NR 546 Final Practice Exam Advanced
Psychopharmacology Questions and Answers
1. MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) affect which
neurotransmitters?
A. Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine
B. Serotonin, GABA, Glutamate
C. Acetylcholine, Dopamine, Norepinephrine
D. Dopamine, GABA, Acetylcholine: A. Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine
2. Which of the following is considered first line treatment for
depression?
A. SSRI
B. FGA
C. SNRI
D. MAOI: A. SSRI
3. When treating a patient for major depression disorder which
medication would the PMHNP consider first?
,A. Depakote
B. Selegiline
C. Escitalopram
D. Isocarboxazid: C. Escitalopram
4. Which of the following medication should be considered for a
patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder who reports
"always forgetting to take my pills"?
A. Mirtazapine
B. Fluvoxamine
C. Fluoxetine
D. Carbemazepine: C. Fluoxetine
5. Which of the following medication has a black box warning of a
life-threatening skin rash?
A. Lithium
B. Lamotrigine
C. Lurasidone
D. Lorazepam: B. Lamotrigine
6. Which medication is considered the best tolerated SSRI?
,A. Venlafaxine
B. Bupropion
C. Setraline
D. Escitalopram: D. Escitalopram
7. During a 4 week follow up appointment, Rashida, who is prescribed
Sertraline 25mg qAM reports slight improvement in depression
symptoms and tolerating medication well. Which of the following
should the PMHNP do?
A. Increase Setraline dose
B. Switch to an SNRI
C. Switch to a different SSRI
D. Add Trazodone qHS for sleep.: A. Increase Setraline dose
8. Which medication should be avoided for the 66 year patient
diagnosed with major depressive disorder and anxiety with a
reported fall 3 months ago?
A. Citalopram
B. Setraline
C. Paroxetine
D. Aripiprazole: C. Paroxetine
, 9. A patient reports upset stomach and diarrhea 3 days after
taking new pre- scription of sertraline. Which of the following is the
most appropriate response from the PMHNP?
A. "Start doubling the dose of sertraline and your symptoms will begin
to ease up".
B."Most side effects subside after 4-5 days. Your body is getting
adjusted to the increased serotonin levels".
C. "Stop taking it immediately and go to the local emergency
department".
D. "You must take Sertraline with food, otherwise you will continue to
expe- rience GI symptoms".: B. "Most side effects subside after 4-5 days. Your body is
getting adjusted to the increased serotonin levels".
10. During a 2 week follow up appointment, the patient reports
no improvement in depressive symptoms with escitalopram. Which
of the following statement made by the PMHNP is correct?
A. "Let's discontinue escitalopram and start you on something
stronger".
B. "It can take up to 6 weeks before you notice improvements of
depressive symptoms".
C. "I am going to prescibe Trazodone. Take it at night to help you
sleep".
D. "Start taking two pills at a time".: B. "It can take up to 6 weeks before you notice
Psychopharmacology Questions and Answers
1. MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) affect which
neurotransmitters?
A. Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine
B. Serotonin, GABA, Glutamate
C. Acetylcholine, Dopamine, Norepinephrine
D. Dopamine, GABA, Acetylcholine: A. Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine
2. Which of the following is considered first line treatment for
depression?
A. SSRI
B. FGA
C. SNRI
D. MAOI: A. SSRI
3. When treating a patient for major depression disorder which
medication would the PMHNP consider first?
,A. Depakote
B. Selegiline
C. Escitalopram
D. Isocarboxazid: C. Escitalopram
4. Which of the following medication should be considered for a
patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder who reports
"always forgetting to take my pills"?
A. Mirtazapine
B. Fluvoxamine
C. Fluoxetine
D. Carbemazepine: C. Fluoxetine
5. Which of the following medication has a black box warning of a
life-threatening skin rash?
A. Lithium
B. Lamotrigine
C. Lurasidone
D. Lorazepam: B. Lamotrigine
6. Which medication is considered the best tolerated SSRI?
,A. Venlafaxine
B. Bupropion
C. Setraline
D. Escitalopram: D. Escitalopram
7. During a 4 week follow up appointment, Rashida, who is prescribed
Sertraline 25mg qAM reports slight improvement in depression
symptoms and tolerating medication well. Which of the following
should the PMHNP do?
A. Increase Setraline dose
B. Switch to an SNRI
C. Switch to a different SSRI
D. Add Trazodone qHS for sleep.: A. Increase Setraline dose
8. Which medication should be avoided for the 66 year patient
diagnosed with major depressive disorder and anxiety with a
reported fall 3 months ago?
A. Citalopram
B. Setraline
C. Paroxetine
D. Aripiprazole: C. Paroxetine
, 9. A patient reports upset stomach and diarrhea 3 days after
taking new pre- scription of sertraline. Which of the following is the
most appropriate response from the PMHNP?
A. "Start doubling the dose of sertraline and your symptoms will begin
to ease up".
B."Most side effects subside after 4-5 days. Your body is getting
adjusted to the increased serotonin levels".
C. "Stop taking it immediately and go to the local emergency
department".
D. "You must take Sertraline with food, otherwise you will continue to
expe- rience GI symptoms".: B. "Most side effects subside after 4-5 days. Your body is
getting adjusted to the increased serotonin levels".
10. During a 2 week follow up appointment, the patient reports
no improvement in depressive symptoms with escitalopram. Which
of the following statement made by the PMHNP is correct?
A. "Let's discontinue escitalopram and start you on something
stronger".
B. "It can take up to 6 weeks before you notice improvements of
depressive symptoms".
C. "I am going to prescibe Trazodone. Take it at night to help you
sleep".
D. "Start taking two pills at a time".: B. "It can take up to 6 weeks before you notice
