NSG 552 Psychopharmacology Exam
2 Wilkes Qs and Ans with Explanation
1. Adjustment disorders: Occur when a person develops emotional or
behavioral symptoms in response to a stressful event or situation;
symptoms aren't those of normal bereavement and resolve within 6
months of the stressor.
Correct Answer True.
Explanation: Adjustment disorders typically resolve within 6 months
after the stressor ends.
2. SSRIs (sertraline and duloxetine): Which of the following class of
meds are used as first-line therapy for PTSD?
Correct Answer SSRIs (sertraline and paroxetine).
Explanation: SSRIs are FDA-approved first-line medications for PTSD.
3. Blood pressure: What do you need to monitor if a patient is on
Prazosin?
Correct Answer Blood pressure.
Explanation: Prazosin can cause hypotension, so blood pressure should
be monitored.
,4. Why are benzodiazepines contraindicated in PTSD treatment?
Correct Answer They interfere with the psychological processes needed
to benefit from CBT; high risk of comorbid substance use disorder (SUD)
and benzodiazepines are highly addictive.
Explanation: Benzos can hinder psychotherapy and pose addiction risks,
especially in PTSD.
5. What medications are FDA approved to treat PTSD?
Correct Answer Sertraline and Paroxetine.
Explanation: These SSRIs are FDA approved for PTSD.
6. When would you augment treatment of PTSD with an atypical
antipsychotic?
Correct Answer Only in SEVERE cases.
Explanation: Augmentation is reserved for severe, treatment-resistant
PTSD.
7. What co-occurring disorder do patients with DID typically have?
Correct Answer PTSD.
Explanation: Dissociative Identity Disorder often coexists with PTSD due
to trauma history.
,8. What are SSRIs effective for in DID?
Correct Answer Co-occurring depressive or PTSD symptoms.
Explanation: SSRIs help manage depression and PTSD symptoms in DID.
9. What are the suggested treatments for adjustment disorders?
Correct Answer Psychotherapy and pharmacology to target associated
symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia.
Explanation: Treatment focuses on symptom management with therapy
and medications.
10. In patients with DID, what medication is used to reduce self-
injurious behaviors?
Correct Answer Naltrexone.
Explanation: Naltrexone can help decrease self-harm behaviors.
11. Is ECT contraindicated in DID?
Correct Answer No. There is often concurrent depression/anxiety, and
ECT can be effective, especially if symptoms are treatment-resistant.
Explanation: ECT is not contraindicated; it may be beneficial in
comorbid depression.
, 12. What are the suggested treatments for excoriation disorder?
Correct Answer Psychotherapy; SSRIs for concurrent
anxiety/depression; antipsychotics; anxiolytics.
Explanation: Multi-modal approach includes behavioral therapy and
medications for comorbid conditions.
13. What disorder has the following characteristics: recurrent skin
picking that results in lesions despite attempts to stop?
Correct Answer Excoriation disorder.
Explanation: Also known as dermatillomania.
14. What is the suggested treatment for trichotillomania?
Correct Answer Psychotherapy; SSRIs for concurrent
anxiety/depression; Clomipramine, atypical antipsychotics (lithium, N-
acetylcysteine).
Explanation: Behavioral therapy plus medications like Clomipramine are
effective.
15. What disorder has the characteristic of recurrent pulling out one's
hair despite repeated attempts to stop?
Correct Answer Trichotillomania.
Explanation: Recognized as a body-focused repetitive behavior.
2 Wilkes Qs and Ans with Explanation
1. Adjustment disorders: Occur when a person develops emotional or
behavioral symptoms in response to a stressful event or situation;
symptoms aren't those of normal bereavement and resolve within 6
months of the stressor.
Correct Answer True.
Explanation: Adjustment disorders typically resolve within 6 months
after the stressor ends.
2. SSRIs (sertraline and duloxetine): Which of the following class of
meds are used as first-line therapy for PTSD?
Correct Answer SSRIs (sertraline and paroxetine).
Explanation: SSRIs are FDA-approved first-line medications for PTSD.
3. Blood pressure: What do you need to monitor if a patient is on
Prazosin?
Correct Answer Blood pressure.
Explanation: Prazosin can cause hypotension, so blood pressure should
be monitored.
,4. Why are benzodiazepines contraindicated in PTSD treatment?
Correct Answer They interfere with the psychological processes needed
to benefit from CBT; high risk of comorbid substance use disorder (SUD)
and benzodiazepines are highly addictive.
Explanation: Benzos can hinder psychotherapy and pose addiction risks,
especially in PTSD.
5. What medications are FDA approved to treat PTSD?
Correct Answer Sertraline and Paroxetine.
Explanation: These SSRIs are FDA approved for PTSD.
6. When would you augment treatment of PTSD with an atypical
antipsychotic?
Correct Answer Only in SEVERE cases.
Explanation: Augmentation is reserved for severe, treatment-resistant
PTSD.
7. What co-occurring disorder do patients with DID typically have?
Correct Answer PTSD.
Explanation: Dissociative Identity Disorder often coexists with PTSD due
to trauma history.
,8. What are SSRIs effective for in DID?
Correct Answer Co-occurring depressive or PTSD symptoms.
Explanation: SSRIs help manage depression and PTSD symptoms in DID.
9. What are the suggested treatments for adjustment disorders?
Correct Answer Psychotherapy and pharmacology to target associated
symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia.
Explanation: Treatment focuses on symptom management with therapy
and medications.
10. In patients with DID, what medication is used to reduce self-
injurious behaviors?
Correct Answer Naltrexone.
Explanation: Naltrexone can help decrease self-harm behaviors.
11. Is ECT contraindicated in DID?
Correct Answer No. There is often concurrent depression/anxiety, and
ECT can be effective, especially if symptoms are treatment-resistant.
Explanation: ECT is not contraindicated; it may be beneficial in
comorbid depression.
, 12. What are the suggested treatments for excoriation disorder?
Correct Answer Psychotherapy; SSRIs for concurrent
anxiety/depression; antipsychotics; anxiolytics.
Explanation: Multi-modal approach includes behavioral therapy and
medications for comorbid conditions.
13. What disorder has the following characteristics: recurrent skin
picking that results in lesions despite attempts to stop?
Correct Answer Excoriation disorder.
Explanation: Also known as dermatillomania.
14. What is the suggested treatment for trichotillomania?
Correct Answer Psychotherapy; SSRIs for concurrent
anxiety/depression; Clomipramine, atypical antipsychotics (lithium, N-
acetylcysteine).
Explanation: Behavioral therapy plus medications like Clomipramine are
effective.
15. What disorder has the characteristic of recurrent pulling out one's
hair despite repeated attempts to stop?
Correct Answer Trichotillomania.
Explanation: Recognized as a body-focused repetitive behavior.
