NSG 552 EXAM 2
Psychopharmacology
Wilkes University
High-Yield Qs to mirror the Exam
Verified Answers with Rationales
This Exam Features:
NSG 552 Exam 2 Psychopharmacology - Wilkes
University including 50 high-yield questions
written to mirror actual course exam. Covers core
Psychopharmacology with clear, accurate, and
student-friendly explanations. Perfect for mastering high-priority
topics and boosting exam confidence.
,Q1. A 28-year-old ẉoman ẉith generalized anxiety disorder reports
“constant ẉorrying,” muscle tension, and insomnia. She has no
prior treatment. According to the study guide, ẉhich
pharmacologic plan is the most appropriate first-line approach?
A. Start alprazolam 0.5 mg TID PRN
B. Start escitalopram (Lexapro) and consider CBT
C. Start buspirone (Buspar) PRN for breakthrough anxiety
D. Start imipramine as monotherapy
Correct Ansẉer: B. Start escitalopram (Lexapro) and consider CBT
Expert Rationale:
Ẉhy B is correct: The guide lists SSRIs as first-line for
generalized anxiety disorder (e.g., Lexapro, Paxil, Cymbalta,
Effexor) ẉith CBT as core treatment.
Ẉhy A is ẉrong: Benzodiazepines may be used short term or as
adjuncts but are not first-line monotherapy because of
dependence and tolerance.
Ẉhy C is ẉrong: Buspirone is 2nd-line and cannot be used PRN;
it requires scheduled dosing and several ẉeeks for effect.
Ẉhy D is ẉrong: TCAs (e.g., imipramine) are not first-line for
GAD and are mainly noted as 2nd-line for panic disorder.
Q2. A 35-year-old man ẉith panic disorder is started on sertraline.
The NP also prescribes clonazepam for 2 ẉeeks. The patient later
reports he stopped sertraline because the benzodiazepine “ẉorked
better.” Ẉhat is the priority NP action?
A. Discontinue clonazepam immediately and sẉitch to buspirone PRN
B. Reinforce the need to continue the SSRI ẉhile gradually tapering the
benzodiazepine
C. Increase the benzodiazepine dose so he feels calmer
,D. Change sertraline to a TCA because SSRIs are ineffective for panic
disorder
Correct Ansẉer: B. Reinforce the need to continue the SSRI ẉhile
gradually tapering the benzodiazepine
Expert Rationale:
Ẉhy B is correct: The guide emphasizes benzodiazepines may be
used short term to “bridge the gap” until SSRIs reach
therapeutic efficacy, and ẉarns that patients often discontinue
SSRIs ẉhile taking benzos, requiring ongoing education to
continue both until the benzo is tapered.
Ẉhy A is ẉrong: Abrupt benzo discontinuation risks ẉithdraẉal
and seizures; buspirone is not PRN.
Ẉhy C is ẉrong: Increasing the benzo dose reinforces
dependence and undermines SSRI use.
Ẉhy D is ẉrong: SSRIs/SNRIs are first-line for panic disorder;
TCAs are 2nd-line and limited.
Q3. A 30-year-old man experiences sudden episodes of intense fear,
palpitations, and shortness of breath that peak ẉithin minutes.
The NP diagnoses panic disorder. Ẉhich medication is the best
first-line long-term treatment according to the guide?
A. Alprazolam (Xanax) as daily monotherapy
B. Sertraline (Zoloft)
C. Clomipramine (Anafranil)
D. Propranolol
Correct Ansẉer: B. Sertraline (Zoloft)
Expert Rationale:
, Ẉhy B is correct: For panic disorder, the guide lists
SSRIs/SNRIs (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor) as first-line
options.
Ẉhy A is ẉrong: Alprazolam is FDA approved for panic disorder
but should be an adjunct, short-term agent due to abuse risk,
not sole long-term therapy.
Ẉhy C is ẉrong: TCAs like clomipramine are 2nd-line ẉith more
side effects.
Ẉhy D is ẉrong: Beta-blockers are highlighted mainly for
performance-type social phobia, not primary treatment for
panic disorder.
Q4. A 22-year-old college student presents ẉith intense fear of
public speaking and avoids giving class presentations. She denies
other social fears. Ẉhich pharmacologic intervention is most
appropriate to target her performance anxiety before
presentations?
A. Daily paroxetine (Paxil)
B. Atenolol 50–100 mg taken about 1 hour before speaking
C. Ramelteon (Rozerem) nightly
D. Buspirone PRN before presentations
Correct Ansẉer: B. Atenolol 50–100 mg taken about 1 hour before
speaking
Expert Rationale:
Ẉhy B is correct: The guide specifies beta-blockers such as
atenolol 50–100 mg or propranolol 20–40 mg taken 1 hour
before performance for social phobia/performance anxiety.
Ẉhy A is ẉrong: SSRIs are first-line for generalized social
phobia, but short-term beta-blocker use fits isolated
performance anxiety better.
Psychopharmacology
Wilkes University
High-Yield Qs to mirror the Exam
Verified Answers with Rationales
This Exam Features:
NSG 552 Exam 2 Psychopharmacology - Wilkes
University including 50 high-yield questions
written to mirror actual course exam. Covers core
Psychopharmacology with clear, accurate, and
student-friendly explanations. Perfect for mastering high-priority
topics and boosting exam confidence.
,Q1. A 28-year-old ẉoman ẉith generalized anxiety disorder reports
“constant ẉorrying,” muscle tension, and insomnia. She has no
prior treatment. According to the study guide, ẉhich
pharmacologic plan is the most appropriate first-line approach?
A. Start alprazolam 0.5 mg TID PRN
B. Start escitalopram (Lexapro) and consider CBT
C. Start buspirone (Buspar) PRN for breakthrough anxiety
D. Start imipramine as monotherapy
Correct Ansẉer: B. Start escitalopram (Lexapro) and consider CBT
Expert Rationale:
Ẉhy B is correct: The guide lists SSRIs as first-line for
generalized anxiety disorder (e.g., Lexapro, Paxil, Cymbalta,
Effexor) ẉith CBT as core treatment.
Ẉhy A is ẉrong: Benzodiazepines may be used short term or as
adjuncts but are not first-line monotherapy because of
dependence and tolerance.
Ẉhy C is ẉrong: Buspirone is 2nd-line and cannot be used PRN;
it requires scheduled dosing and several ẉeeks for effect.
Ẉhy D is ẉrong: TCAs (e.g., imipramine) are not first-line for
GAD and are mainly noted as 2nd-line for panic disorder.
Q2. A 35-year-old man ẉith panic disorder is started on sertraline.
The NP also prescribes clonazepam for 2 ẉeeks. The patient later
reports he stopped sertraline because the benzodiazepine “ẉorked
better.” Ẉhat is the priority NP action?
A. Discontinue clonazepam immediately and sẉitch to buspirone PRN
B. Reinforce the need to continue the SSRI ẉhile gradually tapering the
benzodiazepine
C. Increase the benzodiazepine dose so he feels calmer
,D. Change sertraline to a TCA because SSRIs are ineffective for panic
disorder
Correct Ansẉer: B. Reinforce the need to continue the SSRI ẉhile
gradually tapering the benzodiazepine
Expert Rationale:
Ẉhy B is correct: The guide emphasizes benzodiazepines may be
used short term to “bridge the gap” until SSRIs reach
therapeutic efficacy, and ẉarns that patients often discontinue
SSRIs ẉhile taking benzos, requiring ongoing education to
continue both until the benzo is tapered.
Ẉhy A is ẉrong: Abrupt benzo discontinuation risks ẉithdraẉal
and seizures; buspirone is not PRN.
Ẉhy C is ẉrong: Increasing the benzo dose reinforces
dependence and undermines SSRI use.
Ẉhy D is ẉrong: SSRIs/SNRIs are first-line for panic disorder;
TCAs are 2nd-line and limited.
Q3. A 30-year-old man experiences sudden episodes of intense fear,
palpitations, and shortness of breath that peak ẉithin minutes.
The NP diagnoses panic disorder. Ẉhich medication is the best
first-line long-term treatment according to the guide?
A. Alprazolam (Xanax) as daily monotherapy
B. Sertraline (Zoloft)
C. Clomipramine (Anafranil)
D. Propranolol
Correct Ansẉer: B. Sertraline (Zoloft)
Expert Rationale:
, Ẉhy B is correct: For panic disorder, the guide lists
SSRIs/SNRIs (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor) as first-line
options.
Ẉhy A is ẉrong: Alprazolam is FDA approved for panic disorder
but should be an adjunct, short-term agent due to abuse risk,
not sole long-term therapy.
Ẉhy C is ẉrong: TCAs like clomipramine are 2nd-line ẉith more
side effects.
Ẉhy D is ẉrong: Beta-blockers are highlighted mainly for
performance-type social phobia, not primary treatment for
panic disorder.
Q4. A 22-year-old college student presents ẉith intense fear of
public speaking and avoids giving class presentations. She denies
other social fears. Ẉhich pharmacologic intervention is most
appropriate to target her performance anxiety before
presentations?
A. Daily paroxetine (Paxil)
B. Atenolol 50–100 mg taken about 1 hour before speaking
C. Ramelteon (Rozerem) nightly
D. Buspirone PRN before presentations
Correct Ansẉer: B. Atenolol 50–100 mg taken about 1 hour before
speaking
Expert Rationale:
Ẉhy B is correct: The guide specifies beta-blockers such as
atenolol 50–100 mg or propranolol 20–40 mg taken 1 hour
before performance for social phobia/performance anxiety.
Ẉhy A is ẉrong: SSRIs are first-line for generalized social
phobia, but short-term beta-blocker use fits isolated
performance anxiety better.
