NURS 6630 – Advanced Psychopharmacology
Exam Bundle
1. A 35-year-old patient is started on fluoxetine for depression. What is the most common side
effect?
A. Weight gain
B. Hypertension
C. Sexual dysfunction
D. Urinary retention
Answer: C
SSRIs like fluoxetine often cause delayed orgasm, decreased libido, and anorgasmia.
2. Which medication is contraindicated in a patient with a history of seizures?
A. Sertraline
B. Venlafaxine
C. Bupropion
D. Escitalopram
Answer: C
Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold, especially in high doses or in patients with eating disorders.
3. What is the black box warning for all antidepressants?
A. Renal failure
B. Suicidal thoughts in young adults and adolescents
C. Liver toxicity
D. Dependency
Answer: B
All antidepressants carry a risk of increased suicidal ideation in patients under 25.
4. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by benzodiazepines?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Serotonin
D. GABA
Answer: D
Benzodiazepines enhance GABA-A receptor activity, producing anxiolytic and sedative effects.
, 5. A patient taking lithium should avoid:
A. High-fat meals
B. Caffeine
C. NSAIDs
D. Vitamin D
Answer: C
NSAIDs reduce renal clearance of lithium, increasing the risk of toxicity.
6. Atypical antipsychotics are preferred over typicals due to:
A. Greater dopamine blockade
B. Lower risk of EPS
C. Better absorption
D. Lower cost
Answer: B
Second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics have a lower risk of extrapyramidal symptoms.
7. Which medication is FDA-approved for PTSD?
A. Bupropion
B. Fluoxetine
C. Paroxetine
D. Buspirone
Answer: C
Paroxetine and sertraline are FDA-approved for PTSD treatment.
8. Risperidone has a high risk of which side effect compared to other atypical antipsychotics?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. QT prolongation
C. Hyperprolactinemia
D. Weight loss
Answer: C
Risperidone increases prolactin more than most other second-gen antipsychotics.
9. Which antidepressant is most sedating?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Bupropion
C. Sertraline
, D. Mirtazapine
Answer: D
Mirtazapine blocks histamine receptors, leading to sedation and weight gain.
10. Which mood stabilizer requires regular thyroid monitoring?
A. Lamotrigine
B. Lithium
C. Valproate
D. Carbamazepine
Answer: B
Lithium can cause hypothyroidism; TSH should be monitored regularly.
11. Which antipsychotic has the highest risk for metabolic syndrome?
A. Ziprasidone
B. Aripiprazole
C. Olanzapine
D. Lurasidone
Answer: C
Olanzapine is strongly associated with weight gain, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance.
12. A patient reports tremors after starting haloperidol. What is the likely cause?
A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Akathisia
C. Parkinsonism
D. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Answer: C
Drug-induced parkinsonism (bradykinesia, tremor) is a common EPS caused by dopamine blockade.
13. What is the first-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Alprazolam
B. Propranolol
C. Buspirone
D. Sertraline
Answer: D
SSRIs like sertraline are first-line for chronic anxiety due to long-term efficacy and safety.
Exam Bundle
1. A 35-year-old patient is started on fluoxetine for depression. What is the most common side
effect?
A. Weight gain
B. Hypertension
C. Sexual dysfunction
D. Urinary retention
Answer: C
SSRIs like fluoxetine often cause delayed orgasm, decreased libido, and anorgasmia.
2. Which medication is contraindicated in a patient with a history of seizures?
A. Sertraline
B. Venlafaxine
C. Bupropion
D. Escitalopram
Answer: C
Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold, especially in high doses or in patients with eating disorders.
3. What is the black box warning for all antidepressants?
A. Renal failure
B. Suicidal thoughts in young adults and adolescents
C. Liver toxicity
D. Dependency
Answer: B
All antidepressants carry a risk of increased suicidal ideation in patients under 25.
4. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by benzodiazepines?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Serotonin
D. GABA
Answer: D
Benzodiazepines enhance GABA-A receptor activity, producing anxiolytic and sedative effects.
, 5. A patient taking lithium should avoid:
A. High-fat meals
B. Caffeine
C. NSAIDs
D. Vitamin D
Answer: C
NSAIDs reduce renal clearance of lithium, increasing the risk of toxicity.
6. Atypical antipsychotics are preferred over typicals due to:
A. Greater dopamine blockade
B. Lower risk of EPS
C. Better absorption
D. Lower cost
Answer: B
Second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics have a lower risk of extrapyramidal symptoms.
7. Which medication is FDA-approved for PTSD?
A. Bupropion
B. Fluoxetine
C. Paroxetine
D. Buspirone
Answer: C
Paroxetine and sertraline are FDA-approved for PTSD treatment.
8. Risperidone has a high risk of which side effect compared to other atypical antipsychotics?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. QT prolongation
C. Hyperprolactinemia
D. Weight loss
Answer: C
Risperidone increases prolactin more than most other second-gen antipsychotics.
9. Which antidepressant is most sedating?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Bupropion
C. Sertraline
, D. Mirtazapine
Answer: D
Mirtazapine blocks histamine receptors, leading to sedation and weight gain.
10. Which mood stabilizer requires regular thyroid monitoring?
A. Lamotrigine
B. Lithium
C. Valproate
D. Carbamazepine
Answer: B
Lithium can cause hypothyroidism; TSH should be monitored regularly.
11. Which antipsychotic has the highest risk for metabolic syndrome?
A. Ziprasidone
B. Aripiprazole
C. Olanzapine
D. Lurasidone
Answer: C
Olanzapine is strongly associated with weight gain, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance.
12. A patient reports tremors after starting haloperidol. What is the likely cause?
A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Akathisia
C. Parkinsonism
D. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Answer: C
Drug-induced parkinsonism (bradykinesia, tremor) is a common EPS caused by dopamine blockade.
13. What is the first-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Alprazolam
B. Propranolol
C. Buspirone
D. Sertraline
Answer: D
SSRIs like sertraline are first-line for chronic anxiety due to long-term efficacy and safety.
