NSG 552 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2 REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026/2027 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF.
Core Domains
Antidepressant Pharmacology
Mood Stabilizers and Anticonvulsants
Antipsychotic Pharmacology
Anxiolytics and Hypnotics
ADHD and Stimulant Pharmacology
Substance Use Disorder Pharmacotherapy
Neurocognitive and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Drug Interactions
Black Box Warnings and Adverse Effect Monitoring
Patient Education, Ethics, and Professional Standards
Introduction
The NSG 552 Psychopharmacology Exam 2 Review is designed to assess
the advanced knowledge and clinical judgment of graduate nursing
students in psychopharmacologic management. The exam evaluates
foundational and applied concepts in antidepressant, mood stabilizer,
antipsychotic, anxiolytic, hypnotic, stimulant, and substance use
disorder pharmacotherapy. Through multiple-choice and scenario-
based questions, candidates are tested on their ability to apply real-
world clinical decision-making, interpret drug mechanisms, monitor
adverse effects, and provide patient education. Emphasis is placed on
evidence-based practice, black box warnings, regulatory compliance,
,ethical prescribing, and the protection of patient safety in contemporary
psychiatric-mental health environments.
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
Which class of antidepressants is considered first-line for major
depressive disorder due to favorable safety and tolerability?
A. Tricyclic antidepressants
B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
C. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
D. Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: SSRIs are first-line for major depressive disorder
because they have a favorable safety profile, fewer anticholinergic
effects, and lower overdose toxicity compared with TCAs and MAOIs.
Question 2
A patient taking an SSRI develops agitation, diaphoresis, hyperreflexia,
and clonus. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Anticholinergic toxicity
D. Hypertensive crisis
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Serotonin syndrome is characterized by mental status
changes, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular abnormalities such as
hyperreflexia and clonus. It is caused by excess serotonergic activity.
Question 3
,A patient prescribed phenelzine should avoid which food to prevent
hypertensive crisis?
A. Aged cheese
B. White rice
C. Fresh apples
D. Plain pasta
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: Aged cheese contains tyramine. MAOIs inhibit
tyramine metabolism, which can cause a hypertensive crisis. Patients
must follow a low-tyramine diet.
Question 4
Which adverse effect is most concerning in a tricyclic antidepressant
overdose?
A. Dry mouth
B. Constipation
C. Urinary retention
D. Cardiac dysrhythmias
Correct answer: D
RATIONALE: TCA overdose can cause life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias, including QRS widening and ventricular arrhythmias.
Cardiac monitoring is essential.
Question 5
A patient starting bupropion should be monitored for which serious
adverse effect?
A. Sedation
B. Seizures
, C. Weight gain
D. Hyperprolactinemia
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold. It should be
avoided in patients with seizure disorders, eating disorders, or those
undergoing abrupt alcohol/benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Question 6
Which antidepressant is commonly associated with increased appetite
and weight gain?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Sertraline
C. Mirtazapine
D. Bupropion
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Mirtazapine frequently causes increased appetite and
weight gain due to its antihistaminergic effects. It is often used when
weight gain is desired.
Question 7
A patient taking venlafaxine should have which vital sign monitored
regularly?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Temperature
C. Oxygen saturation
D. Blood pressure
Correct answer: D
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026/2027 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF.
Core Domains
Antidepressant Pharmacology
Mood Stabilizers and Anticonvulsants
Antipsychotic Pharmacology
Anxiolytics and Hypnotics
ADHD and Stimulant Pharmacology
Substance Use Disorder Pharmacotherapy
Neurocognitive and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Drug Interactions
Black Box Warnings and Adverse Effect Monitoring
Patient Education, Ethics, and Professional Standards
Introduction
The NSG 552 Psychopharmacology Exam 2 Review is designed to assess
the advanced knowledge and clinical judgment of graduate nursing
students in psychopharmacologic management. The exam evaluates
foundational and applied concepts in antidepressant, mood stabilizer,
antipsychotic, anxiolytic, hypnotic, stimulant, and substance use
disorder pharmacotherapy. Through multiple-choice and scenario-
based questions, candidates are tested on their ability to apply real-
world clinical decision-making, interpret drug mechanisms, monitor
adverse effects, and provide patient education. Emphasis is placed on
evidence-based practice, black box warnings, regulatory compliance,
,ethical prescribing, and the protection of patient safety in contemporary
psychiatric-mental health environments.
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
Which class of antidepressants is considered first-line for major
depressive disorder due to favorable safety and tolerability?
A. Tricyclic antidepressants
B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
C. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
D. Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: SSRIs are first-line for major depressive disorder
because they have a favorable safety profile, fewer anticholinergic
effects, and lower overdose toxicity compared with TCAs and MAOIs.
Question 2
A patient taking an SSRI develops agitation, diaphoresis, hyperreflexia,
and clonus. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Anticholinergic toxicity
D. Hypertensive crisis
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Serotonin syndrome is characterized by mental status
changes, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular abnormalities such as
hyperreflexia and clonus. It is caused by excess serotonergic activity.
Question 3
,A patient prescribed phenelzine should avoid which food to prevent
hypertensive crisis?
A. Aged cheese
B. White rice
C. Fresh apples
D. Plain pasta
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: Aged cheese contains tyramine. MAOIs inhibit
tyramine metabolism, which can cause a hypertensive crisis. Patients
must follow a low-tyramine diet.
Question 4
Which adverse effect is most concerning in a tricyclic antidepressant
overdose?
A. Dry mouth
B. Constipation
C. Urinary retention
D. Cardiac dysrhythmias
Correct answer: D
RATIONALE: TCA overdose can cause life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias, including QRS widening and ventricular arrhythmias.
Cardiac monitoring is essential.
Question 5
A patient starting bupropion should be monitored for which serious
adverse effect?
A. Sedation
B. Seizures
, C. Weight gain
D. Hyperprolactinemia
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold. It should be
avoided in patients with seizure disorders, eating disorders, or those
undergoing abrupt alcohol/benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Question 6
Which antidepressant is commonly associated with increased appetite
and weight gain?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Sertraline
C. Mirtazapine
D. Bupropion
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Mirtazapine frequently causes increased appetite and
weight gain due to its antihistaminergic effects. It is often used when
weight gain is desired.
Question 7
A patient taking venlafaxine should have which vital sign monitored
regularly?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Temperature
C. Oxygen saturation
D. Blood pressure
Correct answer: D
