Barkley Psychopharmacology Exam
PRACTICE QUESTIONS |ORIGINAL
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS |DETAILED
RATIONALES |HINTED COMPLETE
EXAM PREP GRADED A+*INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1.
A patient with major depressive disorder is started on an SSRI. Which
neurotransmitter is most directly targeted by this medication class?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Serotonin
D. Gamma-aminobutyric acid
SSRIs inhibit the serotonin transporter, increasing serotonergic
neurotransmission.
2.
Which SSRI is most commonly associated with clinically significant QT
prolongation at higher doses?
A. Sertraline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Citalopram
D. Fluvoxamine
Citalopram has a dose-dependent effect on QT interval and requires
attention to dosing and cardiac risk factors.
,3.
A patient taking sertraline develops agitation, diaphoresis, diarrhea,
hyperreflexia, and clonus after starting linezolid. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Anticholinergic toxicity
C. Serotonin syndrome
D. Malignant catatonia
Combining serotonergic medications with monoamine oxidase
inhibition can precipitate serotonin syndrome, characterized by
autonomic and neuromuscular findings.
4.
Which antidepressant is generally considered least likely to cause
sexual dysfunction?
A. Paroxetine
B. Sertraline
C. Escitalopram
D. Bupropion
Bupropion has relatively low rates of sexual adverse effects and may
sometimes be used when SSRI-associated sexual dysfunction occurs.
5.
Which antidepressant is contraindicated in a patient with an active
eating disorder because of increased seizure risk?
A. Sertraline
B. Escitalopram
C. Bupropion
D. Mirtazapine
Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and is contraindicated in
patients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
,6.
Which antidepressant is most associated with weight gain and
sedation at lower doses?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Venlafaxine
C. Mirtazapine
D. Bupropion
Mirtazapine commonly causes increased appetite, weight gain, and
sedation, particularly at lower doses.
7.
A patient taking an SSRI develops new suicidal thoughts during the
first weeks of treatment. What is the most appropriate response?
A. Immediately discontinue the medication without evaluation
B. Ignore the symptoms because antidepressants cannot cause them
C. Perform an immediate suicide-risk assessment and increase
monitoring
D. Increase the dose immediately
Young patients may experience increased suicidal thoughts during
early antidepressant treatment. Safety assessment and close
monitoring are essential.
8.
Which antidepressant has a particularly long half-life and therefore
remains in the body for an extended period after discontinuation?
A. Paroxetine
B. Venlafaxine
C. Fluoxetine
D. Sertraline
Fluoxetine and its active metabolite norfluoxetine have long half-
lives.
, 9.
Which SSRI is generally considered to have a relatively favorable
drug-interaction profile?
A. Paroxetine
B. Fluvoxamine
C. Sertraline
D. Fluoxetine
Sertraline has comparatively fewer clinically significant CYP-mediated
interactions than several other SSRIs.
10.
Which antidepressant should generally be avoided in a patient with
uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma?
A. Sertraline
B. Bupropion
C. A strongly anticholinergic tricyclic antidepressant
D. Escitalopram
Tricyclic antidepressants can produce anticholinergic effects and may
increase intraocular pressure in susceptible patients.
11.
Which class of antidepressants works primarily by inhibiting
serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake?
A. SSRIs
B. MAOIs
C. SNRIs
D. TCAs
SNRIs inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine transporters.
12.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS |ORIGINAL
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS |DETAILED
RATIONALES |HINTED COMPLETE
EXAM PREP GRADED A+*INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1.
A patient with major depressive disorder is started on an SSRI. Which
neurotransmitter is most directly targeted by this medication class?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Serotonin
D. Gamma-aminobutyric acid
SSRIs inhibit the serotonin transporter, increasing serotonergic
neurotransmission.
2.
Which SSRI is most commonly associated with clinically significant QT
prolongation at higher doses?
A. Sertraline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Citalopram
D. Fluvoxamine
Citalopram has a dose-dependent effect on QT interval and requires
attention to dosing and cardiac risk factors.
,3.
A patient taking sertraline develops agitation, diaphoresis, diarrhea,
hyperreflexia, and clonus after starting linezolid. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Anticholinergic toxicity
C. Serotonin syndrome
D. Malignant catatonia
Combining serotonergic medications with monoamine oxidase
inhibition can precipitate serotonin syndrome, characterized by
autonomic and neuromuscular findings.
4.
Which antidepressant is generally considered least likely to cause
sexual dysfunction?
A. Paroxetine
B. Sertraline
C. Escitalopram
D. Bupropion
Bupropion has relatively low rates of sexual adverse effects and may
sometimes be used when SSRI-associated sexual dysfunction occurs.
5.
Which antidepressant is contraindicated in a patient with an active
eating disorder because of increased seizure risk?
A. Sertraline
B. Escitalopram
C. Bupropion
D. Mirtazapine
Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and is contraindicated in
patients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
,6.
Which antidepressant is most associated with weight gain and
sedation at lower doses?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Venlafaxine
C. Mirtazapine
D. Bupropion
Mirtazapine commonly causes increased appetite, weight gain, and
sedation, particularly at lower doses.
7.
A patient taking an SSRI develops new suicidal thoughts during the
first weeks of treatment. What is the most appropriate response?
A. Immediately discontinue the medication without evaluation
B. Ignore the symptoms because antidepressants cannot cause them
C. Perform an immediate suicide-risk assessment and increase
monitoring
D. Increase the dose immediately
Young patients may experience increased suicidal thoughts during
early antidepressant treatment. Safety assessment and close
monitoring are essential.
8.
Which antidepressant has a particularly long half-life and therefore
remains in the body for an extended period after discontinuation?
A. Paroxetine
B. Venlafaxine
C. Fluoxetine
D. Sertraline
Fluoxetine and its active metabolite norfluoxetine have long half-
lives.
, 9.
Which SSRI is generally considered to have a relatively favorable
drug-interaction profile?
A. Paroxetine
B. Fluvoxamine
C. Sertraline
D. Fluoxetine
Sertraline has comparatively fewer clinically significant CYP-mediated
interactions than several other SSRIs.
10.
Which antidepressant should generally be avoided in a patient with
uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma?
A. Sertraline
B. Bupropion
C. A strongly anticholinergic tricyclic antidepressant
D. Escitalopram
Tricyclic antidepressants can produce anticholinergic effects and may
increase intraocular pressure in susceptible patients.
11.
Which class of antidepressants works primarily by inhibiting
serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake?
A. SSRIs
B. MAOIs
C. SNRIs
D. TCAs
SNRIs inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine transporters.
12.
