NSG 552 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. A patient with generalized anxiety disorder has persistent excessive worry, muscle
tension, and insomnia. Which medication is an appropriate first-line pharmacologic
treatment?
A. Alprazolam
B. Escitalopram
C. Phenobarbital
D. Chlorpromazine
- Answers -: B. Escitalopram
2. Which neurotransmitter system is primarily enhanced by benzodiazepines?
A. Dopamine
B. Glutamate
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
- Answers -: C. GABA
3. What is the primary mechanism of action of SSRIs?
A. Block dopamine D2 receptors
B. Inhibit serotonin reuptake
C. Stimulate GABA receptors directly
D. Block norepinephrine receptors
- Answers -: B. Inhibit serotonin reuptake
4. Which medication is an SNRI?
A. Sertraline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Venlafaxine
D. Buspirone
- Answers -: C. Venlafaxine
5. A patient taking an SSRI reports mild nausea during the first week. What is the best
initial response?
,A. Immediately discontinue the medication
B. Explain that GI effects can occur early and may improve with continued treatment
C. Add a benzodiazepine indefinitely
D. Double the SSRI dose
- Answers -: B. Explain that GI effects can occur early and may improve with continued
treatment
6. Which medication is specifically classified as a benzodiazepine?
A. Buspirone
B. Alprazolam
C. Venlafaxine
D. Hydroxyzine
- Answers -: B. Alprazolam
7. Which adverse effect is particularly concerning when benzodiazepines are combined
with opioids?
A. Severe hypertension
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Neutropenia
- Answers -: B. Respiratory depression
8. Which medication is commonly used as a non-benzodiazepine treatment for
generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Buspirone
B. Haloperidol
C. Lithium
D. Methylphenidate
- Answers -: A. Buspirone
9. What is an important counseling point about buspirone?
A. It is intended primarily for immediate panic relief
B. It has a delayed therapeutic onset
C. It causes severe respiratory depression in most patients
D. It should be taken only once during an acute panic attack
- Answers -: B. It has a delayed therapeutic onset
, 10. A patient with panic disorder requires long-term pharmacotherapy. Which
medication class is generally preferred?
A. SSRI
B. Barbiturate
C. Stimulant
D. Anticholinergic
- Answers -: A. SSRI
11. Which medication is FDA-approved for panic disorder?
A. Alprazolam
B. Lithium
C. Atomoxetine
D. Lamotrigine
- Answers -: A. Alprazolam
12. A patient experiences recurrent unexpected panic attacks and develops persistent
concern about having another attack. This presentation is most consistent with:
A. Social anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
C. Specific phobia
D. Adjustment disorder
- Answers -: B. Panic disorder
13. Which psychotherapy is strongly supported for anxiety disorders?
A. Cognitive behavioral therapy
B. Psychoanalysis only
C. Electroconvulsive therapy
D. Light therapy
- Answers -: A. Cognitive behavioral therapy
14. A patient with social anxiety has severe fear of public speaking. Which medication
may be useful for occasional performance anxiety?
A. Propranolol
B. Lithium
C. Clozapine
D. Carbamazepine
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. A patient with generalized anxiety disorder has persistent excessive worry, muscle
tension, and insomnia. Which medication is an appropriate first-line pharmacologic
treatment?
A. Alprazolam
B. Escitalopram
C. Phenobarbital
D. Chlorpromazine
- Answers -: B. Escitalopram
2. Which neurotransmitter system is primarily enhanced by benzodiazepines?
A. Dopamine
B. Glutamate
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
- Answers -: C. GABA
3. What is the primary mechanism of action of SSRIs?
A. Block dopamine D2 receptors
B. Inhibit serotonin reuptake
C. Stimulate GABA receptors directly
D. Block norepinephrine receptors
- Answers -: B. Inhibit serotonin reuptake
4. Which medication is an SNRI?
A. Sertraline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Venlafaxine
D. Buspirone
- Answers -: C. Venlafaxine
5. A patient taking an SSRI reports mild nausea during the first week. What is the best
initial response?
,A. Immediately discontinue the medication
B. Explain that GI effects can occur early and may improve with continued treatment
C. Add a benzodiazepine indefinitely
D. Double the SSRI dose
- Answers -: B. Explain that GI effects can occur early and may improve with continued
treatment
6. Which medication is specifically classified as a benzodiazepine?
A. Buspirone
B. Alprazolam
C. Venlafaxine
D. Hydroxyzine
- Answers -: B. Alprazolam
7. Which adverse effect is particularly concerning when benzodiazepines are combined
with opioids?
A. Severe hypertension
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Neutropenia
- Answers -: B. Respiratory depression
8. Which medication is commonly used as a non-benzodiazepine treatment for
generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Buspirone
B. Haloperidol
C. Lithium
D. Methylphenidate
- Answers -: A. Buspirone
9. What is an important counseling point about buspirone?
A. It is intended primarily for immediate panic relief
B. It has a delayed therapeutic onset
C. It causes severe respiratory depression in most patients
D. It should be taken only once during an acute panic attack
- Answers -: B. It has a delayed therapeutic onset
, 10. A patient with panic disorder requires long-term pharmacotherapy. Which
medication class is generally preferred?
A. SSRI
B. Barbiturate
C. Stimulant
D. Anticholinergic
- Answers -: A. SSRI
11. Which medication is FDA-approved for panic disorder?
A. Alprazolam
B. Lithium
C. Atomoxetine
D. Lamotrigine
- Answers -: A. Alprazolam
12. A patient experiences recurrent unexpected panic attacks and develops persistent
concern about having another attack. This presentation is most consistent with:
A. Social anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
C. Specific phobia
D. Adjustment disorder
- Answers -: B. Panic disorder
13. Which psychotherapy is strongly supported for anxiety disorders?
A. Cognitive behavioral therapy
B. Psychoanalysis only
C. Electroconvulsive therapy
D. Light therapy
- Answers -: A. Cognitive behavioral therapy
14. A patient with social anxiety has severe fear of public speaking. Which medication
may be useful for occasional performance anxiety?
A. Propranolol
B. Lithium
C. Clozapine
D. Carbamazepine
