PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 2026: 100+
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS PHARMACOKINETICS,
PHARMACODYNAMICS,
ANTIDEPRESSANTS, ANTIPSYCHOTICS
AND MOOD STABILIZERS A+ STUDY GUIDE
what is hydroxyzine? SEs? and uses? - CORRECT ANSWER -
hydroxyzine= non BDZ anxiolytic that is an antihistamine
SEs= anticholinergic (dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention and blurry
vision + sedation)
*useful for patients who need quick-acting, short-term e.g. for panic
attacks*
What is the use of propranolol in anxiety disorders? - CORRECT ANSWER
-treating autonomic symptoms of panic attack and social phobia (i.e.
performance anxiety) such as palpitations, sweating and tachy
can be used to treat akathisia (SE of antipsychotics)
what do you have to monitor closely when someone takes methyphenidate
(ritalin, concerta) - CORRECT ANSWER -monitor BP and CBC with diff
(leukopenia and anemia), weight
,may cause exacerbation of tics, decreases seizure threshold
what is atomoxetine (strattera)? - CORRECT ANSWER -it's a
pyschostimulant that inhibits presynaptic norepi reuptake resulitng in
creased norepi and dopamine in synapse
less appetite suppression and insomnia
*less abuse potential
but less effective*
rare liver toxicity and possible increased side effect in children/adolescents
what is modafinil? - CORRECT ANSWER -psychostimulant used in
narcolepsy, not ADHD
what are the types of psychostimulants? - CORRECT ANSWER -1.
Dextroamphetamine and amphetamines (adderall, dexedrine)
2. Methylphenidate (ritalin, concerta)
3. Atomoxetine (strattera)
4. modafinil (provigil)
What are types of congitive enhancers? - CORRECT ANSWER -
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
- donepezil (GI SE)
-galantamine (GI SE)
-rivastigmine
,NMDA receptor antagonist
- memantidine (used w/ acetylcohlinesterase inhibitors)
What medications can cause these pyschiatric sxs?
1. Psychosis:
2. Agitation/confusion/delirium
3. depression
4. anxiety
5. sedation/poor concentration - CORRECT ANSWER -1. psychosis:
*sympathomimetics, analgesics, antibiotics* (eg isoniazid, antimalarials),
anticholinergics, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, *corticosteroids*,
antiparkinson
2.agitation/confusion/delirium: *anticholinergics, antihistamines*,
antipsychs, antidepressants,antiarrythmics, antineoplastics,
corticosteroids, NSADS, antihistamins, etc
3.depression: antihyper, antiparkinson, *CORTICOSTEROIDS*, CCBs,
NSAIDS, antibiotics, peptic ulcer drugs
4. anxiety: sympathomimeitcs, antiasthmatics, antiparkinson,
hypoglycemic agents, NSAIDS, thyroid hormones
5. sedation/poor conc: antianxiety agents/hypnotics, antichoinergs,
antibitoics, antihistamines
For these meds, what are their psychatric side effects:
, procainamide, quinidine:
albuterol:
isoniazid:
tetracycline:
nifedipine, verapamil:
cimetidine:
steroids: - CORRECT ANSWER -procainamide, quinidine: confusion,
delirium
albuterol: anxiety, confusion
isoniazid: psychosis
tetracycline: depression
nifedipine, verapamil: depression
cimetidine: depression, confusion, psychosis
steroids: aggressiveness/agitation, mania, depression, anxiety, psychosis
what is ECT the most effective tx for? - CORRECT ANSWER -major
depressive disorders esp with psychotic features as well as for acute mania
and catatonia; in patients who have failed other treatment modalities
usually 8-12 sessions given three times monthly; discontinued after
symptom improvement, may require maintenance therapy once per month
patients are premedicated with atropine, methohexital (anesthetic) and
succinylcholine (muscle relaxant); induction of general tonic-clonic seizure
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS PHARMACOKINETICS,
PHARMACODYNAMICS,
ANTIDEPRESSANTS, ANTIPSYCHOTICS
AND MOOD STABILIZERS A+ STUDY GUIDE
what is hydroxyzine? SEs? and uses? - CORRECT ANSWER -
hydroxyzine= non BDZ anxiolytic that is an antihistamine
SEs= anticholinergic (dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention and blurry
vision + sedation)
*useful for patients who need quick-acting, short-term e.g. for panic
attacks*
What is the use of propranolol in anxiety disorders? - CORRECT ANSWER
-treating autonomic symptoms of panic attack and social phobia (i.e.
performance anxiety) such as palpitations, sweating and tachy
can be used to treat akathisia (SE of antipsychotics)
what do you have to monitor closely when someone takes methyphenidate
(ritalin, concerta) - CORRECT ANSWER -monitor BP and CBC with diff
(leukopenia and anemia), weight
,may cause exacerbation of tics, decreases seizure threshold
what is atomoxetine (strattera)? - CORRECT ANSWER -it's a
pyschostimulant that inhibits presynaptic norepi reuptake resulitng in
creased norepi and dopamine in synapse
less appetite suppression and insomnia
*less abuse potential
but less effective*
rare liver toxicity and possible increased side effect in children/adolescents
what is modafinil? - CORRECT ANSWER -psychostimulant used in
narcolepsy, not ADHD
what are the types of psychostimulants? - CORRECT ANSWER -1.
Dextroamphetamine and amphetamines (adderall, dexedrine)
2. Methylphenidate (ritalin, concerta)
3. Atomoxetine (strattera)
4. modafinil (provigil)
What are types of congitive enhancers? - CORRECT ANSWER -
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
- donepezil (GI SE)
-galantamine (GI SE)
-rivastigmine
,NMDA receptor antagonist
- memantidine (used w/ acetylcohlinesterase inhibitors)
What medications can cause these pyschiatric sxs?
1. Psychosis:
2. Agitation/confusion/delirium
3. depression
4. anxiety
5. sedation/poor concentration - CORRECT ANSWER -1. psychosis:
*sympathomimetics, analgesics, antibiotics* (eg isoniazid, antimalarials),
anticholinergics, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, *corticosteroids*,
antiparkinson
2.agitation/confusion/delirium: *anticholinergics, antihistamines*,
antipsychs, antidepressants,antiarrythmics, antineoplastics,
corticosteroids, NSADS, antihistamins, etc
3.depression: antihyper, antiparkinson, *CORTICOSTEROIDS*, CCBs,
NSAIDS, antibiotics, peptic ulcer drugs
4. anxiety: sympathomimeitcs, antiasthmatics, antiparkinson,
hypoglycemic agents, NSAIDS, thyroid hormones
5. sedation/poor conc: antianxiety agents/hypnotics, antichoinergs,
antibitoics, antihistamines
For these meds, what are their psychatric side effects:
, procainamide, quinidine:
albuterol:
isoniazid:
tetracycline:
nifedipine, verapamil:
cimetidine:
steroids: - CORRECT ANSWER -procainamide, quinidine: confusion,
delirium
albuterol: anxiety, confusion
isoniazid: psychosis
tetracycline: depression
nifedipine, verapamil: depression
cimetidine: depression, confusion, psychosis
steroids: aggressiveness/agitation, mania, depression, anxiety, psychosis
what is ECT the most effective tx for? - CORRECT ANSWER -major
depressive disorders esp with psychotic features as well as for acute mania
and catatonia; in patients who have failed other treatment modalities
usually 8-12 sessions given three times monthly; discontinued after
symptom improvement, may require maintenance therapy once per month
patients are premedicated with atropine, methohexital (anesthetic) and
succinylcholine (muscle relaxant); induction of general tonic-clonic seizure
