NSG 552 Psychopharmacology Exam 2
(Versions A & B) | Latest Edition |
Wilkes – Wilkes 2026/2027 – Verified
Q&As with Detailed Rationales (Test
Bank Bundle - 78 Questions)
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*QUESTION 1:*
The primary mechanism of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is:
A) Blocking dopamine receptors
B) Inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron
C) Blocking norepinephrine reuptake
D) Inhibiting monoamine oxidase
> 🎯 *CORRECT ANSWER:* B) Inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron
> 💡 *CLINICAL RATIONALE:*
> * *Why It's Right:* Increases synaptic serotonin.
> * *Why Distractors Fail:* Dopamine blockade is antipsychotics; NE reuptake is SNRIs; MAOIs inhibit
monoamine oxidase.
> * *Core Takeaway:* SSRIs = block serotonin reuptake.
---
*QUESTION 2:*
,A patient on fluoxetine reports sexual dysfunction, insomnia, and nausea. These are most likely:
A) Allergic reactions
B) Common side effects of SSRIs
C) Signs of serotonin syndrome
D) Indications of drug ineffectiveness
> 🎯 *CORRECT ANSWER:* B) Common side effects of SSRIs
> 💡 *CLINICAL RATIONALE:*
> * *Why It's Right:* GI, sexual, and sleep disturbances are typical.
> * *Why Distractors Fail:* Allergic reactions are rare; serotonin syndrome is severe; ineffectiveness is
not indicated.
> * *Core Takeaway:* SSRI side effects = GI, sexual, insomnia.
---
*QUESTION 3:*
Serotonin syndrome is characterized by:
A) Bradycardia and hypotension
B) Hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, and mental status changes
C) Weight gain and sedation
D) Dry mouth and constipation
> 🎯 *CORRECT ANSWER:* B) Hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, and mental status changes
> 💡 *CLINICAL RATIONALE:*
> * *Why It's Right:* Severe serotonin excess.
> * *Why Distractors Fail:* Bradycardia/hypotension are not; weight gain/sedation are side effects; dry
mouth is anticholinergic.
> * *Core Takeaway:* Serotonin syndrome = hyperthermia + rigidity + confusion.
,---
*QUESTION 4:*
The half-life of fluoxetine is approximately:
A) 1-2 days
B) 4-6 days
C) 7-14 days
D) 24 hours
> 🎯 *CORRECT ANSWER:* B) 4-6 days
> 💡 *CLINICAL RATIONALE:*
> * *Why It's Right:* Long half-life.
> * *Why Distractors Fail:* 1-2 days is paroxetine; 24 hours is sertraline; 7-14 is too long.
> * *Core Takeaway:* Fluoxetine half-life = 4-6 days.
---
*QUESTION 5:*
Which SSRI has the highest risk of withdrawal symptoms due to its short half-life?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Sertraline
C) Paroxetine
D) Escitalopram
> 🎯 *CORRECT ANSWER:* C) Paroxetine
> 💡 *CLINICAL RATIONALE:*
> * *Why It's Right:* Short half-life and high anticholinergic effects.
> * *Why Distractors Fail:* Fluoxetine has long half-life; sertraline/escitalopram have intermediate.
> * *Core Takeaway:* Paroxetine = highest withdrawal risk.
, ---
*QUESTION 6:*
Atypical antipsychotics like risperidone act primarily by:
A) Blocking D2 dopamine receptors and 5-HT2A serotonin receptors
B) Blocking only D2 receptors
C) Enhancing GABA activity
D) Blocking norepinephrine reuptake
> 🎯 *CORRECT ANSWER:* A) Blocking D2 dopamine receptors and 5-HT2A serotonin receptors
> 💡 *CLINICAL RATIONALE:*
> * *Why It's Right:* Dual mechanism.
> * *Why Distractors Fail:* D2 only is typical antipsychotics; GABA is benzodiazepines; NE reuptake is
antidepressants.
> * *Core Takeaway:* Atypicals = D2 + 5-HT2A.
---
*QUESTION 7:*
The most serious adverse effect of clozapine is:
A) Weight gain
B) Sedation
C) Agranulocytosis
D) Tardive dyskinesia
> 🎯 *CORRECT ANSWER:* C) Agranulocytosis
> 💡 *CLINICAL RATIONALE:*
> * *Why It's Right:* Neutropenia risk.
(Versions A & B) | Latest Edition |
Wilkes – Wilkes 2026/2027 – Verified
Q&As with Detailed Rationales (Test
Bank Bundle - 78 Questions)
---
*QUESTION 1:*
The primary mechanism of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is:
A) Blocking dopamine receptors
B) Inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron
C) Blocking norepinephrine reuptake
D) Inhibiting monoamine oxidase
> 🎯 *CORRECT ANSWER:* B) Inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron
> 💡 *CLINICAL RATIONALE:*
> * *Why It's Right:* Increases synaptic serotonin.
> * *Why Distractors Fail:* Dopamine blockade is antipsychotics; NE reuptake is SNRIs; MAOIs inhibit
monoamine oxidase.
> * *Core Takeaway:* SSRIs = block serotonin reuptake.
---
*QUESTION 2:*
,A patient on fluoxetine reports sexual dysfunction, insomnia, and nausea. These are most likely:
A) Allergic reactions
B) Common side effects of SSRIs
C) Signs of serotonin syndrome
D) Indications of drug ineffectiveness
> 🎯 *CORRECT ANSWER:* B) Common side effects of SSRIs
> 💡 *CLINICAL RATIONALE:*
> * *Why It's Right:* GI, sexual, and sleep disturbances are typical.
> * *Why Distractors Fail:* Allergic reactions are rare; serotonin syndrome is severe; ineffectiveness is
not indicated.
> * *Core Takeaway:* SSRI side effects = GI, sexual, insomnia.
---
*QUESTION 3:*
Serotonin syndrome is characterized by:
A) Bradycardia and hypotension
B) Hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, and mental status changes
C) Weight gain and sedation
D) Dry mouth and constipation
> 🎯 *CORRECT ANSWER:* B) Hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, and mental status changes
> 💡 *CLINICAL RATIONALE:*
> * *Why It's Right:* Severe serotonin excess.
> * *Why Distractors Fail:* Bradycardia/hypotension are not; weight gain/sedation are side effects; dry
mouth is anticholinergic.
> * *Core Takeaway:* Serotonin syndrome = hyperthermia + rigidity + confusion.
,---
*QUESTION 4:*
The half-life of fluoxetine is approximately:
A) 1-2 days
B) 4-6 days
C) 7-14 days
D) 24 hours
> 🎯 *CORRECT ANSWER:* B) 4-6 days
> 💡 *CLINICAL RATIONALE:*
> * *Why It's Right:* Long half-life.
> * *Why Distractors Fail:* 1-2 days is paroxetine; 24 hours is sertraline; 7-14 is too long.
> * *Core Takeaway:* Fluoxetine half-life = 4-6 days.
---
*QUESTION 5:*
Which SSRI has the highest risk of withdrawal symptoms due to its short half-life?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Sertraline
C) Paroxetine
D) Escitalopram
> 🎯 *CORRECT ANSWER:* C) Paroxetine
> 💡 *CLINICAL RATIONALE:*
> * *Why It's Right:* Short half-life and high anticholinergic effects.
> * *Why Distractors Fail:* Fluoxetine has long half-life; sertraline/escitalopram have intermediate.
> * *Core Takeaway:* Paroxetine = highest withdrawal risk.
, ---
*QUESTION 6:*
Atypical antipsychotics like risperidone act primarily by:
A) Blocking D2 dopamine receptors and 5-HT2A serotonin receptors
B) Blocking only D2 receptors
C) Enhancing GABA activity
D) Blocking norepinephrine reuptake
> 🎯 *CORRECT ANSWER:* A) Blocking D2 dopamine receptors and 5-HT2A serotonin receptors
> 💡 *CLINICAL RATIONALE:*
> * *Why It's Right:* Dual mechanism.
> * *Why Distractors Fail:* D2 only is typical antipsychotics; GABA is benzodiazepines; NE reuptake is
antidepressants.
> * *Core Takeaway:* Atypicals = D2 + 5-HT2A.
---
*QUESTION 7:*
The most serious adverse effect of clozapine is:
A) Weight gain
B) Sedation
C) Agranulocytosis
D) Tardive dyskinesia
> 🎯 *CORRECT ANSWER:* C) Agranulocytosis
> 💡 *CLINICAL RATIONALE:*
> * *Why It's Right:* Neutropenia risk.
