NURS 660 EXAM 2 2025
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION
QUESTION 1
A 36-year-old man with depression has had 3 therapeutic trials of serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) without notable improvement. His clinician is now
considering switching the patient's SRI to a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
Which of the following is an appropriate switching strategy in this situation?
a) Cross-titrate SRI with MAOI
b) Discontinue SRI, then initiate MAOI
c) Discontinue SRI, then wait 5 half-lives before initiating MAOI
d) Discontinue SRI, then wait 14 days before initiating MAOI
c
QUESTION 2
Tricyclic antidepressants, compared to newer antidepressants such as serotonin
selective reuptake inhibitors or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, have:
END OF
PAGE 1
, NURS 660 EXAM 2 2025
a) Less favorable efficacy profiles
b) Less favorable tolerability profiles
c) A and B
d) Neither A nor B
b
QUESTION 3
A 39-year-old patient with major depressive disorder presents to your office after
several months of trying various antidepressant drugs. It is suggested that he try
augmenting his current regimen with L-methylfolate. Why might L-methylfolate
hypothetically boost the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressants?
a) It increases synthesis of monoamines
b) It increases the release of monoamines
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PAGE 2
, NURS 660 EXAM 2 2025
It both increases synthesis and inhibits metabolism of monoamines
a
QUESTION 4
Which of the following is true about depression and reproductive hormones?
a) Depression is linked to estrogen levels in women across their life cycles
b) Depression is linked to testosterone levels in men across their life cycles
c) AandB
d) Neither A nor B
a
QUESTION 5
A 24-year-old woman has been taking lithium to treat her bipolar disorder for 6
years. Lithium's hypothesized mechanism of action is:
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PAGE 3
, NURS 660 EXAM 2 2025
a) Inhibition of second messenger enzymes
b) Interaction with downstream signal transduction cascades
c) Inhibition of voltage-sensitive sodium channels
d) AandB
e) BandC
d
QUESTION 6
A 35-year-old patient with bipolar disorder is currently experiencing a depressive
episode that involves suicidal ideation. Which of the following mood stabilizers
has shown efficacy for the prevention of suicide?
a) Lithium
b) Carbamazepine
END OF
PAGE 4
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION
QUESTION 1
A 36-year-old man with depression has had 3 therapeutic trials of serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) without notable improvement. His clinician is now
considering switching the patient's SRI to a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
Which of the following is an appropriate switching strategy in this situation?
a) Cross-titrate SRI with MAOI
b) Discontinue SRI, then initiate MAOI
c) Discontinue SRI, then wait 5 half-lives before initiating MAOI
d) Discontinue SRI, then wait 14 days before initiating MAOI
c
QUESTION 2
Tricyclic antidepressants, compared to newer antidepressants such as serotonin
selective reuptake inhibitors or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, have:
END OF
PAGE 1
, NURS 660 EXAM 2 2025
a) Less favorable efficacy profiles
b) Less favorable tolerability profiles
c) A and B
d) Neither A nor B
b
QUESTION 3
A 39-year-old patient with major depressive disorder presents to your office after
several months of trying various antidepressant drugs. It is suggested that he try
augmenting his current regimen with L-methylfolate. Why might L-methylfolate
hypothetically boost the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressants?
a) It increases synthesis of monoamines
b) It increases the release of monoamines
END OF
PAGE 2
, NURS 660 EXAM 2 2025
It both increases synthesis and inhibits metabolism of monoamines
a
QUESTION 4
Which of the following is true about depression and reproductive hormones?
a) Depression is linked to estrogen levels in women across their life cycles
b) Depression is linked to testosterone levels in men across their life cycles
c) AandB
d) Neither A nor B
a
QUESTION 5
A 24-year-old woman has been taking lithium to treat her bipolar disorder for 6
years. Lithium's hypothesized mechanism of action is:
END OF
PAGE 3
, NURS 660 EXAM 2 2025
a) Inhibition of second messenger enzymes
b) Interaction with downstream signal transduction cascades
c) Inhibition of voltage-sensitive sodium channels
d) AandB
e) BandC
d
QUESTION 6
A 35-year-old patient with bipolar disorder is currently experiencing a depressive
episode that involves suicidal ideation. Which of the following mood stabilizers
has shown efficacy for the prevention of suicide?
a) Lithium
b) Carbamazepine
END OF
PAGE 4
