NSG 552 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM 3
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. A patient taking an SSRI develops agitation, diaphoresis, diarrhea, hyperreflexia, and
fever. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Anticholinergic toxicity
C. Serotonin syndrome
D. Tardive dyskinesia
Correct Answer: C — Serotonin syndrome
2. Which medication is an SSRI?
A. Venlafaxine
B. Bupropion
C. Sertraline
D. Mirtazapine
Correct Answer: C — Sertraline
3. Which instruction is most important for a patient beginning an SSRI?
A. Stop the medication when mood improves
B. Expect immediate improvement within 24 hours
C. Continue taking the medication as prescribed because therapeutic effects may take
several weeks
D. Take double doses if depression worsens
Correct Answer: C — Continue taking the medication as prescribed
4. Which antidepressant is also commonly used for smoking cessation?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Bupropion
C. Paroxetine
D. Amitriptyline
Correct Answer: B — Bupropion
5. Which patient should generally avoid bupropion?
,A. Patient with insomnia
B. Patient with hypertension
C. Patient with a seizure disorder
D. Patient with seasonal depression
Correct Answer: C — Patient with a seizure disorder
6. Which adverse effect is associated with SSRIs?
A. Severe hypoglycemia
B. Sexual dysfunction
C. Agranulocytosis in all patients
D. Severe urinary retention
Correct Answer: B — Sexual dysfunction
7. A patient taking fluoxetine develops suicidal thoughts shortly after starting therapy.
What is the nurse's priority?
A. Tell the patient this is expected
B. Instruct the patient to stop immediately
C. Assess suicide risk and notify the appropriate provider
D. Increase the dose
Correct Answer: C — Assess suicide risk and notify the appropriate provider
8. Which antidepressant class is associated with significant anticholinergic effects?
A. SSRIs
B. SNRIs
C. Tricyclic antidepressants
D. MAOIs
Correct Answer: C — Tricyclic antidepressants
9. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with tricyclic antidepressants?
A. Excessive salivation
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Severe hypoglycemia
D. Increased bowel motility
Correct Answer: B — Orthostatic hypotension
10. Which finding in a patient taking a tricyclic antidepressant requires immediate
attention?
, A. Dry mouth
B. Mild constipation
C. Cardiac dysrhythmia
D. Mild drowsiness
Correct Answer: C — Cardiac dysrhythmia
11. A patient taking an MAOI should be taught to avoid foods high in tyramine because
of the risk of:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hypertensive crisis
C. Respiratory depression
D. Renal failure
Correct Answer: B — Hypertensive crisis
12. Which food should a patient taking an MAOI avoid?
A. Fresh apples
B. White rice
C. Aged cheese
D. Fresh lettuce
Correct Answer: C — Aged cheese
13. Which medication combination places a patient at increased risk for serotonin
syndrome?
A. Lithium and calcium
B. MAOI and SSRI
C. Antacid and acetaminophen
D. Benzodiazepine and calcium carbonate
Correct Answer: B — MAOI and SSRI
14. Which antidepressant is classified as an SNRI?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Trazodone
C. Venlafaxine
D. Bupropion
Correct Answer: C — Venlafaxine
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. A patient taking an SSRI develops agitation, diaphoresis, diarrhea, hyperreflexia, and
fever. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Anticholinergic toxicity
C. Serotonin syndrome
D. Tardive dyskinesia
Correct Answer: C — Serotonin syndrome
2. Which medication is an SSRI?
A. Venlafaxine
B. Bupropion
C. Sertraline
D. Mirtazapine
Correct Answer: C — Sertraline
3. Which instruction is most important for a patient beginning an SSRI?
A. Stop the medication when mood improves
B. Expect immediate improvement within 24 hours
C. Continue taking the medication as prescribed because therapeutic effects may take
several weeks
D. Take double doses if depression worsens
Correct Answer: C — Continue taking the medication as prescribed
4. Which antidepressant is also commonly used for smoking cessation?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Bupropion
C. Paroxetine
D. Amitriptyline
Correct Answer: B — Bupropion
5. Which patient should generally avoid bupropion?
,A. Patient with insomnia
B. Patient with hypertension
C. Patient with a seizure disorder
D. Patient with seasonal depression
Correct Answer: C — Patient with a seizure disorder
6. Which adverse effect is associated with SSRIs?
A. Severe hypoglycemia
B. Sexual dysfunction
C. Agranulocytosis in all patients
D. Severe urinary retention
Correct Answer: B — Sexual dysfunction
7. A patient taking fluoxetine develops suicidal thoughts shortly after starting therapy.
What is the nurse's priority?
A. Tell the patient this is expected
B. Instruct the patient to stop immediately
C. Assess suicide risk and notify the appropriate provider
D. Increase the dose
Correct Answer: C — Assess suicide risk and notify the appropriate provider
8. Which antidepressant class is associated with significant anticholinergic effects?
A. SSRIs
B. SNRIs
C. Tricyclic antidepressants
D. MAOIs
Correct Answer: C — Tricyclic antidepressants
9. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with tricyclic antidepressants?
A. Excessive salivation
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Severe hypoglycemia
D. Increased bowel motility
Correct Answer: B — Orthostatic hypotension
10. Which finding in a patient taking a tricyclic antidepressant requires immediate
attention?
, A. Dry mouth
B. Mild constipation
C. Cardiac dysrhythmia
D. Mild drowsiness
Correct Answer: C — Cardiac dysrhythmia
11. A patient taking an MAOI should be taught to avoid foods high in tyramine because
of the risk of:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hypertensive crisis
C. Respiratory depression
D. Renal failure
Correct Answer: B — Hypertensive crisis
12. Which food should a patient taking an MAOI avoid?
A. Fresh apples
B. White rice
C. Aged cheese
D. Fresh lettuce
Correct Answer: C — Aged cheese
13. Which medication combination places a patient at increased risk for serotonin
syndrome?
A. Lithium and calcium
B. MAOI and SSRI
C. Antacid and acetaminophen
D. Benzodiazepine and calcium carbonate
Correct Answer: B — MAOI and SSRI
14. Which antidepressant is classified as an SNRI?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Trazodone
C. Venlafaxine
D. Bupropion
Correct Answer: C — Venlafaxine
