Psychotropic Medications Practice Challenge:
150 Questions for Clinical Test Bank. Answers
And Rationale
2025/2026
1. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with depression?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Serotonin
D. Acetylcholine
Answer: C. Serotonin
Rationale: Serotonin deficiency is strongly linked to depressive
symptoms.
2. Which drug is classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
(SSRI)?
A. Amitriptyline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Phenelzine
D. Haloperidol
Answer: B. Fluoxetine
Rationale: Fluoxetine is a classic SSRI antidepressant.
3. Which side effect is most commonly associated with tricyclic
antidepressants?
A. Hypertension
B. Anticholinergic effects
C. Renal failure
D. Weight loss
Answer: B. Anticholinergic effects
, Rationale: TCAs commonly cause dry mouth, constipation,
urinary retention, and blurred vision.
4. Which medication is considered a mood stabilizer?
A. Sertraline
B. Lithium
C. Diazepam
D. Risperidone
Answer: B. Lithium
Rationale: Lithium is a first-line mood stabilizer for bipolar
disorder.
5. Which lab test must be monitored routinely in patients taking
lithium?
A. Liver function tests
B. Serum lithium level
C. Serum glucose
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B. Serum lithium level
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index and requires
frequent level monitoring.
6. Which antipsychotic is classified as a typical (first-generation)
antipsychotic?
A. Olanzapine
B. Quetiapine
C. Haloperidol
D. Clozapine
Answer: C. Haloperidol
Rationale: Haloperidol is a high-potency typical antipsychotic.
7. Which serious adverse effect is associated with clozapine?
A. Hypertension
, B. Agranulocytosis
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Renal failure
Answer: B. Agranulocytosis
Rationale: Clozapine can cause life-threatening agranulocytosis,
requiring CBC monitoring.
8. What is the primary mechanism of action of benzodiazepines?
A. Dopamine blockade
B. Serotonin reuptake inhibition
C. Enhancement of GABA
D. NMDA receptor stimulation
Answer: C. Enhancement of GABA
Rationale: Benzodiazepines enhance the inhibitory effect of
GABA in the CNS.
9. Which antidepressant class has the highest risk of hypertensive
crisis when combined with tyramine-rich foods?
A. SSRI
B. Tricyclic antidepressant
C. MAOI
D. SNRI
Answer: C. MAOI
Rationale: Monoamine oxidase inhibitors can cause dangerous
increases in blood pressure when combined with tyramine.
10. Which side effect is most common with SSRIs?
A. Sedation
B. Sexual dysfunction
C. Agranulocytosis
D. Hypotension
Answer: B. Sexual dysfunction
, Rationale: SSRIs commonly cause decreased libido, delayed
ejaculation, and anorgasmia.
11. Which antipsychotic is most likely to cause metabolic
syndrome?
A. Haloperidol
B. Risperidone
C. Olanzapine
D. Chlorpromazine
Answer: C. Olanzapine
Rationale: Olanzapine is associated with weight gain,
hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance.
12. Which symptom is a hallmark of serotonin syndrome?
A. Hypothermia
B. Muscle rigidity
C. Hyperreflexia
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C. Hyperreflexia
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome presents with hyperreflexia,
clonus, agitation, and autonomic instability.
13. Which benzodiazepine is preferred for long-term
management of anxiety?
A. Alprazolam
B. Lorazepam
C. Diazepam
D. Clonazepam
Answer: D. Clonazepam
Rationale: Clonazepam has a longer half-life and lower abuse
potential than short-acting benzodiazepines.
150 Questions for Clinical Test Bank. Answers
And Rationale
2025/2026
1. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with depression?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Serotonin
D. Acetylcholine
Answer: C. Serotonin
Rationale: Serotonin deficiency is strongly linked to depressive
symptoms.
2. Which drug is classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
(SSRI)?
A. Amitriptyline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Phenelzine
D. Haloperidol
Answer: B. Fluoxetine
Rationale: Fluoxetine is a classic SSRI antidepressant.
3. Which side effect is most commonly associated with tricyclic
antidepressants?
A. Hypertension
B. Anticholinergic effects
C. Renal failure
D. Weight loss
Answer: B. Anticholinergic effects
, Rationale: TCAs commonly cause dry mouth, constipation,
urinary retention, and blurred vision.
4. Which medication is considered a mood stabilizer?
A. Sertraline
B. Lithium
C. Diazepam
D. Risperidone
Answer: B. Lithium
Rationale: Lithium is a first-line mood stabilizer for bipolar
disorder.
5. Which lab test must be monitored routinely in patients taking
lithium?
A. Liver function tests
B. Serum lithium level
C. Serum glucose
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B. Serum lithium level
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index and requires
frequent level monitoring.
6. Which antipsychotic is classified as a typical (first-generation)
antipsychotic?
A. Olanzapine
B. Quetiapine
C. Haloperidol
D. Clozapine
Answer: C. Haloperidol
Rationale: Haloperidol is a high-potency typical antipsychotic.
7. Which serious adverse effect is associated with clozapine?
A. Hypertension
, B. Agranulocytosis
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Renal failure
Answer: B. Agranulocytosis
Rationale: Clozapine can cause life-threatening agranulocytosis,
requiring CBC monitoring.
8. What is the primary mechanism of action of benzodiazepines?
A. Dopamine blockade
B. Serotonin reuptake inhibition
C. Enhancement of GABA
D. NMDA receptor stimulation
Answer: C. Enhancement of GABA
Rationale: Benzodiazepines enhance the inhibitory effect of
GABA in the CNS.
9. Which antidepressant class has the highest risk of hypertensive
crisis when combined with tyramine-rich foods?
A. SSRI
B. Tricyclic antidepressant
C. MAOI
D. SNRI
Answer: C. MAOI
Rationale: Monoamine oxidase inhibitors can cause dangerous
increases in blood pressure when combined with tyramine.
10. Which side effect is most common with SSRIs?
A. Sedation
B. Sexual dysfunction
C. Agranulocytosis
D. Hypotension
Answer: B. Sexual dysfunction
, Rationale: SSRIs commonly cause decreased libido, delayed
ejaculation, and anorgasmia.
11. Which antipsychotic is most likely to cause metabolic
syndrome?
A. Haloperidol
B. Risperidone
C. Olanzapine
D. Chlorpromazine
Answer: C. Olanzapine
Rationale: Olanzapine is associated with weight gain,
hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance.
12. Which symptom is a hallmark of serotonin syndrome?
A. Hypothermia
B. Muscle rigidity
C. Hyperreflexia
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C. Hyperreflexia
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome presents with hyperreflexia,
clonus, agitation, and autonomic instability.
13. Which benzodiazepine is preferred for long-term
management of anxiety?
A. Alprazolam
B. Lorazepam
C. Diazepam
D. Clonazepam
Answer: D. Clonazepam
Rationale: Clonazepam has a longer half-life and lower abuse
potential than short-acting benzodiazepines.
