NURS660 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM
1: NURS660 ADVANCED
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND MENTAL
HEALTH, 2025/2026 WITH
CORRECT/ACCURATE ANSWERS
AT MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY
typically focuses on foundational knowledge and introductory
concepts of psychotropic medications.
It covers the basic principles of how drugs work and the core classes
of medications used to treat mental health disorders.
ADVANCED PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND
MENTAL HEALTH
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
What is the most important differential to rule out in postmenopausal
bleeding? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--Cancer (especially endometrial)
An average cycle is how many days? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--28 days
Range 21-35 days/3-5 weeks
How long does an average cycle last and how much blood is typically lost?
- CORRECT-ANSWERS--4-6 days
30 mL (not typically measured, upper limit of normal 6-80)
,Amenorrhea is defined as - CORRECT-ANSWERS--Absence of menses >6
months
If <6 months, this is just irregular menstrual bleeding and not actual
amenorrhea
Define oligomenorrhea - CORRECT-ANSWERS--Bleeding at an interval >35
days
Define menorrhagia - CORRECT-ANSWERS--Excessive or prolonged
menstural bleeding occurring at regular intervals
>80 cc or >7 days
Define polymenorrhea - CORRECT-ANSWERS--Bleeding at an interval <21
days
Differentiate between ovulatory and anovulatory bleeding. - CORRECT-
ANSWERS--Ovulatory bleeding is cyclic bleeding accompanied by cyclic
signs of ovulation (tender breasts, cramping, pain) aka typical menstrual
bleeding
Anovulatory bleeding is unpredictable, non-cyclic bleeding that is variable
in flow and duration. There are no signs of ovulation.
What age groups are anovulatory bleeding not uncommon in? - CORRECT-
ANSWERS--Perimenopausal
Pre-teen
What are some differentials to consider with pregnancy related AUB? -
CORRECT-ANSWERS--Spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy, placental
previa (not attached to the fundus), placenta abruptio (detaching,
emergency), trophoblastic disease, childbirth complications
,What are some medications that can cause irregular bleeding? Herbals? -
CORRECT-ANSWERS--Anticoagulants, SSRIs/antipsychotics (especially
Lexapro), corticosteroids, hormonal medications, IUD, tamoxifen
Also some herbals like ginseng, gingko, soy, black cohosh
Tamoxifen has what effects on estrogen? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--Blocks
estrogen at the breast but has a positive effect on uterus which can
increase endometrial cancer risk and therefore create AUB
Name some systemic diseases that can cause AUB. - CORRECT-
ANSWERS--thyroid disease (both hypo and hyper)
PCOS
Coagulopathies
Hepatic disease
Pituitary adenoma
Hypothalamic suppression (common in athletes due to low adipose)
In a woman who is not menopausal, what needs to be ruled out before
investigating other causes of AUB? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--pregnancy
always
Why is it important to assess the size, contour, and tenderness of the
uterus when doing a physical exam for someone with AUB? - CORRECT-
ANSWERS--rule out ectopic pregnancy, fibroids that you may be able to
palpate
What lab are you going to make sure to add for a woman who reports she
is reporting she is changing her pad or tampon multiple times in an hour?
- CORRECT-ANSWERS--Bleeding studies: H/H, platelet count, PT, PTT
May want to consider factor VIII, von Willebrand factor antigen (referral)
, A patient with AUB is also reporting nipple discharge. What is your top
differential and what lab do you want to order? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--
Prolactinoma
Order prolactin level
Who requires an endometrial biopsy if experiencing AUB? - CORRECT-
ANSWERS--All women over age 35 or with risk factors of endometrial
cancer
What is the initial pharmacologic management of SEVERE AUB in
reproductive-age women? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--High dose of estrogen
during severe acute bleeding
Oral: 35 mcg 1-4x/day for 7 days and then daily
IV prn
What is something to consider when a patient is interested in endometrial
ablation as treatment for their AUB? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--Fertility
Will not be able to have children after this procedure so it is not
recommended in the case that she wants to reproduce
For a patient who is having chronic or less severe ANOVULATORY AUB,
what would the pharmacologic management be? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--
OCPs can help by increasing the predictability of cycles as well as
decreasing blood loss per cycle
Provera is cyclic progesterone which can help manage flow or jump start
cycles to get back on track
What is the use for the medication Provera? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--By
taking 5-10 mg daily for 5-10 days you can manage your flow OR jump
1: NURS660 ADVANCED
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND MENTAL
HEALTH, 2025/2026 WITH
CORRECT/ACCURATE ANSWERS
AT MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY
typically focuses on foundational knowledge and introductory
concepts of psychotropic medications.
It covers the basic principles of how drugs work and the core classes
of medications used to treat mental health disorders.
ADVANCED PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND
MENTAL HEALTH
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
What is the most important differential to rule out in postmenopausal
bleeding? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--Cancer (especially endometrial)
An average cycle is how many days? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--28 days
Range 21-35 days/3-5 weeks
How long does an average cycle last and how much blood is typically lost?
- CORRECT-ANSWERS--4-6 days
30 mL (not typically measured, upper limit of normal 6-80)
,Amenorrhea is defined as - CORRECT-ANSWERS--Absence of menses >6
months
If <6 months, this is just irregular menstrual bleeding and not actual
amenorrhea
Define oligomenorrhea - CORRECT-ANSWERS--Bleeding at an interval >35
days
Define menorrhagia - CORRECT-ANSWERS--Excessive or prolonged
menstural bleeding occurring at regular intervals
>80 cc or >7 days
Define polymenorrhea - CORRECT-ANSWERS--Bleeding at an interval <21
days
Differentiate between ovulatory and anovulatory bleeding. - CORRECT-
ANSWERS--Ovulatory bleeding is cyclic bleeding accompanied by cyclic
signs of ovulation (tender breasts, cramping, pain) aka typical menstrual
bleeding
Anovulatory bleeding is unpredictable, non-cyclic bleeding that is variable
in flow and duration. There are no signs of ovulation.
What age groups are anovulatory bleeding not uncommon in? - CORRECT-
ANSWERS--Perimenopausal
Pre-teen
What are some differentials to consider with pregnancy related AUB? -
CORRECT-ANSWERS--Spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy, placental
previa (not attached to the fundus), placenta abruptio (detaching,
emergency), trophoblastic disease, childbirth complications
,What are some medications that can cause irregular bleeding? Herbals? -
CORRECT-ANSWERS--Anticoagulants, SSRIs/antipsychotics (especially
Lexapro), corticosteroids, hormonal medications, IUD, tamoxifen
Also some herbals like ginseng, gingko, soy, black cohosh
Tamoxifen has what effects on estrogen? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--Blocks
estrogen at the breast but has a positive effect on uterus which can
increase endometrial cancer risk and therefore create AUB
Name some systemic diseases that can cause AUB. - CORRECT-
ANSWERS--thyroid disease (both hypo and hyper)
PCOS
Coagulopathies
Hepatic disease
Pituitary adenoma
Hypothalamic suppression (common in athletes due to low adipose)
In a woman who is not menopausal, what needs to be ruled out before
investigating other causes of AUB? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--pregnancy
always
Why is it important to assess the size, contour, and tenderness of the
uterus when doing a physical exam for someone with AUB? - CORRECT-
ANSWERS--rule out ectopic pregnancy, fibroids that you may be able to
palpate
What lab are you going to make sure to add for a woman who reports she
is reporting she is changing her pad or tampon multiple times in an hour?
- CORRECT-ANSWERS--Bleeding studies: H/H, platelet count, PT, PTT
May want to consider factor VIII, von Willebrand factor antigen (referral)
, A patient with AUB is also reporting nipple discharge. What is your top
differential and what lab do you want to order? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--
Prolactinoma
Order prolactin level
Who requires an endometrial biopsy if experiencing AUB? - CORRECT-
ANSWERS--All women over age 35 or with risk factors of endometrial
cancer
What is the initial pharmacologic management of SEVERE AUB in
reproductive-age women? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--High dose of estrogen
during severe acute bleeding
Oral: 35 mcg 1-4x/day for 7 days and then daily
IV prn
What is something to consider when a patient is interested in endometrial
ablation as treatment for their AUB? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--Fertility
Will not be able to have children after this procedure so it is not
recommended in the case that she wants to reproduce
For a patient who is having chronic or less severe ANOVULATORY AUB,
what would the pharmacologic management be? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--
OCPs can help by increasing the predictability of cycles as well as
decreasing blood loss per cycle
Provera is cyclic progesterone which can help manage flow or jump start
cycles to get back on track
What is the use for the medication Provera? - CORRECT-ANSWERS--By
taking 5-10 mg daily for 5-10 days you can manage your flow OR jump
