NR546 MOOD DISORDERS MEDICATION MANAGEMENT |
2026/2027 NURSING STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS
1. What are two potential risks that necessitate monitoring patients on mood
disorder medications?
Anxiety and panic attacks
Nausea and vomiting
Suicide and serotonin syndrome
Weight gain and insomnia
2. Which of the following is NOT a common anticholinergic effect experienced
by patients taking mood disorder medications?
Constipation
Urinary retention
Blurred vision
Increased appetite
3. Describe the mechanism by which tyramine affects patients on MAOIs.
Tyramine increases the metabolism of MAOIs, reducing their
effectiveness.
Tyramine has no significant effect on patients taking MAOIs.
Tyramine enhances serotonin production, which can cause mood
elevation.
Tyramine can lead to hypertensive crises because MAO-A is
inhibited, preventing the breakdown of tyramine.
,4. Regarding the definition of treatment-resistant depression presented in this
course (Ananth, 1998), choose the correct description:
Failure to respond adequately to three successive courses of
monotherapy with antidepressants from the same pharmacological
class, given in an adequate dose for sufficient length of time.
Failure to respond adequately to two successive courses of
monotherapy with pharmacological different antidepressants, given
in an adequate dose for sufficient length of time.
Failure to respond adequately to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Failure to respond adequately to three successive courses of
monotherapy with pharmacological different antidepressants, given in
an adequate dose for sufficient length of time.
5. Describe the role of Mirtazapine in the treatment of mood disorders.
Mirtazapine functions as a stimulant to enhance mood.
Mirtazapine primarily increases dopamine levels in the brain.
Mirtazapine helps alleviate symptoms of depression by acting on
serotonin and norepinephrine receptors.
Mirtazapine is used to treat anxiety disorders exclusively.
6. What is a key reason for the contraindication of Bupropion in certain
patients?
Risk of liver damage
Increased risk of heart disease
Increased risk of seizure activity
Potential for addiction
,7. If a patient with Bipolar Disorder presents with symptoms of both mania and
depression, what should be the primary consideration in their treatment plan?
The treatment plan should address both mood states to stabilize the
patient effectively.
Prioritize the treatment of manic symptoms exclusively.
Focus solely on managing depressive symptoms first.
Implement a wait-and-see approach before adjusting medications.
8. Describe the mood fluctuations that define Bipolar Disorder and their impact
on daily functioning.
Bipolar Disorder is defined by mood fluctuations between
emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and emotional lows
(depression), which can significantly impact daily functioning.
Bipolar Disorder is characterized by consistent low mood without
fluctuations.
Bipolar Disorder involves only depressive episodes without manic
phases.
Bipolar Disorder is marked by stable mood with occasional irritability.
9. What is the primary goal of antidepressant treatment for patients with
resistant depression?
Stabilize mood fluctuations
Achieve remission of symptoms
Reduce side effects of medication
Increase serotonin levels
, 10. Valproic acid is primarily indicated for _____ as well as other indications.
Mixed (bipolar/mania)
Bipolar I
Bipolar II
11. What type of medications are preferred for managing acute agitation in a
hospital setting?
Benzodiazepines
Long-acting antidepressants
Antipsychotic medications
Rapid-acting oral antimanic medications
12. Recently, you have increased your patient's bupropion to help treat
increasing depression symptoms. This is the only medication they have
tolerated for depression. If your patient has a seizure three days after the
increased dose, which one of the following is the best strategy for managing
the patient?
Start carbamazepine to treat the seizures
2026/2027 NURSING STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS
1. What are two potential risks that necessitate monitoring patients on mood
disorder medications?
Anxiety and panic attacks
Nausea and vomiting
Suicide and serotonin syndrome
Weight gain and insomnia
2. Which of the following is NOT a common anticholinergic effect experienced
by patients taking mood disorder medications?
Constipation
Urinary retention
Blurred vision
Increased appetite
3. Describe the mechanism by which tyramine affects patients on MAOIs.
Tyramine increases the metabolism of MAOIs, reducing their
effectiveness.
Tyramine has no significant effect on patients taking MAOIs.
Tyramine enhances serotonin production, which can cause mood
elevation.
Tyramine can lead to hypertensive crises because MAO-A is
inhibited, preventing the breakdown of tyramine.
,4. Regarding the definition of treatment-resistant depression presented in this
course (Ananth, 1998), choose the correct description:
Failure to respond adequately to three successive courses of
monotherapy with antidepressants from the same pharmacological
class, given in an adequate dose for sufficient length of time.
Failure to respond adequately to two successive courses of
monotherapy with pharmacological different antidepressants, given
in an adequate dose for sufficient length of time.
Failure to respond adequately to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Failure to respond adequately to three successive courses of
monotherapy with pharmacological different antidepressants, given in
an adequate dose for sufficient length of time.
5. Describe the role of Mirtazapine in the treatment of mood disorders.
Mirtazapine functions as a stimulant to enhance mood.
Mirtazapine primarily increases dopamine levels in the brain.
Mirtazapine helps alleviate symptoms of depression by acting on
serotonin and norepinephrine receptors.
Mirtazapine is used to treat anxiety disorders exclusively.
6. What is a key reason for the contraindication of Bupropion in certain
patients?
Risk of liver damage
Increased risk of heart disease
Increased risk of seizure activity
Potential for addiction
,7. If a patient with Bipolar Disorder presents with symptoms of both mania and
depression, what should be the primary consideration in their treatment plan?
The treatment plan should address both mood states to stabilize the
patient effectively.
Prioritize the treatment of manic symptoms exclusively.
Focus solely on managing depressive symptoms first.
Implement a wait-and-see approach before adjusting medications.
8. Describe the mood fluctuations that define Bipolar Disorder and their impact
on daily functioning.
Bipolar Disorder is defined by mood fluctuations between
emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and emotional lows
(depression), which can significantly impact daily functioning.
Bipolar Disorder is characterized by consistent low mood without
fluctuations.
Bipolar Disorder involves only depressive episodes without manic
phases.
Bipolar Disorder is marked by stable mood with occasional irritability.
9. What is the primary goal of antidepressant treatment for patients with
resistant depression?
Stabilize mood fluctuations
Achieve remission of symptoms
Reduce side effects of medication
Increase serotonin levels
, 10. Valproic acid is primarily indicated for _____ as well as other indications.
Mixed (bipolar/mania)
Bipolar I
Bipolar II
11. What type of medications are preferred for managing acute agitation in a
hospital setting?
Benzodiazepines
Long-acting antidepressants
Antipsychotic medications
Rapid-acting oral antimanic medications
12. Recently, you have increased your patient's bupropion to help treat
increasing depression symptoms. This is the only medication they have
tolerated for depression. If your patient has a seizure three days after the
increased dose, which one of the following is the best strategy for managing
the patient?
Start carbamazepine to treat the seizures
