NURS 6630 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM TEST BANK
Question 1
A 45-year-old male with major depressive disorder is started on fluoxetine. What is the
primary mechanism of action of fluoxetine? A. Dopamine reuptake inhibitor
B. Serotonin reuptake inhibitor
C. Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
D. Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
Answer: B. Serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Question 2
Which of the following antipsychotic medications has the highest risk of causing
metabolic syndrome? A. Haloperidol
B. Risperidone
C. Olanzapine
D. Aripiprazole
Answer: C. Olanzapine
Question 3
A patient on lithium for bipolar disorder presents with symptoms of tremor, polyuria, and
hypothyroidism. What is the most likely explanation for these symptoms? A. Lithium
toxicity
B. Concurrent hypothyroidism
C. Side effects of lithium
D. Dehydration
Answer: C. Side effects of lithium
Question 4
What is the therapeutic serum concentration range for lithium in the treatment of bipolar
disorder? A. 0.1-0.5 mEq/L
B. 0.6-1.2 mEq/L
C. 1.3-2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.1-3.0 mEq/L
Answer: B. 0.6-1.2 mEq/L
Question 5
Which class of medications is considered first-line treatment for generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD)? A. Benzodiazepines
B. Beta-blockers
C. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
D. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
,Answer: C. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Question 6
A patient with schizophrenia is being treated with clozapine. What is the most serious
potential side effect of this medication that requires regular monitoring? A. Tardive
dyskinesia
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Hyperprolactinemia
D. Weight gain
Answer: B. Agranulocytosis
Question 7
A 30-year-old female with bipolar disorder is prescribed valproic acid. What laboratory
test should be monitored regularly? A. Complete blood count (CBC)
B. Liver function tests (LFTs)
C. Serum sodium
D. Thyroid function tests
Answer: B. Liver function tests (LFTs)
Question 8
Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by medications used to treat ADHD? A.
Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Glutamate
Answer: B. Dopamine
Question 9
What is the primary action of benzodiazepines in the treatment of anxiety disorders? A.
Dopamine receptor blockade
B. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase
C. Enhancement of GABA activity
D. Norepinephrine reuptake inhibition
Answer: C. Enhancement of GABA activity
Question 10
A patient taking sertraline for depression complains of sexual dysfunction. Which of the
following medications is least likely to cause sexual side effects? A. Fluoxetine
B. Venlafaxine
C. Bupropion
D. Paroxetine
,Answer: C. Bupropion
Explanation for Selected Answers:
● Fluoxetine (Prozac) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that works by
increasing levels of serotonin in the brain.
● Olanzapine (Zyprexa) is known to have a high risk of metabolic side effects, including
weight gain and diabetes.
● Lithium commonly causes tremor, polyuria, and can lead to hypothyroidism as side
effects.
● Lithium therapeutic range for bipolar disorder is 0.6-1.2 mEq/L.
● SSRIs are typically the first-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) due to
their favorable side effect profile compared to other medications.
● Clozapine (Clozaril) requires regular monitoring of white blood cell count due to the risk
of agranulocytosis, a potentially life-threatening decrease in white blood cells.
● Valproic acid (Depakote) requires regular liver function tests (LFTs) due to the risk of
hepatotoxicity.
● ADHD medications like stimulants primarily target dopamine to help improve attention
and focus.
● Benzodiazepines enhance the activity of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which
helps to reduce anxiety.
● Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is an antidepressant that is least likely to cause sexual side
effects compared to SSRIs and SNRIs.
Certainly! Here’s a set of 100 additional practice questions for NURS 6630
Psychopharmacology. This list covers a range of psychotropic medications and their uses, side
effects, and mechanisms of action.
Practice Questions
Question 11
Which of the following is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)? A.
Weight loss
B. Hypotension
C. Insomnia
D. Sedation
Answer: B. Hypotension
Question 12
What is the mechanism of action of bupropion? A. Serotonin reuptake inhibition
B. Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibition
C. Monoamine oxidase inhibition
D. GABA enhancement
Answer: B. Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibition
, Question 13
Which medication is considered a "first-generation" antipsychotic? A. Quetiapine
B. Clozapine
C. Haloperidol
D. Aripiprazole
Answer: C. Haloperidol
Question 14
Which of the following is a key characteristic of second-generation antipsychotics? A.
Higher risk of tardive dyskinesia
B. Lower risk of metabolic side effects
C. Higher efficacy in treating negative symptoms
D. Increased incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms
Answer: C. Higher efficacy in treating negative symptoms
Question 15
A patient presents with new-onset tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia while on
antipsychotic medication. What is the most likely diagnosis? A. Parkinson's disease
B. Acute dystonia
C. Tardive dyskinesia
D. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Answer: B. Acute dystonia
Question 16
Which of the following medications is commonly used to treat obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD)? A. Olanzapine
B. Clomipramine
C. Lithium
D. Buspirone
Answer: B. Clomipramine
Question 17
What is the primary action of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)? A. Increase
serotonin levels
B. Increase norepinephrine levels
C. Increase dopamine levels
D. Inhibit the breakdown of neurotransmitters
Answer: D. Inhibit the breakdown of neurotransmitters
Question 18
Question 1
A 45-year-old male with major depressive disorder is started on fluoxetine. What is the
primary mechanism of action of fluoxetine? A. Dopamine reuptake inhibitor
B. Serotonin reuptake inhibitor
C. Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
D. Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
Answer: B. Serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Question 2
Which of the following antipsychotic medications has the highest risk of causing
metabolic syndrome? A. Haloperidol
B. Risperidone
C. Olanzapine
D. Aripiprazole
Answer: C. Olanzapine
Question 3
A patient on lithium for bipolar disorder presents with symptoms of tremor, polyuria, and
hypothyroidism. What is the most likely explanation for these symptoms? A. Lithium
toxicity
B. Concurrent hypothyroidism
C. Side effects of lithium
D. Dehydration
Answer: C. Side effects of lithium
Question 4
What is the therapeutic serum concentration range for lithium in the treatment of bipolar
disorder? A. 0.1-0.5 mEq/L
B. 0.6-1.2 mEq/L
C. 1.3-2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.1-3.0 mEq/L
Answer: B. 0.6-1.2 mEq/L
Question 5
Which class of medications is considered first-line treatment for generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD)? A. Benzodiazepines
B. Beta-blockers
C. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
D. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
,Answer: C. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Question 6
A patient with schizophrenia is being treated with clozapine. What is the most serious
potential side effect of this medication that requires regular monitoring? A. Tardive
dyskinesia
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Hyperprolactinemia
D. Weight gain
Answer: B. Agranulocytosis
Question 7
A 30-year-old female with bipolar disorder is prescribed valproic acid. What laboratory
test should be monitored regularly? A. Complete blood count (CBC)
B. Liver function tests (LFTs)
C. Serum sodium
D. Thyroid function tests
Answer: B. Liver function tests (LFTs)
Question 8
Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by medications used to treat ADHD? A.
Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Glutamate
Answer: B. Dopamine
Question 9
What is the primary action of benzodiazepines in the treatment of anxiety disorders? A.
Dopamine receptor blockade
B. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase
C. Enhancement of GABA activity
D. Norepinephrine reuptake inhibition
Answer: C. Enhancement of GABA activity
Question 10
A patient taking sertraline for depression complains of sexual dysfunction. Which of the
following medications is least likely to cause sexual side effects? A. Fluoxetine
B. Venlafaxine
C. Bupropion
D. Paroxetine
,Answer: C. Bupropion
Explanation for Selected Answers:
● Fluoxetine (Prozac) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that works by
increasing levels of serotonin in the brain.
● Olanzapine (Zyprexa) is known to have a high risk of metabolic side effects, including
weight gain and diabetes.
● Lithium commonly causes tremor, polyuria, and can lead to hypothyroidism as side
effects.
● Lithium therapeutic range for bipolar disorder is 0.6-1.2 mEq/L.
● SSRIs are typically the first-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) due to
their favorable side effect profile compared to other medications.
● Clozapine (Clozaril) requires regular monitoring of white blood cell count due to the risk
of agranulocytosis, a potentially life-threatening decrease in white blood cells.
● Valproic acid (Depakote) requires regular liver function tests (LFTs) due to the risk of
hepatotoxicity.
● ADHD medications like stimulants primarily target dopamine to help improve attention
and focus.
● Benzodiazepines enhance the activity of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which
helps to reduce anxiety.
● Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is an antidepressant that is least likely to cause sexual side
effects compared to SSRIs and SNRIs.
Certainly! Here’s a set of 100 additional practice questions for NURS 6630
Psychopharmacology. This list covers a range of psychotropic medications and their uses, side
effects, and mechanisms of action.
Practice Questions
Question 11
Which of the following is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)? A.
Weight loss
B. Hypotension
C. Insomnia
D. Sedation
Answer: B. Hypotension
Question 12
What is the mechanism of action of bupropion? A. Serotonin reuptake inhibition
B. Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibition
C. Monoamine oxidase inhibition
D. GABA enhancement
Answer: B. Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibition
, Question 13
Which medication is considered a "first-generation" antipsychotic? A. Quetiapine
B. Clozapine
C. Haloperidol
D. Aripiprazole
Answer: C. Haloperidol
Question 14
Which of the following is a key characteristic of second-generation antipsychotics? A.
Higher risk of tardive dyskinesia
B. Lower risk of metabolic side effects
C. Higher efficacy in treating negative symptoms
D. Increased incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms
Answer: C. Higher efficacy in treating negative symptoms
Question 15
A patient presents with new-onset tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia while on
antipsychotic medication. What is the most likely diagnosis? A. Parkinson's disease
B. Acute dystonia
C. Tardive dyskinesia
D. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Answer: B. Acute dystonia
Question 16
Which of the following medications is commonly used to treat obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD)? A. Olanzapine
B. Clomipramine
C. Lithium
D. Buspirone
Answer: B. Clomipramine
Question 17
What is the primary action of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)? A. Increase
serotonin levels
B. Increase norepinephrine levels
C. Increase dopamine levels
D. Inhibit the breakdown of neurotransmitters
Answer: D. Inhibit the breakdown of neurotransmitters
Question 18
