FINAL EXAM PHARM: NR 566
PHARM, 2025/2026 WITH
CORRECT/ACCURATE ANSWERS
Doxazosin side effects - CORRECT ANSWERS- orthostatic
hypotension, falls, reflex tachycardia, headache, and nasal
congestion
How to monitor antiepileptic drugs for effectiveness - CORRECT
ANSWERS- Monitoring plasma drug levels and absence of
seizures during trial period while finding right medication. Patient
should not drive during this time
Which anticonvulsant would be given for someone with epilepsy
needing adjunctive therapy for partial seizures with or without
secondary generalization? - CORRECT ANSWERS- gabapentin
What to do when someone on memantine has an elevated
creatinine clearance - CORRECT ANSWERS- Reduce dosage in
patients with moderate renal impairment and discontinue in
patients with severe renal impairment
Panic disorder First-line treatment options - CORRECT ANSWERS-
The SSRIs are first-line drugs for panic disorder fluoxetine
[Prozac], paroxetine [Paxil], and sertraline [Zoloft]; take for at
least 6-9 months to prevent rebound anxiety
,Performance Anxiety first-line treatment options - CORRECT
ANSWERS- beta blockers- Propranolol to prevent associated
tachycardia
General Anxiety Disorder first-line treatment options - CORRECT
ANSWERS- o SSRIs- Paroxetine (Paxil) and Fluoxetine (Prozac)
o SNRIs- Buspirone (Buspar)
Approach when first drug doesn't seem to be working - CORRECT
ANSWERS- o wait at least 4 weeks minimum before
increasing/changing dose
o 1st increase dose, then change drug within same class, then
switch to new class, then start second med
How long should it take to work? - CORRECT ANSWERS- 4-8
weeks
Suicide risks - CORRECT ANSWERS- o increased risk of suicide in
those taking antidepressants, especially in children and young
adults
o never to be stopped abruptly (increases risk)
Sleep disturbance first-line treatment options - CORRECT
ANSWERS- o Benzodiazepines: Triazolam
, o Benzodiazepine-Like Drugs: zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon
(sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta)
o Melatonin Receptor Agonist: melatonin, ramelteon (Rozerem)
o Orexin Receptor Agonist: suvorexant (Belsomra)
Which sleep med would help patients fall asleep if they don't have
trouble staying asleep? - CORRECT ANSWERS- All zolpidem
formulations have a rapid onset and hence can help people who
have difficulty falling asleep. In addition, the extended-release
formulation—Ambien CR—can help people who have difficulty
maintaining sleep.
Lithium therapeutic drug level - CORRECT ANSWERS- 0.6-
0.8mEq/L
Lithium drug-drug interactions - CORRECT ANSWERS- o
Thiazides-Diuretics- lithium toxicity
o NSAIDS- higher plasma lithium levels
o Haloperidol-encephalopathic syndrome (weakness, tremors,
confusion, lethargy)
o Carbamazepine
o antacids-decreases effectiveness of lithium
Common adverse reactions extrapyramidal symptoms of first
generation antipsychotics (FGA) - CORRECT ANSWERS- o
Parkinsonism, akathisia, dystonia (all manageable w/
anticholinergics), Tardive Dyskinesia (no treatment)
PHARM, 2025/2026 WITH
CORRECT/ACCURATE ANSWERS
Doxazosin side effects - CORRECT ANSWERS- orthostatic
hypotension, falls, reflex tachycardia, headache, and nasal
congestion
How to monitor antiepileptic drugs for effectiveness - CORRECT
ANSWERS- Monitoring plasma drug levels and absence of
seizures during trial period while finding right medication. Patient
should not drive during this time
Which anticonvulsant would be given for someone with epilepsy
needing adjunctive therapy for partial seizures with or without
secondary generalization? - CORRECT ANSWERS- gabapentin
What to do when someone on memantine has an elevated
creatinine clearance - CORRECT ANSWERS- Reduce dosage in
patients with moderate renal impairment and discontinue in
patients with severe renal impairment
Panic disorder First-line treatment options - CORRECT ANSWERS-
The SSRIs are first-line drugs for panic disorder fluoxetine
[Prozac], paroxetine [Paxil], and sertraline [Zoloft]; take for at
least 6-9 months to prevent rebound anxiety
,Performance Anxiety first-line treatment options - CORRECT
ANSWERS- beta blockers- Propranolol to prevent associated
tachycardia
General Anxiety Disorder first-line treatment options - CORRECT
ANSWERS- o SSRIs- Paroxetine (Paxil) and Fluoxetine (Prozac)
o SNRIs- Buspirone (Buspar)
Approach when first drug doesn't seem to be working - CORRECT
ANSWERS- o wait at least 4 weeks minimum before
increasing/changing dose
o 1st increase dose, then change drug within same class, then
switch to new class, then start second med
How long should it take to work? - CORRECT ANSWERS- 4-8
weeks
Suicide risks - CORRECT ANSWERS- o increased risk of suicide in
those taking antidepressants, especially in children and young
adults
o never to be stopped abruptly (increases risk)
Sleep disturbance first-line treatment options - CORRECT
ANSWERS- o Benzodiazepines: Triazolam
, o Benzodiazepine-Like Drugs: zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon
(sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta)
o Melatonin Receptor Agonist: melatonin, ramelteon (Rozerem)
o Orexin Receptor Agonist: suvorexant (Belsomra)
Which sleep med would help patients fall asleep if they don't have
trouble staying asleep? - CORRECT ANSWERS- All zolpidem
formulations have a rapid onset and hence can help people who
have difficulty falling asleep. In addition, the extended-release
formulation—Ambien CR—can help people who have difficulty
maintaining sleep.
Lithium therapeutic drug level - CORRECT ANSWERS- 0.6-
0.8mEq/L
Lithium drug-drug interactions - CORRECT ANSWERS- o
Thiazides-Diuretics- lithium toxicity
o NSAIDS- higher plasma lithium levels
o Haloperidol-encephalopathic syndrome (weakness, tremors,
confusion, lethargy)
o Carbamazepine
o antacids-decreases effectiveness of lithium
Common adverse reactions extrapyramidal symptoms of first
generation antipsychotics (FGA) - CORRECT ANSWERS- o
Parkinsonism, akathisia, dystonia (all manageable w/
anticholinergics), Tardive Dyskinesia (no treatment)
