Wilkes NSG 552 Exam 2 – Psychopharmacology 2026 UPDATE
1. Which mechanism of action is primary to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Antagonism of 5-HT2A receptors
B. Inhibition of the serotonin transporter (SERT)
C. Blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine
D. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase enzymes
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs work primarily by inhibiting the serotonin transporter (SERT), leading to
increased levels of serotonin in the synaptic cleft.
2. A patient taking Lithium presents with a serum level of 1.6 mEq/L. How should the clinician
interpret this result?
A. The level is within the therapeutic range.
B. The level indicates mild to moderate toxicity.
C. The level is subtherapeutic and needs adjustment.
D. The level is at a fatal concentration.
Answer: B
,Rationale: The therapeutic range for Lithium is typically 0.6-1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5
mEq/L are generally considered toxic.
3. Which life-threatening side effect is specifically associated with Clozapine?
A. Hypertensive Crisis
B. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
C. Serotonin Syndrome
D. Agranulocytosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis, necessitating regular
ANC monitoring.
4. Patients taking Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) must avoid foods high in which
substance?
A. Tyramine
B. Glucose
C. Phenylalanine
D. Tryptophan
Answer: A
Rationale: Tyramine-rich foods can lead to a hypertensive crisis in patients taking MAOIs
due to the inhibition of tyramine breakdown.
, 5. Which medication is commonly used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as acute
dystonia?
A. Propranolol
B. Benztropine
C. Lorazepam
D. Haloperidol
Answer: B
Rationale: Benztropine, an anticholinergic, is the first-line treatment for drug-induced
parkinsonism and acute dystonia.
6. Lamotrigine requires a slow titration schedule to minimize the risk of which condition?
A. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
B. Hepatic failure
C. Aplastic anemia
D. Acute renal failure
Answer: A
Rationale: Slow titration of Lamotrigine is essential to reduce the risk of life-threatening
rashes, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS).
1. Which mechanism of action is primary to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Antagonism of 5-HT2A receptors
B. Inhibition of the serotonin transporter (SERT)
C. Blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine
D. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase enzymes
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs work primarily by inhibiting the serotonin transporter (SERT), leading to
increased levels of serotonin in the synaptic cleft.
2. A patient taking Lithium presents with a serum level of 1.6 mEq/L. How should the clinician
interpret this result?
A. The level is within the therapeutic range.
B. The level indicates mild to moderate toxicity.
C. The level is subtherapeutic and needs adjustment.
D. The level is at a fatal concentration.
Answer: B
,Rationale: The therapeutic range for Lithium is typically 0.6-1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5
mEq/L are generally considered toxic.
3. Which life-threatening side effect is specifically associated with Clozapine?
A. Hypertensive Crisis
B. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
C. Serotonin Syndrome
D. Agranulocytosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis, necessitating regular
ANC monitoring.
4. Patients taking Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) must avoid foods high in which
substance?
A. Tyramine
B. Glucose
C. Phenylalanine
D. Tryptophan
Answer: A
Rationale: Tyramine-rich foods can lead to a hypertensive crisis in patients taking MAOIs
due to the inhibition of tyramine breakdown.
, 5. Which medication is commonly used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as acute
dystonia?
A. Propranolol
B. Benztropine
C. Lorazepam
D. Haloperidol
Answer: B
Rationale: Benztropine, an anticholinergic, is the first-line treatment for drug-induced
parkinsonism and acute dystonia.
6. Lamotrigine requires a slow titration schedule to minimize the risk of which condition?
A. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
B. Hepatic failure
C. Aplastic anemia
D. Acute renal failure
Answer: A
Rationale: Slow titration of Lamotrigine is essential to reduce the risk of life-threatening
rashes, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS).
