NSG 552 Psychopharmacology Exam 3 Complete Test
Bank: 300 Questions with Correct Answers, NGN Case
Scenarios & Detailed Rationales 2026/2027 | Practice
Study Guide | Guaranteed Pass
1. A patient with major depressive disorder has failed two adequate trials of
SSRIs. Which medication is FDA-approved as an adjunct for treatment-
resistant depression?
A) Bupropion
B) Aripiprazole
C) Sertraline
D) Venlafaxine
Answer: B
Rationale: Aripiprazole is FDA-approved as adjunctive therapy for treatment-
resistant depression.
2. Which medication is an NMDA receptor antagonist approved for
treatment-resistant depression?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Esketamine
C) Sertraline
D) Paroxetine
Answer: B
,Rationale: Esketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist with rapid antidepressant
effects.
3. A patient on esketamine reports dissociation during administration. What
is the best advice?
A) Stop the medication
B) Reassure that it is expected and monitor
C) Increase the dose
D) Add a benzodiazepine
Answer: B
Rationale: Dissociation is a common side effect of esketamine; monitor and
reassure.
4. Which medication is a newer antidepressant with multimodal activity?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Vortioxetine
C) Sertraline
D) Paroxetine
Answer: B
Rationale: Vortioxetine is a multimodal antidepressant with serotonin reuptake
inhibition and receptor activity.
2
,5. A patient on vortioxetine reports nausea. What is the best advice?
A) Stop the medication
B) Take with food
C) Increase the dose
D) Add a benzodiazepine
Answer: B
Rationale: Nausea is a common side effect of vortioxetine; taking with food may
help.
6. Which medication is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and partial 5-HT1A
agonist?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Vilazodone
C) Sertraline
D) Paroxetine
Answer: B
Rationale: Vilazodone is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and partial 5-HT1A
agonist.
7. A patient on vilazodone reports diarrhea. What is the best advice?
A) Stop the medication
B) Take with food
C) Increase the dose
3
, D) Add a benzodiazepine
Answer: B
Rationale: Diarrhea is a common side effect of vilazodone; taking with food may
help.
8. Which medication is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor used
for depression?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Bupropion
C) Sertraline
D) Paroxetine
Answer: B
Rationale: Bupropion is an NDRI used for depression and smoking cessation.
9. A patient on bupropion reports seizures. What is the priority action?
A) Continue the medication
B) Stop bupropion and seek emergency care
C) Increase the dose
D) Add a benzodiazepine
Answer: B
Rationale: Bupropion lowers seizure threshold; stop and seek urgent care.
4
Bank: 300 Questions with Correct Answers, NGN Case
Scenarios & Detailed Rationales 2026/2027 | Practice
Study Guide | Guaranteed Pass
1. A patient with major depressive disorder has failed two adequate trials of
SSRIs. Which medication is FDA-approved as an adjunct for treatment-
resistant depression?
A) Bupropion
B) Aripiprazole
C) Sertraline
D) Venlafaxine
Answer: B
Rationale: Aripiprazole is FDA-approved as adjunctive therapy for treatment-
resistant depression.
2. Which medication is an NMDA receptor antagonist approved for
treatment-resistant depression?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Esketamine
C) Sertraline
D) Paroxetine
Answer: B
,Rationale: Esketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist with rapid antidepressant
effects.
3. A patient on esketamine reports dissociation during administration. What
is the best advice?
A) Stop the medication
B) Reassure that it is expected and monitor
C) Increase the dose
D) Add a benzodiazepine
Answer: B
Rationale: Dissociation is a common side effect of esketamine; monitor and
reassure.
4. Which medication is a newer antidepressant with multimodal activity?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Vortioxetine
C) Sertraline
D) Paroxetine
Answer: B
Rationale: Vortioxetine is a multimodal antidepressant with serotonin reuptake
inhibition and receptor activity.
2
,5. A patient on vortioxetine reports nausea. What is the best advice?
A) Stop the medication
B) Take with food
C) Increase the dose
D) Add a benzodiazepine
Answer: B
Rationale: Nausea is a common side effect of vortioxetine; taking with food may
help.
6. Which medication is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and partial 5-HT1A
agonist?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Vilazodone
C) Sertraline
D) Paroxetine
Answer: B
Rationale: Vilazodone is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and partial 5-HT1A
agonist.
7. A patient on vilazodone reports diarrhea. What is the best advice?
A) Stop the medication
B) Take with food
C) Increase the dose
3
, D) Add a benzodiazepine
Answer: B
Rationale: Diarrhea is a common side effect of vilazodone; taking with food may
help.
8. Which medication is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor used
for depression?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Bupropion
C) Sertraline
D) Paroxetine
Answer: B
Rationale: Bupropion is an NDRI used for depression and smoking cessation.
9. A patient on bupropion reports seizures. What is the priority action?
A) Continue the medication
B) Stop bupropion and seek emergency care
C) Increase the dose
D) Add a benzodiazepine
Answer: B
Rationale: Bupropion lowers seizure threshold; stop and seek urgent care.
4
