraline with food, otherwise you will continue to
experience GI symptoms".
B. "Most side effects subside after 4-5 days. Your body is getting adjusted to the
increased serotonin levels".
During a 2 week follow up appointment, the patient reports no improvement in
depressive symptoms with escitalopram. Which of the following statement
made by the PMHNP is correct?
A. "Let's discontinue escitalopram and start you on something stronger".
B. "It can take up to 6 weeks before you notice improvements of depressive
symptoms".
C. "I am going to prescibe Trazodone. Take it at night to help you sleep".
D. "Start taking two pills at a time".
B. "It can take up to 6 weeks before you notice improvements of depressive
symptoms".
, Page 2 of 23
Duloxetine effects which two neurotransmitters?
A. serotonin and norepinephrine
B. serotonin and dopamine
C. norepinephrine and GABA
D. glutamate and acetylcholine
A. serotonin and norepinephrine
Awura, a 70 year old patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder reports
a recent 40 pound weight loss within the last 3 months. Which medication
should the PMHNP consider adding to her medication regimen?
A. quetiapine
B. mirtazpine
C. valproic acid
D. paroxetine
B. mirtazpine
Which of the following symptoms is NOT an adverse effect associated with the
acute use of opioids?
A. Sedation
B. Respiratory depression
C. Immunosuppression
D. Itching
C. Immunosuppression
When dosing citalopram for Lynee, a 72 year old patient, the PMHNP
understands to dose at 1/2 dose due to the increased risk of
A. delirium
B. polypharmacy
C. falls
D. QTc prolongation
D. QTc prolongation
Which of the following medication class is approved for first line treatment for
OCD?
, Page 3 of 23
A. Atypical antipsychotics
B. Benzodiazepines
C. MAOI
D. SSRI
D. SSRI
Which SSRI has a mild antihistamine effect?
A. Paroxetine
B. Fluoxetine
C. Citalopram
D. Sertraline
C. Citalopram
Which medication should the PMHNP prescribe for a patient diagnosed with
major depressive disorder but takes multiple medications for other chronic
conditions?
A. Sertraline
B. Escitalopram
C. Buspirone
D. Clonazepam
B. Escitalopram
The patient reports suffering from insomnia and anxiety. Which SSRI should
be prescribed?
A. Paroxetine
B. Duloxetine
C. Fluoxetine
D. Venlafaxine
A. Paroxetine
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) act as antagonists on which of the following
neurotransmitters?
A. Acetylcholine and Dopamine
NR 546 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS,RATIONALES NEWEST
2026 EXAM VERIFIED 100 %
A patient reports upset stomach and diarrhea 3 days after taking new
prescription of sertraline. Which of the following is the most appropriate
response from the PMHNP?
A. "Start doubling the dose of sertraline and your symptoms will begin to ease
up".
B. "Most side effects subside after 4-5 days. Your body is getting adjusted to
the increased serotonin levels".
C. "Stop taking it immediately and go to the local emergency department".
D. "You must take Sertraline with food, otherwise you will continue to
experience GI symptoms".
B. "Most side effects subside after 4-5 days. Your body is getting adjusted to the
increased serotonin levels".
During a 2 week follow up appointment, the patient reports no improvement in
depressive symptoms with escitalopram. Which of the following statement
made by the PMHNP is correct?
A. "Let's discontinue escitalopram and start you on something stronger".
B. "It can take up to 6 weeks before you notice improvements of depressive
symptoms".
C. "I am going to prescibe Trazodone. Take it at night to help you sleep".
D. "Start taking two pills at a time".
B. "It can take up to 6 weeks before you notice improvements of depressive
symptoms".
, Page 2 of 23
Duloxetine effects which two neurotransmitters?
A. serotonin and norepinephrine
B. serotonin and dopamine
C. norepinephrine and GABA
D. glutamate and acetylcholine
A. serotonin and norepinephrine
Awura, a 70 year old patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder reports
a recent 40 pound weight loss within the last 3 months. Which medication
should the PMHNP consider adding to her medication regimen?
A. quetiapine
B. mirtazpine
C. valproic acid
D. paroxetine
B. mirtazpine
Which of the following symptoms is NOT an adverse effect associated with the
acute use of opioids?
A. Sedation
B. Respiratory depression
C. Immunosuppression
D. Itching
C. Immunosuppression
When dosing citalopram for Lynee, a 72 year old patient, the PMHNP
understands to dose at 1/2 dose due to the increased risk of
A. delirium
B. polypharmacy
C. falls
D. QTc prolongation
D. QTc prolongation
Which of the following medication class is approved for first line treatment for
OCD?
, Page 3 of 23
A. Atypical antipsychotics
B. Benzodiazepines
C. MAOI
D. SSRI
D. SSRI
Which SSRI has a mild antihistamine effect?
A. Paroxetine
B. Fluoxetine
C. Citalopram
D. Sertraline
C. Citalopram
Which medication should the PMHNP prescribe for a patient diagnosed with
major depressive disorder but takes multiple medications for other chronic
conditions?
A. Sertraline
B. Escitalopram
C. Buspirone
D. Clonazepam
B. Escitalopram
The patient reports suffering from insomnia and anxiety. Which SSRI should
be prescribed?
A. Paroxetine
B. Duloxetine
C. Fluoxetine
D. Venlafaxine
A. Paroxetine
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) act as antagonists on which of the following
neurotransmitters?
A. Acetylcholine and Dopamine
